Continental ContiSense

ContiSense technology involves the use of sensors in tires to measure the residual height of the tread pattern and warn the driver of tire damage. Data is transmitted over electrically conductive rubber.

On September 18, 2017, Continental AG announced the introduction of the conceptual tire technology ContiSense, designed to increase the level of safety and comfort on the road. The system provides for continuous monitoring of the condition of the tire, as well as adaptation of its characteristics to road conditions.

ContiSense technology is based on a specially designed electrically conductive rubber mixture that allows you to transmit electrical signals from a sensor in a bus to a receiver in the cabin. The sensors in the tire constantly monitor the residual tread pattern height and tire temperature. If the value exceeds the set limits, the system immediately notifies the driver.

When an object hits the tire, the electrical circuit in the tire closes, and a warning is instantly sent to the driver - faster than the systems that warn about a puncture only after the start of the pressure drop in the tire, say Continental.

The tire "captures" information about the state of the coating - for example, its temperature or the presence of snow - and transmits it to the driver. This data can be sent to the electronic systems of the car or to the smartphone via Bluetooth.

In the future, the ContiSense system is planned to be equipped with additional sensors that can be used individually.

Continental considers ContiSense and ContiAdapt technologies promising in terms of tire adaptation to self-driving and mass distribution of electric vehicles. For example, reduced rolling resistance will allow an electric car to travel a greater distance on a single charge. At the same time, the properties of the tire can be changed according to the driver's preferences or sudden change in weather conditions.