In an effort to prevent tire-related accidents, Nokian Tyres has partnered with tire and service chain Vianor to launch the new tire monitoring technology, SnapSkan, in Finland.
SnapSkan uses drive-over 3-D scanning technology to automatically measure tread depth while a camera identifies the vehicle using the registration number. When the scan in finished the driver can receive a tire report via text message or email for free, notifying the driver of his or her tires’ condition. The system can be installed in areas drivers often encounter every day such as parking lots and service centers. Tires scanned are not limited to Nokian tires and the device will read any tires fitted on a vehicle.
“Too many people are unaware of the condition of their tires, and the threshold for replacing tires seems to be high. We want to use this new technology to raise drivers’ awareness of the condition of their tires by making it as easy to access as possible,” said Ville Nikkola, head of Vianor’s Retail Business Area.
The first SnapSkan scanning point will be installed along the access road to the Q-Park Iso Erottaja underground car park in Helsinki, Finland. In the future, more scanning points will be installed at more locations in Finland and in all Vianor outlets in Finland, Nokian said. The tiremaker added that SnapSkan will come to the U.S. and other countries in forthcoming years.
“There is a big change ahead for our industry in the near future. Until now, the tire sector has lagged clearly behind other industries in terms of digitalization. It is high time to harness technology to serve motorists with regard to their tires. The sector needs a bold forerunner,” said Ari Lehtoranta, Nokian Tyres’ president and CEO, “It’s our job to make our roads and environment safer. Our company’s roots stretch back to 1898, and we have been at the forefront since then, providing a range of products and services related to road-users’ safety. We launched the world’s first winter tire and now we are launching the first service to report to motorists on tire safety directly by email or text message.”
SnapSkan was developed with Finnish technology partners Futurice and Affecto, and the 3-D scanning technology is patented by British company Sigmavision.
