By Clifford Atiyeh, Boston.com Correspondent

Tubeless tires
Current tires have an air tube sandwiched between the wheel rim and the outside radial belt. Pressurized air is the one thing that keeps our cars afloat and in control, yet even after a century of air-filled tires, we still get flats and blowouts. Plus, we have to constantly check the tire pressure to ensure vehicle safety and optimum fuel economy. However, several tire companies, including Goodyear, have experimented with tubeless tires, which have no air at all. Super-stiff, honeycomb-like structures keep the tire in proper shape, but can flex enough to handle extra weight and cornering loads. If anything, they look wild and promise easier maintenance, but they’re not even close to production.