Intelligent tyre for accident-free traffic

26 octobre 2016

Intelligent tyre for accident-free traffic

Background & policy context:

Research and development work in automotive industry has been focusing at an intensified pace on developing vehicles with intelligent powertrain management, chassis control systems and driver support functions such as ADAS for improved lateral and longitudinal control of the car, as well as for monitoring tasks. Up to 2005, tyres had been only rubber systems representing 'terra incognito' in Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) area without providing vehicle control systems or a driver with any information.

Tyres are, however, the most important system for the contact point between road and vehicle. The gradual introduction of intelligent functions in cars has opened up new possibilities for improving road traffic safety. Actually, a part of automotive industry has created the vision of accident-free traffic. A further step, in addition to the ones mentioned above to realize this vision, is the introduction of an intelligent tyre and the integration of this system into a part of vehicle control systems.

Objectives:

The objectives for the project producing a prototype for an intelligent tyre were:

to increase road traffic safety by means of an intelligent tyre system;
to enable improvements for vehicle control systems, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and chassis control systems;
to enable the introduction of innovative services concerning tyre and road conditions for different user groups both inside and outside the vehicle.

Three main research and technology objectives for the project were as follows:

Introducing innovative sensors for monitoring tyre condition, road condition and tyre-road interaction.
Developing novel solutions for a wireless communication interface and a batteryless power supply enabling intelligent tyre systems.
Creating an 'intelligent' tyre: integrating all electronic components into the tyre by means of mechatronic design, taking into account processes of manufacturing, handling and maintenance.