Kumho Tire has developed a digital twin (DT) system which engineers are applying to the tyre development process. According to the company, Kumho’s DT system has been developed by incorporating “big data analytics, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and Computer Aided Technologies (CAE)” into the tyre development process.
US-based automotive service equipment firm Hunter Engineering is partnering with AI computer vision specialist Skaivision to integrate AI technology into Hunter’s Quick Check Drive inspection equipment. By using Skaivision technology, the Quick Check Drive unit’s cameras will gain the ability to identify number plates as vehicles enter the service lane. The plate number is then automatically matched to customer records, starting the clock to track service cycle times accurately.
Nexen Tire has developed and implemented an AI-based automated tyre product inspection system. Apparently the first of its kind in the tyre industry, the system has been developed in a platform format, allowing swift application to new factories or equipment.
VMI Group has inaugurated a new facility in India. According to the company, the centre will house an overseas extension to VMI’s global engineering operation and will also be the service maintenance and upgrade centre for India.
The COVID-19 pandemic showcased the critical role played by the commercial and industrial tyre sectors in ensuring uninterrupted supply chains and the global flow of essential goods. From food and medical supplies to industrial equipment, tyres were at the foundation of the logistics chain that kept the world functioning amidst lockdowns and restrictions. Commercial tyres, specifically designed for long-haul trucks and delivery vehicles, facilitated the smooth transportation of crucial supplies, while industrial tyres ensured that heavy machinery continued operating in factories, warehouses, and construction sites, while material-handling tyres kept crucial logistics systems going – all of which highlights the indispensable contribution to economic resilience made by off-highway tyres.
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Model Solution, which is a subsidiary of Hankook & Company Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hycore Co. Ltd., which specialises in AI mobility. The MOU focuses on prototyping and mass production of AI-based robotic mobility.
Continental reports that it is offering automated continuous tread depth measurements for commercial vehicle tyres for the first time. This is made possible by a new generation of sensors and AI-based algorithms that automate tread depth checks and provide up-to-date data on upcoming services and tyre changes.
Fifty-eight per cent of fleet managers expect to implement artificial intelligence (AI) within the next five years, according to a new global study released by Webfleet to commemorate its 25th anniversary. The research, commissioned by Bridgestone’s fleet management solution, was conducted across 15 countries with 1,800 fleet managers participating to provide insights into the current and future landscape of fleet digitisation. The findings indicate a growing commitment to increasing investment in digital fleet solutions, with AI and electric vehicle (EV) technologies expected to play a central role.
Nexen Tire has provided further insights into its use of emerging technologies, such as XAI (eXplainable AI)-based design processes and 3D printing for tyre mould production. The company aims to “further expand its partnerships with global automakers through these innovations.”
Phil Deegan has been appointed UK Head of Business Development at PAVE, the AI-based inspection platform. With almost 40 years in the automotive industry, Deegan is experienced in creating and driving business strategy and change management.
From July, Yokohama Rubber is supporting its tyre development programme with a system that uses eXplainable AI (XAI) to make the development process clearer and more efficient. This advanced system aims to improve the work of both seasoned and less experienced tyre developers, reducing lead times and cutting costs.
Hankook Tire & Technology’s tyre plants in Geumsan, South Korea, and Tennessee, USA are currently home to field tests of augmented reality technology developed by Hankook & Company subsidiary Model Solution. The total hardware platform company now aims to extend its competencies through an agreement signed with an artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR) technology company Virnect. This will see the two partners collaborating to research and develop smart goggles at Model Solution’s facility in Bucheon, South Korea.
The holy grail of off-highway tyre development is a tyre that is robust and durable yet delivers eco-friendly performance in its given application. Sharing its experiences in this area, Trelleborg Tires credits continuous research and “the right dose of AI” as indispensable factors.
At the ZF Global Technology Day in Hanover, Germany on 27 June 2024, the group presented its ZF Annotate artificial intelligence (AI) development system. Precise sensor data is essential for the development of advanced assistance systems in vehicles. This data must be processed digitally correctly so that the vehicle always receives the “absolute truth” – known in the industry as “ground truth” – to calculate and implement a driving function based on it. Comparing the collected sensor information with a reliable and high-precision reference sensor set increases accuracy. And that’s where ZF Annotate comes in.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) has unveiled a new technique for predicting noise generated by the combined vibration of tyres and vehicle. By simulating how tyres roll when in motion and applying the lessons learned, SRI anticipates that both tyre and vehicle manufacturers will be able to reduce their products’ noise emissions.
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