AVO INVENTS
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Automotive Innovation / Optical Sensing

Intelligent Tyre-Tread Monitoring

Research & Development
Concept illustration of a tyre in its installed orientation with an optical sensor mounted inside the wheel arch.
Concept illustration. Measurement displays throughout these images are illustrative, not validated performance specifications.

Non-Contact Measurement Technology

Our research investigated optical methods of analysing tyre-tread profiles without physical contact.

Blue concept illustration of optical scanning across tyre tread grooves.
Concept illustration of non-contact tyre-tread profile measurement.

By examining variations across the tread surface, the system aims to determine groove depth and identify changes as the tyre wears.

The concept was developed around compact sensing hardware positioned within the vehicle itself, potentially allowing tyre-condition information to be communicated directly to the driver.

The Engineering Challenge

One of the principal challenges identified during development was maintaining reliable measurements in the harsh environment of a vehicle's wheel arch.

Concept illustration of an optical tyre-tread inspection arrangement and measurement display.
Concept illustration; reliable operation amid dirt, water and other contaminants remains an engineering challenge.

Road dirt, water, mud and other contaminants can accumulate around the sensing area, affecting the reliability of optical measurements.

Addressing these environmental limitations remains an important area for further development.

Potential solutions include improved sensor positioning, protective housing designs and methods of maintaining a clear measurement area.

Potential Automotive Applications

Further development could enable:

Concept panels showing wheel-arch sensing, tyre-profile measurement and a proposed driver display.
Concept illustrations of potential vehicle-integrated sensing and driver information.
  • Automatic tyre-tread monitoring without manual inspection.
  • Early notification as tyre wear approaches critical limits.
  • Integration with vehicle information and warning systems.
  • Tyre-condition monitoring for commercial fleets.
  • Additional information to support preventive vehicle maintenance.

Development Status

Initial research and development have established a technical foundation for further investigation.

Concept panels showing a sensor inside a wheel arch, road contamination and proposed tyre-condition displays.
Concept illustrations of possible future integration; not a demonstrated production system.

The project has identified both promising opportunities and practical engineering challenges that must be resolved before reliable vehicle-integrated operation can be demonstrated.

AVO Invents remains interested in exploring the technology further, particularly through collaboration with automotive manufacturers, technology developers and research partners.

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