Chicago-based Koala Technologies (KTL), a leading automotive testing, measurement and evaluation tools provider, has launched Te.Sense Bloom – a breakthrough in non-destructive rapid tyre deflation testing. The company has introduced the base kits starting at USD 20,000.

The solution the company claims is fully compliant with FMVSS 110 and emerging EV stability test standards. The Te.Sense Bloom allows passenger vehicle manufacturers and tyre makers to cost-effectively reuse solutions, thereby optimising test programmes while reducing waste.

Currently, the rapid tyre deflation tests often rely on a vehicle being driven over special roadway cleats at defined speeds. This method sees tyres destructively punctured and destroyed by the cleats, and internal inflation pressure is quickly reduced to atmospheric pressure. At times, these tests aim to ensure that the tyres are safely seated on the wheels post rapid deflation, wile at times it is to evaluate vehicle stability in terms of tyre failure.

The company stated that this tests however require destroying multiple tyres, not only leading to waste but may also corrupt certain vehicle dynamics tests that call for a single, targeted tyre failure.

On the other hand, with Te.Sense Bloom, the industry can use non-destructive controlled, rapid deflation for the selected tyres. Using a controllable central air ejector valve with a volume and a flow capacity that simulates a sudden tyre press loss. While the method sounds simple and frugal, the innovation lies in relation with the turn-key nature of Te.Sense Bloom. Automotive testers and engineers get a repeatable set up method, easy in-car operation and simple connectivity with data acquisition systems. As part of its comprehensive supply to Te.Sense Bloom customers, KTL even offers a wheel setup service to simplify test preparations.

The other advantage of Te.Sense Bloom is that the tyre deflation event can be triggered from inside the vehicle or remotely that further expands test scenario possibilities. It can be used for testing tyre inflation pressures up to 100 PSI and speeds up to 140 kmph (87 mph). The real-time tyre inflation data at 100 Hz has a claimed data accuracy of +/-0.1 PSI.  

Kenneth Martin, Head of Tyre Testing at the Transportation Research Center, said, “We have significant experience with rapid tyre deflation tests, using all types of methods, and we’re looking forward to evaluating KTL’s Te.Sense Bloom, since it represents a turn-key, non-destructive solution. There’s definitely some baseline justification for test equipment like this because it fundamentally means consuming fewer tyres. But Te.Sense Bloom’s inherent connectivity opens some other doors also, since triggered and monitored rapid tyre deflations are becoming an area of interest for vehicle stability testing, especially in EV space.” 

The first U.S.-specification kit has been delivered to the Transportation Research Center in Ohio for initial evaluations.

Being compliant with EV stability testing standards the Te.Sense Bloom is already being used by OEMs globally such as Huawei AITO, SAIC Motor Corp and GAC Motor to conduct regulatory tests such as GB/T 38796-2020 (Performance Requirements and Test Methods of Automobile Blow-out Emergency Safety Device).

Mike Lee, Founder and President, KTL, added, “Koala Technologies is excited to introduce Te.Sense Bloom into new markets, beginning in 2025. Bloom has been widely adopted for vehicle development testing in China over the last several years, becoming a must-have tool for many OEMs and key suppliers. It’s one example, among many, of an excellent, trusted, useful automotive testing device that no one knows about outside China. A part of our mission at KTL is to shine a light on some of these exciting technologies that are currently available, but not widely known. Another part of our mission is to help customers achieve their goals more efficiently and at a lower cost. We look forward to the upcoming testing at the Transportation Research Center in Ohio, and we hope that Te.Sense Bloom proves to be a good fit for automotive development programmes in the U.S and beyond.”

Bridgestone Corporation has developed a new Tyre and Road Wear Particles (TRWP) vehicle collection method aimed at understanding the environmental impact of TRWP. The solution was also displayed at the Tire Technology Expo 2025, held in Hannover, Germany, from 4 to 6 March.

TRWP is made up of a blend of road pavement components and tread (tyre surface). In order to comprehend the particle size distribution, dispersion behaviour, and environmental impact – as well as to create effective collecting techniques – Bridgestone is actively engaged in a number of TRWP research projects. The company is dedicated to comprehending TRWP and lowering its generation through these initiatives.

Utilising the B-Mobility testing facility at the Bridgestone Innovation Park in Kodaira, Tokyo, the company has created a state-of-the-art technique that makes it possible to gather TRWP effectively. Bridgestone has used laser light scattering in conjunction with a high-speed camera to visualise the dispersion of particles like TRWP. Based on this, the company has developed a device that effectively catches TRWP and covers the whole tyre. Additionally, the technique made it possible to collect TRWP effectively in a state that removes the effects of exhaust pollutants and broken dust by employing autonomous driving and an electric car with regenerative braking.

Through the Tire Industry Project (TIP), which is part of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Bridgestone has been researching the physical and chemical properties of TRWP and their implications on the environment. In addition to the continuous co-creation and internal R&D cooperation, Bridgestone is speeding up its efforts to evaluate TRWP's environmental consequences by collecting it effectively and with a high recovery rate using its recently developed collection technology.

