Bridgestone’s Driver-in-the-Loop Simulator Goes Live
- By TT News
- February 25, 2026
Bridgestone has marked a significant advancement in its pursuit of digital mobility solutions with the activation of a cutting-edge driving simulator at its European R&D facility near Rome. The VI-grade DiM500 Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) simulator represents a major step forward in the company’s virtual tyre development capabilities, allowing for the evaluation of tyre performance without the need for physical track testing.
The simulator is built around a large, mobile platform capable of moving up to five metres, enabling it to replicate the dynamic forces experienced in real-world driving. Housed within a carbon-fibre cockpit, the driver is immersed in a hyper-realistic virtual environment, and the system’s extensive range of motion ensures that the forces simulated are comparable to those measured during physical trials. This setup allows for highly accurate assessments of tyre behaviour.
By combining high-fidelity simulation with live driver feedback, historical data and artificial intelligence, Bridgestone can now explore a much wider array of tyre specifications earlier in the design phase. This approach accelerates design decisions and reduces the reliance on physical prototyping. Consequently, traditional track testing can be reserved for the final validation stages. This shift is expected to deliver substantial environmental benefits, with a projected annual saving of up to 12,000 experimental tyres. It builds on the company’s existing Virtual Tyre Development technology, which has already reduced raw material use and CO2 emissions in the original equipment development phase by as much as 60 percent.
Beyond environmental gains, the technology shortens development timelines by enabling simultaneous tyre and vehicle engineering. This parallel process fosters closer collaboration with automotive manufacturers, allowing Bridgestone to tailor tyres more precisely to the performance characteristics of specific vehicle models. While the simulator is currently focused on dry handling scenarios, its capabilities are being extended to cover a broader spectrum of driving conditions. Supported by continued investment in global research and development, this initiative reinforces Bridgestone’s capacity to adapt to the evolving demands of both manufacturers and drivers.
Mattia Giustiniano, Senior Vice President – R&D, Bridgestone West, said, “Bridgestone is already considered a pioneer in digital tyre development – leveraging Virtual Tyre Development for more than a decade. By integrating the driver into the digital development cycle, this investment adds a crucial new piece to our evolving ecosystem. The simulator’s introduction marks a significant step in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of our R&D processes while unlocking unprecedented opportunities to foster innovation.”
Starrett-Bytewise Appoints GL Inspect GmbH As European Sales Representative
- By TT News
- May 22, 2026
Starrett-Bytewise has appointed GL Inspect GmbH as its new European sales representative. The German firm, led by Christian Lantzsch and based in Hargesheim, will oversee regional operations. The partnership aims to provide local expertise for demanding measurement challenges across tyre plants, steel mills and extrusion lines.
Lantzsch and the GL Inspect team bring a sophisticated understanding of non-contact metrology. Their technical background aligns with the diverse industrial sectors served by Starrett-Bytewise, ensuring that European customers receive support tailored to specific materials and production environments. The collaboration strengthens local technical knowledge and on-site application assistance.
Under this agreement, European customers gain direct access to local consultations and expanded on-site evaluations led by Lantzsch’s team. Laser measurement solutions can be better integrated into individual production lines. The partnership also streamlines communication and support, building on existing European infrastructure to enable seamless transitions to automated in-line inspection.
The appointment represents a significant investment in European infrastructure. Having GL Inspect on the ground shortens the distance between Starrett-Bytewise’s U.S. engineering team and local factory floors. Faster application assessments, more frequent site visits and industry-specific language support are key outcomes of the new arrangement.
NTE Holding Launches NTE Mechatronics To Advance OTR And Agricultural Tyre Machinery
- By TT News
- May 21, 2026
NTE Holding has officially established NTE Mechatronics Srl, a new entity focused on developing advanced mechatronic machinery and systems for the tyre industry, with specialised emphasis on the off-the-road (OTR) and agricultural sectors. The company is headquartered in Rovereto, within the Trentino innovation ecosystem, and represents a strategic evolution of the holding’s industrial vision to integrate process engineering, automation and intelligent mechatronics for next-generation manufacturing solutions worldwide.
