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Leave it to the French to try something different--a new prototype platform for electric cars from Citroen doesn't need to steer the wheels, because normal (cylindrical) wheels are replaced by spherical tires, made specially by Goodyear. https://www.tiretechnologyinternational.com/news/new-tires-news/goodyear-develops-bespoke-eagle-360-spherical-concept-tire-for-citroen.html
Goodyear introduced the Eagle 360 concept at the Geneva International Motor Show in 2016, with a second iteration, the Eagle 360 Urban concept, following in 2017. The latest iteration of the design features a high level of maneuverability (due to the tire’s spherical shape) and long-lasting attributes (thanks to a tread surface that is four times larger than a standard tire). The tire provides extended range due to a low-rolling-resistance rubber and consistent grip in all driving directions thanks to hexagonal siping.
Link includes pics of the car/platform and the tire tread. Are you ready to drive on big black soccer balls? I want mine multi-colored like beach balls.
(Score: 2) by ilPapa on Wednesday October 06 2021, @03:24AM (1 child)
Acura, Audi, Cadillac, BMW, Ferrari, Lambo, Mercedes, Lexus, and Porsche all already make cars with regular tires and 4-wheel steering. What keeps them from doing a crab walk into the side of your car? I'm pretty sure that there was a Toyota Celica in 1992 that also had 4 wheel steering. There is a good chance that you've been passed on the highway by a car with 4 wheel steering and didn't even know it.
You are still welcome on my lawn.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 06 2021, @03:35AM
That 4-wheel steering was on Honda Prelude (a pretty car, I must say, back when Honda produced attractive, interesting, and reliable cars).
Regardless, this isn't a 4-wheel steering, this is a vehicle design that don't have no conception of front/back/left/right. It's a "car" with four spherical balls for wheels.