The University of Luxembourg and the Goodyear Innovation Center in Luxembourg have launched a new research project to study the use of Near-Field Communication (NFC) in automotive safety systems. The four-year research project has the potential to initiate major innovations in the automotive sector. It is funded by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) and Goodyear.
Near-Field communication is poised to fundamentally change the automotive sector. It is a form of short-range wireless communication that relies on electric and magnetic fields generated around a transmitting antenna. This communication technology is now being explored for automotive applications due to its unique characteristics.
The research project addresses the advantages of using near-field based automotive systems in applications where currently prevailing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based systems cannot function properly and proposes a tire identification and diagnostic system for use in vehicle fleets.
The project will research the potential of near-field technology to replace wire-based and / or RFID-based communication in certain vehicles, providing the driver and possibly the fleet administrator with tire data. According to Derek Shuttleworth, Manager of External Science and Technology at Goodyear, the system will contribute to road safety and the reduction of accidents by providing crucial real-time information about tires. This is a first step towards new automotive applications, and Luxembourg could become the hub for near-field communication research in Europe.
With the support of the FNR, the University of Luxembourg and Goodyear are extending their collaboration for safe and sustainable transportation research in Luxembourg. This project will enable the university to develop expertise in near-field communication in cooperation with one of the world's leading manufacturers of tires. According to Prof. Stéphane Pallage, the Rector of the University of Luxembourg this demonstrates the university’s research excellence and central positioning in the national industrial landscape.
