Nokian Tyres may not have the same level of recognition as industry giants like Michelin or Pirelli, but the Finnish company is envisioning a groundbreaking future where tires can automatically adapt to changing driving conditions.
These innovations, described as the next generation of smart tires, are expected to hit the market by 2035.
The company highlighted that current tires equipped with integrated sensors already exist. These sensors use Bluetooth connectivity to relay crucial data, such as temperature and pressure.
Teemu Soini, Nokian’s Vice President of Innovation and Development, acknowledged that smart tires were not “mature” five years ago.
However, he noted that advances in technology have made sensors more durable and energy-efficient, enabling them to function reliably throughout a tire’s lifespan.
This development aligns with another area of innovation: tires capable of adapting to different driving conditions.
Specifically, these advanced tires could alter their groove capacity or design to enhance traction, handling, and overall performance.
To illustrate, picture driving on a highway en route to an off-road park. Ideally, your tires would feature a design that prioritizes fuel efficiency, handling, and comfort during the highway journey.
Upon arriving at the off-road park, the tire grooves could transform to provide optimal traction for going through dirt and mud.
Although it may seem like an improbable concept, Nokian stated, “This line of research could be reflected in consumer products as early as ten years from now.”
However, the exact mechanics of how these adaptive tires would function remain unclear.
Nonetheless, Soini emphasized that “adjusting the capacity of the grooves would significantly improve the tire’s handling characteristics.”
He also expressed confidence that Nokian Tyres will be able to produce a tire by 2035 that “can react to changes in driving conditions.”
While only time will reveal how this technology unfolds, Soini suggested that the excitement surrounding airless tires might be somewhat exaggerated.
He pointed out, “There are still many technical challenges for tire manufacturers to solve before an airless tire is usable.” Specifically, these tires must be designed to endure high speeds and temperatures.
Soini believes this makes it unlikely that airless tires will be used on passenger vehicles in the near future.
However, he sees a potential for their application on slower-moving vehicles like forklifts and excavators.