Innovation is the key to long-term success for any industrial business, and for the countries where they operate. In this article, Mike Norman, CCO at VMI Holland, explains why protecting IP is a key priority. VMI Group, based in the Netherlands, with operations around the world, is an international leader for tyre building machines.

Long live innovation!

VMI is 75 years old, and no manufacturer stays successful for so many years without a serious commitment to innovation. In the past 20 years, VMI has rewritten the book on automated tyre building. We have done that by creating manufacturing platforms capable of constant evolution, and then adding new innovations and improvements, year by year.

VMI has built a lot of trust in the market as a result of this strategy. Our customers know we invest more than any other comparable business in original R&D, and we make sure that every new idea leads to practical benefit for them.

Our business is built upon our Intellectual Property: our IP. It is what enables us to help customers face their own challenges. We are proud of the innovations we create - and we will protect our IP and our customers’ interests, anywhere, anytime.

Innovation and collaboration

In our experience, innovators like working together. It is exciting and it is a creative experience. You help each other. You get to move, develop and grow faster. You listen to each other, learn from each other and make progress faster as a result.

In the world of tyre development, we know exactly what we bring to the market, and we also know the areas that belong exclusively to our customers. Our products and solutions help make manufacturing processes more efficient, precise, controlled, more easily managed and fully auditable. That is our area, and that is where our IP is focused.

Our customers define the materials, the compounds, their operational characteristics, the different tire constructions and do so by knowing how all of this connects to the expectations and requirements of the automotive industry. That is their territory and we recognise that.

Put their IP and ours together, however, and something exciting happens. The individual tyre manufacturers remain as different and distinctive as ever, but the tyre build process becomes faster, more flexible and efficient, the number of variants available grows and quality standards rise.  

In other words, our ability to innovate helps tyre manufacturers become the best they can be, and also helps them unlock maximum benefit from their own innovations. That is why tyre companies with strong IP of their own are drawn to VMI, because they know we add value to their business, while always maintaining confidentiality.

Why protecting IP matters

Innovation is the fuel that drives business success, and the fastest way to undermine a successful business is to steal and copy its IP. That discourages further investment, while taking away the profits needed for the future.

It also slows down progress for us all. If you cannot defend your own creativity and original thinking, then fewer innovations take place and fewer good ideas are available for customers to use. In the tyre industry, this means that good companies, which want to use the best equipment to achieve the highest quality results for themselves, will lose out.

What is the point in buying the most advanced technology if your less honest, less scrupulous competitor can buy a cheap copy and undercut you on price? And what if you are tempted to buy a cheap copy of the market-leading machine, yourself, just to cut costs? And then find it is not as good as its makers told you? After all, copyists sometimes do not understand what they are copying, which adds serious risk when you buy that kind of machine. It also means that its makers simply cannot give you the service support you need- because they do not know how!

Worse, what happens when the machines bought from a copyist turn out to have stolen IP in their design? And the courts order them to be seized without compensation?

But maybe the most important argument of all for defending other people’s IP is simple self-interest. What would any of us do if our own ideas and innovations are stolen, copied and used against us? We are all part of the same marketplace. We cannot defend our own IP and yet be careless about other people’s. We need to protect innovation and IP completely, end-to-end across the entire industry and in all countries. That is the only way to protect ourselves, as well.

Innovation within the Indian marketplace

So why does a discussion of IP matter to India, in particular? We think Indian manufacturing is at an important stage of development. Despite the problems caused by Covid-19, we see every sign that India will be going through a period of rapid manufacturing growth in the next decade. We expect to see Indian companies, in automotive and related industries, taking a higher proportion of the domestic market and building share overseas, as well.

We have seen this happen in other sectors, after all: in IT, service markets, telecom and pharmaceuticals. Now Indian companies are stepping-up to the challenge in automotive and other sectors, too. Foreign companies operating in the Indian market need to be clear about the contribution they can make. At VMI, we understand what is needed. We will bring the best IP in the world for tyre building, and will work with ambitious, innovative Indian companies to help them develop a global presence. To make that happen, we need to know that the law protects ours- and everyone else’s- IP.

