Cyber tyres on the way

The automotive sensor developer has developed a sensor that is mounted on the inside of a tyre instead of on the valve or wheel rim, as is the case with currently available direct TPMS set ups. This sensor then transmits information wirelessly to receivers mounted in the vehicle's wheel housing and via the car's ECU to the driver. This enables a raft of previously unobtainable data to be relayed to the vehicle's ABS, ESP and other electronic systems, says Schrader. Information about the tyre's tread depth, pressure and temperature, along with the shape of its footprint and the amount of load it is under, will be combined with precise readings of road conditions, such as the amount of grip available, to optimise control of the vehicle's dynamics. The company has partnered with Pirelli to deliver the technology, the first phase of which, the Cyber Tyre Lean, is anticipated to be released in Europe this year. This product measures pressure, temperature, average load and the number of revolutions and feeds the obtained data into the vehicle's electronic systems. The fully intelligent tyre, to be called the 'Cyber Tyre', is expected in the marketplace during 2013. "Schrader is the market leader in tyre sensors and this new development continues our commitment to pushing back the boundaries of technology which can enhance a vehicle's safety and the driving experience," commented vice president of business development at Schrader Electronics, Alfonso Di Pasquale. Schrader Electronics recently received the Queen's Award for Enterprise 2010.