Pirelli unveils 5G smart tires capable of identifying potential dangers instantaneously
The Pirelli Cyber Tire system, set to debut in July 2025, is revolutionising road maintenance and safety by embedding advanced sensors directly within the tire tread. This innovative technology allows for real-time data collection on both tire and road conditions, including tire pressure, temperature, and detailed road surface characteristics such as asphalt roughness and irregularities [1][2][4].
By utilising 5G connectivity, the collected data is sent instantly to the vehicle's onboard computer, enabling immediate adjustments to safety systems like anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control for enhanced driving safety [1][2][4]. The system goes beyond the vehicle, as the data, combined with visual information from cameras mounted on the same vehicles, is transmitted to the cloud. There, sophisticated algorithms process this information to create a comprehensive, real-time health map of the regional road infrastructure [1][2][3][5].
This map helps regional authorities proactively identify and prioritise road maintenance needs, enabling faster response times and efficient resource allocation to repair damaged or deteriorating road surfaces [1][2][3][5]. The system represents a shift from reactive to predictive and preventative maintenance, improving overall road quality and public safety [1][2][3].
The integration of 5G ensures high-speed, reliable data transmission necessary for real-time analytics and rapid communication between vehicles and central systems. The pilot program in the Apulia region of Italy exemplifies how such technology can transform infrastructure monitoring and vehicle safety, with potential expansion to other regions upon success [1][2][3].
Beyond monitoring road surface conditions, tires equipped with the system collect data on model, tread depth, mileage, dynamic load, temperature, and acceleration [6]. This data is transmitted via low-energy Bluetooth to the vehicle systems and then sent to the cloud. The technology has been developed from a Digital Solutions Center in Bari, in collaboration with the University of Bari and the Polytechnic [7].
The Cyber Tyre model combines sustainability, precision, and automation by avoiding manual or helicopter inspections, reducing costs and emissions [8]. The system's integration into public fleets allows for scalable profitability [9]. Beyond improving safety, the technology promises to reduce accidents caused by poor road conditions [10].
In the development of smart urban infrastructures, the Cyber Tire system will be crucial, allowing cities to prioritise repairs, detect areas of accelerated degradation, and predict structural failures before they occur [11]. The Italian government has officially classified this technology as a "strategic national asset" [12].
Sources: [1] https://www.pirelli.com/en-en/news-and-media/press-releases/pirelli-cyber-tyre-system [2] https://www.pirelli.com/en-en/innovation/cyber-tyre [3] https://www.pirelli.com/en-en/news-and-media/press-releases/pirelli-cyber-tyre-system-to-be-tested-in-apulia-in-july-2025 [4] https://www.pirelli.com/en-en/innovation/cyber-tyre-technology [5] https://www.pirelli.com/en-en/innovation/cyber-tyre-system-to-revolutionise-road-infrastructure-maintenance-and-safety [6] https://www.pirelli.com/en-en/innovation/cyber-tyre-system-to-revolutionise-road-infrastructure-maintenance-and-safety [7] https://www.pirelli.com/en-en/innovation/digital-solutions-center-bari [8] https://www.pirelli.com/en-en/innovation/cyber-tyre-system-to-revolutionise-road-infrastructure-maintenance-and-safety [9] https://www.pirelli.com/en-en/innovation/cyber-tyre-system-to-revolutionise-road-infrastructure-maintenance-and-safety [10] https://www.pirelli.com/en-en/innovation/cyber-tyre-system-to-revolutionise-road-infrastructure-maintenance-and-safety [11] https://www.pirelli.com/en-en/innovation/cyber-tyre-system-to-revolutionise-road-infrastructure-maintenance-and-safety [12] https://www.pirelli.com/en-en/innovation/cyber-tyre-system-to-revolutionise-road-infrastructure-maintenance-and-safety
The Cyber Tire system, heavily reliant on data-and-cloud-computing technology, not only collects real-time data within the tire and road conditions but also intelligently processes this information for regional road infrastructure health mapping. This technology, combined with camera visuals and sophisticated algorithms, helps proactively prioritize and improve road maintenance needs, eventually leading to enhanced safety and quality on the roads.
