Remote Tyre Pressure Monitoring for Autonomous Vehicles

01/12/2020

Falken's parent company, Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) has begun proof of concept testing for its new tyre pressure management solution that enables the remote monitoring of tyre pressures and temperatures, which will be crucial for the safe operation of autonomous vehicles.

The solution makes it possible to remotely view data collected via cloud by the vehicle's Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). With potentially no driver in the cockpit to monitor vehicle diagnostics at all times, it helps ensure that tyre pressures are maintained to safe driving levels and optimised for fuel economy, as well as supporting predictive maintenance to prevent flat tyres and other tyre condition concerns.

Testing will be conducted on 530 vehicles in Japan to evaluate the effectiveness of SRI's solution in supporting safer driving and reducing maintenance, with the ultimate aim of establishing a business model that helps enhance driving safety and economy. The trial will also evaluate the overall quality and convenience of the service through customer feedback.

"Insufficient tyre pressure is a common cause of punctures and flat tyres, and also leads to a decline in fuel efficiency and driving performance," says Sumitomo Rubber Europe's Dr Bernd Löwenhaupt. "As such, maintaining the optimum tyre pressure is extremely important. However, as mobility becomes increasingly autonomous, there will be a greater need for maintenance-free services. By enabling the remote monitoring of tyre pressures, SRI's new service will deliver greater safety as well as peace of mind in the era of autonomous driving."

The test has been facilitated by SRI's collaboration with a number of partners in Japan, including Shin-Idemitsu and its subsidiaries IDEX Auto Japan and Budget, which provide vehicle leasing and rental services.

The tyre pressure management solution is one of a number of technologies SRI is developing in response to CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric) transformation in the automotive industry. SRI recently revealed its Smart Tyre Concept, a forward-thinking suite of tyre technologies and services to better serve the needs of future mobility.

About Sumitomo Rubber Australia

Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) is the fifth largest tyre manufacturer in the world. With 11 global tyre manufacturing facilities, SRI produces tyres for passenger cars, light trucks, trucks & buses, motorcycles and agricultural machinery. Sumitomo Rubber Australia (SRAU) is the local subsidiary and manages three brands – Falken, Sumitomo Tyres and Ohtsu. For more information visit www.falken.com.au.

Contact

William Ng
Marketing Manager
marketing@srau.com.au
(02) 8774 2925

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