TPMS and RFID
Transense Technologies plc has formed a joint venture company with SenGenuity, the sensors division of Vectron International Inc. The joint venture company, Bulldog Innovations Limited is a 50/50 partnership between Transense and SenGenuity that is designed to enable “closer cooperation in order to accelerate the development of specific applications based on the companies' existing [battery-less sensor] technologies.”
TPMS-maker Schrader is taking the long road to Las Vegas to promote its EZ-Sensor product line to tyre dealers, distributors and consumers, reports Tire Review. Schrader embarked on a 6,400-mile journey around and across the country, leaving Detroit on 18 October and reaching the Global Tire Expo/SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center by 2 November. The “EZ Road to SEMA” Cross-Country Tour made a scheduled stop at Tire Review’s offices in Akron, its first on the journey. Carl Wacker, vice president, sales and marketing, and Tony Davenport, business development manager, are driving a custom-liveried, EZ-Sensor-fitted Toyota Prius on the Tour.
SEMA says that tyres are a hot topic among those planning to attend the upcoming 2010 SEMA Show and Global Tire Expo, according to Tire Review. In all, more than 9,000 attendees are specifically interested in tyres and tyre-related products. Among that group, SEMA said, more than 3,000 attendees specifically identified themselves as “tyre buyers.” The 2010 SEMA Show and GTE will be held 2-5 November at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
In recent months Techking has been in the spotlight because of its entry into the passenger car tyre market, yet during CITExpo the Chinese OTR tyre specialist’s exhibition presence was also very much aligned towards the commercial vehicle sector. Techking’s aim was to present itself to its professional customers around the world as a solutions provider rather than just a supplier of tyres, explained market manager James Wang when speaking with Tyres & Accessories: “We want to offer service focusing on tyre management.” Techking presented one such service at the exhibition, namely its “Total Tire Management System” (TTMS).
TRW Automotive Holdings reports the use of its new design LCCI (Low Cost Clamp-In) sensor for tyre pressure monitoring systems results in “significantly lowered costs for the system.” TPMS units featuring the LCCI are scheduled to be introduced in 2011 model year vehicles in the US.
The long-awaited Brityrex 2010 exhibition got underway today, with a significant increase in visitor footfall compared to the same point in the last show back in 2007. Apaseal’s Bruce Somerville, who is exhibiting at the show, described it as “the best start to Brityrex for many years.” Official figures have not yet been released, however exhibition organiser ECI International is expected to confirm these observations when it releases initial show figures tomorrow.
Garage Equipment Supply Specialist Butt’s of Bawtry has announced plans to exhibit its recently launched air operated coil spring compressor its line of waste oil heaters and a new range of signage products when it appears on stand 3 at Brityrex in Manchester next week (5 – 7 October, Manchester Central, formerly known as the GMEX centre). According to sales director Mark Bean there are already over 650 of its air operated coil spring compressor units in tyre fitters across the UK, but the company obviously wants to make the most of the exhibition by presently the technology to new and existing customers.
Performance Wheels Ltd, which manufacturers and distributes aftermarket Tyresure-branded TPMS units and which launched the Tyresensors.com website earlier this year, has announced plans to further promote their TPMS product range with a stand (71D) at next week’s Brityrex (5 – 7 October, Manchester Central). In order to communicate the tyre pressure monitoring message, the company plans to give away posters for its Tyresure aftermarket TPMS solution, not to mention OE replacement sensor info packs – they will even be giving away an ATEQ Torque tool in an on-stand competition.
