Smart tyres equipped with sensors, which aim to enhance energy efficiency, safety, and longevity, are expected to take a significant amount of time to gain widespread acceptance worldwide, as stated by the Asia head of Goodyear Tire and Rubber, one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the world.
However, the idea—embedding sensors in tires to gather real-time data that vehicles can utilize to enhance safety and efficiency, prevent breakdowns, and increase tire lifespan—was becoming more popular, according to Nathaniel Madarang, president of the company's Asia-Pacific division in the United States.
"The interest exists, but we are likely several years off from achieving a consensus on international standards for this technology," he stated, mentioning that Goodyear is exploring both device-purchase and data-subscription revenue approaches.
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Exchange of views among business leaders regarding topics and difficulties may result in shared understanding, and guidelines must be established to allow companies to function within these boundaries.
Uniform guidelines for data compatibility and regulations regarding data ownership would enable vehicle manufacturers and owners to seamlessly transition between tires from various suppliers.
In smart vehicles that use either battery power or internal combustion engines (ICEs), sensor data from tires and other components is sent to computerized control systems to track and modify performance in order to enhance safety and energy efficiency.
This also facilitates predictive maintenance: leveraging real-time data and computational algorithms to anticipate malfunctions, thus minimizing equipment failures, prolonging the lifespan of assets, and preventing unforeseen expenses.
Data gathered from tire sensors can include details such as tire load, pressure, rate of deterioration, road contact, and traction.
"For instance, if tires are not properly inflated and become overheated, or if they are misaligned or unbalanced, this can affect the vehicle's overall performance and cause them to deteriorate more quickly," Madarang stated.
Goodyear, a company based in Akron, Ohio, is working with partners such as Didi Autonomous Driving, a division of the Chinese ride-hailing company Didi Global that focuses on self-driving technology, in trial projects involving its intelligent tyres.
Logistics companies were especially well-suited to implement smart tyres, as fuel represented one of the largest operational expenses for truck fleets operating in the rapidly expanding and intensely competitive e-commerce industry, according to Madarang.
As electric vehicles (EVs) have rapidly gained market share over gasoline-powered cars in most automotive markets in recent years, Goodyear's product mix has also undergone significant changes.
In China, the world's biggest automotive market, sales of fully electric and hybrid electric vehicles increased by 38.5 percent during the first seven months of this year, significantly surpassing the 13.4 percent overall growth rate for passenger cars, as reported by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Electric vehicles made up 52 percent of all new car sales.
This indicated that Goodyear had been producing more tires tailored to meet the requirements of electric vehicles, which are 20 to 30 percent heavier than internal combustion engine vehicles because of their battery systems, and also accelerate more quickly. These two elements create extra pressure on tires, leading to quicker wear, according to Madarang.
Goodyear created tires for electric vehicles using alternative materials to minimize degradation, according to Madarang, who noted that outcomes differed based on the performance compromises made, road environments, driving patterns, and cargo weights.
For instance, tires that have reduced rolling resistance consume less energy when rotating, which may increase the range of electric vehicles, he mentioned. In addition, a foam layer inside the tires also contributed to lowering noise levels, he noted.
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This piece was first published in the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), a top news outlet covering China and Asia.
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