The Yokohama Rubber Co., one of the leading tyre manufacturers globally, has announced that it has succeeded this month in developing a proprietary tyre design support system that uses eXplainable AI (XAI).

This enables it to create the desired tyre features by supplementing the knowledge and experience of development staff while also making it easier for less-experienced staff to design tyres. In addition to getting new insights and inspirations to the development of products and performance, it also leads to reduction in development time and costs. 

Yokohama states that the new tyre design support system was created to make its tyre development process more innovative and is based on its HAICoLab AI utilisation concept, which was launched in October 2020. 

How does tyre development happen?

The tyre development begins with a search for features (design factors that determine the tyre’s material, shape, and structure) that will improve the its characteristic values (numerical values and indicators that represent performance and quality) and achieve the development goals. 

Yokohama’s new tyre design support system was developed using a customised version of XAI called SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations), which provides developers with the features that can be useful for realising the desired tyre characteristics. 

In addition, the system provides multifaceted indicators that make it easier for developers to understand how to adjust the obtained features. The system will enable less-experienced developers to efficiently develop new tyre designs.

XAI uses the standard specifications and targeted characteristic values set by development staff to determine the targeted characteristics that need to be improved and related quantitative values.

They further interpret the information presented by XAI (features that can be useful for realising the desired tyre characteristics) from multiple perspectives and modify the specifications. The staff then applied the characteristic value estimation AI developed by Yokohama Rubber in 2021 to check whether each characteristic value was achieving the targeted level. The final specifications are determined after repeating this process, and XAI is able to confirm the basis for each of these specifications — the design factors (features) that help improve or maintain each characteristic value and its contribution rate. 

This collaborative effort between humans and AI generates new discoveries and inspirations that will lead to the development of products with higher performance levels.

The Japanese major plans to use this system to develop a wide range of tyre products and broaden the applicable areas of its HAICoLab.
HAICoLab is a framework that aims to realise digital transformation by merging the unique inspiration and creativity of humans with AI’s enormous data processing capability. 

The resulting human-AI collaborations enable people to interpret, analyse, and judge AI-generated results without being trapped by preconceptions and cognitive biases by incorporating perspectives from outside from their own field of expertise and opinions different from their own that supplement their own extensive experience, knowledge, and assessment criteria. 

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”