Smart Tyre Generation

THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY IS DEPENDENT ON ADVANCED WHEELS. SUMESH SOMAN LOOKS AT THE JK SMART GENERATION TYRES.

- SUMESH SOMAN

Tyres are turning smart too. JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. (JK Tyres) has gone down that route to get the early mover's advantage. Its smart tyre generation is claimed to be a segment first. With a cloud-based monitoring system as its building block, the smart tyres warrant the maintenance through timely diagnostics. It makes use of sensors integrated into the Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). The sensors relay updates on parameters crucial to assessing tyre health via multiple digital platforms like the company's indigenous 'TREEL Care' app. and web page. Averred V.K. Misra, Technical Director, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd., “Our objective was to have a sensor fitted within the tyre as one whole unit."

THE WORKING PRINCIPLE

An ID sensor fitted in to the smart tyres, captures and relays crucial big data. This feedback is relayed in real-time. The Bluetooth enabled data on pressure and temperature makes the data available on the smartphone providing easy access. The tyre technology paves the way for early prognosis over the prevailing practice of diagnosis. In effect, this allows for early detection of issues and the deployment of timely preventive measures to avoid downtime. The tyre is also claimed to deliver higher fuel efficiency of up to four to five per cent leading to carbon emissions reduction. In addition, through this technology, the tyre life is expanded thereby minimising operational expenses. Monitoring all aspects of the tyre, the smart tyre screens the tyre's vital statistics, including pressure and temperature. The information collected by this smart monitoring system is further relayed on a real-time basis to the vehicle owner's smartphone via Bluetooth on to a mobile application. Additionally, the sensor-enabled technology helps the customers maintain optimal tyre pressure ensuring better on-road safety.