AKRON – Goodyear and Dutch research firm TNO have developed a new automatic emergency braking system that could make crashes less severe on slick roads.
The innovation, announced Jan. 7 by the companies, uses road and tire data from the Goodyear SightLine smart tire system to make automatic braking more precise.
An automatic emergency braking system (AEB) is designed to hit the brakes when a crash is about to happen. Typically, those systems are tuned for high-friction surfaces, such as dry asphalt, according to a press release.
Goodyear SightLine measures actual road and tire conditions through the tire's contact patch with the road, giving the AEB data it can use to make better braking decisions, including on wet roads and ice.
Recent wet-road testing indicates the AEB system with Goodyear SightLine could potentially lessen impacts of up to 50 mph by engaging the brakes earlier.
In a release, Chris Helsel, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Goodyear, called safety a "cornerstone of Goodyear's commitment to innovation."
"By providing critical inputs about tire and road conditions into AEB systems, we are helping OEMs and their customers take a leap forward in safety, well ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2029 mandate for AEB systems in passenger vehicles," Helsel said. "Beyond this mandate, AEB systems will play a critical role in automated driving, helping to provide a comprehensive safety solution at all times."
The new AEB system builds on work by Goodyear and TNO to integrate tire intelligence with antilock braking systems (ABS). The companies showcased that innovation at CES 2024.
TNO is the largest Dutch independent research and innovation organization.
"TNO is dedicated to enhancing the safety, efficiency and sustainability of vehicles," said Martijn Stamm, marketing director, unit mobility and built environment, TNO. "Our collaboration with Goodyear aims to predict the braking distance of a vehicle in more conditions, like dry and wet asphalt, and trigger the AEB timely to reduce accidents and ultimately safe lives. This knowledge is a key enabler for a safe introduction of higher levels of automation."
