Data technology is a big chance for both European citizens and companies and also to improve the innovation in mobility industry. Tire’s Industry can also play a role in this game. However, to really enhance the opportunity, firstly the access to data has to be equally guaranteed to all the third parts in the system. And now, also ETRMA asks for “non-discriminatory access to in-vehicle data for third parties in a comprehensive and timely manner”.
"Shhh! Your vehicle is talking". It is not a joke and we are not in the wizarding world neither in a far suggestive future. That is now and real. Quite enough. The so-called "smart vehicles" can no longer be considered a wishful dream. For the autonomous driving, more testing for using as well as further analysis about the impacts seem still to be necessary before the green light. However, the connected vehicles are already circulating on our everyday roads and starting to collect and share data. That is surely enhanced by a wider and wider Wi-Fi coverage, the empowerment of 5G signals and, of course, a major spread of connected devices all over the world. The increasing data circulation can ideally contribute to increasing road safety and sustainable mobility thanks to real-time updated info about vehicle’ status or traffic jams, both car drivers and truckers can optimize their routes and their driving behavior, so limiting consumptions and emissions for a safer and satisfying experience. The benefit is also about the maintenance that becomes timelier and more efficient. Every part of the system can play a role in the game: also, tires. Being a link between the vehicle, the infrastructure, and the driver, the tire is uniquely positioned to contribute. In applications for infrastructure quality management, cooperation between the tire industry and governments can yield important goals in tackling congestion, fatalities, and pollution. The tire industry’s proprietary knowledge, sensory data input, and vehicle-to-vehicle communication altogether can also be key in the platooning driving. So, several makers are already developing solutions, that put the tires in the center of a data collecting system. Aeolus AE46/E4 is, for example, one of these. The first intelligent tire realized in China literally tells about its health condition. Keeping under constant control pressure and temperature, AE46/E4 allows having reduced fuel consumption, a last long life, and easier management.The data coming from vehicles can be crucial for both the growth of the vehicle’s efficiency and performances as well as to get an overall innovation, as long as the knowledge is shared alike among vehicle and component manufacturers, aftermarket operators, institutions, consumers. The debate around the opportunity of an equal access to technical data is “hot” and about to reach new heights due to an ever-increasing number of connected vehicles. Many actors are now strongly supporting and firmly demanding wide and open data availability. Among these, there is now also ETRMA. In the recent report “Connected & Automated Mobility”, realized in collaboration with the business consulting company Quantalyse, the European tire, and rubber manufacturers’ association outlines the importance of access to in-vehicle data and communication with drivers. But the document also points the finger at recent proposals that, such as the Extended Vehicle, could give to the vehicle manufacturers exclusive control of data, thereby hindering innovation by third parties.
«We call on the European Commission to address non-discriminatory access to in-vehicle data for third parties in a comprehensive and timely manner. Only a genuine level playing field with secure industry-wide standards will enable Europe’s citizens to ultimately benefit from Connected and Automated Mobility advancements, - said Fazilet Cinaralp, secretary general of ETRMA. - The European tire industry and Tyre-as-a-Service (TaaS) have immense potential to advance future mobility. However, this depends on having access to onboard vehicle data». Actually, consumers and businesses are already experiencing advantages from TaaS. The app-based microservices can provide vehicle monitoring for individual drivers, while fully-fledged service packages enable the creation of large vehicle data platforms for fleets. These services can help drivers and fleet operators to save fuel, improve safety, increase vehicle uptime and reduce congestion and emissions. «In this transformative period, the entire automotive sector is confronted with fundamental questions regarding fair and equal access to in-vehicle data, - concluded Cinaralp. - Policymakers should not limit innovation to fully benefit from the opportunities that Connected and Automated Mobility brings».