Yokohama Rubber testing remote tyre pressure checking technology

Developments resulting from the partnership between Yokohama Rubber and navigation technology firm Zenrin are currently being evaluated. Yokohama Rubber reports that the partners have begun practical testing on vehicles across Japan that are outfitted with sensors attached to the inner surface of their tyres.

The sensors in question were developed by Yokohama Rubber and are paired with in-vehicle devices provided by technology company Alps Alpine and attached to the test vehicles with Zenrin’s cooperation. The aim of the practical tests is to confirm the durability of the sensors attached to the tyres’ inner surface and the ability of a newly developed system (Tyre air Pressure Remote access System, or TPRS) to remotely monitor tyre pressure using the in-vehicle device. In addition, Yokohama Rubber aims to realise a new value-added tyre-related business that provides tyre pressure information and GPS location data along with Zenrin’s abundant map information.

Yokohama Rubber’s TPRS is a response to changes in the automotive sector, such as CASE and MaaS. The current practical test of the system aims to determine its merits for vehicle maintenance staff, including labour saving effects during tyre maintenance, more precise tyre management, and more efficient tyre maintenance planning. The test will also consider the system’s benefits for vehicle owners, such as its contribution to safe vehicle operation and improved fuel efficiency. Using TPRS, Yokohama Rubber aims to establish a new business model that contributes to driver safety and enhances the economic efficiency of vehicle operation.

TPRS enables real-time remote monitoring of tyre pressure, temperature, and vehicle location. In addition to contributing to significant reductions in maintenance time and costs, TPRS will help prevent irregularities in inspection results, detect potential accident-causing abnormalities, and improve fuel efficiency by ensuring maintenance of proper tyre pressure. System data is saved in a cloud server in real time.

The CASE and MaaS initiatives included in Yokohama Transformation 2023 (YX2023), Yokohama Rubber’s medium-term management plan for fiscal years 2021 to 2023, include the promotion of a new tyre solutions service based on the development of a SensorTire, an Internet of Things-based technology with sensing functionality and stronger, more flexible service capabilities. In February 2021, Yokohama Rubber announced its SensorTire Technology Vision, a medium- and long-term technological development vision for passenger car tyre sensors. The aim of this new vision is to provide continued support for the safe and sound movement of people while also addressing changes in mobility demand by providing data obtained from IoT tyres fitted with sensing functionality to drivers and operators of a diverse range of automobile-related services. To achieve the goals of this vision, Yokohama Rubber is conducting practical testing with partners from various industries.