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Tue February 12 11:24 am 2019 in category Product news

Future tires will be smart – drivers want tires that can react to weather

Increasingly more smart technology is being put into cars. Artificial intelligence can react more quickly than people, and it is also being introduced into tires. Consumers are particularly interested in tires that can adapt to different weather conditions by utilizing sensor technology. According to a survey* commissioned by Nokian Tyres, 34% of European drivers hope that the black and round rubber parts on their cars will also automatically react to the weather in the future.

The Internet of Things is rapidly making headway into most consumer products. In practice, this means that objects are equipped with sensors that can measure, identify, and react to changes in the environment. A bed with sensors can monitor your quality of sleep, and smart clothing can cool down or warm up its users when necessary.

A smart tire could also monitor both itself and its surroundings faster and in more ways than the driver.

– Sensors in the tire could measure the tread depth and wear and alert the driver when new tires are needed or ask them to rotate them from front to back in order to even out the wear and optimize their service life, says Teemu Soini who is responsible for new technologies at Nokian Tyres.

Smart solutions on the horizon

In the first wave of smart technology, sensors installed in tires will measure different variables and forward the information to the driver, either directly into the vehicle’s onboard systems or to the driver’s mobile device. However, a true smart tire is one that can automatically react to the information from the sensor – without any driver interference.

– These tires could automatically adapt to weather and road conditions by changing the tread pattern, for example. In wet weather, the grooves storing water could increase in volume and reduce the risk of aquaplaning.

The tire industry has already taken the first steps towards smart tires, and sensors are already commonly used for measuring inflation pressure. Real smart tires are not available yet, however.

– Currently, there are very few next-generation smart applications for passenger car tires, but this will surely change within the next five years, and premium tires will provide more driver assistance solutions. Tires that react automatically are still a thing of the future, Soini estimates.

For this to become a reality, we need to solve a number of things, such as how to make the sensors durable and safe enough during the continuous stress that they are subjected to, and how to make smart technology a natural part of the massive tire production process.

Safety first in development

Alongside smart tires, consumers want safe tires. According to Nokian Tyres’ survey, nearly every second driver would make tires safer than they are now.

Tires are an essential safety factor. Four palm-sized pads are the only contact point with the road surface, and their main task is to safely take you where you are going, regardless of the weather or road conditions.

Today’s high-quality tires are already extremely safe. Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement. Continuous development and relentless testing are key.

– Developments in tire material technology enable us to build tires that work even better under the most challenging conditions. In practice, we can improve grip at the extremes without sacrificing durability. At Nokian Tyres, safety has always come first when developing new tires and it will continue to be that way, Teemu Soini says.

European drivers’ tire expectations*

In the future, I would like my tires to…

  • be safer 44% (all countries): Germany 34%, Italy 51%, France 30%, Czech Republic 50%, Poland 56%
  • utilize sensor technology to adapt to different conditions 34% (all countries): Germany 30%, Italy 40%, France 35%, Czech Republic 28%, Poland 35%
  • eliminate the need for seasonal tire change 33% (all countries): Germany 35%, Italy 30%, France 40%, Czech Republic 28%, Poland 34%
  • wear out slower than they do currently 25% (all countries): Germany 27%, Italy 19%, France 21%, Czech Republic 33%, Poland 25%
  • roll lightly, save fuel and, thereby, extend the range of my electric vehicle 23% (all countries): Germany 28%, Italy 23%, France 19%, Czech Republic 24%, Poland 21%
  • be puncture-proof, they would repair themselves 22% (all countries): Germany 19%, Italy 20%, France 17%, Czech Republic 25%, Poland 31%

*Data based on 4,100 respondents in Nokian Tyres’ survey realized during December 2018 and January 2019. The survey was conducted online by the YouGov market research company.

Further information: 
What could the future of mobility, driving, and winter tires look like in 2036? 

Pictures: 
Download infographic and pictures here 

Contacts:

Jaroslav Nálevka, PR manager McCann Prague, 00420 725 865 874, [email protected] 

Zuzana Seidl, PR manager Nokian Tyres CE, 00420 603 578 866, [email protected]