Pirelli Partners With Italian Region to Monitor Road Conditions Using Smart Tyres
- By TT News
- June 11, 2025
Milan tyre maker’s sensor technology will map infrastructure health in Apulia region starting in July
Pirelli & C. SpA has signed an agreement with Italy’s Apulia region to deploy its smart tyre technology for monitoring road conditions, creating what the companies say will be the world’s first integrated system combining tyre sensors with visual data collection.
The partnership, announced on Monday in Bari, will utilise Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre technology in conjunction with visual monitoring systems from Universes to assess the health of the region’s road network. Fleet vehicles equipped with the combined system will begin operating in July 2025.
The Cyber Tyre system uses sensors embedded in tyre treads to collect data on road surface conditions, including roughness and asphalt irregularities. The technology processes this information through proprietary algorithms and combines it with visual data from cameras that monitor road surfaces and signage.
Data collected by the regional fleet will be transmitted to cloud-based systems and made available to regional authorities through digital dashboards. The information is intended to help prioritise road maintenance and improve safety across Apulia’s transportation network.
“Technology can save lives,” said Michele Emiliano, governor of the Apulia region. “In this case, it will be useful as a thermometer of the state of health of our roads.”
The pilot program represents the latest expansion of Pirelli’s digital tyre initiatives. The Milan-based company already has partnerships with Movyon, part of Autostrade per l’Italia, to monitor highway infrastructure, with additional projects in development.
Pirelli has been investing heavily in digital technologies as traditional tyre manufacturers seek to differentiate their products through connectivity and data services. The company’s Cyber Tyre technology allows communication between road surfaces and vehicle control systems, providing real-time information to drivers and fleet operators.
Ayvens, a European leader in long-term vehicle rental and fleet management services, will supply the regional fleet vehicles. The partnership comes at no cost to the Apulia region, according to officials.
Marco Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli’s executive vice chairman, said the agreement builds on the company’s existing research and development activities in the region. In 2022, Pirelli launched its Digital Solutions Centre in Bari, a software development facility dedicated to digital innovation and artificial intelligence applications.
“Thanks to the support of the institutions, the university world and local partners, Apulia is becoming, for Pirelli, in the digital sector, an important centre of expertise at the international level,” Tronchetti Provera said.
The Digital Solutions Center operates in collaboration with the University of Bari and Bari Polytechnic, working on projects to optimise manufacturing processes through smart systems and support digitalisation across tyre design phases.
Pirelli has indicated it is considering additional investments in the region, pending resolution of unspecified corporate matters. The company positions itself as a world leader in the high-value tyre segment and has been expanding its focus on connected and sustainable mobility technologies.
The road monitoring initiative reflects growing interest among infrastructure operators in using connected vehicle technologies to assess road conditions more efficiently than traditional inspection methods. Real-time data collection could help authorities respond more quickly to maintenance needs and potentially prevent accidents caused by poor road conditions.
ANRPC Hosts Malaysian Rubber Delegation
- By TT News
- January 31, 2026
The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) recently hosted a high-level delegation from the Rubber Development Division of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities Malaysia at the ANRPC Secretariat. Led by Peter Dennis of Malaysia’s Rubber Development Division, the group met with ANRPC Secretary-General Dr Suttipong Angthong and his team.
The discussions centred on essential industry issues, particularly the vital importance of achieving stable rubber prices for the benefit of producers and the broader market. Conversations further delved into analysing recent market trends and their consequences for global production and trade dynamics.
This engagement highlighted the ongoing necessity for cooperative action to address sectoral challenges, advance sustainability and ensure resilient growth in the face of variable economic conditions.
Bridgestone Unveils Next-Gen Blizzak IcePeak Tyre With Dual Ice And Snow Certifications
- By TT News
- January 31, 2026
Bridgestone Americas has unveiled its latest flagship winter tyre, the Blizzak IcePeak, which will launch nationwide in May 2026. This new tyre is distinguished as the first from Bridgestone to achieve both the rigorous 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake and Ice Grip certifications, marking a significant advancement in winter performance. Designed to cater to a broad range of vehicles – including sedans, minivans, CUVs, SUVs and trucks – the IcePeak will replace the Blizzak WS90 and DM-V2 models. It will be available in 107 sizes, ultimately covering approximately 97 percent of the US light-duty vehicle market, with the majority of sizes ready at launch.
The tyre’s development centres on delivering superior winter traction alongside improved durability and efficiency, leveraging the company’s ENLITEN technology. This integration aims to lower rolling resistance for better fuel economy and extend tyre wear life, offering long-term cost savings for drivers. Internal testing indicates the IcePeak surpasses the wear life of its predecessors while maintaining effective traction. Its compatibility extends to conventional, hybrid and electric vehicles, emphasising its modern engineering.
