Bridgestone Japan selects Avery Dennison Maxdura Tire Tags

Since a unique identifier can be assigned to each tire, information can be read automatically and used by the teams and the organizers to identify precisely which tires are in use. This automation enables teams to optimize real-time inventory and logistics, making the race more interesting for spectators. Providing a unique ID for each tire will also improve reuse and recycling processes after the race to make events more sustainable.

The unique demands of GT racing are the perfect showcase of tire durability and the need for RFID tagging across the automotive sector. It comes at a time when the FIA, the world governing body for motorsport, is urging teams to use tires embedded with RFID transponders for environmental and cost reasons. It has also tested the Maxdura tire tag and approved the Impinj M730 IC for use at motorsports events.

Speaking separately with an RFID industry body, the RAIN alliance, Nicolas Aubourg, head of performance at the FIA, said: ‘We use RFID technologies, especially for tire identification. For environmental, cost, sporting, and technical reasons, the tires are constrained by technical rules and the quantity each competitor can use are limited. Thanks to RFID technology, we ensure a quick and reliable identification of each tire used in a competition and thus, we can then check that our rules are fulfilled by all the competitors.’

The Maxdura Tire Tag was launched last year and is among the most advanced embedded UHF RFID tags on the market. Its selection came after a series of technical tests carried out by Bridgestone in 2022. Working with Bridgestone Japan, Avery Dennison and its partner ULS successfully proved that Maxdura is capable of performing under harsh racing conditions.

Lauri Hyytinen, market development manager for automotive at Avery Dennison Smartrac, commented: ‘The use of RFID in motorsport is just the prelude to a broader revolution in tire production that will affect the automotive industry more broadly. Every year, some three billion tires are manufactured globally. 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.’

Koji Terada, director of motorsport, tire development for Bridgestone Corporation, added: ‘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. 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.’