Continental Showcases Self-Inflating Tyres At Frankfurt Motor Show

As Michelin takes the air out of tyres with the Uptis, Continental’s new prototype puts it back in

It seems like the tyre makers are obsessed with the air inside the tyres. Michelin has already showcased its Uptis prototype, which is puncture-proof airless tyres and now the news from the Frankfurt Motor shows is that Continental has come out with self-inflating tyre concept.

Both these concepts seemed like a pipedream, but the reality is becoming even closer thanks to Michelin and Continental. The German automotive giant presented Conti C.A.R.E (Connected. Autonomous. Reliable. Electrified) technology at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor show. This technology will use sensors that are ingrained into the tyre’s tread construction, which will generate and report on data relating to tread depth, possible damage, tyre temperature and pressure.

The monitoring system- named ContiSense, transmits information on the condition of the tyre to the ContiConnect Live application, which can be used to facilitate efficient mobility management for fleet operators.

Now, the thing that interests us more, is the idea that this new technology can be used to help a car to self-inflate its own tyres, via an ingenious wheel-tyre system that uses self -generated air to look after its own pressure.

Tyre pressure is continuously adjusted by means of centrifugal pumps built into the wheel. As the vehicle accelerates, the centrifugal force within the wheel act on the pumps to generate compressed air. This PressureProof technology keeps the tyre pressure constantly within the ideal range and helps achieve a sustainable drop in CO₂   emissions. Excess compressed air is stored in an integrated tank and PressureBoost technology then uses this air to rapidly adapt the tyre pressure in various driving situation.