Sensata claims breakthrough in tread-depth monitoring

SWINDON, England—Sensata Technologies Holding P.L.C., a producer of sensors and electrical protection devices, has developed a tire tread-depth-monitoring (TDM) virtual sensor system for passenger car and light truck OE applications.

Developed in collaboration with Sweden's NIRA Dynamics A.B., Sensata claims the system offers an "accurate and robust" solution, helping vehicle makers optimize tire health and improve vehicle safety, efficiency and uptime.

The TDM system is powered by NIRA Dynamics' treadwear estimation software and gives alerts to drivers and fleet operators when tires are worn to unsafe levels, according to Sensata, a producer of tire-pressure-monitoring systems (TPMS).

Sensata goes to market with its TPMS under the Schrader Performance Senors brand.

The virtual sensor system gathers and combines data from multiple existing sensors on a vehicle, including tire-pressure sensors, to provide information about tire wear and tear.

The software-based system uses "a complex algorithm" that monitors the tire's tread depth as it wears, while compensating for a wide range of real-world environmental challenges.

"The system tracks tires through changes and rotations and provides a more comprehensive solution than just measuring the distance travelled," Sensata said.

The virtual TDM can be integrated into existing electronic control units and is designed to work with "many combinations of tire and vehicle designs."

"Sensata has developed tire technologies for more than 20 years, and we believe that this new virtual sensor… takes it to the next level," Eric Sorret, vice president, automotive, said.

Sensata claims the new system is accurate to within +/- 1 mm of tread depth and can be paired with existing RFID tire-monitoring sensors.

Sensata said it sees the development as a critical element in the vehicle industry's evolution to autonomous vehicles (AVs) as a tool to ensure that such vehicles are called in on a timely basis for tire rotation and inspections. Such service calls traditionally have been linked with oil changes, which will no longer be necessary with EVs.

Linkoping, Sweden-based NIRA Dynamics is a developer and provider of vehicle onboard analytics and road-perception systems to vehicle makers, including indirect TPMS.