We spoke to Chetan Chadha, a leading IP attorney in Gurgaon, and his view was clear. “The Indian Courts,” he tells us, “have a strong track record of enforcing Intellectual Property Rights, acting to protect patent holders against infringements both by foreign and local Indian offenders.” He cites the example of a series of patent infringement litigations in the telecommunications sector in 2013 and 2014.

“These were a series of high-profile Standard Essential Patent (SEP) litigations,” he recalls, “in which several companies, including companies of Indian and Chinese origin, were sued for infringement of 8 patents, and interim injunction was granted in favour of the Patentee, irrespective of the origin of the allegedly infringing companies. Eventually, damages and injunctions were granted against infringing companies alike, without any bias.”

This legal example set a clear precedent that India has utmost respect for Intellectual Property Rights and will strictly enforce patents in order to protect the integrity of the market and maintain confidence.

VMI has been filing patents in India since 2005 and we expect our presence to deepen and grow in the near future. India’s proud record of defending IP is one of the main reasons why we, along with so many other European companies, are eager to work and trade here.

In this, our 75^th anniversary year, let’s celebrate the potential for a prosperous and profitable future together, working together as innovators in a spirit of mutual respect.

ENDS

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Anyline is displaying its AI-powered TireBuddy platform at the 2026 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas (from 3–6 February), demonstrating how it brings objective, digital tyre inspections to automotive retailers. The technology, which standardises tread depth and condition assessments, is used by dealerships, reconditioning centres and independent shops to enhance operational consistency and customer transparency. At Booth 7649N, live demonstrations will show the system’s guided scanning and intuitive workflow, which technicians have adopted for its ability to generate clear, data-backed reports directly in the service bay.

A key adopter includes EchoPark, a national pre-owned vehicle retailer under Sonic Automotive, Inc., which utilises TireBuddy as part of its rigorous 190-point vehicle inspection process across multiple states. The platform provides repeatable measurements that strengthen technical recommendations and build buyer confidence by turning subjective checks into documented insights. Since its 2025 launch, the tool has been implemented by large-scale automotive groups seeking to improve decision-making and efficiency.

Anyline’s exhibition will focus on these real-world applications, showing how digitising tyre inspections creates a more transparent and trustworthy service experience. By replacing visual estimates with precise digital data, TireBuddy helps businesses streamline workflows, empower technicians and ultimately support safer, more reliable vehicle assessments for customers.

Christoph Braunsberger, CEO, Anyline, said, “Our goal with TireBuddy is to equip technicians with the tools they need to make accurate, fast and confident decisions, an important message we’re bringing to the forefront at this year’s NADA Show. By providing objective, AI-powered data, TireBuddy delivers a far clearer path to cost savings, operational efficiency and customer transparency for retailers – benefits that matter at every level of their operation.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

As urban areas around the world grow increasingly louder, traffic noise has emerged as a critical environmental and public health challenge. Recognised by health authorities as a major risk factor, this pervasive issue extends from European cities to megacities across Asia and Latin America. Continental is addressing this problem by pioneering tyre technologies that significantly reduce rolling noise, thereby contributing to quieter urban environments and enhanced in-vehicle comfort.

The transition to electric mobility has brought tyre noise into sharper focus. With the near-silent operation of electric motors replacing traditional engine sounds, the acoustic contribution from tyres becomes far more prominent, even at moderate city driving speeds. In response, Continental engineers have developed specialised solutions that target noise generation without compromising the safety, durability or performance of the tyre.

One such innovation is the Silent Pattern tread design, featured on models like the EcoContact 7. This technology disrupts the conventional, uniform arrangement of tread blocks that typically creates a rhythmic humming sound on pavement. By intelligently varying the spacing and angles of these blocks, the pattern breaks up this acoustic consistency. Furthermore, it is tuned to cancel out specific sound frequencies, akin to the principle behind noise-cancelling headphones. This results in a measurable reduction of traffic noise at speeds around 50 kmph, where rolling noise is most perceptible to pedestrians and residents.

