Modern vehicle tires face conflicting demands across diverse operating conditions. Current fixed-tread designs must balance wet and dry performance, operating temperature ranges from -40°C to 120°C, and varying surface conditions from smooth asphalt to loose gravel. Field measurements show that optimal tread patterns for snow can reduce dry-road handling by up to 30%, while summer-optimized treads can lose 70% of their traction on wet surfaces.

The fundamental challenge lies in developing tread patterns that can dynamically adapt their geometry and material properties without compromising the tire's structural integrity or durability.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including piezoelectric tread block actuators, shape-memory materials in tire walls, integrated sensor networks, and electronically controlled deformation mechanisms. These and other approaches focus on practical implementation while addressing both the mechanical complexity and real-time control requirements of adaptive tire systems.

1. Tire Pressure Management System with Condition-Based Adaptive Adjustment Mechanism

VOLVO CAR CORP, 2025

Adaptive tire pressure management system that optimizes tire pressure based on factors like weather, road conditions, and driving habits to enhance safety, efficiency, and performance. The system monitors tire pressure, receives data on conditions, determines optimal pressure, and commands the tire pressure control system to adjust. It can also proactively suggest tire pressure adjustments at specific locations during a trip. The system can also calculate tire pressure schemes for entire trips.

US2025206075A1-patent-drawing

2. Rubber Composition with Diene Rubber and Liquid Aromatic Resin Containing Aromatic Vinyl Compound

TOYO TIRE CORP, 2025

Rubber composition for tire treads that improves braking on icy roads and response on snowy roads. The composition contains a diene rubber and an aromatic resin with a liquid glass transition temperature (-100°C to 0°C) containing an aromatic vinyl compound like styrene. The liquid aromatic resin provides a balance of tire softness and rigidity that enhances both ice braking and snow response compared to solid aromatic resins or non-aromatic resins.

US2025197613A1-patent-drawing

3. Wheel Slippage Control System with Individualized Mobility Performance Estimation

GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY, THE UAB RESEARCH FOUNDATION, WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, 2025

Optimizing vehicle mobility performance by individually controlling wheel slippage to maximize mobility on rough terrain. The technique involves estimating wheel mobility performance based on force and velocity, comparing to maximum, and finding optimal slippage for each wheel to operate at peak mobility. This allows tailored wheel control for best vehicle performance on uneven terrain.

US12330654B2-patent-drawing

4. Vehicle User Driving Behavior Analysis System with Single Item Recommendation Based on Deviations

TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, 2025

Recommending appropriate items to a vehicle user based on their driving behavior to improve user satisfaction and engagement with the vehicle diagnosis system. The system analyzes the user's driving data over a period and identifies predetermined behaviors. It then determines items to recommend based on deviations from normal behavior. Only one item is presented with a message to the user. This prevents overwhelming them with multiple recommendations. The item is selected based on the user's memory of the behavior.

US2025187613A1-patent-drawing

5. Design of innovative human-centric tyre on road pressure regulation system for increasing driver safety and fuel efficiency

neeta amol mandhare, omkar yadav, shamkant laxmikant waghmare - SAGE Publishing, 2025

Tyre pressure plays a vital role in dynamic control over the vehicle and enhancing overall fuel efficiency by lowering rolling resistance and, as result, tractive effort. Excessive speeding causes traction loss, which is primary cause of accidents. Wet roads make driving more perilous, hence majority accidents occur during rainy season. As worlds crude oil sources deplete electric car industry expands, it critical to extend range currently existing automobiles improving its efficiency. In order find solution above problems, authors investigated impact tyre on coefficient friction designed developed regulating system that uses an infrared rpm sensor track rate at tires rotational speed decreases function time, then information calculate ideal based current environmental conditions data from various accelerometers. This unique automatically changes provide best combination driver safety sensors detecting slip lateral acceleration, regardless road surface conditions.

6. Pneumatic Tire with Asymmetrically Inclined Main Grooves and Notched Land Blocks

THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO LTD, 2025

A pneumatic tire with improved wet and snow performance by optimizing the tread pattern. The tire has alternating pairs of asymmetrically inclined main grooves extending from the ground contact edge to the equator. These form staggered land portions extending from the equator to the ground. The innermost blocks in each land have notches opening to the main groove connections, improving drainage. This pattern provides enhanced snow traction, braking, and wet grip compared to traditional symmetrical treads.

