Reinventing the wheel is a popular put-down to new inventions that may be deemed unnecessary, but nobody said anything about reinventing the tyre…
Tyres are an endpoint of a car that is perpetually interacting with the world; it may sound obvious, but they’re an important factor in a car’s efficiency, reliability, and performance. It’s for this reason that people seek out tyres, and businesses spend money on researching and innovating on them.
Smart Tyres: Bridging Intelligence and Mobility
A groundbreaking innovation is the emergence of Smart tyres. Utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud services, Smart tyres have redefined the essence of tyre Pressure Management Systems (TPMS). Beyond merely monitoring, these tyres relay live data to cloud services, employing AI to anticipate tyre lifespan and alert drivers of potential issues in real-time. Innovations like Bridgestone tyrematics and Novacom are examples of how integrated TPMS technology is reshaping fleet management by centralising real-time pressure and temperature data, thus enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Airless Tyres: Tackling Challenges Head-On
Airless tyres, represented by SMART Tire, have emerged as a notable innovation. Note that this is different from the general notion of smart tyres as described above. Originating from a NASA program, the airless tyre employs a unique metal alloy called nitinol, forming a robust yet flexible structure that never goes flat.
This would mean that not only is the car more reliable, money and energy is saved with fewer break-down call-outs, meaning millions of pounds saved each year. You may change tyres yourself to save money as it stands, but not everybody can.
Expected to last the life of a vehicle, with only the exterior rubber tread requiring occasional replacement, these tyres are set to revolutionise the industry by significantly reducing maintenance concerns. But, how do they actually perform? How do they feel? It’s too soon to say, and many analysts are sceptical about how widely they will be used in the future.
Eco-Friendly Tyres: Driving Towards Sustainability
The tyre industry is progressively embracing sustainability through the adoption of eco-friendly materials. Key advancements include:
- Material Innovation: Companies are exploring synthetic blends to replace traditional rubber, with silica being a notable component due to its ability to also reduce road friction.
- Sustainable Production: Giants like Michelin and Goodyear are on a quest to significantly increase the use of sustainable materials in tyre production. Michelin, for example, aims to achieve 100% sustainable materials by 2050, with Goodyear exploring eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials like petroleum and carbon black.
- Recycling and Reuse: Companies such as Continental are pioneering the use of recycled materials like rubber, rice husks, and plastic bottles in tyre production, moving towards a target of tyres made entirely from sustainable materials by 2050.
Where Do Our Old Tyres Go?
In the past, many discarded tyres found their way into landfills, contributing to environmental degradation. Others were left to accumulate in illegal dumpsites or were burned, emitting hazardous pollutants. While some countries have adopted tyre recycling measures, such as converting old tyres into rubber crumbs for playgrounds or asphalt, the scale of these initiatives is often not sufficient to offset the number of tyres reaching the end of their life cycle.
One popular craze was to build earthship homes – eco-friendly places to live – out of tyres and glass bottles. But, as with anything like that, it’s difficult to make it mainstream despite its clear benefits.
However, the future promises change. Companies like Continental are already experimenting with using recycled materials, including old rubber, in new tyres. Other sustainable paths include pyrolysis, a process that breaks down tyres into oils, carbon black, and gases, which can be repurposed.
Michelin and Goodyear are also researching bio-sourced materials that are not only sustainable but potentially easier to recycle. Furthermore, the advent of Smart Tyres, which provide real-time data on wear and tear, could contribute to more efficient recycling processes by providing information on which parts of a tyre are still usable.
Cost Efficiency and Environmental Responsibility
Eco-friendliness often aligns with cost-efficiency. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to make people do things that will cost them more, even if it’s the right thing to do.
Smart tyres, for instance, are promising here, because it’s not just about reducing CO2 emissions, it’s that it may cut costs on maintenance. This convenience and money-saving potential makes it an easier product to sell, meaning it’s more likely to become widespread. Or, car companies can brute force it, with all new cars having smart tyres (either through regulation or their own choice). Tyres aren’t often what we consider before buying a car, meaning it may be something that needs to come from regulators.
Final Word
The tyre industry is undergoing a mini revolution, spurred by technological advancements that address modern-day challenges. Innovations such as smart tyres, airless tyres, and eco-friendly tyres are at the forefront, each bringing unique solutions to the table. From enhancing safety and operational efficiency to promoting sustainability and cost-effectiveness, these developments are a key part of our greener future.
