It is a computer mouse-like device.
Goodyear is well-known for making tires to suit many production, concept and race models. But this tire could be the most bizarre we have seen from the company. The gallery below shows the futuristic Citroen Ultra Collectif concept. It is a joint venture between JCDecaux and Accor in France. It rides on special spheric tires at all four corners. You read that correctly.
We find it difficult to call this car. Citroen prefers to describe the concept as “a revolutionary mobility idea.” The Citroen Skate platform is designed to support an electric powertrain and autonomous functions. It is a skateboard-like vehicle that has self-driving capabilities.
Goodyear donated the Eagle 360 wheels to the project. These wheels were created specifically for the concept. The spherical tires have the Goodyear logo and wingfoot, and small electric motors give the robot concept 360 degree freedom of movement. The creators compare how the concept moves with a computer mouse.
Vincent Cobee (Citroen General Manager) comments, “At Citroen we examine medium- and long-term trend to anticipate consumer needs and expectations.” We believe this new concept will redefine urban mobility. It can be shared, electric and autonomous. We are creating autonomous mobility for everyone with the solution we present in partnership to Accor, JCDecaux.
Citroen claims that the smart electric architecture of the concept allows it to run almost continuously and charges its batteries automatically at designated charging stations. Safety reasons, the concept’s maximum speed is only 15 miles per hour (25 km per hour). It can, however, be programmed to operate at lower speeds depending on where it is operating.