Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) is working on a technology that will generate electric power from a tyre's rotation.

The Japanese tyre-making company has collaborated with Hiroshi Tani of Kansai University to develop technology that will generate electric power in rotating tyres with the help of a power generating device- an energy harvester- fitted inside the tyre.

Energy harvesting is a technology that captures, collects and harnesses ambient energy, which is a catchall term for light, vibration, heat and other forms of energy that are present in minute quantities all around us. Ambient energy usually goes to waste if not harvested.

SRI said these efforts have now succeeded in making it possible to supply power to a tyre peripheral sensor without batteries. This breakthrough was achieved thanks to the addition of a power charging function to the energy harvester and the optimization of the structures and materials involved in harvesting frictional charging, which greatly improves generated output, added the company.

"With this latest breakthrough, we have now developed an integrated system that uses the electricity generated by the energy harvester to charge a power control circuit, which in turn activates and supplies power to an external sensor. Our most recent verification testing has shown that, when a tire is running at 50km/h, the system produces over 800μW of power, which is enough to activate an external sensor and achieve continuous BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) transmission," said SRI.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

MESNAC participated in the 2026 Tire Technology Expo, held from 3 to 5 March 2026 at the Hannover International Exhibition Center in Germany. At the event, the company presented its advanced technologies and intelligent manufacturing systems, underscoring its role in advancing smart production and sustainable practices within the global rubber industry.

The company’s presence at the expo featured several technological achievements across key stages of tyre production. Its intelligent mixing solution integrated automated film feeding and cutting mechanisms with AI-powered software, enabling full material traceability and automated handling of rubber compounds. In tyre building, the international version of the NPS PCR one-stage building machine demonstrated exceptional performance with a 35-second production cycle per tyre and a fully unmanned operation. MESNAC also highlighted its full range of curing presses, which incorporate patented electric heating technologies to reduce energy use and support flexible, environmentally responsible manufacturing processes.

In addition to product innovations, MESNAC shared its strategic direction focused on smart manufacturing, localised service and sustainability. By leveraging proprietary artificial intelligence solutions, the company provides integrated smart factory projects that enable data-informed and efficient production. To strengthen its global service network, MESNAC is expanding its footprint with production and service centres in Southeast Asia and other regions, ensuring responsive local support. Looking forward, MESNAC is committed to embedding sustainability into its operations, working towards a low-carbon and circular economy for the rubber sector.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bridgestone Americas is set to introduce its new Fleet Portal platform at the upcoming Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, taking place from 16 to 19 March 2026 in Nashville. Designed to streamline and simplify fleet management, the platform consolidates essential digital tools into a single, unified interface to help commercial fleets enhance operational efficiency.

The web-based Fleet Portal brings together various fleet management systems, allowing users to access multiple services with just one login. Key features include oversight of accounts, user permissions, vehicle assets and service records, as well as billing, performance reporting and support resources. The portal also provides direct links to other Bridgestone applications. Integrated within the platform is the Service Dispatch solution, which connects fleets with the Bridgestone Commercial Dealer Network, automates technician deployment and enables comprehensive tracking of service documentation and digital data.

To boost productivity, the platform incorporates automation to analyse data, recommend actions and improve search functionality. Initial features include an automated workflow for service events that reduces duplicate data entry and accelerates tyre repairs based on fleet profiles. A streamlined search function allows quick access to technical documents, troubleshooting guides and reports, while centralised network access provides instant connections to dealer locations and training materials, cutting down on resolution time.

Future enhancements for the Fleet Portal will include AI-powered analytics and advanced workflow automation, aligning with Bridgestone’s broader strategy to integrate artificial intelligence across its customer support tools. At the event, Bridgestone’s booth (#2513) will also feature its latest truck and retread tyres tailored for various applications, with representatives available throughout the exhibition hours.

Josh Holland, Vice President – Network and Fleet Care Solutions, Bridgestone Americas, said, “With the new Fleet Portal, we can centralise all tools and data into a single digital experience for fleets. This integration is key to Bridgestone's customer strategy to connect our fleet solutions in ways that deliver stronger performance with less complexity.”

Steve Hoeft, President – Commercial Truck Group, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Centralising insights and workflows means less manual work, faster decisions and full operational visibility. It’s a major step in the industry’s digital evolution, enabling fleets to move from reactive problem-solving to proactive decision-making and management."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

TROESTER GmbH & Co. KG expanded its automation capabilities in 2025 by acquiring SC OTOMASYON, a Turkish company based in Istanbul. The acquired business now operates as TROESTER Robotics and has been fully integrated into the TROESTER Group structure. This strategic move enhances the company’s expertise in automation and robotics while creating synergies that support future growth.

The acquisition marks an important step in TROESTER’s long-term strategy of developing autonomous production systems that enable fully integrated, low-labour manufacturing processes. Through TROESTER Robotics, the company now gains access to robotic applications across the entire tyre factory, from individual process stations to fully networked production lines. This capability addresses growing global demand for robotic solutions, as manufacturers in Europe, China and North America increasingly face workforce shortages.

With this integration, TROESTER can now meet that demand with comprehensive solutions from a single source. Both teams look forward to working together and jointly advancing technologically leading automation solutions.

Thomas Holzer, CEO, TROESTER GmbH & Co. KG, “The company brings start-up spirit, agility and strong innovative capabilities, while TROESTER contributes decades of experience, established commercial structures, a global sales network and longstanding customer relationships. Together, this creates a clear competitive advantage and a USP that sets us apart in the market.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Dunlop (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.) has secured the first commercial deployment of its SENSING CORE technology in China. The system's ‘tyre load detection’ and ‘tyre air pressure detection’ functions have been adopted by Chongqing Ruichi Automotive Industry Co., Ltd. (Ruichi) for its new electric commercial vehicle model, the Ruichi C5. This marks both the technology's entry into the Chinese market and the global debut of Dunlop's tyre load detection capability.

The load detection function monitors changes in cargo weight and distribution in real time, feeding data to the vehicle's control system. This reduces driving instability during starting, stopping and turning caused by shifting loads, thereby lessening driver burden and enabling more stable cargo transport. The feature is scheduled for implementation in additional Ruichi models going forward.

This development responds to conditions in China's urban areas, where e-commerce growth has fuelled demand for short-distance delivery services while autonomous driving and driver assistance features gain traction. In vehicles equipped with advanced systems, control logic typically operates based on predetermined load parameters. When actual loads deviate from these assumptions, discrepancies arise that affect driver comfort and cargo stability. Commercial vehicles therefore increasingly require smooth acceleration and deceleration control that remains effective regardless of load conditions.

Ruichi selected Dunlop's technology as an effective solution to these challenges. The system requires no additional sensors and can be installed without modifying existing vehicle configurations, offering significant cost advantages. SENSING CORE analyses wheel speed data alongside vehicle control information from the CAN data stream to detect various conditions including tyre pressure, tread wear and load.

On the Ruichi C5, the load detection function assesses total weight on left and right tyres for front and rear axles according to changes in cargo volume and position. This data optimises torque output during acceleration and brake control based on current load conditions, delivering stable ride quality unaffected by load changes during frequent urban deliveries.

Dunlop pursues this work under its SMART TYRE CONCEPT development philosophy, which aims to deliver high safety and environmental performance for CASE and MaaS applications. SENSING CORE anchors these services and is planned as the company's fourth major business pillar alongside tyres, sports and industrial products.

The challenges of frequent starts and stops during urban deliveries and changing load conditions extend beyond China throughout Asia, including Japan. Building on this adoption, Dunlop aims to expand its presence in both domestic and international markets.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!