Is Goodyear’s Self-regenerating Tire Concept Too Good to be True?

Tires have a limited life cycle that varies according to the quality of the compound and the way they are used. Reversing the process of aging and wear seems impossible, right?

Wrong, says Goodyear, which has developed a revolutionary new tire concept called “reCharge.” It adapts to the weather, season and road conditions, allowing the tread to regenerate as it wears out.

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At the core of the reCharge concept is a reloadable and biodegradable tread compound that can be recharged with individual capsules. Filled with a customized liquid compound, these capsules allow the tread to regenerate and the tire to regain lost properties.

Confused? Here’s a video that makes it a bit clearer:

Thanks to artificial intelligence, Goodyear explains, a driver profile would be created around which the liquid compound would be tailored to each individual. And don’t worry about durability because the compound itself would be reinforced with fibres inspired by one of the toughest natural materials in the world—spider silk.

The tread would be supported by a lightweight, non-pneumatic frame and tall-and-narrow shape, the kind of construction that requires low maintenance since it would eliminate the need for pressure control or downtime related to punctures.

What this means, ultimately, is that replacing your tires could become a thing of the past. All you would have to do is simply to change the rechargeable capsules.

“The Goodyear reCharge is a concept tire without compromise, supporting personalized, sustainable and hassle-free mobility for tomorrow,” the company says.