TPMS and RFID
Bartec Auto ID Limited will be providing hands-on demonstrations of its range of TPMS diagnostic tools at the Autopromotec exhibition in Bologna, Italy, from 20 to 24 May 2015. Bartec’s award-winning tools include the TECH400SD and TECH500, used by professional tyre and repair shops throughout Europe and these will be shown working in conjunction with […]
Following on from the news that WheelRight is piloting a few pressure check system at Keele services on the M6, Tyres & Accessories considers what the potential is for a networked tyre monitoring system. As unusual as an external tyre pressure monitoring system is, the obvious question with WheelRight is not “how does it work?”, but rather “why are they doing this?” Of course, the Keele pressure bay trial offers a good bit of safety awareness, but there is a business case too. From T&A’s point of view the most interesting answer to our own question is two-fold -retail networks and big data.
Tyre pressure monitoring systems are an effective safety feature, but as of January 2015 they also provide an extra way for a vehicle to fail its MoT. Safety organisation TyreSafe notes that public awareness of TPMS is not particularly high, and to remedy this it has produced a simple video to help motorists understand the technology’s safety features. The TPMS video is part of a wider TPMS campaign from TyreSafe, which has produced a range of informational products including leaflets and posters that can be found on the TyreSafe.org website.
Schrader International, a company well known for its direct TPMS sensors and which has an even longer history with valves reaching back decades, makes one of its first appearances on the European aftermarket trade show circuit following the company’s acquisition by Sensata in October 2014. With this in mind Tyres & Accessories asks what the firm is likely to be showing in Bologna.
Transense Technologies Plc reports that its Translogik tyre management solutions division has signed an exclusive agreement to supply its tyre inspection probe to Rema Tip Top Holdings UK Limited for use in Rema Tip Top’s new passenger car tyre inspection system, ‘Tip Top Tread’. Tip Top Tread, based on Translogik’s proprietary tyre probe technology, will […]
Wheelwright has expanded the range of ATEQ of TPMS trigger and programming units it offers as a nominated ATEQ wholesaler. And what’s more a big European garage service business has already got on board. According to the company, Wheelwright have been developing a complete TPMS solution for a number of years, working with leading manufacturers […]
Well known in-car equipment manufacturer Blaupunkt has introduced a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in India. According to the company, the product provides real-time information and customizable alerts on tyre pressure and temperature conditions.
The latest innovation to emerge from Pirelli’s Milan headquarters is the “Cyber Tyre” and with it Pirelli believes it is pioneering a new generation of tyre technology. The Cyber Tyre features embedded sensors and is designed to provide vital information about vehicle performance and road conditions. The idea is that this data is then conveyed to the driver as well as to the car’s electronics, helping improve safety and efficiency.
Modern cars are in danger of being hacked by criminal gangs, motoring experts have warned once again. Possible motivations for hacking are said to include theft of information, extortion and even causing vehicles to crash.
Security vulnerabilities in connected cars and in TPMS/RFID systems have been identified before (see “Automotive suppliers, smart cars, intelligent tyres and safety concerns” in last February’s magazine and “Researchers Hack a Hole in TPMS” in the September 2010 issue of Tyres & Accessories), but now attention is turning to cars fitted with wireless networks and Internet. The fear is that these connections can be exploited by hackers with access and control a car’s systems, including braking and acceleration potentially being overriding remotely, according to security consultants.
Transense Technologies PLC deputy chairman David Kleeman is to retire from the board of the company on 31 December 2014. Kleeman is the former non-executive chairman and stepped down from that role in October 2013 to become deputy chairman. He was replaced as chairman by David Ford. Transense shares fell 14 per cent in response to the news.
Tech Europe says it is “delighted to be able to offer the most comprehensive TPMS solution available in Europe today.” Key components of Tech Europe’s programme, which is run in partnership with Tyresure, include a complete range of OE and aftermarket sensors, ATEQ diagnostic tools, and a comprehensive TPMS website and online ordering system (www.techtpms.com).
2015 represents the first full year of both mandatory TPMS on new vehicles and system functionality tests as part of MOT tests at the aftermarket end of the spectrum. And according to those in the TPMS sector, this new legislation has brought new confidence to the TPMS market. Tyresure reports that most multisite UK operations now boast some knowledge of this new technology. Many tyre bays are turning their attention to the sales opportunities that servicing TPMS sensors brings.
At the end of 2014, with news of the launch of the new Opti-Tread system for passenger car tyre auditing still fresh, Tyres & Accessories visited Translogik CEO Laren Yeomans at the company’s new Oxfordshire offices in order to find out more about the new product and how it fits into Translogik’s wider strategy.
But first a little background. Translogik is the Tyre Management Solutions division of Transense Technologies PLC, a firm specialising in the development of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensors and related technologies. The Transense Group is comprised of three divisions. IntelliSAW, based in Boston, USA, specialises in wireless temperature measurement used in various industrial applications, SAWSense, the firm’s research & development and technology transfer operation; and Translogik – the part of the business we were in Oxford to learn more about.
WheelRight launched a mobile version of its tyre pressure monitoring system during the last month. The system measures tyre pressure on vehicles including cars and commercial vehicles using a rollover plate and then sends readings to the user’s mobile phone.
Companies can now also trial the mobile device for a 24-hour period, according to the company. The idea is that fleets will be able to see for themselves the benefits of moving from monthly to daily pressure checks in gaining instant tyre pressure readings for each vehicle when upgrading to an installed unit.
Crysler Group LLC is recalling 21,042 2014-model year Ram ProMaster vehicles in the US due to a Tyre Press Monitoring System (TPMS) fault. The problem is that in the affected vehicles, the TPMS may fail to learn the locations of the individual sensors while the vehicle is being driven. As a result, the low tyre pressure warning light will light-up irrespective of the tyre pressure.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.