Smart tyres increasingly central to modern fleets

Intelligent tyres, also known as smart tyres, can gather a host of important data, changing the way transport operators manage their fleets and opening up a range of opportunities to enhance efficiencies and profitability.

A variety of sensors are integrated into smart tyres – collecting, monitoring and transmitting data in real time to aid the driver and/or the fleet control room. As noted by Malaysian independent tyre dealership network Tayaria in its guide, “The Rise of Smart Tyres: How Intelligent Tyre Tech is Transforming the Way We Drive”, smart tyre sensors can monitoring a host of critical performance indicators, such as tyre pressure, temperature, tread depth, road surface conditions and load and weight distribution, as well as vehicle speed and motion dynamics.

Data-driven decision-making

Data can be transmitted to an onboard computer, mobile app or centralised fleet management software, allowing drivers or fleet managers to make faster, more informed decisions to improve vehicle performance, take pre-emptive actions and avoid costly breakdowns.

“The core of smart tyre technology lies in its use of embedded sensors – ranging from Radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips to Bluetooth-enabled modules – which are (either) integrated… during manufacturing or retrofitted afterwards through devices like smart valve caps or internal inserts. These sensors continuously collect data, transmitting it wirelessly to a central control system or smartphone app,” Tayaria elaborates.

As information is received from the tyre sensors, it is analysed for irregularities like sudden pressure drops or temperature spikes, that could be early warnings of an impending tyre failure. “Some advanced systems can even dynamically adjust the tyre’s performance based on the terrain, weight load, or driving behaviour, offering a personalised and optimised driving experience,” adds Tayaria.

Insights boost fleet performance

Smart tyres can thus boost fleet performance in many ways, not least by greatly increasing road safety. “Under-inflated or overheated tyres are among the leading causes of blowouts and accidents, but smart tyres provide early warnings, enabling proactive maintenance,” Tayaria explains. “They also contribute to better fuel efficiency by ensuring tyres are always operating at optimal pressure, thereby reducing rolling resistance. Furthermore, smart tyres extend the lifespan of the tyre by helping to maintain proper alignment and balance, which leads to even tread wear.” 

Real-time data transmission can enable commercial vehicles (CVs) to autocorrect, adjusting the tyres’ grip on the road surface as driving conditions change. This kind of performance enhancement can make significant contributions to commercial fleet efficiency and profitability.

“In logistics and transportation, fleet managers benefit immensely from the data insights, which help with route planning, vehicle optimisation and meeting safety regulations,” Tayaria adds. “Even in (the) agriculture and heavy-duty sectors, smart tyres support operational efficiency by providing better traction, load management and terrain adaptation.”

Cost, compatibility and cybersecurity concerns

Tayaria cautions, however, that despite these benefits, some potential customers may be deterred by the higher cost, while smart tyres raise privacy and cybersecurity concerns, especially with continuous data transmission. Furthermore, not all vehicles can support external smart tyre systems, so compatability may be a consideration, particularly in regions where the vehicle parc consists of a high number of second-hand and older vehicles.

South African operators will additionally be wary of the risks posed by the country’s harsh conditions, as Tayaria emphasises: “Sensors and electronics must be robust enough to endure extreme conditions such as heat, water and rough terrain.”

Intelligent innovation

Tayaria highlights leading global brands pioneering smart tyre solutions: “Continental, for instance, has introduced ContiConnect and ContiSense systems aimed at fleet management and real-time monitoring. Michelin uses RFID-enabled tyres for trucks and motorsport applications, while Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre system integrates with a vehicle’s control interface for enhanced performance management. Bridgestone, on the other hand, is focusing on predictive technologies tailored for autonomous vehicles and commercial applications.”

Other innovations are already being tested, like self-inflating tyres that can automatically adjust air pressure based on road conditions and vehicle load. “Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication is on the horizon,” Tayaria adds, “enabling tyres to interact with other vehicles and infrastructure to promote safer, smarter transportation ecosystems.”

Integrating AI during a transformative period

Of course, no discussion of future technology would be complete without mentioning artificial intelligence (AI). “AI is expected to further enhance adaptability by learning driver behaviour and environmental conditions, delivering an even more customised driving experience,” notes Tayaria.

AI systems are expected to integrate with other smart tyre technologies to ramp up performance. Independent research from India, for example, explores an AI-integrated approach to morphing tyre technology, where real-time terrain sensing, shape-memory alloys (SMA), elastomers and adaptive tread patterns enable the tyres to automatically adjust to different surfaces. “The proposed system leverages machine learning (ML) algorithms, AI-powered sensors and predictive analytics to detect terrain characteristics and dynamically modify the tyre structure for optimal grip, stability and durability,’ notes researcher Ragav Gupta.

Dubai-based tyre provider Pitstop Arabia highlights the swelling electric vehicle (EV) market and the advent of autonomous vehicles as being at the centre of a transformative period in the automotive landscape, within which tyres cannot be overlooked: “Modern tyre technology is rapidly evolving, integrating AI to meet the sophisticated demands of these next-generation vehicles,” it notes.

US tyre dealer RNR Tire Express echoes this sentiment, explaining: “Smart tyres are particularly appealing for EVs, as their real-time feedback optimises energy use, improves performance and extends battery range.”

Continual data analysis from integrated sensors is the perfect fodder for AI algorithms, which can use it to predict tyre wear and identify a range of potential issues before they escalate into failures. This will be integral to safety considerations for autonomous vehicles. “The advent of autonomous vehicles places immense responsibility on every component, especially tyres. Without human input, the vehicle’s decision-making systems rely entirely on accurate and instantaneous data,” cautions Pitstop Arabia.

“Advanced autonomous vehicle tyres rely on embedded sensors and AI analytics to ensure safety and stability without human control,” it continues. “AI in autonomous driving leverages tyre intelligence to provide critical feedback on road conditions, grip levels and potential hazards, making them central to self-driving (vehicle) safety.”

As tyres gain street smarts, they are becoming an increasingly active contributor to modern transport operations. From predictive maintenance and improved road safety to fuel efficiency and optimised fleet management, smart tyres can be the rubber on the road, collecting the data to power fleet analytics and drive efficiency and profitability in an increasingly competitive CV industry.