The use of RFID has been on the rise in many fields. Apparel has always been a popular usage, but RFID is finding a home in many areas, from luggage to sport memorabilia and much more.

You can add tires to that list.

RFID manufacturers have long been involved in the tire market, with applications ranging from logistics and production all the way through to real-time inventory and recycling. The announcement that Bridgestone Japan is collaborating with Avery Dennison for RFID for its Grand Touring (GT) Racing team is a perfect example of this.

Bridgestone Japan selected Avery Dennison’s Maxdura Tire Tag to be used for Grand Touring (GT) racing car teams. This will allow the tire manufacturer to keep track of logistics as well as performance, which is a huge benefit for its team.

RFID has caught the eye of the FIA, the world governing body for motor sports, including Formula One. Avery Dennison reported that the FIA is urging teams to use tires embedded with RFID transponders for its cost and environmental benefits.

“GT racing is the ultimate test of endurance and durability and will provide valuable lessons as we expand the use of RFID across our ranges,” noted Koji Terada, director Motorsport, Tire Development Department for Bridgestone Corporation, in announcing the project. “We have chosen Avery Dennison based on an exhaustive evaluation process and found the read range a particular benefit since a wider number of pit crew can access data quickly – this timeliness can make all the difference in a racing environment where every second counts.”

Lauri Hyytinen, market development manager, automotive for Avery Dennison Smartrac, noted that almost all major tire manufacturers are already using RFID or testing the technology in their production. Hyytinen pointed out that there are numerous benefits that RFID technology brings to the world of tires.

“RFID offers a unique digital ID for each tire,” Hyytinen said. “Embedded products are enabling applications over the tire’s lifetime.”

Hyytinen observed that applications vary a bit based on the tire type.

“The unique digital ID which is easy to read automatically makes tires production and logistics more efficient,” Hyytinen said. “It enables improved and safer retreading and re-use applications, especially for commercial tires. The unique digital ID can also offer information of the tire’s origin for recycling processes, helping the industry to be more sustainable in the future.”

Hyytinen said that the AD Maxdura Tire Tag, which features the Impinj M730 IC, offers advantages from other tags.

“The Maxdura tire tag has proven to be reliable and offers long reading distance,” said Hyytinen. “Reading distance is also exceptionally stable between the products and tires. That’s important when building larger scale applications and when reliable data is required. Stable performance is the outcome of a great product quality and fine-tuned product design.”

Of course, there is a difference between the tires and their usage on an everyday car compared to a racing car.

“The tire type and RFID transponder’s location inside a tire have an influence on the product’s performance, such as reading range),” Hyytinen reported. “Avery Dennison Smartrac has a very experienced team supporting our partners to find the best solutions for the most challenging use case like racing car tires.

“Avery Dennison Smartrac has created a Global automotive team supporting our partners and customers in all regions,” Hyytinen said. “We are working with tire manufacturers on all continents, and with the global team, we can ensure professional support to our partners no matter where they are located.”

Ultimately, Hyytinen noted that the use of RFID in motorsport is just the beginnings of a major revolution in tire production.

“Every year, some three billion tires are manufactured globally,” Hyytinen noted. “RFID introduces new safety features which will make it easier to identify when a tire needs to be replaced. It will also help eliminate tire fit errors, make them easier to recycle and have benefits throughout the supply chain for manufacturers, wholesalers and garages.”