Goodyear testing intelligent tires at University of Michigan site

AKRON — Goodyear is participating in autonomous vehicle and intelligent tire testing at Mcity, a University of Michigan-led public-private partnership designed to advance connected and automated vehicles and supportive technologies.

Mcity, which encompasses roughly 16 acres of roadways and traffic infrastructure, was designed as a testing and proving ground for connected and autonomous vehicle technology.

By expanding its global innovation network to include Mcity, Goodyear is tapping a new resource for early-stage research and testing in a state-of-the-art, real-world environment. Goodyear is the first tire company to take part.

For its part, Goodyear will conduct testing that further develop its intelligent tires and application sensors, while extending its role in managing the connection of tires to vehicles, roads and consumers.

"We're pleased to welcome Goodyear to our growing team of forward-thinking partners, especially considering the company's reputation as a longtime industry leader," Huei Peng, director of Mcity and the Roger L. McCarthy Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UM, said in a statement

"Even as we test and plan for future forms of mobility, we acknowledge the critical role of tires in evolving forms of transportation."

Participation in Mcity also expands Goodyear's partnership network, a valuable asset according to Chris Helsel, Goodyear's chief technology officer.

"Just as our presence in Silicon Valley has accelerated Goodyear's fast-advancing work in future mobility, the collaboration with other stakeholders at Mcity will offer potential benefits to deliver solutions in tire electronics and information systems, enhancing overall vehicle performance, safety and the consumer experience," Mr. Helsel said.

So far, Mcity has brought together nearly 60 companies that represent a scope of autonomous and connected vehicle technology, including automotive manufacturers and suppliers, chip and hardware makers and insurance providers. Companies engaged in technologies such as advanced modeling, big data acquisition and intelligent transportation systems also have been involved in testing at Mcity, according to Goodyear.