The tires of the future will be smart
Drivers need tires that react to weather conditions
More and more smart technologies are being introduced into cars. Artificial intelligence can react faster than humans and is starting to be used in car tires. Consumers are particularly interested in adapting their tires to different conditions using sensor technology. According to a survey commissioned by Nokian Tires **, 34% of European drivers hope that in the future the black rubber shoes of their cars will react to weather conditions.
The Internet of Things (-IoT) is rapidly entering most consumer products. In practice, this means that objects are equipped with sensors that can measure, identify and respond to changes in their environment. A sensory bed can monitor your sleep quality, and smart clothes can be cooled or warmed as needed.
The smart bus can also monitor both its condition and its surroundings faster and in different ways than the driver.
“Tire sensors can measure tread depth and wear and alert the driver when new tires are needed or suggest replacing front tires with rear tires to even out wear and prolong tire life,” he says. Teemu Soini, head of new technologies at Nokian Tires.
Smart solutions on the horizon
In the first wave of smart technologies, sensors installed in tires will measure various variables and send information to the driver directly to the vehicle's on-board systems or to the driver's mobile device. However, a true smart tire is one that can respond to information received from a sensor without the need for driver intervention.
“These tires will be able to automatically adapt to weather and road conditions, for example, by changing the tread pattern. In rainy weather, the channels that collect and drain water can expand and thus reduce the risk of aquaplaning. ”
The car tire industry has already taken its first steps towards smart tires, and now sensors are often used to measure tire pressure. However, there are no real smart technologies in this sector yet.
“Currently there are very few next-generation smart applications for passenger car tires, but this will certainly change in the next five years and premium tires will definitely offer driver assistance solutions. “Tires that can respond automatically are still the future,” Soini said.
To make this a reality, a number of innovations are needed, such as ensuring the reliability and safety of sensors during short-term stress, and making intelligent technology a natural part of the mass production process. car tires.
Safety first
In addition to smart tires, consumers want safe tires. According to a study by Nokian Tires, almost one in two drivers will make tires safer than they are now.
Tires are a major safety factor. The four palm-sized pads are the only point of contact with the pavement, and their main job is to safely get you where you're going, no matter the weather or road conditions.
Today's high quality tires are extremely safe. However, there is always room for improvement. Continuous development and uncompromising testing are the keys to this.
“Advances in tire technology allow us to create a product that performs well even in the toughest conditions. In practice, we can maximize traction without sacrificing endurance. At Nokian Tires, safety has always been a top priority when developing new tyres, and this will continue to be the case,” says Teemu Soini.
Future wishes of European drivers regarding their tires **
For the future, I would like my tires ...
1.be 44% safer (all countries)
Germany 34%, Italy 51%, France 30%, Czech Republic 50%, Poland 56%
2.Use sensor technology to adapt to different environments 34% (all countries)
Germany 30%, Italy 40%, France 35%, Czech Republic 28%, Poland 35%
3.exclude the need for seasonal variation 33% (all countries)
Germany 35%, Italy 30%, France 40%, Czech Republic 28%, Poland 34%
4. wear out more slowly than currently 25% (all countries)
Germany 27%, Italy 19%, France 21%, Czech Republic 33%, Poland 25%
5. Roll lightly, save fuel and therefore increase my EV mileage by 23% (all countries).
Germany 28%, Italy 23%, France 19%, Czech Republic 24%, Poland 21%
6.impenetrable and self-healing 22% (all countries)
Germany 19%, Italy 20%, France 17%, Czech Republic 25%, Poland 31%
** Data based on responses from 4100 people who took part in the Nokian Tires survey conducted between December 2018 and January 2019. The survey was conducted by yougov, an online marketing research company.
