The Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Company has officially launched its state-of-the-art Simulation Centre in Luxembourg, marking a significant step forward in tyre design and development.
This new facility, equipped with the latest in simulation technology, aims to improve Goodyear’s partnership with OEMs and elevate tyre performance through customised product development.
At the heart of the centre is the DiM250 DYNAMIC Driving Simulator, developed by VI-grade. This technology enables Goodyear's team to test and validate tyre models for future car models, thus facilitating a more efficient production process and ensuring that tyres are precisely tailored to meet the vehicles' requirements.
Romain Hansen, Vice President of EMEA Product Development at Goodyear, shared his thoughts on the centre's launch: “The opening of our leading-edge Simulation Centre in Luxembourg reflects Goodyear’s dedication to investing in and contributing to the future of mobility. Our virtual tyre development team has successfully undertaken numerous projects with top OEMs from Europe, the US, and China. The feedback we've received has underscored the significant benefits of our virtual development process, particularly in terms of business efficiency and sustainability."
The Simulation Centre underscores Goodyear’s commitment to safety, wellness, and sustainability. The use of simulated driving tests reduces the necessity for physical tyre prototypes, thereby speeding up the manufacturing process and improving overall efficiency. This approach aligns with Goodyear’s strategy to reduce its environmental footprint and lead in the tyre development sector, aiming to secure approval for development tyres with minimal physical iterations.
According to Goodyear’s estimates, moving to a model that requires only one physical iteration in tyre development could save around 13,000 tyres and cut physical tyre testing by approximately 97,500km.
Following the successful establishment of Goodyear's first simulation centre in Akron, Ohio, in 2021, the Luxembourg centre has quickly proven its worth. It has already facilitated a project with Maserati, producing custom tyres for the Gran Turismo 2023. Looking ahead, the centre is set to support Goodyear in developing bespoke tyres for OEMs globally, reinforcing its role in driving innovation in tyre technology and sustainable automotive solutions.
