Goodyear linking virtual tire R&D across the pond

Akron, Ohio – Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is to install a dynamic driving simulator at its Innovation Center in Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, the US tire maker announced 26 Jan.

The addition of the DiM250 simulator from VI-grade is intended to strengthen Goodyear’s product development at the European site and enhance technical collaboration with its headquarters in Akron, Ohio.

Another DiM250 was recently put into operation at the tire maker’s US base, while both of Goodyear’s innovation centres also employ VI-grade Compact simulators to complement virtual tire-development work.

Driving simulators allow tire models to be developed, tested and validated early in the development cycle, identifying the best performing tires before building a first prototype. 

This, noted Goodyear, matches with the pace of the automotive development process, providing tire models at the right time when requested by vehicle manufacturers.

“This level of simulation capability is a clear technology leadership advantage,” said Chris Helsel, Goodyear senior vice president and CTO. “We are always looking to improve the development process and maintain our status as the preferred supplier for our customers.”

For VI-grade, Guido Bairati, VP global sales and marketing, said: “With DiM250 and Compact simulators on both sides of the ocean, Goodyear is now at the forefront of virtual tire development… [including] when it comes to collaboration with automotive OEMs.”

VI-grade supplies real-time simulation software and driver-in-the-loop simulators for vehicle development processes in the automotive, aerospace, motorcycle, motorsports and railway sectors. 

The company is part of Spectris plc, a UK-based group specialised in “providing insight through precision measurement,” employing 9,000 people in more than 30 countries.