Pirelli Acquires 25% Stake in Virtual Sensor Startup

Pirelli has agreed to acquire a 24.99% stake in Italian mobility startup RIDEsense, a spin-out from the University of Naples Federico II and the MegaRide Group. The strategic partnership aims to strengthen Pirelli’s ‘Cyber Tyre’ platform with advanced virtual sensor technology. RIDEsense develops physics-based algorithms capable of processing data from sensors already installed in vehicles, which can be integrated with Pirelli’s in-tire sensors to enhance the ‘cyber tire ecosystem’. The combined technology is expected to strengthen existing safety functions, such as aquaplaning detection, and enable new capabilities in tire and vehicle diagnostics. Pirelli’s chief technical officer, Piero Misani, stated that the agreement will further expand the potential of the Cyber Tyre ecosystem by strengthening its software component. The company claims its cyber tire is the world’s first integrated hardware and software solution capable of collecting data from sensors embedded in tires and processing it in real time. The technology can also be used to monitor road infrastructure, with pilot projects already underway alongside public authorities. The investment is part of Pirelli’s plans to expand its ‘Cyber Tyre ecosystem’ and follows the company’s confirmation of plans to invest up to $1.2 billion in expanding US production capacity, including the development and rollout of cyber tire technology.