Goodyear Unveils Tire Intelligence Technology for Enhanced Driving Safety

Goodyear is revolutionizing tire technology by integrating "tire intelligence" into its products, collaborating with tech partners to gather real-time data on tire conditions. This advancement enables drivers to better manage tire maintenance, replacement, and safety, aiming to reduce accidents. The announcement coincides with Goodyear's participation in CES 2024, marking its first presence on the show floor despite serving the tire industry for 126 years.

Chris Helsel, Goodyear's Senior Vice President and CTO, highlighted that tire intelligence involves monitoring tire wear and predicting performance in various conditions. “Our journey parallels the evolution of the software-defined vehicle," Helsel said, emphasizing the importance of data in improving tire safety and performance.

Goodyear SightLine, the company's suite of tire intelligence technologies, offers vital insights into tire and road conditions through advanced algorithms and real-time monitoring. This innovation is set to transform transportation, paving the way for smarter and more sustainable mobility solutions.

“Tires are the only vehicle component interacting directly with the road,” Helsel noted. “By digitalizing this connection, we can enhance both vehicle performance and safety.” The integration of Goodyear SightLine with ZF technology is already yielding results, particularly in detecting hydroplaning.

Since introducing Goodyear SightLine in 2020, the company has partnered with organizations like TNO, ZF, TDK, and Gatik to bring these concepts to market. Helsel remarked, “We leverage our tire knowledge, ensuring our data drives software innovations.”

TNO collaboration focuses on integrating tire data with anti-lock brake systems (ABS), demonstrating the potential to decrease braking distances by nearly six feet, which could significantly reduce rear-end collisions. As reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these accidents made up almost a third of U.S. crashes in 2021.

The partnership with TDK aims to develop a tire sensing system, combining TDK's expertise in sensors and intelligent hardware with Goodyear's tire technology. This initiative will ensure sensors can function throughout a tire's lifespan while minimizing energy consumption.

Goodyear is also collaborating with ZF to integrate tire intelligence into vehicle control systems. This ensures enhanced predictions regarding hydroplaning risks, ultimately improving vehicle control and driver safety.

Moreover, Goodyear has announced a partnership with Gatik to incorporate tire intelligence into autonomous driving systems, promising safer logistics through the use of autonomous delivery vehicles.

In summary, tire intelligence represents a significant leap towards smarter, safer driving. By harnessing advanced data analytics and forming strategic partnerships, Goodyear is committed to enhancing road safety, reducing maintenance costs, and improving overall vehicle performance. As the automotive industry continues to embrace technology, Goodyear stands at the forefront, championing the integration of intelligent solutions for a safer future on the road.