Yokohama starts remote TPMS testing of tires

Tokyo – The Yokohama Rubber Co. has begun practical testing of a sensor attached to the tire’s inner surface, employing its newly developed TPRS (tire air pressure remote access system) system to remotely monitor tire pressure.

Developed by Yokohama, the tire sensor is connected to an in-vehicle device, developed by electronics component maker Alps Alpine Co. and is supported by map publisher Zenrin, the Japanese tire & rubber group announced 6 Oct.

The practical tests, to be carried out across Japan, will confirm the durability of the sensors and will examine the TPRS system for its capabilities of 'real-time remote monitoring monitoring of tire pressure, temperature, and vehicle location.'

The system is claimed to significantly reduce labour for tire maintenance while detecting potential accident-causing abnormalities, and improving fuel efficiency by ensuring proper tire pressure.

Based on the findings of the project, Yokohama aims to add a new value-added tire-related business that provides tire pressure information and GPS location data using Zenrin's map information.

This will support the group's YX2023 medium-term management plan, which envisions a new 'tire-solutions' service based on Yokohama's smart SensorTire technology vision for passenger car tires.