Muscat: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., through joint research undertaken with Professor Hiroshi Tani of Kansai University, Japan, have developed a new technology to generate electric power from the rotation of a tyre. It is accomplished by installing a power generating device (Energy Harvester) inside of a tyre to convert static electricity occurring within a tyre into clean energy. This new device takes advantage of a type of static electricity called frictional charging to generate electric power efficiently each time a tyre’s footprint deforms as a tyre rotates. This technology holds great potential for practical applications as a power source for various automotive digital tools.

Responding to the sweeping changes now occurring in the automotive industry, Sumitomo Rubber Industries launched the Smart Tyre Concept as a new tyre technology development concept by realizing “Ever Greater Safety Performance” and “Ever Greater Environmental Performance.” The company has been working to introduce new automotive solution services that take advantage of a wide range of data obtained using various digital tools. 

The results of this latest research will lead to practical applications for this new technology as a power source for sensors used in TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) and other automotive devices, contributing to the creation of future services that make use of various digital tools without any need for batteries.

Earlier, in October of 2018, this research theme was selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, a national research and development agency, as a Type FS Seed Project under A-STEP (Adaptable and Seamless Technology Transfer Program through Target-Driven R&D). Moving forward, Sumitomo Rubber Industries will continue working to advance this research with support from the Japanese technology agency.

Sumitomo Tyres is the premium export brand of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. and is one of the largest and most successful tyre manufacturers in the world. The company goes to great lengths to ensure a precision-engineered product designed for real world performance and firm grip on the road. The premium Japanese brand of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, represented in Oman by Eint Automotive LLC, a division of the highly successful Towell Group, offer a unique mix of innovative design and superior quality.

Sumitomo Tyres offer long-lasting value for customers and are ideal for passenger cars, 4x4s, SUVs, pick-ups, light and heavy trucks/buses, and industrial forklift. 

Sumitomo Tyres are now available with a 5-year warranty at Eint Automotive LLC, a division of the highly successful Towell Group and their authorised dealerships throughout the country.

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