Not sensors or AI, why revolving tyres may become the next big thing in vehicle safety

Vehicle safety technology has made major progress with systems like airbags, anti-lock braking systems and advanced driver assistance features. But the next major improvement may come from something much closer to the road, tyres.

As vehicles become more dependent on software, cameras and automated decision-making, new car safety studies are now also focusing on how cars can better understand tyre grip and road conditions in real time. The ability to predict changes in traction before a vehicle starts losing control could become a key part of future safety systems.

Why tyre grip is becoming important for future cars

Modern vehicles already use several technologies to protect drivers and passengers. Anti-lock braking systems help prevent wheel lock during sudden braking, while electronic stability control assists when a vehicle begins to lose control. However, these systems usually respond after a problem has already started.

The next generation of vehicle safety is shifting towards prediction rather than reaction. Engineers are exploring ways to estimate available tyre grip before a vehicle reaches its limits. This could help cars make better decisions during situations such as wet roads, sudden braking or changing driving conditions.

Software could unlock hidden tyre information
Tyres are the only part of a vehicle that directly touches the road. Every movement, including braking, steering and acceleration, depends on the contact between tyres and the surface. Researchers believe vehicles may already have valuable information available through existing systems, including wheel speed sensors, steering inputs and motion measurements.

Instead of adding more hardware, software could analyse this data to understand how much grip a vehicle has at a particular moment. This approach could help automakers improve safety features while controlling costs.

Future cars will need better road understanding
The development of advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving technology has increased the need for vehicles to understand their surroundings accurately. A car making independent decisions about braking, acceleration or steering must know how the road is affecting its performance.

If a vehicle misunderstands available traction, even advanced safety technology may not respond correctly. Researchers believe improving tyre-road interaction awareness could help future vehicles handle uncertain conditions more effectively.

Automakers are investing heavily in artificial intelligence, automation and connected vehicle technology. However, adding more sensors and hardware can increase manufacturing costs. Using information already generated by vehicles could offer a more practical solution.

Varun Vijaykumar Vupparige, an algorithm development engineer working in the automotive sector, said the industry is increasingly looking at tyres as a source of valuable information. "The challenge is not simply identifying when a vehicle has already reached the limits of available traction," he said.

"The larger opportunity lies in understanding those limits earlier, while the vehicle is still operating under normal conditions. If safety systems can estimate changes in available grip using information the vehicle already generates, it could support better decision-making without necessarily increasing hardware complexity. As vehicles continue evolving through software, understanding what tyres are experiencing in real time may become an increasingly important part of how those systems operate safely."

Safety innovation may come from small changes
While discussions around future vehicles often focus on electric cars, artificial intelligence and autonomous driving, some of the biggest improvements may come from less visible engineering developments.

Better understanding of tyre behaviour could change how vehicles respond to changing road conditions.

The future of vehicle safety may not necessarily require a complete redesign of cars. Instead, it could depend on helping vehicles better understand the surface they drive on every day.