Yokohama Rubber Announces “SensorTire Technology Vision,” Technological Development Vision for Passenger Car Tire Sensors, and Partnership for the MaaS Era
The automotive industry is in the midst of a major transformation towards the MaaS era, where tires will not only leverage new technologies to extend their own safety, economy and environmental responsiveness, but will also play a new role as sensors.
On February 19, 2021, Yokohama Rubber announced its vision for the technological development of a new passenger car tire sensor for the future.
Collaboration across industries is also underway to provide services in the future.
Tires moving into the era of MaaS support
Tires are the only part of the vehicle that comes in contact with the road surface, and have a great impact on safety, comfort and economy. The use of sensor data from these tires is expected to produce significant effects, and actual applications have already begun.
In the future, it can be expected to generate even greater value by linking it to the car itself and road information.
Already provided systems for trucks and buses
Although this announcement is for passenger cars, Yokohama Rubber has already been selling “HiTES” tire pressure monitoring system for trucks and buses since 2003, which measures and manages tire air pressure and internal air temperature.
The 4th generation model HiTES4, which has been on the market since September 2020, is designed to visualize tire pressure with an indicator that sounds and flashes colors when an abnormality is detected, as well as a function that allows the user to check the tire status on a smartphone or tablet.
In addition, by linking up with the company’s tire management system “T.M.S”, it is possible to monitor the air pressure and temperature inside the tire and the location of the vehicle even from a distance.
The newly announced system for passenger cars
This time, the company announced the SensorTire Technology Vision, a medium- to long-term technology development vision for passenger car tire sensors.
The SensorTire Technology Vision aims to respond to new changes in mobility demand by providing information obtained from SensorTires (IoT tires) equipped with sensing functions to drivers and various external businesses.
Specifically, by correlating and analyzing tire data with map information and various probe traffic information (traffic congestion information, weather information), the company aims to provide new value-added information such as safe driving route proposals, and to support the safe and secure vehicle operation management of companies that provide services related to automated vehicles and MaaS. The goal is to provide new value-added information, such as proposals for safe driving routes, and to support safe and secure vehicle operation management for companies providing automated vehicles and MaaS-related services.
Medium- and Long-Term Technological Development Vision for Passenger Car Tire Sensors
There are two main stages in the utilization of tire sensor information technology.
The first stage is for operators to manage tire pressure and wear by providing feedback, and many companies have already started using this technology.
The next stage is to provide various services that sense road conditions, etc. and lead to not only maintenance and management but also safety and comfortable operation.
At this stage, it is essential to collaborate with other companies through open innovation during development, and to collaborate with a wide range of partners from other industries during service provision and operation.
Collaboration for the Next Generation
The company has now announced the start of a demonstration experiment with Alps Alpine and Zenrin.
With Alps Alpine, the company has been conducting research and development since 2019 with a view to developing a solution business that detects wear and road surface conditions and processes and manages them using digital tools.
Zenrin possesses high-precision map information, including various types of road regulation information, road gradients, curvature, and a variety of other ancillary information.
Through the analysis of the data from the demonstration tests, the company hopes to provide various solutions for the future, such as navigation that detects wear and lack of air pressure and avoids steep gradients and curves, safe driving support by providing information on icy roads and sunken roads, and automatic vehicle control. The company hopes to provide a variety of solutions, including navigation to avoid steep grades and sharp curves, safe driving support by providing information on frozen road surfaces and sunken roads, and control of automated vehicles.
