Japanese tire manufacturer Falken is collaborating with Kansai University to develop an integrated power generator for car tires. The so-called “miniature energy harvester” uses the rotation of the tire to generate electricity.
This energy is then used to power peripheral sensors. In this way tire contact patch, wheel speed and load levels can be calculated.
Tire wear can be determined according to the data obtained.
Several miniature energy collectors are installed in each bus. The information obtained in this way will be used in future tire development.
This technology will help create tires with an optimized contact patch and thus a longer life, the developers say.