Following his election as president of the Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association (ITMA) earlier this year, Yokohama HPT managing director David Seward has cast his vision for the future of ITMA. Entitled “The Rebirth of ITMA”, Seward shared this with Tyres & Accessories and we have published it in its entirety both online at tyrepress.com and in the print magazine. One of the key developments will see the association address forthcoming legislative and market challenges by improving relationships with other industry bodies and association has reportedly has already taked on specialist staff (including a Brussels-based technical consultant) to assist with this. Here’s the statement:
"Without a shadow of doubt, the tyre industry is facing a number of significant challenges over the coming years. Whether it is the introduction of mandatory TPMS systems on new vehicles, tyre labelling regulations or other new technical hurdles and challenges, all tyre manufacturers around the globe must have access to accurate and timely information. Without the knowledge or the impetus to act upon any impending legislative changes, products will become non-compliant and made obsolete in an increasingly short timeframe. Manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retailers operating in an already competitive market simply cannot afford to let this happen.
Bridgestone/Bandag in Brazil has purchased RFID tyre badges and UHF RFID readers from Advanced ID Corporation. According to a company statement announcing the news, this first order has been shipped, delivered and paid for. Advanced ID expects to receive larger additional orders from Bridgestone for tyre badges and readers as the program is rolled out. This initial deal is said to be the result of a year of Advanced ID and Bridgestone working together to ensure that “the Bridgestone RFID tyre management system is ready for full commercial introduction.”
Following the signing of a definitive agreement, Eurotire Inc. has become a global distributor for the PressurePro range of TPMS products produced by Advantage PressurePro. According to Advantage PressurePro, distribution of its TPMS product line is a “natural extension of Eurotire’s focus on providing their mining customers with the OTR tyre service and support tools they need to maximise tyre productivity.” The US headquartered company lists facilities in every continent amongst its worldwide operations.
From 2012 European legislation dictates that all new cars will be fitted with tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). With many modern vehicles already being fitted with them and the pressure watching technology due to become mandatory Tyres & Accessories has researched and compiled the latest information on the subject in order to answer the question: how will TPMS change the tyre retail business?
To start off with, there certainly appears to be a need for it. The 2008 Annual Tyre Pressure Review undertaken by Kwik-Fit found just over 46 per cent of cars tested had at least one tyre underinflated. Scaled up to represent the current level of UK registrations, this means that a staggering 12.46 million cars could be running on the roads like this, using £1.5 billion pounds of extra fuel and creating literally thousands of extra tons of carbon emissions. That 30 per cent extra tyre wear also means that an unnecessary 108,000 tyres each year have to be manufactured and disposed of too.
Continental’s tyre pressure monitoring system will soon be able to report to smart phones via pressure sensors in intelligent tyres. According to the company, the “filling assistant” system also lets the driver know when they reach the right pressure during inflation. Conti expects users to experience “enhanced driving safety and fuel efficiency” as a result of the system. The first series production of the Filling Assistant in new vehicles is expected from 2013 onwards.
The application, developed by Continental’s Interior Division, communicates wirelessly with the smartphone and specifies the exact inflation pressure of each tyre using a brief honk and blink signal can be given to confirm when the tyre has been inflated to the correct pressure level. Technical requirements for the system are a tyre pressure monitoring system with the corresponding sensors in the tyres and factory-integrated vehicle electronics with a wireless interface.
Schrader Electronics, one of the leading suppliers of Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) has rejected criticism of the technology published by motoring magazine Auto Express. The article by Jon Morgan, published online on 6 August, said a number of car companies in the UK have voiced criticism of the European Union’s decision to make TPMS fully mandated by 2014. The criticism focussed on a suggestion that they are an unnecessary piece of technology and one for which some motorists have suggested that they would rather not pay, that the car industry was “furious” and there was a “backlash” as a result. Some of those quoted in the piece said drivers should take responsibility and check tyre pressures on weekly basis. Schrader’s somewhat pragmatic point of view is that this clearly does not happen.
Scientists from Rutgers University and University of South Carolina are warning that the wireless communications technology found in tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) is susceptible to interception and high-tech forgery known as “spoofing.” The scientists concede that the potential for misuse “may be minimal,” but the potential vulnerability is said to demonstrate a “troubling lack of rigor with secure software development for new automobiles.”
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