"Smart" Goodyear tires will help prevent accidents

Goodyear has announced that in cooperation with the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), it is working to improve the efficiency of the vehicle's autonomous emergency braking system (AEB) with the help of "smart" tires, and the new development has already demonstrated its potential in reducing the consequences of collisions, especially in complex road conditions.

As noted in Goodyear, the development of AEB systems that can automatically initiate braking in the event of a collision has become one of the key trends in the automotive industry. At the same time, currently, AEB is usually calibrated to work on surfaces with a high coefficient of friction, such as dry asphalt, while "smart" tires can help systems work effectively in a wider range of conditions, including when driving on surfaces covered with water or ice, as data on the actual grip in the tire contact patch with the road will be transmitted.

"By providing AEB systems with critical data on tire and road surface conditions, we can help automakers and their customers take safety to the next level with a significant lead over the introduction of requirements by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for mandatory installation of AEB on passenger cars by 2029," said Chris Helsel, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Goodyear. "Regardless of new requirements, AEB will also play a crucial role in the segment of unmanned vehicles, being a comprehensive solution for ensuring safety in any situation."

Testing on wet asphalt has shown that the modified AEB in combination with sensor-equipped "smart" tires SightLine from Goodyear is "able to mitigate impacts at speeds of up to 80 km/h due to early braking, and in general, the system works more reliably in various scenarios".

According to Martijn Stamm, Director of Marketing for Mobility Solutions at TNO, the organization aims to improve the safety, efficiency, and environmental friendliness of vehicles. "The collaboration with Goodyear is aimed at enabling vehicle systems to predict braking distance in a wider range of conditions, including dry and wet asphalt, and to trigger in time, reducing the number of accidents," he noted, adding that such developments will be crucial for the safe increase of transport autonomy.

Goodyear adds that since automakers are now preparing for the introduction of AEB installation requirements in 2029, the use of the system in combination with "smart" tires "can provide a competitive advantage in the race to create safer and more intelligent vehicles".