New sensor helps drive down costs and manage tire assets for truck fleets
ATTLEBORO, MA (OCT 18, 2002) | Sensors & Controls’ Sensor Products business has
announced the introduction of a new sensor that combines truck tire identification, and real–time
pressure and temperature monitoring into one device. The InTire Sensor is being introduced as
part of the Michelin eTire
TM System, an asset
management system designed to help truck fleet managers more effectively manage their
second largest variable cost — tires.
The InTire Sensor is a small, battery–less device that provides automatic cradle-to-grave tire
identification and tracking as well as real–time monitoring of tire pressure and temperature.
The sensors are mounted inside a tire on the inner liner using the Michelin SensorDock
TM.
The InTire Sensor uses a capacitive MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) device to sense
pressure and temperature. Hand–held or drive–by readers installed at fleet depots or truck
stops are used to wirelessly communicate with the sensor to read the digital pressure,
temperature and identification information which can be uploaded to Michelin’s BIB TRACK
TM
software through the Internet. InTire Sensors are also mounted on the truck and trailer to
automatically identify and link each tire to a specific truck.
"Making sure every truck tire is at the right pressure takes time that many of these drivers a
nd fleet managers don’t have," said Anthony Robinson, marketing program manager.
"By using the eTire System, fleet managers can better track tire assets to increase tire life,
lower fuel costs and save hundreds to thousands of dollars per year, depending on fleet size."
Michelin contracted with Integrated Sensor Solutions, which was acquired by Texas Instruments,
to develop the sensor technology in 1997. A market test began in July 2002. The InTire Sensor
technology is currently being rolled out in North America.
ABOUT TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
Texas Instruments, Inc., is a global semiconductor company and the world’s leading designer and supplier of digital
signal processing solutions, the engines driving the digitization of electronics. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company’s
major businesses also include Calculators, Productivity Products, Sensors & Controls, and Digital Light Products
technologies. The company has manufacturing and/or sales operations in more than 25 countries.
TI is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web
at www.ti.com.
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