Key to its performance is a suite of specialised technologies. Bridgestone’s patented MultiCell compound is engineered to enhance stopping power on ice, a claim validated by the official Ice Grip certification. This certification requires performance on ice to exceed a standard reference tyre by at least 18 percent in braking tests. For snow traction, the tyre employs optimised tread blocks and full-depth 3D sipes to create additional biting edges, helping vehicles gain grip and reduce spin.
Building upon the Blizzak lineage, which spans nearly four decades of innovation, the IcePeak introduces refined design elements. Its optimised compound is formulated for added durability across multiple winter seasons without sacrificing grip. A newly unified global tread pattern incorporates several critical features: strategically placed sipes are angled to maximise the gripping edge, protrusions on tread blocks prevent water intrusion on ice and micro-grooves help clear the thin water film that forms on icy surfaces. Together, these features aim to provide drivers with reliable control in wet, snowy and icy conditions, advancing the brand’s reputation for winter safety and performance.
Ian McKenney, Senior Product Manager, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Our Blizzak tyre lineup moves from strength to strength, continually raising the standard for impressive winter weather control. With the application of ENLITEN technology, we are able to expand the tyres’ performance envelope in all directions while also delivering greater durability and reduced rolling resistance, while promoting a focus on enhanced sustainability.”
Citira Rolls Out Nationwide 24/7 Tyre Breakdown Service For Swedish Fleets
- By TT News
- January 31, 2026
Citira, a circular tyre management provider, is introducing a nationwide emergency tyre service in Sweden for commercial fleets, a strategic move to become a comprehensive tyre management partner. Named Citira 24/7 Däckjour, it provides a dedicated contact point for heavy vehicle operators needing immediate assistance, day or night.
This service connects customers to an established, quality-assured network of professional tyre workshops across the country. By utilising pre-assembled replacement wheels ready for immediate deployment, the system ensures rapid on-site repairs to maximise vehicle uptime and minimise operational disruptions.
Clients also benefit from predictable, agreed-upon pricing and consolidated billing, which simplifies administration and enhances budget control. This integrated offering is designed to streamline daily operations, reduce downtime and deliver a more seamless support experience for truck and bus companies.
Göran Bengtsson, Head of Sales at Citira Sweden, said, “This is an important milestone for us to be to able offer our Swedish heavy vehicle fleet customers. This has been frequently requested to us, and we are happy to be able meet the demand, providing a new level of reliability and convenience for our customers.”
Michelin Unveils X-Ice Snow+ Tyre For Unpredictable Winters
- By TT News
- January 30, 2026
Michelin has unveiled the X-Ice Snow+ tyre, a premier winter product designed to meet the heightened demands of modern, unpredictable winter weather. This new offering provides increased performance and durability over its predecessor, specifically engineered to tackle severe seasonal challenges. Its advanced FLEX-ICE 3.0 tread compound optimises braking performance across a spectrum of conditions, including ice, snow and both wet and dry roads, ensuring reliable control during freezing rain or on treacherous black ice.
The tyre's proven tread design delivers superior start-up traction in deep snow compared to three leading competitors and offers strong lateral grip for stability on slick, icy corners. Beyond immediate safety, the X-Ice Snow+ is built for long-term value and efficiency. It achieves an extended tread life, lasting more than 26 percent longer than key rival tyres. Furthermore, through a specialised low-energy-loss compound that minimises rolling resistance, it delivers up to 34 percent better efficiency, which supports fuel savings and extends electric vehicle range without sacrificing winter traction. Passenger comfort is enhanced by proprietary Piano Acoustic Tuning Technology, a system engineered to reduce road noise for a quieter ride.
Available for dealer order starting in May 2026 for the winter selling season, the Michelin X-Ice Snow+ tyre will be produced in 15- to 23-inch sizes to accommodate a broad range of vehicles, including sedans, CUVs, SUVs, pickups and both hybrid and electric models.
Omer Waysman, Vice President – B2C Marketing, Michelin North America, Inc, said, “For more than 130 years, Michelin has continued to push the boundaries of innovation by improving our technologies to meet the needs of mobility across the globe. With the new Michelin X-Ice Snow+ tyre, we have taken everything drivers loved about the previous generation tyre and improved key areas. This new tyre delivers excellent winter performance, longer-lasting durability and greater efficiency, giving drivers a dependable advantage when the weather is at its worst.”
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