Continental Tires introduced new ContiConnect Live cloud-based solutions to assist fleets in real-time with intelligent digital tire monitoring of all vehicles in the fleet.
According to the TMC Technology and Maintenance Council, S.2 Tire and Wheel Study Group, properly inflated tires benefit from a 15% longer tread life, 20% longer casing life and 1% increase in fuel efficiency. In fact, properly inflated tires can reduce tire-related costs by $600 to $800 annually per vehicle. An emergency road service event can exceed $1,000 and result in up to four hours of downtime.
“At Continental we believe that in the B2B space, we are shifting to a digitalization model where connected products and services are the key to fleet efficiency and profitability,” said Shaun Uys, head of Continental US Market Truck Tires Replacement. “Our intelligent digital solutions are the future of tire management and allow us to partner with the fleet and the tire dealer to adapt to specific customer needs and not an ‘off-the-shelf’ product. This is exactly what fleets are seeking today.”
Continental tire sensors collect data from inside the tires and forwards it to a telematics unit or Bluetooth dongle and driver app. The data is transmitted to the ContiConnect web portal in real time. The information can then be viewed on a computer or mobile device. The information can be used for truck and trailer monitoring or stand-alone trailer monitoring. Any of these solutions coupled with the Continental tire portfolio will enhance the life of the tires but also suits any tire brand.
ContiConnect Live truck and trailer solution – Became available March 2023 for long haul and regional applications and fleets that do not return to a central location frequently, this solution provides GPS asset tracking to improve fuel efficiency, extend tire life, reduce labor costs equated with manual tire inspections, detect missing/stolen tires, and reduce tire failure.
ContiConnect Live stand-alone trailer solution – Available fall 2023 is ContiConnect Live Stand-alone Trailer solution. Not all trailers stay with the cab in regional and long-haul applications, and a lot operate in a “drop and hook” environment”. This battery-powered device solution allows unhooked trailers to be real-time monitored 24/7 for up to a month with GPS location, mileage estimation, tire pressure and temperature data. Tire issues can be addressed without waiting for the trailer to return to the depot. Stolen or missing tires can be detected when the sensors are read, and their location determined.
ContiConnect Yard Reader – Originally introduced in 2019, the ContiConnect Yard platform collects information through a telematics tracking system to provide the condition of tires on the trucks and trailers to increase uptime and efficiency. This solution works with trucks that return to a central location daily or frequently. Vehicles need to be in the proximity of the yard station reader for approximately two minutes to collect data including tire pressure, tire temperature, and sensor information and transmit the data to the IoT platform. Any tire issues can be addressed while in the yard. Tire inspections and fleet checks can be performed without touching the tire. The solution improves safety, performance, reduces tire failures, and can extend the life of the tire by as much as 20%.
Gen II sensors – This ContiConnect component is the only sensor that provides true casing temperature allowing preventative actions to prolong tire life. The sensor is mounted to the inner liner of the tire and is brand agnostic. Available from the factory in new tires, the sensor lasts approximately four years to minimize service disruptions. The tire monitoring functionality includes:
• Pressure and temperature.
• Mileage estimation.
• Battery estimation.
• Bluetooth connectivity.
“Venezia operates 750 tractors and 1,500 trailers that utilize a ContiConnect Yard Reader,” said Bob DeAngelo, director of maintenance, Venezia Transport. “The ContiConnect Yard Reader gives Venezia the ability to quickly show our customers that we have implemented a solution to ensure on-time deliveries.” Venezia Transport has increased their trailer tire life span from 24 to 36 months.