When the smart rubber meets the road

[unixronin]

Reuters reports Purdue University researchers have found a way to make a smart tire.  Reportedly, the tire can warn the driver of not just improper tire pressure, but also cuts, punctures, imbalances, improper mounting, physical degradation of the tire, and manufacturing defects.  (And presumably other physical damage from potholes, road debris, etc.)

Interesting final comment in the article:

[Gary Krutz, director of Purdue's Electrohydraulic Center] said the technology would cost manufacturers about $1 per tire, translating into something like $50 per tire for consumers.

Yowzah.  Nothing like a good old 5000% markup for a new safety feature...

Comments

[fruitylips.livejournal.com]

As is usual for Reuters, this is a terribly written article. I would guess that what they meant was that there is about a $1/tire increase in manufacturing costs plus some undetermined cost for licensing the technology and patents.

Reuters should just hire a few monkeys to randomly hit keyboards with their faces. The results would be about as useful.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

And entertaining, if they post video.