Goodyear's spherical, levitating tire proves nothing about autonomous cars will be normal

Self-driving cars are going to change the landscape of mobility so much that not even their tires are going to be normal. That is, if Goodyear is to be believed.

In the not-too-distant future, autonomous cars are going to need to be safe, highly maneuverable and connected. And that's exactly what these spherical Goodyear Eagle-360s are.

Goodyear didn't make them spherical just for a futuristic shock-and-awe factor — their shape has utility. Because self-driving cars will need to maneuver in tight spaces — like self-driving parking structures — the tires need to give them much more maneuverability so cars don't have to make 40-point turns (aka the "Austin Powers"). Read more...