Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, in collaboration with TNO, has announced a significant advancement to vehicle safety systems. The integration of tyre intelligence technology into the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system of a vehicle has demonstrated the potential to mitigate crashes, particularly in challenging road conditions.
Building on the success of Goodyear’s and TNO’s integration of tire intelligence into antilock braking systems (ABS) showcased at CES 2024, this project further underscores the role of tyre data in advancing automotive safety systems.
The AEB system, designed to help prevent or reduce the severity of collisions by automatically applying the brakes when a crash is imminent, has become a key focus in the automotive industry.
While existing systems are typically tuned for high-friction surfaces like dry asphalt, 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 or ice. Through the 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.
“Safety is a cornerstone of Goodyear’s commitment to innovation,” said Chris Helsel, senior vice president/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, well ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 2029 mandate for AEB systems in passenger vehicles. Beyond this mandate, AEB systems will play a critical role in automated driving, helping to provide a comprehensive safety solution at all times.”
Recent wet road testing indicates that an enhanced AEB system incorporating Goodyear SightLine technology has the potential to assist in mitigating impacts at speeds of up to 80 kph by engaging braking earlier. Overall, the integration of AEB with SightLine insights on tyre and road condition data helps ensure robust performance across diverse scenarios.
“TNO is dedicated to enhancing the safety, efficiency and sustainability of vehicles,” said Martijn Stamm, marketing director, Unit Mobility & Built Environment, TNO. “Our collaboration with Goodyear aims to predict the braking distance of a vehicle in more conditions, like dry and wet asphalt, and trigger the AEB timely to reduce accidents and ultimately safe lives. This knowledge is a key enabler for a safe introduction of higher levels of automation.”
This breakthrough positions Goodyear and its partners as leaders in delivering advanced safety solutions to meet and exceed regulatory requirements.
As major OEMs and tier-1 suppliers prepare for the 2029 AEB mandate, the SightLine integration can offer a competitive edge in the race to build safer, smarter vehicles.