Goodyear is to conduct testing at Mcity, a specially designed proving ground in Michigan designed for developing connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. The work there will focus on the company’s intelligent tires, the application of sensors, and extending the tire maker’s role in managing the connection of tires to the road, to vehicles and, ultimately, to consumers.
“To generate mobility solutions involving tires – and even beyond tires – we are actively working with key players to shape the future for autonomous vehicles and ridesharing fleets, and the activity at Mcity will help get us there even faster,” said Chris Helsel, Goodyear’s chief technology officer.
Goodyear is the only tire company currently undertaking research at the facility, alongside nearly 60 other companies working with Mcity, including automotive manufacturers and suppliers, chip and hardware makers, insurance providers, and companies engaged in technologies such as advanced modeling, big data acquisition, and intelligent transportation systems.
“We’re pleased to welcome Goodyear to our growing team of forward-thinking partners, especially considering the company’s reputation as a long-time industry leader,” said Huei Peng, director of Mcity, and Roger L McCarthy, professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan. “Even as we test and plan for future forms of mobility, we acknowledge the critical role of tires in evolving forms of transportation.”
“Just as our presence in Silicon Valley has accelerated Goodyear’s fast-advancing work in future mobility, the collaboration with other stakeholders at Mcity will offer potential benefits to deliver solutions in tire electronics and information systems, enhancing overall vehicle performance, safety and the consumer experience,” added Helsel.
