Italy imposes ‘golden power’ safeguards on Pirelli defence project

Milan, Italy – The Italian government has imposed measures to protect Pirelli and Abet High Tech Solutions’ defence-related technology and R&D under the country’s ‘golden power’ rules.

The decree identified the two companies’ activities in the defence sector as being of “strategic importance” to Italy’s national defence system, Pirelli said 29 Sept.

Under the ruling, the companies will be required to implement “techno-organisational” measures to protect industrial property rights, know-how, products and related data considered strategically important to national defence and security.

The measures are also intended to safeguard the “continuity and standard” of R&D carried out by Pirelli and Abet HTS in the sector.

In August, Pirelli and Abet launched a project to develop remote-controlled electric unmanned ground vehicles for rescue operations in rugged and extreme environments. (ERJ report)

Pirelli is contributing its ‘Cyber Tyre’ technology and optical sensors, as well as developing a dedicated run-flat tire based on its ‘run forward’ technology.

The partners are also developing AI and machine-learning systems to process information from vehicle cameras and tire sensors, enabling data to be transmitted in real time and used to optimise grip and remote operation. 

Abet HTS has previously said the vehicles could be deployed in military logistics and operational theatres, as well as rescue operations following natural disasters, fires and incidents in polluted or potentially radioactive areas.

The latest intervention follows earlier Italian government action under ‘golden power’ rules to protect Pirelli technologies.

In April, Rome imposed restrictions on Chinese shareholder Sinochem, citing Pirelli’s strategic importance and particularly its cyber tire technology, which can collect and transmit potentially sensitive vehicle and road data. (ERJ report)