Goodyear RFID
09.March, 2006 @23:03 Tech News
In racing, time is the enemy. Even off the track, there is limited time to assemble people and equipment, including thousands of tyres. For over 50 years, NASCAR, America’s most successful racing organization, has depended on Goodyear to supply and move thousands of tyres efficiently and effectively. That’s why, when NASCAR needed help implementing a new competition strategy, they turned to Goodyear. The new strategy requires equal access to tyres for testing and racing – thus making it fair for all teams regardless of their size and resources.
Goodyear responded with a tyre management program utilizing radio frequency identification, or RFID, technology. Each tyre can be tracked from the manufacturing facility to the track, upon distribution to the teams and return after the race.
The technology includes imbedding an RFID tag into each tyre during production. The RFID tag is an electronic assembly comprised of a polymer encased microchip and a durable tyre antenna. The microchip is about the size of a grain of sand and is the memory or brains of the tag. The antenna provides the means of communication with the reader, which for NASCAR, is a handheld device. Information about the tyre is stored on the microchip and displayed on the reader’s screen. Data stored on the reader is relayed daily to a central location, automating the tyre management process.
With Goodyear’s help, NASCAR was able to achieve its goal. Maintaining a level playing field is key to NASCAR’s success. Competitive races where the drivers’ skill shines create excitement for the fans.
Now this technology, proven in racing, is available for use in passenger cars. RFID technology offers vehicle manufacturers the opportunity to optimize logistics in shipping, warehousing, tyre/wheel mounting and vehicle assembly.
The future is wide open to possibilities. The RFID microchip can store the tyre brand, size, load, speed ratings and performance characteristics and can interact with the other vehicle systems for improved performance. For example, tyre data stored on the RFID microchip can be used to maximize the performance of ABS brakes, traction control and vehicle stability control systems.
And RFID is only the first step in Goodyear’s technology road map. We are advancing technology in tyre pressure monitoring systems, tyre/vehicle integration and breakthrough sensor development through our strategic alliances with Siemens VDO Automotive, TRW, and the advanced research organization, Sandia National Laboratory. These alliances help deliver new levels of innovation and ability to bring technology to the market. Let Goodyear help you institute a tyre RFID program that will have benefits in streamlining logistics and manufacturing efficiency and enhancement of vehicle performance. Work with us. Win with Goodyear.
