Today “Only” A Tyre, Tomorrow A Measurement Tool?

The automotive business is moving more and more towards an “intelligent” chassis control or a “total chassis management”. In this scenario tyres are playing a role of growing importance. Today consumers and tyre manufacturers still focus on comfort, rolling resistance, handling etc.

But what about tomorrow? Electronic sensors within the tyre will be able to supply additional information to the driver or to systems like ESP. For 20 years, the interaction between road and tyres has been studied at the University of Darmstadt and has for example led to the so-called “Darmstädter Tyre Sensor” or a special trailer for measurements concerning tyre noise emission. But in mid October – after events in 1996 and 1998 – this was also the place where the third “Reifenkolloquium” was held for international experts to discuss topics related to research and development in the tyre, wheel and related businesses.

About 90 attendees were at the event this year. After an introductory speech entitled “The Tyre – Key Component For Driving Dynamics And Steering” another twelve lecturers followed. Divided into four sections “Tyre/Road Noise”, “Tyre Evaluation/Test”, “Models & Simulation” and “Sensors & Road Parameter Evaluation” they reported the recent results of their studies.