US12319093B2-patent-drawing

7. Method for Adjusting Suspension System with Controllable Dampers and Springs for Variable Traction Conditions

GRAVIC INC, 2025

A method for temporarily increasing traction of a vehicle's tires to improve handling in scenarios like getting stuck in snow or driving on ice. The method involves using a controllable suspension system with adjustable dampers and springs. By selectively stiffening the suspension components, the vehicle's contact with the ground is improved, providing better traction. This can be done automatically based on sensor inputs or manually by the driver. The adjustable suspension allows the vehicle to transition between normal handling for dry conditions and enhanced traction for low friction situations.

8. Method for Continuous Estimation of Tire-Road Friction Coefficient with Time-Dependent Adjustment in Non-Slip Conditions

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, 2025

Estimating the coefficient of friction between a vehicle tire and the road surface even when the tire is not slipping. This allows continuous coefficient estimation without needing complex observers. The coefficient is adjusted based on time since the last slip event. When slipping, the coefficient is calculated conventionally from torque, speeds, etc. But when not slipping, the coefficient is adjusted at a rate that increases with time since slip. This provides a smooth transition between slip and non-slip conditions.

US12319294B2-patent-drawing

9. STATE AND TRENDS OF HARMONIZATION OF AUTOMOBILE TIRE PARAMETERS, THEIR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE UNION STATE

b v kisulenko - Joint Institute of Mechanical Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 2025

The article presents the analysis of technical requirements for automobile tires, which have a direct impact on safety wheeled vehicles by increasing adhesion tires to support surface with low coefficients, wet asphalt, rolled snow and ice, as well environmental characteristics wheel rolling resistance sound level reduction when driving asphalt. scientific novelty is research aimed at limiting abrasive wear tire tread, development test methods its assessment during road bench tests. uncertainties possible systematic accidental errors that occur testing are analyzed, may affect results supervision in market products released basis primary certification. carried out application international norms UN Regulations Global Technical Republic Belarus Russian Federation, Eurasian Economic Union whole. Recommendations offered early modern State countries comparison Regulation On Safety Wheeled Vehicles.

10. Tire with Adjustable Tread Design Featuring Variable Region Shape Configuration

GEELY HOLDING GROUP CO LTD, ZHEJIANG GEELY HOLDING GROUP CO LTD, ZHEJIANG JIKE INTELLIGENT TECH CO LTD, 2023

A tire with adjustable tread design to improve grip on different road conditions. The tire has multiple variable regions in the tread that can be changed between raised, flat, and concave shapes using adjustment units. This allows switching the tire's contact patch configuration based on the road surface. Raised shapes provide extra grip on muddy, snowy, or wet roads, while flat shapes reduce impact on smooth roads. Concave shapes improve adhesion on slick surfaces. The tire can adapt its tread shape to better match the road conditions for improved traction and handling versatility.

11. Tire with Temperature-Responsive Shape Memory Alloy Studs for Automatic Protrusion and Retraction

NEXEN TIRE CORP, 2022

Tire with studs that protrude automatically based on temperature to improve traction on snow and ice without performance loss on dry roads. The studs have a shape memory alloy portion that deforms at low temperatures to extend out of the tire tread. This protrusion provides better grip on snow and ice without needing manual stud installation. At higher temperatures, the studs retract into the tread for normal road use. The studs also have features like grounding and hinge sections to manage their engagement with the road surface.

12. Pneumatic Tire with Graphene-Based Energy Conversion and Heating Elements in Longitudinal Grooves

NEXEN TIRE CORP, 2022

A pneumatic tire with heating elements in the longitudinal grooves to improve traction in snowy or icy conditions. The tire has a heating unit in each groove with graphene to convert tire rolling motion into electrical energy. A switch allows activating the heating elements when needed. The graphene stores electrical energy during normal driving and then releases it to heat the adjacent groove rubber when activated. This melts snow stuck in the grooves for better traction. The graphene-based heating system allows quick snow removal without relying on tire temperature.

KR20220160138A-patent-drawing

13. Curved Composite Tire with Distinct Rubber Zones and Tilting Mechanism for Adaptive Traction

GEAHCHAN KARIM, GEAHCHAN WADIH, 2022

Adaptive tire traction system for vehicles that enhances grip in all weather conditions without changing tires or adding chains. The system uses a curved composite tire with distinct rubber zones on the shoulders and center. The outer shoulder has studs for snow/ice, the center has low friction rubber for normal traction, and the inner shoulder has high grip rubber for emergency braking. The tire can tilt inward to engage the inner shoulder for better grip in emergencies, triggered by ABS sensors. This allows optimized traction without sacrificing fuel efficiency or tire life. The tilt mechanism can be hydraulic or connected to the ABS system.

