Anybody that has ever tried to put those damned tire chains on can smile and know that the age old midwest winter traditional may soon be extinct thanks to Q Celsius, a new tire that has retractable studs. The Q Celsius takes its name from James Bond's gadget man, Q, and operates with a switch inside the vehicle.
When you flip a switch inside the car a wireless signal is sent to the tires that will inflate a pocket of air within each tire that makes the little studs protrude from the tire's tread. Like most specialty tires, the Q Celsius is about 30 percent more expensive than traditional tires, but the manufacturer is hoping the lazy factor sets in and people will pay more to not have to put on chains or swap out for winter tires. [Detroit News]