Goodyear--and the tire intelligence team at the Goodyear Innovation Centre in Colmar-Berg--have made progress.
Announcement number one: the launch of a suite of intelligent tyre technologies called Goodyear SightLight, a project shared by Goodyear and ZF, a company specialising in automotive systems and industrial technology.
The technologies will be part of ZF’s cubiX ecosystem, an evolving vehicle motion control software that, says a press release, coordinates all dimensions of vehicle dynamics. In other words, the tyre will be able to detect when the puddle is larger than the driver thinks (meaning a higher risk of aquaplaning), and subsequently make an instant speed recommendation. The technology can also trigger the chassis control systems and apply corrective measures, thereby stabilising the vehicle. SightLine has been nominated for the Innovation Award Honoree at CES2024 in the Vehicle Technology and Advanced Mobility category.
Announcement number two: Goodyear has developed a version of SightLine with Gatik, a B2B autonomous vehicle specialist. Through full-scale testing on Goodyear’s test tracks in San Angelo, Texas, Gatik has--according to a press release--advanced its autonomous driving systems with precise information on cornering and braking severity, rolling resistance and axle and tyre load. (Notably, these test tracks are in a closed environment.) This data, communicated between the Goodyear SightLine technology and Gatik’s autonomous driving system via a real-time feedback loop, has enabled Gatik to improve a number of performance metrics, including the ability to adapt to a variety of road conditions (even according for changes in truck weight due to payloads).
In 2021, Gatik became the first company in the world to make last-mile deliveries by autonomous vehicle. Photo: Gatik
Announcement number three: Goodyear has worked with TNO, a Dutch research organisation, to improve its anti-lock braking systems. Say the companies in a press release: “An improved ABS, equipped with information about the tyre type and characteristics such as wear state, can potentially enhance overall system efficiency and reduce braking distance by as much as 5.75 feet [1.75 metres; editor’s note]” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 1.7m rear-end collisions in 2021, accounting for almost a third of all accidents in the United States.
Announcement number four: in partnership with TDK, Goodyear plans to commercialise a powerful tyre monitoring system that combines TDK’s expertise in software, sensors and electronics with Goodyear’s knowhow in tyre development, intelligent solutions and market trends.
This article in Paperjam. It has been translated and edited for Delano.