2024-10-06 00:57:51
The technology is used in devices to measure blood sugar levels in diabetics
Pirelli and Bosch will equip passenger car tires with Bluetooth connectivity. The two companies entered into a cooperation agreement to develop smart tires capable of communicating with the car’s computer through sensors located inside the tire and wirelessly. This project already has a name: Cyber Tire.
From 2014, all new cars must be equipped with
tire pressure monitoring system
This is a European obligation. However, two systems exist simultaneously. On the one hand, there are pressure gauges placed directly on the valve and which record the actual pressure in the tire, and on the other hand, a so-called virtual system is also available, which does not measure the pressure directly, but can calculate a possible loss of pressure from changing the tire circumference – this is done through the ESP sensors.
Future Cyber Tires will use the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard. This is indeed Bluetooth, but a variant that, as its name suggests,
consumes less energy
This standard has been around for about fifteen years and is used in the medical world, especially in devices for measuring blood sugar levels in diabetics. The same goes for cycling. Power meters on racing bikes also use this technology, as do other applications made for fitness and running.
According to the two giants of the automotive industry, such a tire should help improve safety, comfort and driving dynamics.
The sensor can transmit information about both tire pressure and temperature, but
also estimate the number of kilometers traveled
and therefore measure its state of wear. Thanks to the information provided, the calibration of the ABS and electronic assistance systems can also be adjusted according to the degree of tire wear.
Be aware that the effects of poor tire pressure, too high a temperature or too much wear can be decisive for safety.
Many drivers
they don’t pay attention to wear and tear
or the condition of the tires. If the pressure is too low, the device will be able to adapt the operation of the stability control accordingly to avoid unpleasant surprises on the road.
Some sports cars already use Cyber Tire technology. This is the case with the McLaren Artura, presented in 2022, but also with Pagani, which incorporates it into the model in the Utopia, or even with Audi with the RS4. These cars also allow
direct communication with the tires through a special phone application
Of course, these are high-end models whose tires cost several hundred or even thousands of euros each.
For this reason, it seems unlikely that all new mid-range cars will soon be equipped with this Bluetooth system. Because the pressure sensor system is sufficient on its own and probably not every model will need the measurements that are needed on board a Formula 1 car for example. In addition, there are specific systems on the market, combining a pressure gauge and Bluetooth technology, which also allow the condition of the tires to be monitored. Equipment manufacturer Melexis also introduced a similar system in 2020, but it never became mainstream.