Market for sensor-laden smart tyres needs standards to get rolling: Goodyear Asia head
The US company is working with a unit of China’s Didi Global in a pilot project for such tyres, which can enhance safety and efficiency
Sensor-enabled smart tyres that promise to maximise energy efficiency, safety and durability will take years to catch on globally, according to the Asia head of Goodyear Tire and Rubber, one of the world’s largest tyre makers.
Nevertheless, the concept – integrating sensors inside tyres to collect real-time data that the car can use to improve safety and efficiency, avoid failures and extend tyre longevity – was gaining momentum, said Nathaniel Madarang, president of the US company’s Asia-Pacific business.
“The level of interest is there, but we are probably still a few years away from some level of agreed international standards for this technology,” he said, adding that Goodyear was considering both device-purchase and data-subscription revenue models.
“Discussion among industry executives of issues and challenges will hopefully lead to commonalities, and rules need to be defined so industry players can operate within those parameters.”
Common standards on data interoperability and rules on data ownership would allow car makers and owners to switch easily between tyres from different makers.
In intelligent cars powered by either batteries or internal combustion engines (ICEs), sensor signals from tyres and other vehicle parts are fed into computerised control systems to monitor and adjust performance to maximise safety and energy efficiency.
This also enables predictive maintenance: using real-time data and computer algorithms to predict failures, thereby preventing breakdowns, extending asset life and avoiding unexpected costs.