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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

Al Salem Transportation & Tourism Co. (Al Salem) is reaping the benefits of Goodyear’s CheckPoint tyre monitoring technology system, which was implemented in its Dammam depot. This is a first for passenger transport companies in Saudi Arabia and builds upon the existing partnership between Al Salem Transportation & Tourism Co. (Al Salem), Goodyear and its official Saudi distributor, Al Rashed Tires.

Goodyear CheckPoint is a connected, yard-based drive-over tyre inspection system that provides fleet managers with useful information by reading vehicle data and tyre condition. Tyre pressure and tread depth examinations are time-consuming tasks that may be completed in seconds by Goodyear CheckPoint's automated system.

The system provides the ability to access data through user-friendly reports and allows Al Salem to address all their operational needs related to tyres. This decision is consistent with Al Salem's commitment to using cutting-edge technology to achieve the greatest levels of safety and efficiency, as well as the Saudi Vision 2030 aim of boosting the quality and connectedness of transportation networks.

Mustafa Alsalem, Business Development Manager, Al Salem Transportation & Tourism Co, said, "At Al Salem, our mission is to provide safe and comfortable journeys for everyone in the Kingdom. We pride ourselves on working only with industry leaders to deliver premium safety and service levels. Partnering with a leading global tyre manufacturer like Goodyear, renowned for their premium tyres and innovative digital fleet solutions, is a testament to our commitment to this mission."

Yasser Meyer, CEO, Al Rashed Tires, said, “We have a proud legacy of supporting the development of Saudi Arabia's automotive industry. Leveraging our in-depth market knowledge, we are able to localise global tyre technology, like Goodyear’s CheckPoint monitoring solutions, to empower our valued partners like Al Salem in their achievement of business goals.”

Saban Gungor, General Manager, Goodyear Middle East & Africa, said, "As a preferred fleet mobility partner, Goodyear is dedicated to delivering not only high-quality tyres but also value-added mobility solutions, like the CheckPoint tyre monitoring, to our fleet customers. We are thrilled to support Al Salem on their digitalisation journey with the adoption of this technology, setting a new benchmark for safety and operational efficiency in the Kingdom."

Vittoria, a global leader in cycling tyres and accessories, has announced opening new state-of-the-art research and development centres known as VittoriaLabs. These facilities, located in Italy and Thailand, are designed to push the boundaries of cycling technology and performance.

The VittoriaLabs will focus on developing innovative tyre and accessory solutions that enhance rider performance, safety, and sustainability. The centres will leverage advanced testing equipment and cutting-edge research methodologies to analyse and optimise product design.

“Vittoria Labs will be the engine driving our ambitions for market leadership in innovation in a future we are already shaping,” says Stijn Vriends, Chairman and CEO of Vittoria. “By combining state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor testing facilities, we can push the limits of what’s possible in cycling tyres and accessories while keeping sustainability at the core of our innovations,” adds Vanessa ten Hoff, Chief Innovation & Marketing Officer of Vittoria.

Vittoria’s investment in these facilities underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and its dedication to providing cyclists with the best possible products. By combining advanced technology with real-world testing, Vittoria aims to deliver products that meet the evolving needs of cyclists worldwide.

With the opening of the VittoriaLabs, Vittoria reinforces its position as a global leader in the cycling industry. The company’s focus on research and development, coupled with its passion for cycling, ensures that it will continue to drive innovation and set new standards in the years to come.

Webfleet, Bridgestone’s fleet management solution, has expanded its OEM.connect partner programme to include trailers. Schmitz Cargobull, a leading manufacturer of semi-trailers, is the first trailer manufacturer to join the programme.

This collaboration allows commercial fleet operators to seamlessly connect their Schmitz Cargobull trailers to the Webfleet platform through factory-fitted telematics. By eliminating the need for aftermarket hardware installations, fleet managers can save time and reduce costs.

“Trailers are the backbone of long-haul goods transportation, but managing a trailer fleet can be challenging,” says Taco van der Leij, Vice President, Webfleet Europe at Bridgestone Mobility Solutions.

“Making our proven Webfleet Trailer solution now easily accessible via OEM data, will help even more businesses with real-time data insights and actionable intelligence to maximise trailer performance. We are happy that we are collaborating with Schmitz Cargobull, offering our customers seamless integration with Europe’s leading semi-trailer manufacturer”.

Sören Danielsen, Manager, Strategy & Business Development at Schmitz Cargobull adds:  “With the TrailerConnect Data Management Center from Schmitz Cargobull, hauliers have full control over their data and can pass on selected data to third parties in an efficient way. By intelligently linking information on the vehicle, tour and order, more than just position and temperature data can be selected, processed and transmitted to third-party systems at the touch of a button in future. The TrailerConnect Data Management Center stands for connectivity and transparency. Everyone involved along the supply chain benefits from this.”

The integrated solution provides fleet operators with valuable insights into trailer performance, including location tracking, maintenance alerts and payload monitoring, said the tyre maker.

Bridgestone has joined hands with Astrobotic Technology to develop lunar rover tyres.

Bridgestone will leverage its 90 years of expertise in developing tyres for Astrobotic’s 24U CubeRover. These tyres will be designed to withstand the harsh lunar environment, including extreme temperatures and rugged terrain.

Bridgestone’s tyres will play a crucial role in enabling the rover to navigate the challenging lunar terrain.

The collaboration highlights the Japanese tyre maker’s commitment to expanding its reach into new and innovative areas of mobility. By partnering with Astrobotic, a leading space exploration company, Bridgestone aims to contribute to the advancement of lunar exploration and space technology.

The 24U CubeRover is a compact lunar rover designed to provide mobility, power and communication support for scientific instruments and payloads on the lunar surface.

As per Bridgestone, this partnership marks a significant milestone for the company as it expands its horizons beyond Earth and into the cosmos.