Built upon the industrial legacy and technical expertise of the former Marangoni Meccanica organisation, the new venture goes beyond a simple asset acquisition. According to Fabio Novelli, NTE Holding’s President and CEO, the goal was to relaunch and transform a historic industrial competence into an innovation platform for the future. NTE Mechatronics merges deep knowledge in industrial automation, process technologies and mechatronics with the broader NTE Group’s engineering capabilities, working closely with NTE Process, which is known for advanced upstream technologies such as dense-phase conveying, storage, dosing, and batching systems for the rubber and tyre sector.
Strategic collaborations with Trentino Sviluppo, the University of Trento and the ProM Facility support accelerated research, reverse engineering, metal 3D printing and rapid industrialisation. Today, the company is rapidly expanding its engineering and organizational structure to strengthen capabilities in advanced mechatronic integration, AI-driven process optimisation, predictive monitoring, smart diagnostics, energy-efficient manufacturing and custom-engineered machinery for next-generation tyre production. Core to its philosophy is a strong belief in the value of Italian engineering and manufacturing culture.
For 2026, NTE Mechatronics has set strategic priorities that include reconnecting with former Marangoni Meccanica customers, reinforcing international commercial activities and developing new technologies specifically for the OTR and agriculture tyre sectors, with Europe and the United States as primary target markets. The establishment of the company marks a significant advancement in the group’s growth trajectory, reaffirming its commitment to technological excellence and industrial specialisation.
Novelli said, “We saw the opportunity to remodel a significant industrial legacy into an innovation platform. This approach has enabled us to preserve specialised expertise, ensure industrial continuity and relaunch a historic Italian company with a forward-looking vision. At NTE Mechatronics, we believe that Italian engineering represents far more than technical competence – it is a culture of craftsmanship, creativity and industrial vision. Companies choose Italy when they are looking for something beyond standardisation: distinctive solutions, superior quality, advanced engineering and a different way of thinking about manufacturing.”
Yokohama Rubber has established a new research and development centre in Hangzhou, China, as the Japanese tyre maker seeks to strengthen localised product development and speed up response times in the Chinese market.
The new facility, named Yokohama China Technical Center, began operations in May within the company’s new passenger car tyre plant in Hangzhou, which started production in November 2025.
The company said the centre would enable the local development of products specifically for the Chinese market, from initial research through to completion, helping to accelerate product launches and improve responsiveness to regional demand.
The centre will consolidate R&D functions for Yokohama Rubber’s tyre and multiple business divisions in China, while expanding engineering staff and testing facilities. Its activities will include tyre development, raw material analysis and evaluation, supplier audits, and mould drawing preparation.
Yokohama Rubber said the new operation would also support research into new raw materials and the development of local suppliers in China.
The company currently operates tyre plants in Hangzhou and Suzhou, alongside multiple business plants in Hangzhou and Weifang.
Aarika Innovation Launches KoolWheel Tyre Cooling System
- By TT News
- May 07, 2026
Chhattisgarh-based technology company Aarika Innovation has introduced KoolWheel, an automated tyre water spray cooling system manufactured in India.
The product is designed for freight vehicles and school buses to manage tyre overheating caused by road surface temperatures.
The system uses IR (infrared) temperature sensors, a 5-bar pump and solenoid valves to spray a mist on tyres when temperatures exceed a threshold. The hardware operates on a 12V setup and includes a controller that requires no driver intervention. Dashboard indicators and buzzers provide alerts regarding system status and temperature levels.
The company has introduced two variants of the product for KoolWheel Freight, which is designed for trucks, trailers and multi-axle vehicles, covering up to 22 tyres across six axles. And KoolWheel SchoolSafe, which is developed for school buses and coaches, featuring a 50-litre stainless steel tank and an automatic shutoff to prevent battery drain.
The company states the system can reduce tyre temperatures by up to 25deg Celsius and extend tyre life by up to 35 percent. The technology is intended to reduce the risk of blowouts and maintenance costs for fleet operators. The product is currently available in markets including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana.
Swayam Agarwal, Founder, Aarika Innovation, said, “KoolWheel has been created to solve a very real problem faced by Indian transporters and school bus operators every day. Tyre overheating is not just a maintenance issue; it directly impacts road safety, operating costs, and fleet reliability. With KoolWheel, our aim is to offer an affordable, intelligent, and Made-in-India solution that helps fleets run safer, longer, and more efficiently.”
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