18 July 2018

Using Vodafone’s mobile network and ContiConnect, fleet managers can check the tyre pressure and temperature levels of their trucks anywhere in the world.

Making truck tyres smarter 

Tyre-maker Continental reckons it is helping to make the world’s roads safer with Vodafone’s support through a new digital tyre monitoring platform that uses the IoT. 

The ContiConnect platform is currently deployed in Canada, Malaysia, Thailand and the US, with more markets in Europe and Asia to follow in 2018 and next year. A date for UK availability has yet to be announced.

The sensor is mounted onto the tyre’s inner liner, and can either be retro- or factory-fitted.

ContiConnect is connected to Vodafone’s mobile network. Special Continental sensors continuously monitor tyre pressure and temperature data and transmit this information to a receiver unit. This then sends the data in real-time to a central web portal where a software program analyses it. It sends alerts via email or SMS to fleetmanagers if tyre pressures or temperatures deviate from the defined value, and suggests corrective measures where necessary.

According to Continental, the regular data streams that are sent to the managers help them plan tyre changes and maintenance far more efficiently, improving the operational performance and lifespan of the tyres.

It adds that pressure monitoring also contributes to protecting the environment because tyres that are operated at optimum pressure save fuel and reduce a commercial vehicle’s CO2 output. For example, the company says a tyre operating at just 80 per cent pressure uses around 0.9 litres more fuel for every 100km. Over an average distance covered of 120,000km per year, that adds up to 1,080 litres more fuel consumed for each tyre.

Jaguar Land Rover gets mobile with on-board cell connectivity

Transatel will provide a global cellular connectivity solution for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). As part of a recently signed agreement, Transatel will cover JLR’s connected car passenger applications for internet browsing and navigation services from the vehicle console, as well as on-board Wi-Fi. It will provide the service, manage customer and retailer support, and ensure the payment process for the purchase of data bundles by end users.

Transatel will offer data plans for JLR models available in the UK, Italy and Germany. The first cars equipped with the technology include Jaguar’s XE SVR, XF, XE, F-PACEand F-TYPE, and Land Rover’s Velar. Transatel says users will be able to “seamlessly” manage their accounts via a multilingual self-care application which is accessible with any device using the car’s on-board Wi-Fi system.

Paris-based Transatel is a telecoms operator that specialises as a mobile virtual network enabler/aggregator (MVNE/A). Since it was established in 2000, the company says it has launched more than 150 MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) and built “strong expertise” in M2M connectivity.

It entered the IoT market in 2014 with a cellular solution for global, multi-local data connectivity with eSIM capabilities.

This latest deal is Transatel’s second connected car project for Europe. Earlier this year, it won the tender to provide mobile network services for Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s on-board telematics units, Mopar Connect, in the EU.