The wheels are alive with the sound of innovation

One of JACO DE KLERK’S favourite childhood movies perfectly summarises current developments in the tyre industry.

I still get giddy every time that I see Maria, played by Julie Andrews, twirl in that sweeping view of the Austrian Alps as she sings “The hills are alive with the sound of music,” in the screen adaption of The Sound of Music.

The same sense of joy was sparked when I read “Reinventing the wheel: Tech drives tyre innovation” in this year’s TRANSPORT MANAGER’S HANDBOOK. As the closing paragraph states: “With sustainability at the forefront, the future of tyres is no longer just about grip and durability – it is about creating products that tread lightly on the planet while delivering unparalleled performance. The next generation of tyres will not only help vehicles move more efficiently, but will also play a crucial role in building a cleaner, more sustainable world.”

The tyre industry isn’t only focusing on sustainability, however, as a collaboration between Goodyear and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) demonstrates. 

The duo has developed a stellar advancement in vehicle safety systems, integrating tyre intelligence technology into the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system of vehicles.

While existing systems are typically attuned to high-friction surfaces like dry tarmac, integrating Goodyear SightLine, the company’s suite of tyre intelligence solutions, can help the AEB system function effectively across a wider range of driving environments, including low-friction surfaces such as wet roads. Through a contact patch with the road, tyre intelligence can provide the AEB with deeper insights into actual tyre and road conditions to enable smarter, more precise decision-making.

Recent wet road testing by TNO and Goodyear indicates that an enhanced AEB system incorporating Goodyear SightLine technology has the potential to assist in mitigating impacts at speeds of up to 80km/h by engaging braking earlier.

“Safety is a cornerstone of Goodyear’s commitment to innovation,” says Chris Helsel, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Goodyear. “By providing critical inputs about tyre and road conditions into AEB systems, we are helping OEMs and their customers take a leap forward in safety. AEB systems will play a critical role in automated driving (as well), helping to provide a comprehensive safety solution at all times.”

Martijn Stamm, marketing director of TNO’s unit mobility and built environment division, adds that the company is dedicated to enhancing the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of vehicles. “Our collaboration with Goodyear aims to predict the braking distance of a vehicle in more conditions, like dry and wet asphalt (tarmac), and trigger the AEB in a timely manner to reduce accidents and ultimately save lives,” he says. “This knowledge is a key enabler for a safe introduction of higher levels of automation.” 

Another song-inspiring innovation comes from Continental. While it isn’t directly linked to the tyre sector, it does address one of the greatest challenges in hydrogen-powered vehicles. Experts from the company’s ContiTech sector have developed a cooling line for hydrogen powertrains in commercial vehicles (CVs) that significantly reduces ion penetration into the media circuit.

This is great news, as these ions can degrade material performance by reducing system efficiency and increasing the risk of short circuits or leakage currents in the fuel cell. Washed out ions can, for example, damage the proton exchange membrane (PEM) and shorten its lifespan.

The new line also guarantees the safe operation of the vehicle, as it minimises the probability of a flammable hydrogen-air mixture occurring in the area of the hydrogen-carrying line. In addition, the range of the fuel-cell vehicle is increased, as the loss of fuel is reduced.

“We have decades of experience as a system partner for media circuits and engine mounts in combustion technology. Our customers benefit hugely from this experience and the joint development of lines, splices, and mounting components for hydrogen and battery drive systems in CVs,” explains Mark Klein-Hietpas, director of sales in the original equipment solutions (OESL) business area at Continental.

“As with combustion technology, we have also succeeded in finding the materials and material compounds that can cope with the sometimes contradictory requirements for hydrogen and battery circuits. Our research and development in this area bridges the gap and transfers and adapts existing technologies to new forms of drive systems.”

Continental’s innovative approach demonstrates how sophisticated material science can overcome significant challenges in emerging automotive technologies, particularly in the transition to hydrogen-powered CVs.

Doesn’t that inspire you to break out in song? “The wheels are alive with the sound of innovation…”