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

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Walmart more than K-mart, these days.

Well, yeah. My first thought was actually Sears and Montgomery Ward. I only ever bought tires from Montgomery Ward once, and they weren't even house-brand tires, they were General Tire ... and they still sucked wet farts out of dead pigeons.