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Realising ‘IoT Tyres’ means installing various sensors inside of a tyre in order to collect and transmit information from the tyres to the vehicle, where this information can then be used in various applications. As these sensors require batteries or other sources of energy to operate, we believe that it makes perfect sense to power these devices using the energy produced naturally by the rotation of a tyre: Kazuhisa Fushihara, Manager, Planning & Administration Dept.,  Research & Development HQ, Sumitomo Rubber Industries

Cutting edge technology researches are on overdrive to enhance the performance of a tyre that can fit into the future definition of mobility, which revolves around sustainability. Tyre as a totally autonomous entity even while being the most vital element in a vehicle is among the ultimate goals of designers and technologists – tyres that can operate on its own, depending less on the mother vehicle, ensuring safety to the user and adding high level of value to strengthen the vehicle’s performance.

Surface friction and rolling resistance have always been the focus of tyre makers. A high amount of heat and energy are being generated during a tyre’s roll on the surface. Making use of this to sustain its function has been a major aim of technologists. Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ (SRI) “Energy Harvester” answers to this effort in a big way.       

In mid 2019, Sumitomo, through joint research undertaken with Professor Hiroshi Tani of Kansai University, developed this new technology to generate electric power from the rotation of a tyre. This is accomplished by installing a power generating device (Energy Harvester) inside of a tyre to convert static electricity occurring within a tyre into clean energy. This new device takes advantage of a type of static electricity called “frictional charging” to generate electric power efficiently each time a tyre's footprint deforms as a tyre rotates. Sumitomo, the     parent company of Falken Tyres, believes that this technology holds great potential for practical applications as a power source without needing batteries for various automotive digital tools, including in TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) and other automotive devices.

The research was selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, national research and development agency, as a Type FS Seed Project under A-STEP (Adaptable and Seamless Technology Transfer Program through Target-Driven R&D). Sumitomo Rubber Industries will now advance this research with support from the Japan Science and Technology Agency.

 Sumitomo has been engaged in a wide range of joint research studies with various universities, including Kansai University and Gunma University Center of Research among others, on sustainability projects.

Regarding the project on “The Development of Intelligent Tyres Using Friction-Charged Sensors,” Kazuhisa Fushihara, Manager, Planning & Administration Dept.,

Research & Development HQ, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, told Tyre Trends: “We are afraid that we are unable to comment on the scope of this joint research project, or other areas of joint research with Kansai University, due to the existence of a non-disclosure agreement. However, we can say that, with backing from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), we are actively engaged in research and development that envisions future tyres that fully incorporate IoT technology.

‘In-house’ energy source

On Energy Harvester Technology, Fushihara said that “Kansai University carried out the basic research and development for the underlying technology before engaging in joint research and development with our company toward realising applications for this technology in tyres.

Developing energy sources within tyres/vehicles goes a long way in ensuring sustainability in product manufacturing. The degree of energy saved is directly proportional to the reduction of energy used from external sources, including fossil-based sources.  

Fushihara said: Realising “IoT Tyres” means installing various sensors inside of a tyre in order to collect and transmit information from the tyres to the vehicle, where this information can then be used in various applications. As these sensors require batteries or other sources of energy to operate, we believe that it makes perfect sense to power these devices using the energy produced naturally by the rotation of a tyre.”

Maintaining right pressure in tyre plays a major role in its performance. “We believe that tyre pressure monitoring systems are an enormously beneficial technology, which is why the EU, China and many other countries around the world have followed the lead of the United States in making TPMS a regulatory requirement. Maintaining appropriate tyre pressure is extremely important in terms of both safety and the environment and, with an eye toward the future of automated vehicles, we believe that it is safe to say that TPMS will only become more and more important in the coming years,” Fushihara observed.

He added: “In the future, we hope to add even more value to these kinds of systems by augmenting their functionality so that they are able to detect not only tyre pressure, but also conditions at the point of contact between tyre and road as well as tyre load and other operational factors.”

Sensing Core

“The Sensing Core Technology that we are currently developing is yet another example of the Sumitomo Rubber Group’s efforts to enhance the value of TPMS so that we may provide greater safety and peace of mind to the increasingly automated mobility society of the future.”

The Sensing Core, a new tyre sensing technology, can detect road conditions, tyre load and other information by analysing the wheel speed signals that are generated by the rotation of the tyres.

SRI has already perfected its proprietary DWS (Deflation Warning System) technology, which analyses wheel speed signals from the rotation of tyres to detect and notify the driver of decreases in tyre air pressure. The DWS technology has been adopted by many automobile manufacturers and can now be found as a factory standard feature in countless vehicles throughout the world, the company website said (information and image courtesy: srigroup.co.jp).