For reducing noise inside the vehicle cabin, Continental employs its ContiSilent technology. This involves lining the inside of the tyre with a lightweight polyurethane foam that absorbs vibrations caused by the tyre’s contact with the road. By dampening these air vibrations, the technology can cut perceived in-cabin rolling noise by up to nine decibels – a reduction the human ear experiences as nearly halving the volume. This substantial increase in acoustic comfort is integrated into various product lines, including high-performance summer tyres, without affecting driving dynamics or efficiency.

The company’s commitment to low-noise mobility spans multiple vehicle segments. From the Conti Urban NXT for city buses to passenger car tyres like the EcoContact 6 Q and van tyres such as the VanContact A/S Eco, these products are designed to meet stringent noise standards. Consumers can readily identify these quieter options through regulatory labels, like the EU tyre label, which provides clear decibel ratings for external rolling noise. Through these continuous advancements in tread design and sound-dampening materials, Continental is systematically working to diminish the acoustic footprint of road traffic.

According to Achillefs Tsotras, head of Continental’s Tyre-Vehicle Interaction department, “Noise, especially traffic noise from cars, buses and delivery vehicles, is a major burden for people and the environment. With tyre technologies like ContiSilent and innovative tread designs, we are actively reducing rolling noise without compromising safety. This makes every ride noticeably quieter, benefiting drivers, pedestrians, residents and the environment alike.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

SemiCab, a subsidiary of Algorhythm Holdings, has secured a significant expansion to its existing Master Services Agreement with Apollo Tyres Ltd., a prominent global tyre manufacturer. Apollo Tyres, which serves major international markets and reports annual sales exceeding USD 5 billion, ranks among the world’s top 10 tyre producers. This enhanced partnership, building upon a commercial pilot initiated in September 2024, will see SemiCab manage freight transportation across 20 high-density corridors in India while increasing shipment frequency throughout a broader service region.

The expansion is projected to contribute up to USD 2.5 million in yearly revenue for SemiCab. The company delivers these managed services through its AI-driven Collaborative Transportation Platform, a cloud-based system engineered to lower logistics expenses, boost delivery precision and minimise empty truck miles. This technology offers complete live tracking and enhances network visibility without disrupting existing business processes. It seamlessly integrates with current transportation management software to automate tasks like ordering and invoicing and employs platform bots to gather data and handle routine operations. The system actively identifies and facilitates real-time collaboration between shippers and carriers to optimise efficiency.

Ajesh Kapoor, CEO of SemiCab Holdings, LLC, commented, “We are pleased to be a partner to such a prestigious multi-national company like Apollo Tyres, which is a globally recognised leader in the tyre industry. This new expansion of our existing relationship opens the door to immense growth opportunities for us. By leveraging our AI-powered platform, we are highly confident in our ability to drive significant cost efficiencies and delivery strong performance improvements for Apollo across much of India. This partnership represents a major step forward in our mission to revolutionise freight logistics in India, and we are excited about the growth it can drive for both of our businesses.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Dunlop will present its proprietary SENSING CORE technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas coming January. The prominent global trade event, scheduled for 6–9 January 2026, will serve as the platform for Dunlop to highlight the system's role in advancing safety for future autonomous mobility.

Central to the booth will be a display focused on evolving SENSING CORE into a broader technology platform. This exhibit will detail collaborative technical verifications with T2 Inc., a firm developing hub-to-hub autonomous trucking services. It will also feature integrated fleet service demonstrations combining the sensing technology with AI solutions from Viaduct, Inc., a US-based company acquired by Sumitomo Rubber in August 2025. The company plans to leverage this acquisition from 2026 to efficiently expand predictive maintenance services for fleet operators globally, including in Japan and European markets.

Further exhibit segments will immerse visitors in six future mobility scenarios, spanning logistics, public transportation and infrastructure. The company positions SENSING CORE as a foundational technology for safer autonomous driving, capable of gathering critical data on tyre and road surface conditions. This information is intended not only for direct vehicle control but also for cloud-based integration with broader societal data streams. Ongoing development efforts are aimed at supporting the realisation of a safer and more advanced mobility experience for all.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!