Webfleet, Bridgestone’s globally trusted fleet management solution, has been recognised as the European Commercial Fleet Telematics Company of the Year 2025 by global research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. This is the third time in the last five years that Webfleet has been recognised with the prestigious award.

Webfleet's emphasis on partner development, leadership in EV and sustainability solutions and strategic innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) were specifically highlighted by Frost & Sullivan. The judges also emphasised the significant contribution Webfleet, which had its 25th anniversary in 2024, has made to the mobility industry over the last 25 years. Webfleet's expanding OEM.connect partner programme with top trailer manufacturers, the recently introduced EV Services Platform and the Webfleet AI Assistant that provides fast, data-driven fleet insights in response to straightforward commands typed by the fleet manager are examples of current initiatives and offerings.

Mugundhan Deenadayalan, Research Manager, Frost & Sullivan, said, “To drive its next growth phase, Webfleet is leveraging two major trends: electric vehicles (EVs) and artificial intelligence (AI). Both fields are poised to significantly impact fleet management and telematics, pushing efficiency and sustainability forward. By embracing EVs and AI, Webfleet will bring innovative solutions to fleets and secure its market leadership position in Europe and across the globe.”

Jan-Maarten de Vries, President – Fleet Management Solutions, Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, said, “We are proud to be recognised with the prestigious Frost & Sullivan award once again, underlining our commitment to continuous innovation and development. This achievement is made possible by our employees, partners and customers, all of whom drive us forward every day to deliver the best data-driven solutions for fleets and shape a smarter, more sustainable future of mobility.”

Webfleet, Bridgestone’s globally trusted fleet management solution, has entered into a partnership with Krone, a leading trailer manufacturer in Europe, to offer an integrated telematics solution via its OEM.connect partner programme.

With factory-installed telematics, commercial fleet owners can now effortlessly link their Krone trailers to the Webfleet platform, doing away with the requirement for aftermarket hardware installations. Thus, businesses may save money and time by gaining access to robust trailer data that can increase trailer utilisation, decrease downtime and enhance general safety and security. Customers may fully utilise the sophisticated Webfleet caravan management tools thanks to this integration. Payload management, tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS), proactive maintenance, safety supervision, real-time position tracking and thorough trip logging are all included.

Jan-Maarten de Vries, President – Fleet Management Solutions, Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, said, “Utilising our OEM.connect programme is the quickest way to get trailers online and start enjoying the benefits of the Webfleet platform that supports you to efficiently manage your trailer fleet. We are excited to collaborate with Krone, a leading trailer manufacturer in Europe, combining truck and existing fleet data on one single platform to help even more businesses with actionable insights to maximise trailer performance.”

Maximilian Birle, Managing Director, Krone Digital, said, “’By cooperating with Webfleet, we are offering our customers advanced telematics features with an easy-to-use interface from one of the leading fleet management solutions in Europe. With the touch of a button, hauliers can get advanced data intelligence and insights with no expenses related to downtime or installation.”

Continental will have four technical presentations at the upcoming Tire Technology Expo, which will take place in Hannover from 4–6 March. On 4 March 2025, the conference will begin with a presentation on Continental Tires' sustainability strategy by Jorge Almeida, Head of Sustainability, and Prof Burkhard Wies, Head of Applied Research and Innovation.

The presentation's main goal is to lessen tyres' impact on the environment while they are in use. On the day of the opening and the day after, Continental will also host three more expert presentations. These include the introduction of a more ecologically friendly adhesive method for textile reinforcing materials called COKOON, the presentation of an inventive testing apparatus for determining energy losses in rubber samples and an investigation of tyre wear particles under actual settings.

Both tyre and road wear particles are among the emissions that arise from driving when a tyre is in use. In order to better understand the environmental effect of wear particles and, consequently, to create innovative ways to further minimise them, it is imperative that measuring methodologies be dependable, standardised, and especially accurate. In order to do this, Continental and the Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany, collaborated on a study. The goal of this project, which was named ‘Online Analysis of Airborne Tyre Wear Particles During their Formation and Differentiation from Particles of Other Origins’ (OLRAP in German), was to create a technique that could measure tyre wear particles during their formation under a range of circumstances, including driving style.

The findings of this study, which was supported by the German Ministry of Science and Culture, will be the main focus of Dr Benjamin Oelze's presentation. He is the Group Leader Test Method Development Tyre Wear at Continental Tires. The Continental specialist for evaluating new materials, Prof Jorge Lacayo-Pineda, will demonstrate a novel rebound testing apparatus that can show a dynamic mechanical study of the hysteresis curve in milliseconds. Dr Yasin Sen, a specialist in adhesion system development at Kordsa, and Dr Cornelia Schmaunz-Hirsch, who oversees the development of new adhesion and reinforcement technologies at Continental Tires, will present on the development of friendly COKOON bonding system.

"Continental is pursuing eager sustainability ambitions. But in the rapidly evolving tyre industry, we also know that certain overarching issues can only be solved collectively. Cross-divisional research projects, exchanges of expertise and the pooling of know-how form the foundation for this. The Tire Technology Expo conference is therefore extremely important to us," said Prof Wies.