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Realising ‘IoT Tyres’ means installing various sensors inside of a tyre in order to collect and transmit information from the tyres to the vehicle, where this information can then be used in various applications. As these sensors require batteries or other sources of energy to operate, we believe that it makes perfect sense to power these devices using the energy produced naturally by the rotation of a tyre: Kazuhisa Fushihara, Manager, Planning & Administration Dept.,  Research & Development HQ, Sumitomo Rubber Industries

Cutting edge technology researches are on overdrive to enhance the performance of a tyre that can fit into the future definition of mobility, which revolves around sustainability. Tyre as a totally autonomous entity even while being the most vital element in a vehicle is among the ultimate goals of designers and technologists – tyres that can operate on its own, depending less on the mother vehicle, ensuring safety to the user and adding high level of value to strengthen the vehicle’s performance.

Surface friction and rolling resistance have always been the focus of tyre makers. A high amount of heat and energy are being generated during a tyre’s roll on the surface. Making use of this to sustain its function has been a major aim of technologists. Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ (SRI) “Energy Harvester” answers to this effort in a big way.       

In mid 2019, Sumitomo, through joint research undertaken with Professor Hiroshi Tani of Kansai University, developed this new technology to generate electric power from the rotation of a tyre. This is accomplished by installing a power generating device (Energy Harvester) inside of a tyre to convert static electricity occurring within a tyre into clean energy. This new device takes advantage of a type of static electricity called “frictional charging” to generate electric power efficiently each time a tyre's footprint deforms as a tyre rotates. Sumitomo, the     parent company of Falken Tyres, believes that this technology holds great potential for practical applications as a power source without needing batteries for various automotive digital tools, including in TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) and other automotive devices.

The research was selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, national research and development agency, as a Type FS Seed Project under A-STEP (Adaptable and Seamless Technology Transfer Program through Target-Driven R&D). Sumitomo Rubber Industries will now advance this research with support from the Japan Science and Technology Agency.

 Sumitomo has been engaged in a wide range of joint research studies with various universities, including Kansai University and Gunma University Center of Research among others, on sustainability projects.

Regarding the project on “The Development of Intelligent Tyres Using Friction-Charged Sensors,” Kazuhisa Fushihara, Manager, Planning & Administration Dept.,

Research & Development HQ, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, told Tyre Trends: “We are afraid that we are unable to comment on the scope of this joint research project, or other areas of joint research with Kansai University, due to the existence of a non-disclosure agreement. However, we can say that, with backing from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), we are actively engaged in research and development that envisions future tyres that fully incorporate IoT technology.

‘In-house’ energy source

On Energy Harvester Technology, Fushihara said that “Kansai University carried out the basic research and development for the underlying technology before engaging in joint research and development with our company toward realising applications for this technology in tyres.

Developing energy sources within tyres/vehicles goes a long way in ensuring sustainability in product manufacturing. The degree of energy saved is directly proportional to the reduction of energy used from external sources, including fossil-based sources.  

Fushihara said: Realising “IoT Tyres” means installing various sensors inside of a tyre in order to collect and transmit information from the tyres to the vehicle, where this information can then be used in various applications. As these sensors require batteries or other sources of energy to operate, we believe that it makes perfect sense to power these devices using the energy produced naturally by the rotation of a tyre.”

Maintaining right pressure in tyre plays a major role in its performance. “We believe that tyre pressure monitoring systems are an enormously beneficial technology, which is why the EU, China and many other countries around the world have followed the lead of the United States in making TPMS a regulatory requirement. Maintaining appropriate tyre pressure is extremely important in terms of both safety and the environment and, with an eye toward the future of automated vehicles, we believe that it is safe to say that TPMS will only become more and more important in the coming years,” Fushihara observed.

He added: “In the future, we hope to add even more value to these kinds of systems by augmenting their functionality so that they are able to detect not only tyre pressure, but also conditions at the point of contact between tyre and road as well as tyre load and other operational factors.”

Sensing Core

“The Sensing Core Technology that we are currently developing is yet another example of the Sumitomo Rubber Group’s efforts to enhance the value of TPMS so that we may provide greater safety and peace of mind to the increasingly automated mobility society of the future.”

The Sensing Core, a new tyre sensing technology, can detect road conditions, tyre load and other information by analysing the wheel speed signals that are generated by the rotation of the tyres.