Based on the technical knowhow that SRI cultivated in the development of DWS, the Sensing Core is the next evolution in DWS technology, an advancement that eliminates the need for an additional, dedicated sensors by instead utilising cutting-edge software to detect tyre pressure directly from existing wheel speed signals, thereby reducing the cost of installation and eliminating the need for maintenance.

As the only part of a vehicle that comes into direct contact with the road, tyres must support a vehicle’s entire weight. The Sensing Core technology uses a proprietary algorithm to detect various types of information based on what we know about each specific tyre so that this information can be shared with the driver and with the vehicle itself. This advanced algorithm incorporates and takes full advantage of SRI’s extensive knowledge of various tyre properties, which the company gained through over 100 years of experience in tyre development.

ENDS

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The Global Data Service Organisation for Tyres and Automotive Components (GDSO) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the RAIN Alliance, a move designed to accelerate the harmonisation of electronic tyre identification and support broader digitalisation throughout the international tyre value chain. This agreement formalises a mutual commitment to advancing interoperable, scalable and globally consistent standards that can be adopted across the sector.

GDSO is responsible for establishing and promoting global data standards for tyres, enabling comprehensive lifecycle applications that serve a diverse group of stakeholders – from manufacturers and logistics providers to fleet managers, recyclers and regulatory bodies. The RAIN Alliance, in parallel, champions the widespread implementation of RAIN RFID technology within a framework that is open, standards-based and interoperable.

The growing importance of electronic tyre identification is underscored by its role in enabling traceability, meeting regulatory requirements, advancing circular economy goals and improving operational performance. Within existing standardisation frameworks, embedded RAIN RFID technology is currently the sole passive data carrier capable of supporting item-level traceability across the full lifespan of a tyre. This partnership seeks to align data standardisation efforts with the underlying identification technologies, thereby reinforcing the ecosystem necessary for reliable and scalable digital identification solutions worldwide.

Although GDSO acknowledges the established position and technical maturity of RAIN RFID, the organisation maintains a technology-agnostic stance. Its primary focus remains on developing robust and adaptable global data standards that foster an inclusive and resilient identification ecosystem. Such an approach supports ongoing innovation and ensures that all actors across the tyre value chain can participate effectively, regardless of future technological shifts.

Through this alliance, GDSO and the RAIN Alliance intend to drive globally aligned standards, enhance system interoperability, support digital use cases throughout the product lifecycle and contribute meaningfully to sustainability and circularity targets. This partnership reflects a shared strategic vision to strengthen the digital infrastructure underpinning the tyre industry.

Riccardo Giovannotti, Secretary General, GDSO, said, “I’m pleased to share that GDSO has signed a collaboration MoU with RAIN Alliance. The collaboration is grounded in a shared commitment to industry-wide standards and to advancing digitalisation across the tyre value chain. As the organisation leading the definition and deployment of global data standards for tyres, GDSO focuses on enabling cradle-to-grave use cases through interoperable and scalable solutions. Within today’s standardisation landscape, the embedded RAIN RFID (i.e. passive RFID) is currently the only data carrier standardised and technically capable of supporting item-level identification across the full tyre lifecycle, which makes this collaboration both relevant and timely.”

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A new milestone in agricultural tyre technology has been achieved through the partnership of Titan International, Inc. and Cerebrum Sensor Technologies, Inc. Together, they have unveiled Titan Pressure Perfect (P2), a smart sensor system designed to transform how farm tyres perform and communicate. This system marks the emergence of a broader category known as Intelligent Tyre Solutions (iTS), developed jointly by the two companies.

At the core of Pressure Perfect (P2) is real-time monitoring of tyre pressure, temperature and load. This data enables continuous oversight and works seamlessly with onboard inflation systems, allowing automatic pressure adjustments while the vehicle is in motion. Whether shifting from roadway to field or responding to varying load demands, the system can reduce air pressure by as much as half. This flexibility helps lower soil compaction by up to 35 percent and has been linked to potential corn yield increases of four to six percent.

Pressure Perfect is compatible with all Titan and Goodyear Farm Tyre products and integrates with nearly all inflation management systems already in use. By supporting more precise tyre management, it contributes to longer tyre life, improved machine efficiency and reduced environmental impact through less ground disturbance.

The innovation draws on Cerebrum’s licensed portfolio of patented technologies, including advanced sensors, proprietary algorithms and sophisticated software capabilities. This technical foundation sets a new standard for intelligent tyre management in agriculture. While other industry players focus on replicating existing central tyre inflation and tyre pressure monitoring systems, Titan and Cerebrum are advancing a more comprehensive and forward-looking approach. Pressure Perfect reflects Titan’s longstanding engineering heritage and its continued commitment to leading the field through purposeful collaboration and applied innovation.

