We have become accustomed to having real-time information on any aspect of our life. Weather, traffic, news and we can even track a package purchased through e-commerce. This transparency, even omnipresence, has made our day-to-day life easier in unimaginable ways, also for companies. The connectivity allows a highly optimized management of time, with an absolute knowledge of the gains and losses, something that is well known in the transport sector. Fleet managers, who now live tied to a computer , celebrate each new functionality that allows them to know the status of the vehicle, the route and the load. An example of this is the new Goodyear SightLine system , which, using algorithmic sensors, is postulated as the first smart tire solution for light vehicles .
After billions of kilometers of testing, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company launches its predictive maintenance technology commercialization . Under the Goodyear SightLine brand, it will be available, for now, in North America and Europe for dedicated light transport vans. Whether as an agricultural service, in the construction service or for last-mile delivery companies, this functionality will improve mobility by increasing the reliability and safety of the routes.
One less puncture
For fleet managers, a flat tire is financial loss, inactivity and expense. Avoiding these types of incidents is vital for the gear to function without friction. Predictive technology will help address one of the toughest challenges for fleets today: breakdowns . Using sensors with cloud-based algorithms, Goodyear smart tires will keep operators informed of tire pressure and wear .
Chris Helsel, senior vice president of global operations and chief technology officer compared it to the devices we wear throughout the day: “Just like smart watches monitor vital signs, heart rate and oxygen levels, the smart tire solution Goodyear SightLine monitors the health of the tire ”. Thanks to this control, doubts about the condition of the tires disappear “and it provides a proactive vision of mobility to communicate when the tires need maintenance or to be replaced”, said Helsel.
Future connected
Connectivity will not only reduce a vehicle’s downtime, it will also improve its performance. According to initial tests, the integration of the Goodyear SightLine can contribute to the reduction of stopping distance by 30% , since it will always allow the driver to enjoy the best state of the rubber.
With the launch of the Goodyear SightLine brand, the tire specialist company lays the foundation for a technological future of this vital element for the circulation. Hence, the SightLine becomes available, this 2021, for customers of original equipment of the firm and new providers of fleets and mobility. A consistent step towards meeting the goal of including smart devices in all new products by 2027 .