SRI has already perfected its proprietary DWS (Deflation Warning System) technology, which analyses wheel speed signals from the rotation of tyres to detect and notify the driver of decreases in tyre air pressure. The DWS technology has been adopted by many automobile manufacturers and can now be found as a factory standard feature in countless vehicles throughout the world, the company website said (information and image courtesy: srigroup.co.jp).

Based on the technical knowhow that SRI cultivated in the development of DWS, the Sensing Core is the next evolution in DWS technology, an advancement that eliminates the need for an additional, dedicated sensors by instead utilising cutting-edge software to detect tyre pressure directly from existing wheel speed signals, thereby reducing the cost of installation and eliminating the need for maintenance.

As the only part of a vehicle that comes into direct contact with the road, tyres must support a vehicle’s entire weight. The Sensing Core technology uses a proprietary algorithm to detect various types of information based on what we know about each specific tyre so that this information can be shared with the driver and with the vehicle itself. This advanced algorithm incorporates and takes full advantage of SRI’s extensive knowledge of various tyre properties, which the company gained through over 100 years of experience in tyre development.

ENDS

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Sumitomo Rubber Industries is advancing vehicle safety and performance through its SENSING CORE technology, which has been rigorously validated under the extreme demands of motorsport. This sensorless system was tested extensively on Falken Tyre’s Porsche 911 GT3 R throughout the challenging 2025 Nürburgring Endurance Series. By leveraging the tyre itself as a sensor, the technology provides continuous real-time analysis of critical data points including tyre wear, road surface conditions, load and pressure, all without needing additional physical hardware. A key safety feature is its ability to detect loose wheel nuts, thereby helping to prevent dangerous incidents on the track.

The practical benefits were clearly demonstrated during the race season. On several occasions, the system provided the team with crucial early warnings about tyre pressure loss, information that was delivered faster than by conventional sensors. This advanced notice allowed the team to proactively adjust its strategy, bringing the cars in for earlier pit stops to avoid potential damage and maintain competitive performance. The consistent reliability of SENSING CORE, even on the notoriously difficult Nordschleife circuit, confirms its robustness.

Having proven its value in a high-stakes racing environment, this technology paves the way for broader applications. Sumitomo Rubber Industries aims to leverage these insights to enhance safety, efficiency and sustainability for future mobility solutions, including the development of autonomous vehicle fleets.

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United States-based Aperia Technologies has launched ‘Nearby Issues’, a new feature on its Halo Connect platform to further enhance fleet tyre safety.

The addition, which is now available in the Halo Tech App, uses a technician’s real-time location to display trucks nearby that have tyre issues.

The company is a leading provider of tyre management technology, which focuses on providing solutions to maintain optimal tyre pressure for vehicles. It addresses the issue of tyre under-inflation, initially for the commercial trucking industry, but its expertise now extends to various vehicle architectures and markets.

Aperia's main products and services revolve around its 'Halo Tire Management Platform', which combines automatic inflation with predictive maintenance.

This new capability allows technicians, whether at a yard or on the road, to pinpoint the specific vehicles and tyres needing attention, proceed directly to the truck and resolve the issues immediately. While technicians already access tyre issue information through Halo Connect, Nearby Issues converts insight into instant, location-based action, enhancing convenience and efficiency.

Ralph Dimenna, CCO, Aperia Technologies, said, "Technicians don’t need more alerts; they need the right insights at the right time. Nearby Issues gives them a faster, smarter way to prioritise and resolve tire problems based on where they are, closing the gap between knowing an issue exists and getting it fixed."

With the new feature, technicians can:

• See What’s Nearby: View vehicles nearby that have tyre issues instantly.
• Prioritise for Action: Access a ranked list of trucks based on issue severity and count, enabling decision-making.
• Access Live Tyre Data: Connect over Bluetooth to view real-time tyre pressures and confirm that repairs are complete.
• Gain Full Transparency: Review detailed issue data, tyre health history and the vehicle’s exact location.
• Navigate with Ease: Use an interactive map with GPS positioning and severity-based colour coding.
• Stay Secure: Rely on controlled access available only to authenticated users physically near the vehicle.

Aperia Technologies stated that adding Nearby Issues to the Halo Connect platform via the Halo Tech App continues its aim to help fleets stay proactive, cut maintenance costs and maximise vehicle uptime.