Dubbing it the ‘Holy Grail’ of innovations, Scott Sloan, Global Ag & LSW Product Manager for Titan, said, “This is the first system of its kind that delivers dynamic inflation management. Load, tyre pressure and temperature data are gathered by a single tyre-mounted sensor and integrated with tyre-industry load-inflation tables in real time. Imagine bringing together Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) technologies, and now they can work together and talk to each other – all without operator intervention."

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Anyline is displaying its AI-powered TireBuddy platform at the 2026 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas (from 3–6 February), demonstrating how it brings objective, digital tyre inspections to automotive retailers. The technology, which standardises tread depth and condition assessments, is used by dealerships, reconditioning centres and independent shops to enhance operational consistency and customer transparency. At Booth 7649N, live demonstrations will show the system’s guided scanning and intuitive workflow, which technicians have adopted for its ability to generate clear, data-backed reports directly in the service bay.

A key adopter includes EchoPark, a national pre-owned vehicle retailer under Sonic Automotive, Inc., which utilises TireBuddy as part of its rigorous 190-point vehicle inspection process across multiple states. The platform provides repeatable measurements that strengthen technical recommendations and build buyer confidence by turning subjective checks into documented insights. Since its 2025 launch, the tool has been implemented by large-scale automotive groups seeking to improve decision-making and efficiency.

Anyline’s exhibition will focus on these real-world applications, showing how digitising tyre inspections creates a more transparent and trustworthy service experience. By replacing visual estimates with precise digital data, TireBuddy helps businesses streamline workflows, empower technicians and ultimately support safer, more reliable vehicle assessments for customers.

Christoph Braunsberger, CEO, Anyline, said, “Our goal with TireBuddy is to equip technicians with the tools they need to make accurate, fast and confident decisions, an important message we’re bringing to the forefront at this year’s NADA Show. By providing objective, AI-powered data, TireBuddy delivers a far clearer path to cost savings, operational efficiency and customer transparency for retailers – benefits that matter at every level of their operation.”

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As urban areas around the world grow increasingly louder, traffic noise has emerged as a critical environmental and public health challenge. Recognised by health authorities as a major risk factor, this pervasive issue extends from European cities to megacities across Asia and Latin America. Continental is addressing this problem by pioneering tyre technologies that significantly reduce rolling noise, thereby contributing to quieter urban environments and enhanced in-vehicle comfort.

The transition to electric mobility has brought tyre noise into sharper focus. With the near-silent operation of electric motors replacing traditional engine sounds, the acoustic contribution from tyres becomes far more prominent, even at moderate city driving speeds. In response, Continental engineers have developed specialised solutions that target noise generation without compromising the safety, durability or performance of the tyre.

One such innovation is the Silent Pattern tread design, featured on models like the EcoContact 7. This technology disrupts the conventional, uniform arrangement of tread blocks that typically creates a rhythmic humming sound on pavement. By intelligently varying the spacing and angles of these blocks, the pattern breaks up this acoustic consistency. Furthermore, it is tuned to cancel out specific sound frequencies, akin to the principle behind noise-cancelling headphones. This results in a measurable reduction of traffic noise at speeds around 50 kmph, where rolling noise is most perceptible to pedestrians and residents.

For reducing noise inside the vehicle cabin, Continental employs its ContiSilent technology. This involves lining the inside of the tyre with a lightweight polyurethane foam that absorbs vibrations caused by the tyre’s contact with the road. By dampening these air vibrations, the technology can cut perceived in-cabin rolling noise by up to nine decibels – a reduction the human ear experiences as nearly halving the volume. This substantial increase in acoustic comfort is integrated into various product lines, including high-performance summer tyres, without affecting driving dynamics or efficiency.

The company’s commitment to low-noise mobility spans multiple vehicle segments. From the Conti Urban NXT for city buses to passenger car tyres like the EcoContact 6 Q and van tyres such as the VanContact A/S Eco, these products are designed to meet stringent noise standards. Consumers can readily identify these quieter options through regulatory labels, like the EU tyre label, which provides clear decibel ratings for external rolling noise. Through these continuous advancements in tread design and sound-dampening materials, Continental is systematically working to diminish the acoustic footprint of road traffic.

According to Achillefs Tsotras, head of Continental’s Tyre-Vehicle Interaction department, “Noise, especially traffic noise from cars, buses and delivery vehicles, is a major burden for people and the environment. With tyre technologies like ContiSilent and innovative tread designs, we are actively reducing rolling noise without compromising safety. This makes every ride noticeably quieter, benefiting drivers, pedestrians, residents and the environment alike.”

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