Sumitomo develops 'sensing tires' technology

Tokyo – Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) has developed a new tire sensing technology which is able to detect road conditions, tire load and other information by analysing the wheel speed signals that are generated by the rotation of the tires.

Called "Sensing Core," the technology follows another SRI proprietary technology, DWS (deflation warning system), which analyses wheel speed signals from the rotation of tires to detect and notify the driver of decreases in tire air pressure.

The new Sensing Core is the next evolution in DWS technology, according to SRI.

The advanced version, said the Japanese tire maker on 17 May, eliminates the need for additional, dedicated sensors by using “cutting-edge software” to detect tire pressure directly from existing wheel speed signals.

This will reduce the cost of installation and eliminate the need for maintenance.

The technology uses an algorithm to detect various types of information and shares it with the driver and with the vehicle itself.

Moreover, by analysing wheel speed signals, the sensor is able to detect not only decreases in tire air pressure, but can also estimate road conditions (slipperiness), the load applied to each tire and other information in real time.

The Japanese tire-maker said it is now planning on improving the technology to enable it to estimate tire damage and wear and have the ability to collect and analyse data on the cloud for sharing this information with other vehicles.