WO2022207118A1-patent-drawing

14. Tire with Explosion-Proof Bead Protection, Solid Core, and Adaptive Shape-Changing Components

WU SHENGKE, 2022

An intelligent tire that is explosion-proof, low-carbon and environment-friendly, and can adapt to different road conditions. The tire has features like: 1. Explosion-proof: The tire can prevent bursting by using a protective cover over the tire beads, sensors to monitor bead integrity, and a self-sealing inner liner that patches punctures. 2. Low-carbon: The tire reduces carbon footprint by using a solid inner core instead of a pneumatic bladder, which eliminates the need for frequent replacement when worn. 3. Environment-friendly: The tire is environment-friendly by being reusable, as the inner core and tread can be swapped out when worn instead of replacing the whole tire. 4. Adaptive: The tire adapts to road conditions by using intelligent components that can change shape, like telescoping ant

15. Tire with Shape Memory Resin Spokes and Struts for Controllable Tread Width Adjustment

UNIV WUHAN TECH, WUHAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2021

Adaptive deformation tire with a controllable tread width to improve vehicle mobility on rough terrain without changing tires frequently. The tire has a tread, spokes, struts, sleeve, and main shaft. The spokes and struts are made of shape memory resin. They have through-holes with resistance wires. When power is applied, the wires heat the spokes, causing them to bend and deform the tread from wide to narrow for better traction on rough terrain. The tire can self-adjust width to adapt to different terrain.

16. Tire with Thermally-Responsive Spokes for Structural Transformation

UNIV WUHAN TECH, WUHAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2021

Self-adaptive tire for sand pit muddy roads that transforms its structure in situ to improve grip and then reverts back to reduce rolling resistance on normal roads. The tire has spokes with heated sections that soften when warmed above a threshold temperature. When driving in mud, the spokes extend straight by turning off power. In mud, they cool and stay extended. On normal roads, power is on, heating the spokes to bend back. This allows the tire to dynamically morph between a straight configuration for mud and a bent configuration for normal roads using thermal stimulation.

17. Tire with Dual Carcass Structure and Electromagnetic Shape Deformation for Traction Adjustment and Electricity Generation

CHENG SHIN RUBBER IND CO LTD, 2021

Tire with deformable profile and a method to dynamically change its shape to optimize traction and generate electricity. The tire has an inner carcass surrounded by an outer carcass. Conductive elements on each carcass generate magnetic fields that repel or attract each other, changing the distance between the carcasses and effectively deforming the tire shape. This allows adjusting tire profile for better grip on varying surfaces. The deformation also increases friction between two friction layers inside the tire, generating electricity through friction.

CN112277539A-patent-drawing

18. Pneumatic Tire with Electrically Adjustable Graphene-Embedded Variable Width Tread Features

NEXEN TIRE CORP, 2020

Pneumatic tire with variable width grooves, cuffs, and sipe edges that can adapt their widths based on conditions. The tires have graphene embedded in the tread around these features. During rolling, the tire's motion converts to electrical energy in the graphene. An electronic control system can then apply power to the graphene to straighten the adjacent variable material. This allows variably changing the widths of the grooves, cuffs, and sipe edges using electrical signals. It enables tailoring tread performance for different scenarios like wet vs dry vs snow by selectively widening/narrowing specific areas.

KR20200145944A-patent-drawing

19. Tire with Adjustable Deformation Mechanism Incorporating Manual Gate Valve and Air Cylinder

LIU HUIJIE, 2020

A tire with adjustable deformation to improve traction and prevent slipping on wet or slippery roads, and reduce rolling resistance on long downhill stretches. The tire has a circular inner tube, manual gate valve, air cylinder, and outer tread. The cylinder allows adjusting tire pressure on the go to optimize grip and rolling resistance based on road conditions. This prevents slipping on wet roads and excessive braking on downhill stretches by dynamically adjusting tire stiffness.

20. Tire with Sensor-Controlled Deformable Tread Blocks for Adaptive Road Surface Response

HANKOOK TIRE & TECH CO LTD, HANKOOK TIRE & TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2020

Tire with adjustable tread pattern to improve traction and stability on different road conditions. The tire has a tread with multiple blocks that can deform in response to road conditions. Sensors detect the road surface and independently control deformation of the inner and outer blocks. During cornering, blocks protrude to increase grip. This adaptive tread design aims to optimize traction and stability based on real-time road conditions.

21. Radially Adjustable Tread Depth Wheel with Electrically Actuated Push Rod Mechanism

22. Adaptive Tire with Heating Elements, Selectively Inflatable Chambers, and Dual-Material Tread Compounds

23. Wheel with Electrically Adjustable Tire Tread Depth via Internal Push Rod Mechanism

24. Tire with Radially Adjustable Tread Elements and Integrated Displacement Mechanism

25. Tire with Dynamically Adjustable Width Featuring Variable Tread Diameter Mechanism

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