Michelin Launches Transense CV TPMS

After several years of intensive research and development Michelin’s US R&D department and Honeywell, one of the world’s leading automotive technology suppliers, have announced the launch of the eTire II battery-less TPMS for commercial vehicles. The eTire II system is based on Transense’s surface acoustic wave (‘SAW’) technology, which Michelin licensed in 2001 for in- and on-tyre applications. The news follows intense market speculation about the nature of Michelin’s product release. Some reports even suggested the technology could later be transferred to passenger car tyres.

Jim Perry, chief executive of Transense commented: “I am delighted to report that a product incorporating our SAW technology has reached commercial production. The agreement between Michelin and Honeywell to produce a batteryless TPMS has been a great success and the product was launched in the US by Michelin and Honeywell yesterday for use in commercial vehicle tyres made by Michelin.

“We signed a licence agreement with Michelin in 2001 to work exclusively with their engineers to develop a system that would fit in or onto their commercial vehicle tyres and measure both pressure and temperature. In 2003 we signed an agreement with Honeywell to bring our SAW sensors into commercial production and to develop the electronics to interrogate them without using a battery in the tyre. All existing competing TPMS in production use batteries, which are either on the wheel or on the back of the valve.

Michelin North America described the launch as a “sneak peek into the future of tyre electronics.” Five years after the introduction of the first of its kind eTire pressure and asset monitoring system, Michelin showed off the eTire II second-generation sensor patch.

Developed by Michelin Americas Research and Development Center (M.A.R.C.) and Honeywell Sensing & Control under a joint development agreement, the eTire II system includes the sensor patch that is applied to the interior of the tyre’s sidewall, a Hand-Held reader that can interrogate the patch via magnetic coupling, a Drive-By reader that retrieves the sensor information automatically and the BibTrackTM Internet-based tracking software that allows the fleet to monitor its tyre assets from multiple terminals.

The sensor patch, which now weighs less than half an ounce, contains two main components, an RFID module and a battery-free pressure/temperature sensor. Because the sensor weighs only 11 grams and is the thickness equivalent of only a few sheets of paper. According to Michelin, this mean fleet owners don’t need to worry about the sensor causing tyre imbalance.

Michelin has been licensed to use Transense technology in its aircraft tyres since 2001. Other well-known companies including Honeywell, Texas Instruments and Lear Corporation also hold licenses.

On Friday 27th October the company’s shares cost 69.25p, valuing the enterprise at around £40 million. At the time of going to press (Monday 6 November) shares had risen to 82.5p each. Transense, which was founded 16 years ago will likely be transformed if the Michelin deal is as widespread as expected and particularly if the technology transfers to passenger car tyres.

New Entire solution

Meanwhile at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Joint venture EnTire Solutions launched two aftermarket TPMS sensors and valve service kits to support its current OE business. EnTire Solutions is working with Schrader-Bridgeport International, which will market and sell EnTire Solution TPM aftermarket sensors and service kits to service wholesalers and dealerships under its AirAware brand. The two sensors will cover 11 different Honda, Acura and Hyundai and Kia vehicles. EnTire Solutions is a joint venture between Michelin North America and TRW Automotive.