The ContiConnect™ smart tyre monitor helps prevent cost-intensive tyre-related breakdowns
22 March 2018
Continental is helping to make the world’s roads safer with Vodafone’s support through the new digital tyre monitoring platform, ContiConnect. The companies are using the Internet of Things (IoT) to connect commercial vehicle fleets to the digital tyre monitoring platform to improve road safety and vehicle efficiencies. ContiConnect is currently deployed in US, Canada, Malaysia and Thailand with the rest of the world to follow.
ContiConnect communicates tyre temperature and pressure data to a central web portal via the wireless network, allowing fleet managers to continuously monitor the data for their entire fleet. If low temperature or high pressure data are reported the system automatically sends an alert to the driver and the central fleet manager, providing recommendations on resolving the issue.
The new platform helps prevent expensive tyre-related breakdowns and accidents affecting commercial fleets, and maximises vehicle uptime. The Vodafone mobile communications network transmits the data securely, reliably in real-time to destinations around the world.
Continental‘s Commercial Tyre Division Digital Solutions Manager Michael Neuheisel, said: “ContiConnect provides commercial vehicle fleet operators such as haulage, bus or construction companies with greater transparency in their fleet management activities and allows them to digitally monitor their vehicles’ tyres in real-time. The recorded data helps fleet managers to maximise vehicle uptime and reduce maintenance costs and fuel.”
Vodafone’s IoT Director Stefano Gestaut said: “This is a great example of how IoT can make real world differences in so many unexpected places. This ensures that truck drivers experience fewer tyre-related breakdowns and accidents – making the roads a safer place to be for every vehicle user.”
Special Continental sensors continuously monitor tyre pressure and temperature data and transmit it to a receiver unit. The receiver unit then transmits the data in real-time to the Continental server where a software program analyses it. If any of the values are critical, ContiConnect sends an alert so that the fleet manager can take action.
In the ecological fast lane
ContiConnect is putting commercial vehicles in the ecological fast lane. The regular data streams that are sent to the fleet managers help them to plan tyre changes and maintenance far more efficiently, improving the operational performance and lifespan of the tyres. Tyre pressure monitoring also contributes to protecting the environment because tyres that are operated at optimum pressure save fuel and reduce commercial vehicles’ CO2 output. For example, a tyre operating at just 80% pressure uses around 0.9 litres more fuel for every 100 kilometres driven. Over an average distance covered of 120,000 kilometres per year, that’s 1,080 litres more fuel consumed for each tyre. So in addition to the environmental benefits, ContiConnect also improves commercial fleet profitability.
Global flexibility in the Internet of Things
The system transmits data by SMS or e-mail, so the driver doesn't need to have a display unit in the cockpit. And the global Vodafone network ensures that fleet managers have real-time data on all their vehicles that are out on the road.
Vodafone Group is one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies and provides a range of services including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications. Vodafone Group has mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 49 more, and fixed broadband operations in 19 markets. As of 31 December 2017, Vodafone Group had 529.1 million mobile customers and 19.3 million fixed broadband customers, including India and all of the customers in Vodafone’s joint ventures and associates. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com
