new generation tyres

The technology behind car safety has advanced significantly in the last 10 years, but one of the most important parts of car safety - the part that connects your car to the road - hasn't progressed as rapidly.

Pirelli is trialling a new type of tyre, however, that could usher in a new era of safety.

The Italian tyre maker says it is almost ready to release the 'intelligent tyre', which is expected to be on sale in 2010.

 pirelli_cyber_tyre_2.jpg ( 46K ) Number of downloads: 1


This new generation tyre has a microchip embedded within its carcass that can "supply essential information on the state of the tyre and on road conditions to the driver and car, making the electronic control of the car more efficient" says Pirelli.

When fully integrated in a cars stability control system, the car could potentially predict loss of traction before it even occurs, rather than reacting milliseconds after the wheels lose traction.

According to Pirelli, this innovation delivers increased active and passive safety when driving.

Such an advancement has the potential to increase the safety of cars, not to mention the usefulness of stability and braking control systems, tenfold.

Pirelli has outlined a two-stage approach to introducing the tyre onto the market: the Cyber Tyre Lean followed by the Cyber Tyre.

The Cyber Tyre Lean uses a fairly basic sensor glued to the inside of the tyre that can analyse data like tyre pressure and temperature, and the average load of the vehicle. This will be launched in 2010.

It's the Cyber Tyre that could revolutionise stability control and braking systems: it uses a triaxial accelerometer to measure "actual and potential friction coefficients, the force of the contact between tyre and road, and on the load, instantaneously" claims Pirelli.

It will communicate in real time with the electronic devices of the car, such as the ESP and the ABS, supplying even more detailed and precise information on the state and function of the tyres.

This post has been edited by sancho078: Aug 28 2008, 12:29 PM

cool, now can I do a drive by with a transmitter which says "NO TRACTION!", which will stop the car

This is very interesting. On road cars it may just be another annoying electronic gadget (potentially, though it could lead faster lap times and much safer driving in 'fun' conditions [rain, snow, and ice]) with larger vehicles it could lead to significant reductions in fuel use as the truck would be applying just enough power for accelertion and in braking.

Nice post sancho078, where'd you find it?

Great post, but when will somone bring out the EVER LASTING TYRE!