As automotive technology evolves at a rapid pace, it’s no surprise that the tire industry is getting in on the action. Smart tires are a natural extension of this trend, designed to enhance vehicle safety, improve performance, and pave the way for more advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The goal? To make driving safer, particularly under challenging road conditions.
At CES 2025, Goodyear introduced its innovative smart tire technology, developed in partnership with TNO, a renowned research organization from the Netherlands. Goodyear’s partnership with TNO and the unveiling of their sensor-packed tires at CES highlight the future of road safety and vehicle control.
The Goodyear smart tire concept is built to assist in detecting road conditions that can make driving hazardous, such as wet, icy, or snowy surfaces.
The need for smarter tires has never been more pressing. With automakers facing increasing pressure to meet regulatory demands for enhanced safety systems, especially Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) technology, Goodyear’s sightline could be the key to improving these critical systems.
Goodyear’s latest innovation is called SightLine, a smart tire technology featuring built-in sensors designed to detect a variety of road conditions in real-time. These sensors enable the tire to assess road friction, air pressure, and even tread wear. The key feature of SightLine, however, is its ability to identify when road conditions are dangerous due to poor traction.
Here’s how it works: The sensors embedded in the tire communicate with a vehicle’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system. AEB systems are traditionally designed to engage only when obstacles are detected, assuming a certain level of road grip.
The SightLine sensors, however, provide real-time data that adjusts the AEB’s response, triggering braking earlier when road conditions are slick or otherwise unsafe. In environments with lower friction, like snow or rain, the system can activate sooner, reducing the risk of collision or sliding.
In essence, SightLine improves a vehicle’s overall grip and helps reduce stopping distances, which is critical in emergency situations. It’s about optimizing the car’s braking system based on the actual road surface. In real-world terms, this means that on a wet or icy highway, your vehicle’s AEB will react more decisively and earlier than a traditional system, improving safety in adverse conditions.
This tech isn’t limited to new cars either. Goodyear’s sensor technology is designed to integrate with most modern AEB systems, meaning the technology could potentially be adopted by a wide range of manufacturers.
By enhancing the functionality of existing safety systems, the sensors provide a seamless solution to a growing problem — ensuring vehicles can handle more complex driving conditions with precision.
Goodyear is aiming its smart tires not only at vehicle owners but also at automakers. The technology offers manufacturers the ability to improve safety features that are already required in many vehicles, particularly as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has mandated that AEB systems be standard on all vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2029. Goodyear’s smart tire could help car manufacturers meet the requirements of this upcoming regulation, particularly by making AEB systems more sensitive and responsive, even in challenging environments.
Beyond just safety, the smart tires offer additional benefits, including real-time alerts for issues like low air pressure or uneven tread wear.
With more vehicles moving towards automated and connected driving, this tire technology could play a crucial role in the future of vehicle intelligence, turning tires into data-driven components that interact with a vehicle’s entire ecosystem.
Final
As of now, Goodyear’s SightLine technology is still in its demonstration phase, with plans for potential market availability still to be determined. While the smart tire has generated significant interest and offers a compelling case for future automotive safety, it’s clear that Goodyear is working hard to ensure it’s not just a concept but a technology that can be brought to market.
The timeline for availability will depend on further development and integration with vehicle systems, but the potential for a safer driving experience has never been clearer. In the meantime, Goodyear continues to build its reputation as a forward-thinking leader in automotive safety technology. While the exact release dates remain unknown, the future of smart tires and safer roads is undeniably on the horizon.