Michelin uses iProbe in new 'communicating' tyres

RNS Number : 0170G

Transense Technologies PLC

25 June 2012

 



June 25^th 2012

Michelin uses Translogik Tyre Inspection Tools in new 'communicating' tyres

Will be launched during the London Olympics to Support Safer Bus Transportation

Transense Technologies plc ("Transense" or the "Company")) (AIM: TRT), the provider of sensor systems for the transportation and industrial markets, is pleased to confirm that the tyre probes being used in Michelin's recently announced initiative to improve the safety of buses during the London 2012 Olympics are the "iProbe+". The iProbe+ is a wireless hand-held tyre inspection tool developed by the Company's trading division, Translogik Limited ("Translogik").  The iProbe+ will be used to provide a wireless non-contact method of reading data from the Michelin 'communicating' tyres to monitor their condition.

A Michelin representative commented, "By combining the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Radio Frequency Identification chips (RFID), Michelin is enabling London urban transport operators to enhance the safety of the tyres fitted on their buses, thereby immediately improving the mobility of both vehicles and transport users.

"When used with the RFID chips now integrated in MICHELIN X InCityTM tyres, the TPMS sensors not only make it possible to obtain tyre pressure and temperature data easily but also to ensure flawless traceability that streamlines and secures monitoring as long as the tyre is used on the vehicle. The data contained in the chips is transmitted by a wireless, non-contact system that uses radio

waves.

"This innovation points the way to new methods of managing fleets, not only of buses but also of trucks, thanks to solutions that will be available in the near future.

"Michelin has innovated by creating a full-fledged ecosystem combining RFID chips and TPMS. With the Michelin 'communicating' tyre, an operator walks past the vehicle with an electronic reader that gathers complete, extremely reliable data in much less time."

Graham Storey, CEO of Transense, commented: "We are delighted Michelin is using Translogik's innovative new iProbe+ tool in this very high profile safety initiative to promote its new 'communicating' tyre tracking system. The tyre industry's move towards RFID is rapidly gathering pace and our tools have once again proven to offer a perfect solution."

For further information, please contact:

Transense Technologies plc	Tel: [phone]
Graham Storey, Chief Executive
N+1 Brewin - Nominated Adviser Aubrey Powell, Robert Beenstock	Tel: [phone]
Hybridan LLP - Broker	Tel: [phone]
Claire Noyce,  Deepak Reddy
Newgate Threadneedle	Tel: [phone]
Caroline Evans-Jones, Robyn McConnachie

Notes to Editors

The Michelin Group: A major player in the British urban transport system

The figures speak for themselves. With 33,000 buses covered by service contracts (representing 80% of the country's bus market) and a 100% market share for four of the five largest British bus transport companies and a 50% share for the fifth*, Michelin is eminently qualified to provide bus fleets with end-to-end tire management solutions.

What's more, 85% of all London buses are fitted with MICHELIN tires. More than just buses, these highly original vehicles - with their bright red color so well-liked by tourists - play both a symbolic and an indispensable role in urban mobility and at the same time are rightly considered to be one of the city's cultural assets.

It's not hard to understand why the Michelin Group decided to deploy its innovative solution

in the UK, and more particularly in the City of London, whose transport operations must

perform to the highest standards during the Games.

*Internal figures, Michelin.

About the iProbe+

The iProbe is an all-in-one integrated truck tyre inspection solution. The tough, compact and lightweight hand-held device provides rapid, error-free, wireless measurement of tyre pressure and tread-depth, together with built-in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader and TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) interrogation capabilities. The iProbe brings new levels of functionality, accuracy and efficiency to the commercial truck fleet management market.

Translogik product trials have shown that the iProbe can reduce vehicle inspection times by up to 88% and reduce data errors to zero.

The iProbe can read RFID tags at up to 50cm - allowing quick and easy inspection of 'dual' tyre configurations. Communication protocol specifications are provided to allow integration with third party software solutions.

Use of passive RFID tags offers significant advantages over traditional optical tyre identification methods in terms of durability, reliability and ease of use, allowing for accurate real-time asset management, in order to maximise tyre life and performance, and reduce theft and counterfeiting. The iProbe has a modular design that allows additional functionality to be added as customers require it ensuring the iProbe's abilities can expand as customers own requirements grow.

The Tyre Management product range from Translogik is a range of tools and systems that combine to form "state of the art" solutions for the global tyre management and asset control market.

http://www.trans-logik.com/Fleet-Management/iprobe-translogik-truck-probe.html

About Transense Technologies

Based in Oxfordshire, UK, Transense has developed patent-protected sensor systems for use in diverse high growth markets. Developed in conjunction with partners including McLaren Electronic Systems and General Motors, Transense's Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW), wireless, battery-less, sensor systems offer significant advantages over legacy wireless sensor systems. Via two wholly owned divisions, IntelliSAW and Translogik, Transense is targeting the high growth global electrical Smart Grid applications market and the transport industry respectively.

Transense's sensors are also being used in the wind turbine monitoring industry. The Company is part of a consortium of nine companies ("IntelWind") that has begun development on a major EU funded project to improve the efficiency of wind turbines.

Transense's shares are admitted to trading on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange (AIM:  "TRT").

www.transense.co.uk

 

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