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Fornnax Technology Pvt Ltd has introduced the R-MAX3300, a new secondary shredder presented as the largest in its category. The official launch occurred on 14 October 2025 at the prominent IFAT India environmental technology exhibition in Mumbai. The unveiling ceremony was a significant industry event, attended by numerous leaders from the cement and waste management sectors. Key figures present included executives from GEPIL India, Zigma Global, Prism Johnson Ltd, Shree Cement Ltd and Mangalam Cement Ltd.

This shredder is positioned as a major technological advancement for India's recycling and waste processing infrastructure. It is designed to provide a powerful solution for Cement Alternative Fuel and Resource plants as well as waste-to-energy facilities. While the established R Series shredders are known for processing high-density materials such as tyres and cables, the R-MAX3300 is specifically engineered for low-density waste streams. These targeted materials include Municipal Solid Waste, Commercial and Industrial waste, Construction and Demolition debris, bulky items, legacy waste dumps and wood waste.

The machine integrates advanced shredding technology to efficiently produce Refuse Derived Fuel and Solid Recovered Fuel, achieving an optimal output particle size between 30 and 50 millimetres. Its construction emphasises durability, operational versatility and high performance to meet the demands of large-scale industrial applications requiring consistent fuel quality.

The R-MAX3300 is built for high-volume processing of pre-shredded or coarse materials. Its applications are expected to be crucial in producing solid recovered fuel, preparing waste for composting and reducing waste volume for more cost-effective transportation. The shredder is anticipated to be a key asset in Integrated Waste Management Projects and bio-mining operations across India and international markets.

Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO, Fornnax Technology, said, “The R-MAX3300 represents a monumental leap forward in our vision to become a global leader by 2030 in recycling technology through innovation. With the rising challenges of waste management in India and globally, this machine is not just a product; it’s a powerful tool for change. We engineered it to handle the most difficult waste streams with unparalleled efficiency, turning what was once considered unusable waste into a valuable resource. It directly addresses the urgent demand for effective, large-scale shredding technology that can support cement kilns and waste-to-energy facilities in achieving the desired output. Our commitment goes beyond just selling machinery; it's about empowering our customers to achieve lasting efficiency, sustainability and growth. We see ourselves as a trusted partner who stands beside them at every step – from technology deployment to ongoing support, ensuring they can rely on Fornnax not only for performance but also for consistency, dependability and long-term value.”

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A new collaborative development from rFpro and Siemens Digital Industries Software (Siemens) introduces a significant advancement in simulation technology. This innovation seamlessly connects Siemens' Simcenter Tire software with rFpro's TerrainServer platform, which creates highly precise, millimetre-accurate digital replicas of real-world road surfaces. Through this integration, the sophisticated MF-Tyre and MF-Swift models within Simcenter can directly access and process the detailed terrain data. This allows for the calculation of highly realistic tyre forces and moments, which is a critical factor for virtual testing in both the automotive and motorsport industries.

The partnership was built on ensuring the solution's reliability across diverse applications, from desktop engineering to cloud-based and real-time simulator environments. This development reinforces rFpro's commitment to an open and agnostic simulation platform, providing users with the flexibility to select their preferred models and tools. This strategy of integrating best-in-class third-party technologies protects customer investments and increases their return, as digital assets can be utilised across different departments with varying modelling requirements.

The combined power of TerrainServer's high-fidelity road models and Simcenter Tire's advanced modelling enables engineers to conduct in-depth evaluations of vehicle dynamics, including handling, ride quality and grip. Performance can be assessed objectively through data and subjectively using driver-in-the-loop simulators. This comprehensive approach allows for a more informed development process, leading to better-validated designs before physical prototypes are built, thereby saving substantial time and cost. The new interface is now commercially available and is already being widely adopted by OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers globally for programmes focused on ride comfort and vehicle dynamics.

Nick Harrison, Development Director, rFpro, said, “We aim to be the most open simulation environment on the market and this integration is another key example of this. Our platform-agnostic approach means engineers can pick and choose the best tools for the job. They have the ability to combine specialised technologies from different vendors to create the most effective simulation solution for their particular development challenge.”

Willem Versteden, Senior Technical Product Manager, Siemens Digital Industries Software, said, “Tyre behaviour depends heavily on the surface it’s interacting with. By integrating our Simcenter Tire software with rFpro’s TerrainServer, engineers can now simulate that interaction with a much higher level of detail. It’s a valuable step forward for users demanding greater accuracy in virtual vehicle development.”

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