Goodyear launches RFID-chip truck tyres

ERJ staff report (DS)

Kontich, Belgium -- Goodyear says the introduction of its Goodyear Regional RHT II RFID trailer tyre is the first commercial application of microchips embedded in truck tyres.

The tyres, in size 435/50R19.5 trailer has an embedded microchip that allows communication with FleetOnlineSolutions, the Web-based Goodyear Tyre Management program.

RFID technology enables anyone with a suitable scanner to quickly identify any type of tyre by scanning the sidewall of the tyre. The information is then stored in electronic form. This technique has other advantages. The tyres are also more easily identified in case of theft and can be controlled throughout their life, retreading included.

The microchip is embedded in the tyre on the assembly line and is programmed with a unique code that identifies the tyre. The portable scanner makes it possible to read the size and type of tyre and the unique ID number.

Ewals Cargo Care, a provider of logistics services leading European, has 49 depots in 18 countries, with 3,100 trailers and 1,200 intermodal vehicles. "The new tyres offer great advantages," said Bart van Rens, Fleet Manager at Control Ewals. "RFID technology speeds up the data gathering process because it allows us to identify the tyres quickly and accurately. The technique also allows us to reduce the problem of theft of tyres on our trailers. "

"Previously, we had to read each identification code consisting of six numbers that were listed on the sidewall. This takes time and we could easily make mistakes. Now, the RFID system is quick and excludes any possible errors, "said van Rens. He said tyre monitoring is now 100 percent accurate, using the chipped tyres.

He added that if tyres are stolen, the thieves ofen scrub the identification number from the sidewall. The chip is buried deep in the tyre and cannot be removed without destroying the tyre. Thus, thieves are beginning to avoid tyres bearing the tags. "We are still in talks with Goodyear to find a way to give visibility to this type of tyres to deter thieves, "concludes Bart van Rens.

For now, RFID tags provide only identification data. However, in the future, they can be dynamic and allow you to view directly the pressure and tyre temperature.

Currently, tyres with RFID chips are made only in Luxembourg, but Goodyear expects to begin manufacture of the chipped tyres at its plant in Wittlich in Germany. Goodyear plansto extend RFID to other types and sizes of tyres  in the near future.

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Press release  from Goodyear (French language)

Above release auto-translated into English (from German)