Tired of maintaining your tyre pressure? Soon, there won't be a need to visit the petrol station for a jab of air. Thanks to Goodyear's laboratories new innovation, they are developing what's called the AMT (Air Maintenance Technology) that will soon enable tyres to remain inflated at their optimum pressure. Through what will be a miniaturized air pump integrated into the tyre itself. Sounds bizarre? Maybe not. It's a simple device NOT powered electronically but through the tyres' own kinetic energy as it rotates.
Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear’s senior vice president and chief technical officer says, “While the technology is complex, the idea behind the AMT system is relatively simple and powered by the tire itself as it rolls down the road. A tire that can maintain its own inflation is something drivers have wanted for many years. Goodyear has taken on this challenge and the progress we have made is very encouraging. This will become the kind of technological breakthrough that people will wonder how they ever lived without.”
They will be developing the AMT system at Goodyear's Innovation Centre in Colmar-Berg, Luxemburg which the Luxemburg government has pledged to support with an official grant in July.
“Innovation is a priority at Goodyear. The company innovates constantly to maintain its positive momentum, and this is an example of one of Goodyear great innovations. One of the main causes of premature tire wear and tear is due to improper inflated tires. With this ground breaking innovation, under inflated tires will soon be a problem of the past” says Richard Fleming Managing Director, Goodyear ASEAN.
