With low tyre pressure causing increased fuel consumption and accelerated tyre wear, not to mention its effect on handling and safety, keep track of the amount of air in your vehicle’s tyres is an important task. And it’s one that’s now been made easier thanks to an inexpensive device recently released in the US.
SmarTire Systems Inc. has given details of restructuring plans that involve the closure of its UK operations. Company president and CEO Dave Warkentin announced, “We have taken significant actions to reduce costs. Since September, our overall staff level has been reduced by approximately 50%. As part of this initiative, we plan to close our UK facility at the end of February, 2007. We do not anticipate that this closure will affect our European sales efforts.”
DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America has announced details of plans to have SmarTire Systems Inc. supply tyre pressure and temperature monitoring systems (TPMS) as an optional upgrade on their vehicles.
Very few people have heard of EoPlex, but this startup company in Redwood city USA hopes to make their mark on the tyre world.
The company have come up with a way of ‘printing’ three-dimensional metal and ceramic objects. The process involves a special ink and ultraviolet light. The exact ingredients of the ink used remains a closely guarded secret, but the EoPlex technique enables the manufacture of items far too small to be made by conventional means.
EnTire Solutions LLC Inc will has been chosen to be tyre pressure monitoring (TPM) system provider for another three new vehicle models. EnTire’s TPM system will be fitted to selected models of the 2007 US market Hyundai Tiburon, Kia Amanti and Kia Spectra.
Oxfordshire based Transense Technologies PLC has announced that it has entered into an agreement with Honeywell International Inc to extend the use of Transense’s Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
A new tyre sensor that can warn drivers of dangerous road conditions or urgently needed tyre maintenance has been developed in Germany. The Tyresense sensor, developed by the Centre of Advanced European Studies and Research, can detect and monitor tyre performance in real time, providing information on the levels of grip and friction between road and tyre. Drivers can thus be warned to modify their driving behaviour in dangerous conditions or when tyre pressure needs adjusting.
Xenos Technologies, part of the Pricol gorup, has launched a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), suitable for passenger cars, sports utility vehicles and light motor vehicles. The Xenos TPMS consists of two units, a display and sensor. The sensors are fitted to car tyres. In case of low pressure, high temperature or rapid deflation these sensors alert the driver. The display unit is stuck below the rear view mirror and is priced at 12,500 rupees (£145).
SmarTire Systems Inc. announced that Spartan Chassis, Inc, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. now offers SmarTire’s tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) as options for its fire truck and motorhome customers. Spartan currently has 36 models riding on its custom chassis and supplies 100 per cent of the custom motorhome chassis for Newmar, Travel Supreme and the American Division of Fleetwood. Spartan also manufactures fire truck chassis and features SmarTire’s products in its catalogue.
SmarTire President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Warkentin said: “We are pleased that Spartan has selected our SmartWave wireless sensing system to fulfil their TPMS requirements. Spartan’s decision supports our market research that owners of recreational vehicles, fire trucks, ambulance and emergency-rescue vehicles are beginning to demand TPMS.”
Infineon Technologies has introduced the SP35 Tyre Pressure Sensor, said to be the first device to incorporate all the major active functions of a wheel-mounted Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) module into a single package. The highly integrated device, which is mounted on a PCB (printed circuit board) with a battery and antenna to form a complete TPMS module, enables automotive industry suppliers to cost-effectively meet the requirements of U.S. safety regulations, and to address the growing worldwide demand for TPMS in new passenger cars and light trucks.
A team of four students from Anglia Ruskin University beat nine other entries on 31 July to be declared the champion of i10 Innovators: The Business Plan Competition with a plan for a self powering tyre pressure monitoring system TPMS. Andrew Lyall, Carine Kruger, David Boardman and the absent Jan Vondras (currently working in America) made up the winning ‘Innoflate’ team. The former students met while completing their MBAs at the university in Cambridge. Their idea is to produce an innovative tyre pressure monitor called ‘AirCzecher’, which is named for the Czech-born Jan Vondras who had the initial idea.
Bell Equipment Limited has selected SmarTire’s SmartWave tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for installation on its industrial and construction equipment. Bell is a global South African supplier of heavy-duty equipment and articulated vehicles.
SmarTire Systems Inc. has announced that Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc., one of the largest RV manufacturers in North America, will install SmarTire’s SmartWave (TM) tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) as standard equipment on its high-end Heritage line of American Coach brand motorhomes.
SmarTire Systems Inc announced that Optima Bus Corporation has selected SmarTire to supply tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) on its buses, including those units that Optima will manufacture for the Chicago Transit Authority. Optima is a leading manufacturer of medium-size mass transit buses, including the Opus Low-floor Bus and American Heritage Streetcar.
Quik-Chek is a simple, inexpensive way for motorists to monitor their vehicle’s tyre inflation. Proper tyre inflation is critical to a vehicle’s performance and safety, yet a lot of people pay little or no attention to it. According to one Quik-Chek distributor, many professional service providers don’t consistently perform this important maintenance/safety check unless a consumer specifically requests it. All users have to do is replace their valve stem cap with a Quik-Chek and leave it there. From that point forward, all you have to do is Press ‘n Check to gain an instantaneous reading that lets you know if your tyres are properly inflated.
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