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: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 06 2021, @03:27AM (1 child)
Another link, this one has several pics of different "cabins" that can be fitted on top of the skate:
https://www.autonomousvehicleinternational.com/news/concept-vehicles/citroen-previews-vision-for-autonomous-mobility-pods.html [autonomousvehicleinternational.com]
(Score: 3, Interesting) by MostCynical on Wednesday October 06 2021, @04:35AM
so seats
or a bed
or a gym..
seats could be sticky
bed will be icky
gym will be stinky.
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex