If you’ve ever wondered what the lifespan of a single tyre really looks like, then RFID technology is for you. This is the technology through which tyres can be tracked and traced throughout their life on the road and well into the recycling process – improving everything from operational efficiencies to traceability.
Recognised now as an industry standard, the reasons for being able to trace tyres with such accuracy vary – with RFID technology and its data the only truly effective way of tracing a tyre.
But what does RFID stand for, how does the technology work, and what are the benefits of being able to trace a tyre from manufacturing through to recycling and disposal?
What Does RFID Stand For – and What Does it Do?
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification.
Stored inside a smart chip, this technology relies on radio frequency to store and record data which can then be retrieved and monitored remotely. In short, the RFID refers to a unique chip which allows the tyre to be efficiently and accurately traced.
There is no way of replicating or counterfeiting this chip, which means that the data being received by the RFID device is always accurate to a specific tyre, and up to date. It’s also worth noting that the chip is always readable, even when the tyre is in motion or the condition of the tyre has disintegrated.
But why is the ability to trace a single tyre so important within the tyre industry? It all comes down to safety, operational efficiency, and traceability.
The Benefits of Tracking a Tyre Through its Lifecycle
When a tyre can be traced from manufacturing through to vehicle fitting and ultimately recycling or disposal, there is a great deal of information that can be learned about its lifespan.
Some of the information that’s used by the tyre industry includes:
- Understanding which tyres are selected for different vehicles and climates
- Inventory management and understanding the accurate and real-time longevity of tyres
- Supporting the provision of predictive maintenance advice
- Warranty and claims management
- How tyres are managed over an annual period – i.e. are Winter and Summer tyres switched out properly over the course of a year
- Reducing the number of production and supply errors
- Facilitating end of life recycling and disposal
Being able to trace a tyre accurately using smart RFID chips also supports the tyre industry’s drive to become more sustainable. This is because acknowledging the lifespan of a tyre gives manufacturers the data and information they need to build on innovation, to add more value to customers, and to connect tyres with a much broader ecosystem.
In practice, it also means that any damage sustained to a tyre can be accurately tracked – aiding warranty claims or the enhanced safety of a tyre which may be recycled for future use.
