Conti activates digital tire-monitoring platform

Conti describes the technology as an efficient solution for remote tire monitoring, allowing fleet managers to monitor tire pressure and temperature data for the entire fleet via a single Web portal, every time trucks return to the fleet yard, saving inspection and maintenance time.

ContiConnect is designed to help fleets lower costs and increase uptime by saving maintenance time; protecting tires from long-term damage; reducing tire-related breakdowns and tire wear; and improving fuel efficiency and safety.

Conti plans to offer the system — which debuted last September at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta — in more markets in Europe and Asia throughout 2018 and '19.

"ContiConnect is the starting point for Continental to become a profound partner for tire-related data services," Michael Neuheisel, head of digital solutions, commercial vehicle tires, said.

Calling this launch a "huge step forward" in the firm's evolution to a solutions provider, Neuheisel noted that ContiConnect enriches the company's "long-term experience in the tire industry with data created by sensors, starting with our truck, bus and specialty tires."

The new platform ContiConnect consists of different components that can be combined in multiple ways:

• Tire sensor — making the tire intelligent

A sensor mounted on the tire's inner liner connects the vehicle's tires with the outside world, Conti said, transmitting tire pressure and temperature data. The ContiPressureCheck sensor is built into Conti's intelligent truck, bus and earthmover tires and can be retrofitted as well.

• Yard reader station — the receiver for tire data

The yard reader station is the connecting component between the tire sensor and Continental´s backend. It reads the data off the sensors as the vehicle passes by the receiver in the yard and sends the data to the backend, where they are analyzed and interpreted. The yard reader station is installed at the fleet's frequent touch points, like washing bay, gas station or other check-points.

• Web portal — interface to the entire fleet

The web portal is the interface where fleet managers can monitor and track the tire condition and performance of their fleet's tires, enabling retrospective analyses.

• Notifications — Keeping fleet managers informed

The solution notifies fleet managers via e-mail or SMS and suggests corrective measures where necessary. A service partner — for instance from the Conti360° network — can be notified to implement such measures. The notifications allow the fleet managers to better plan tire maintenance and ensure timely information about deviations. For the entire fleet this means higher uptime and less maintenance.