Sumitomo Rubber invests in Viaduct

Back in January 2024, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. announced it had invested in US-based startup Viaduct Inc., an AI-powered connected vehicle analytics company, to achieve total fleet management solutions. With a joint proof-of-concept with Viaduct having already started, Sumitomo will “further strengthen our strategic partnership with the company through this investment, and thereby accelerate the deployment of failure prediction solution services for the total vehicle, including tyres.”

A combination of Viaduct’s AI-based vehicle health solution, which predicts failure of vehicle parts other than tyres, and the analytical data of tyres obtained through “Sensing Core,” will enable an assessment of the holistic vehicle condition, according to Sumitomo.

Ultimately the goal is to “…roll out our total fleet management solutions that combine maintenance, insurance, and leasing” in the late 2020s.