RFID : CONNECTING TIRES TO THEIR ECOSYSTEM

Through RFID technology, Michelin makes tires that "communicate" by linking them to a more global ecosystem, to create infinite potential for innovations and added value for its customers.
Our goal: connecting all MICHELIN tires for Passenger Cars, Light Trucks, Heavy Trucks and Busses by 2024.

RFID : CONNECTING TIRES TO THEIR ECOSYSTEM

Through RFID technology, Michelin makes tires that "communicate" by linking them to a more global ecosystem, to create infinite potential for innovations and added value for its customers. Our goal: connecting all Michelin tires, including for car drivers, by 2024.

what is RFID?

Why RFID in tires? 

RFID technology is a market standard technology used for identification. RFID means Radio Frequency Identification: it is a passive electronic chipset that can exchange data with a reader using Radio Frequency (RF) signals. 

RFID tags embedded in tires ensure reliable tire identification and enable to build data driven services & solutions: it is a key pillar of connected mobility!

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What is it made of?

RFID in tires is composed of 3 main components  :

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Hardware

A chipset and an additional antenna “protected” by two rubber pieces into the tire or added as patch in post manufacturing 

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Identifier

A Unique Item Identifier following GS1 EPC Global Coding Scheme for Item Identification with 96 bits (SGTIN96) that is permalocked to ensure authenticity. It contains in particular a company prefix, an item reference and a serial number.

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Cloud Database

Data associated to each tire ID (SGTIN96) are managed in cloud database 

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RFID: A MARKET STANDARD FOR TIRES

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At ISO level, the tire industry came to an agreement on the RFID communication protocol, the tire serial number format (SGTIN96), the definition of tire tags and their attachment to tires, and conformance test methods. 4 ISO standards were published in 2019 and 2020: ISO 20909, 20910, 20911, 20912.

Actually when it comes to RFID, it refers to several technology and frequency ranges. RAIN technology is the one adopted by the tire industry referring to a passive (battery-free), UHF (Ultra High Frequency) RFID wireless technology which operates from 860MHz to 930MHz according to ISO/IEC 18000-063.

To ease access to tire data between several tire manufacturers, a new organization called GDSO (Global Data Service Organization for Tires and Automotive Components) has been created. The purpose of this new organization is to provide an information service enabling to retrieve data associated to each tire ID (SGTIN96) in the relevant database. A data referential lists all standardized data that can be communicated through public or private access thanks to a standard API.

The implementation of RAIN RFID embedded tags into tires and the launch of GDSO are key levers in the digitization of the tire industry, allowing the development of new services connecting tires from different companies.

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CONFERENCE

Rain RFID tyre expo

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Conference
RAIN RFID Alliance event

Why is RFID the most adapted solution?

This technology, present in Michelin tires, is a market standard which is unique, unfalsifiable, permanently readable (even when moving) and in all conditions (until end of life)! 

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Universal technology

  • Billions of new things are daily connected with RAIN RFID
  • More than 50 millions of tires are already equipped with RAIN RFID tags
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Permanently readable

  • RFID used in tires is a passive technology that doesn’t require a battery
  • Tire tag can be read even when the tire is moving or rolling
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Remains in good conditions during entire lifecycle

  • Tire tag is robust against any tire solicitations, ageing, weather conditions
  • Tire tag is embedded into tire and can’t be removed, it's not an accessory

 

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Secure

  • Tag is locked after writing by the tire manufacturer
  • Robust traceability technology against robbery and counterfeiting
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Standard

  • 4 ISO standards describe RFID use for the tire industry
  • Access to tire data from different tire manufacturers will be eased by GDSO and a tire information service

Technology Licensing

Want to adopt RFID technology?

Michelin owns patents on Tire RFID in different domains (Tire tag, tag / tire components, process, tire implementation) and opens some of its patents for licensing to foster deployment of RFID in all tires in the market. If you are a RFID tire tag makers, RFID tag component makers and/or tire manufacturers, you can get in contact with us to open discussions around Intellectual Property Licensing.