by Innovative Tires for Aston Martin
Aston Martin has announced that its future sports cars will be equipped with new cyber tires from Pirelli. This technology allows the tires to transmit data about road conditions directly to the car’s systems, enabling the adaptation of chassis settings. However, in the USA, this innovation may be unavailable due to concerns about Pirelli’s links to China.
Revolution in the World of Tires
The conventional car tire, a boring but vital component, is undergoing a serious update. Aston Martin will be one of the first manufacturers to use this novelty. Pirelli’s Cyber Tires, while looking ordinary, are much smarter than their predecessors. They are capable of processing data about what is happening in the contact patch with the road and transmitting this information to the car.
How the New Technology Works
The Cyber Tire technology, developed in collaboration with Bosch, uses a sensor installed on the inner part of the tread, which connects to the car’s electronic systems via Bluetooth. By measuring changes in the tire’s radius during compression, as well as taking into account factors such as speed, tire type, pressure, temperature, and wear level, the system creates a detailed map of tire behavior. This allows for a better understanding of what is happening at the asphalt level and automatically adjusts the settings of the chassis, powertrain, and safety systems.
Implementation of the Technology in the Mass Market
Pirelli first introduced this technology in 2021, and it is already installed on the limited series Pagani Utopia. However, the Aston Martin announcement signifies the first serious step towards its implementation in the mass market. It is expected that other automakers and tire companies will also begin to use similar solutions.
Availability Issues in the USA
However, for American drivers and automakers, enthusiasm for this technology may be limited. Earlier this year, information emerged that US laws prohibiting “the sale and import of hardware and software systems for connected vehicles” could prevent Pirelli from offering these tires in America. Pirelli is 37% owned by China’s Sinochem, which raises additional questions from regulators and could delay or even block access to the technology in one of the world’s largest markets.
This situation could have serious consequences for the global spread of innovative technologies, as political and economic factors increasingly influence technological progress. For manufacturers like Aston Martin, this means the need to adapt to different market conditions and seek alternative solutions to ensure competitiveness.
