Yokohama is trying out a new AI technology that measures air pressure in truck and bus tires by tapping them and listening to the sound. This could help logistics companies save money and use less fuel.
Checking air pressure daily can cause valve breakage and air leaks. Plus, doing real-time checks can be both slow and expensive. Many still resort to tapping the tire with a hammer, but this doesn’t accurately show if the tire has the right air pressure.
To address this, Yokohama is partnering with Metrika to create an AI program. This program will learn to tell the distinct sound of a tire tap from other noises. It will also track when the tapping happens and for how long to estimate the tire’s air pressure. They have made a prototype, and it’s currently being tested by a transportation company.
With this new technology, drivers will be able to use a smartphone app to record the sound of tapping their tires. This will help them check air pressure easily and accurately, without needing special equipment or training.
Yokohama Rubber aims to refine the AI’s accuracy and enhance the app’s user-friendliness during these tests. They plan to integrate this technology into their next-generation tire management system (TMS), which leverages the Internet of Things (IoT) to suggest suitable products and plans for transport companies.
