The Continental concept of "smart" tires

19 September 2017

Tires of the future will be able to change not only the pressure but also tread pattern

Pneumatic tyres were invented in the nineteenth century, but today they are used on almost all types of road transport. In Continental decided it was time to go further pressure sensors. Their concept tyre is able to determine the condition of the asphalt and to transmit information to the driver.

In the ContiSense are electrically conductive rubber mixture. They allow you to send the signal from the built-in bus sensor to the receiver in the car. Special sensors are able to determine the height of the tread and the temperature of the roadway. If the current values beyond the safe corridor, the driver receives an appropriate warning on the dashboard. Also information can be sent to a smartphone via Bluetooth.

Another interesting feature is ContiAdapt. She subtly adjusts the tire pressure to a certain area of the contact patch with the road. The optimal value is calculated in real time based on the ambient temperature, the state of the track, and the availability of water and snow. Also ContiAdapt can pump up the tires to reduce rolling resistance, allowing to reduce fuel consumption.

System ContiSense and ContiAdapt able to work together. The design of the tyre there are three zones with different tread patterns, each of which is optimal for different ways: dry, wet or icy. Depending on tire pressure and rim width will activate different zones, which allows "smart" wheel to select the desired mark. This makes it possible to adapt the characteristics of the tyres to the current conditions or driver preference.

Hardly conceptual Continental tyres can be found on sale for the next season. While the manufacturer says nothing about the timing of the implementation of its, without a doubt, interesting ideas.