Yokohama Rubber Co says it has begun practical testing of a technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to gauge air pressure from the sound made by tapping truck and bus tyres. Using AI to gauge tyre air pressure from the sound made by tapping the tyre, which previously relied on the driver’s experience, will provide logistics companies with solutions to various issues, including safe vehicle operation via improved air-pressure measurement, cost reductions and greater operational efficiency through labour-saving, and raising fuel efficiency by appropriately managing tyre air pressure.
Daily check of the air pressure of truck and bus tyres with pressure gauges can cause valve failure and air leakage. In addition, real-time monitoring can be costly. As a result, tapping the tyre with a hammer remains the main method for checking air pressure. However, determining whether a tyre has appropriate air pressure by simply tapping the tyre with a hammer can be difficult even for the most-experienced drivers. An easier and more accurate method for checking tyre air pressure is needed.
Responding to this need, Yokohama Rubber is working with Metrika Inc to develop an AI algorithm that can distinguish the sounds created by tapping the tyre from a variety of environmental sounds, determine when and how long the sound occurred (the sound interval), and estimate the tyre’s air pressure based on the detected sound.
In addition, Yokohama Rubber and Metrika have developed a prototype of specialised application and are currently conducting practical testing at a transportation-related company. Using this technology, drivers will be able to visually grasp the tyre’s air pressure and any need for adding pressure by recording on a smartphone app the sound made when tapping the tyre. This technology will make it possible for anyone to perform a highly precise air-pressure check without the need for a special device or any special skill.
The company will use the practical testing to further improve the accuracy of the AI algorithm and the usability of the application. In addition, it plans to incorporate this new technology into its proprietary next-generation Tire Management System (TMS), which uses the Internet of Things (IoT) to propose appropriate products and operational plans for transportation-related companies.
As part of its effort to strengthen its truck and bus tyre business, Yokohama Rubber says itis accelerating the development of technologies and products that respond to the global shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and the expanding introduction of autonomous vehicles.