Sensata develops tire tread depth monitor system

Swindon, UK – Sensors and electrical protection manufacturer Sensata Technologies has developed a tire tread depth monitoring (TDM) virtual sensor system for automotive OEMs, the company has announced.

Developed in collaboration with Swedish NIRA Dynamics AB, the system is claimed to offer “an accurate and robust” solution, helping OEMs optimise tire health and improve vehicle safety, efficiency and uptime.

The TDM system is powered by NIRA Dynamics’ tread wear estimation software and gives alerts to drivers and fleet operators when tires are worn to unsafe levels.

The virtual sensor system, Sensata said in a 16 March statement, gathers and combines data from multiple existing sensors on a vehicle, including tire pressure sensors, to provide information about tire wear and tear.

The software-based system uses “a complex algorithm” that monitors the tire tread’s decreasing depth, while compensating for a wide range of real-world environmental challenges.

“The system tracks tires through changes and rotations and provides a more comprehensive solution than just measuring the distance travelled,” said the Sensata statement.

The virtual TDM can be integrated into existing electronic control units and is designed to work with “many combinations of tire and vehicle designs.”

“Sensata has developed tire technologies for more than 20 years, and we believe that this new virtual sensor… takes it to the next level,” said Eric Sorret, VP automotive.