Continental's two new Tire technology concepts

Continental reveals two new tire technology concepts, for greater safety and comfort.

Continental‘s new technology concepts to be showcased at IAA 2017 in conjunction with updated tire study.

ContiSense: Uses tire sensors to measure tread depth and temperature and alerts drivers to tire damage – data transmission via electrically conductive rubber.
ContiAdapt: Adjusts tire pressure and rim width to adapt contact patch to road conditions.

Continental's new Tire technology concept

The two systems enable continuous monitoring of the tire’s condition, as well as situation-matched adaptation of tire performance characteristics to prevailing road conditions.

ContiSense is based on the development of electrically conductive rubber compounds that enable electric signals to be sent from a sensor in the tire to a receiver in the car. Rubber-based sensors continuously monitor both tread depth and temperature. If the measured values are above or below predefined limits, the system at once alerts the driver. If anything penetrates the tread, a circuit in the tire is closed, also triggering an immediate warning for the driver – faster than the systems used to date, which only warn the driver when the tire pressure has already begun to fall.

Continental's new Tire technology concept

ContiAdapt combines micro-compressors integrated into the wheel to adjust the tire pressure with a variable-width rim. The system can thus modify the size of the contact patch, which under different road conditions is a decisive factor for both safety and comfort. Four different combinations allow perfect adaptation to wet, uneven, slippery and normal conditions. For example, a smaller contact patch combined with high tire pressure make for low rolling resistance and energy-efficient driving on smooth, dry roads.

source Continental