Continental Expert View – THE DIGITALISATION OF TPMS SYSTEMS

Ian Jackson, CVT Digital Solutions Manager at Continental Tyre Company will deliver his expert view at 8:00am in the Innovation Zone at the Microlise Transport Conference at the Ricoh Arena on 15th May 2019…

THE DIGITALISATION OF TPMS SYSTEMS…

As a leading technology and digital solutions provider, Continental has joined forces with Microlise to help customers make the digital leap and increase the efficiency of our tyre management solutions (TPMS).

Efficiency is one of the most important factors in any commercial vehicle fleet. With the haulage industry undergoing radical changes, digitalisation presents a great opportunity for improvements in this area. Among other vehicle solutions, tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are just one of the many technologies to benefit from the rise in digitalisation.

Using the ContiPressureCheck™ TPMS system, information on tyre pressure loss is transmitted from sensors within the tyres to the Microlise platform, installed within the vehicle. The Microlise platform then relays this information to the Conti360° Fleet Services central office, before sending an alert to a local service provider. The service provider can then contact the fleet manager to arrange maintenance.

At no point in this process does the driver or fleet manager need to take manual action, significantly improving efficiency and allowing them to focus on day-to-day business. The vehicles are continuously connected, and tyre pressures automatically monitored. Continental and Microlise’s solution is currently on trial with a fleet of commercial vehicles, and has already been proven as a viable and saleable concept.

How does tyre pressure affect efficiency? 

Incorrect tyre pressure is one of the greatest causes of excessive tyre wear and leads to irregular wear patterns. This, in turn, reduces fleet performance and fuel efficiency, decreasing the tyre’s life and increasing running costs. An underinflated tyre creates more rolling-resistance, raising fuel consumption, and fuel is the biggest budgetary expense for any fleet, by far. If a tyre is under-inflated by 20%, this can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%.

How can digital solutions like TPMS help?

The standard variant of ContiPressureCheck™ helps to maintain the correct tyre pressure via sensors fitted within the tyres, while an in-cab monitor displays pressure of individual tyres to the driver. ContiConnect™ Live builds on this solution, with the ability to notify truck and bus fleet operators immediately if there is a problem with tyre pressure, even when a vehicle is out on the road. With the latest partnership with Microlise, Continental has developed a new variant with telematics integration, removing the need for input from the driver or fleet manager entirely.

All variants of ContiPressureCheck™ provide tyre fitters with much more accurate information on the condition of the tyre, indicating how long it has been running underinflated and whether it needs to be repaired or replaced. The systems also deliver reports on tyre performance, with which fleet operators can take corrective measures, ultimately improving overall efficiency while ensuring that the fleet is operating under the safest conditions.

Continental is actively developing TPMS technology, the use of which dramatically increases fleet efficiency and help operators in their goal to achieve Lowest Overall Driving Costs (LODC). ContiPressureCheck™ tyre pressure monitoring systems help transport operators to accurately manage tyre pressures, providing the best possible fuel efficiency. They also help with taking proactive decisions to prevent roadside breakdowns and avoid costly and dangerous blowouts.

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