Goodyear, TNO advance vehicle intelligent brake systems

Akron, Ohio – Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Dutch research organisation TNO have continued their collaboration with a “significant advancement” in improving vehicle safety systems.

As part of the project, the partners integrated tire intelligence technology into the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system of a vehicle, which is designed to prevent collisions by automatically applying the brakes when a crash is imminent.

The new integrated system, said Goodyear 7 Jan, has demonstrated the potential to mitigate crashes, particularly in challenging road conditions, at speeds of up to 80kmh (50mph).

The project tapped Goodyear’s Sightline technology, which uses sensors with cloud-based algorithms to collect data and process them in real-time.

Once linked to the AEB system, the intelligence tire technology can extend the function AEB across a wider range of driving environment, including low-friction surfaces such as wet or icy roads.

Through its contact patch with the road, an intelligent tire can provide the AEB with deeper insights into actual tire and road conditions to enable "smarter, more precise decision-making," Goodyear said.

The project aims to predict the braking distance of a vehicle in a variety of conditions, like dry and wet asphalt, and trigger the AEB timely to reduce accidents, said Martijn Stamm, marketing director, unit mobility & built environment, TNO.

“This knowledge [braking distance prediction] is a key enabler for a safe introduction of higher levels of automation," Stamm added.

According to Goodyear, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) 2029 mandate requires AEB systems in all passenger vehicles.

The partnership with TNO will help Goodyear meet regulatory requirements by major OEMs ahead of the 2029 AEB mandate.