Dec 2011:Goodyear Wins ‘Most Promising Technology of the Future’ Award

Goodyear tyres has added yet another feather to its cap. “Car & Driver Magazine” has selected Goodyear’s innovative “Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) as one of the top ten most promising technologies for the future.

The announcement was made in the 2012 10Best edition of the December 2011 issue of the magazine. The magazine editors termed the technology as “elegantly simple” while announcing their decision.

What is Air Maintenance Technology

The Goodyear Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) is a unique concept that will allow the tyres to remain inflated at all times at the optimal pressure.

The USP of this technology of course is the fact that this optimal level of inflation will be achieved without the use of any external tyre pumps or electronics. The AMT system consists of a number of components including a miniaturised pump. All the components will be incorporated into the tyre itself.

“The Idea Behind the AMT is Simple”- Goodyear

Goodyear Chief Technical Officer Jean-Claude Kihn commented that though the technology of the AMT is complex, the idea behind it is quite simple. Mr. Kihn added that the technology is designed in such a manner that it kicks into action as the tyres roll on the roads.

Goodyear Listens to their Customers

Tyres that maintain optimal pressure levels are something that drivers have always wanted for a long time. Mr. Kihn said that Goodyear’s commitment to enhancing value to customers is reiterated by the fact that they chose to develop a new technology based on this requirement by their customers.

As and when this technology becomes commercial, it may spell the end of the road for the ubiquitous tyre pumps that we see all around today.

The Rationale behind the Award

A technology is deemed promising for the future if it helps provide solutions for some of the problems likely to be encountered in the future. Considering the global energy crisis, any technology that contributes towards improving fuel efficiency is one that needs to be lauded.

Reducing emission of toxic pollutants into the environment and enhancing safety are other parameters that are considered beneficial for the future and make the technology a ‘promising’ one. The Goodyear AMT technology scores well on all these points.

Benefits of the AMT Technology

AMT technology offers a number of benefits to drivers and car owners. The fact is that driving with underinflated tyres, whether you are driving a commercial or passenger vehicle, takes away from the fuel efficiency by 2.5-3.3%.

Besides tyres that maintain optimal inflation also result in lower emissions, keeping the environment that much cleaner. And of course one cannot overemphasise the need for the right inflation in tyres for the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.

Research and Development Continues

Goodyear has received grants from the European Union to support work on the AMT technology. The development work on the AMT technology continues at the company’s innovation centres at Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg.

The company has not revealed by when we can expect the technology for commercial use. Enjoy the tyre pressure pumps till then. Soon they may become relics of the past.