Tyrata

Tyrata, Inc. operates as a tire sensor and data management company, originating as a spin-off from Duke University in 2018. The company was founded by Jesko Windheim, Stephen Brooks, and Aaron Franklin, leveraging technology developed at the university. The initial idea stemmed from a private investor's desire for safer roads following a tire blowout, which led to a collaboration with Duke professor Aaron Franklin. Franklin, whose lab specializes in printed electronics using nanomaterials, explored using these to create sensors that could measure tire tread depth. After initial research and securing patents, the company raised $4.5 million in a Series A round in 2018 to commercialize the technology.

Tyrata's core business involves providing real-time tire monitoring solutions for fleet managers, tire manufacturers, and automotive service centers. The company's business model centers on its IntelliTread™ technology, which monitors, tracks, and predicts tire tread life. This is delivered through two main products: in-tire sensors and the IntelliTread™ Drive-Over System (DOS). The in-tire sensors, based on carbon nanotube technology, are mounted inside the tire and use electrical signals to determine tread depth with high accuracy. The DOS is a more accessible, speed-bump-like unit that vehicles drive over, using primarily magnetic fields to measure the tread thickness across the entire tire width automatically. This system eliminates manual checks and uploads data to the Tyrata.io cloud portal, which provides analytics, detects uneven wear patterns, and alerts managers to potential safety issues or maintenance needs, such as wheel misalignment. Revenue is generated by providing this data and the associated analytics to fleets, helping them reduce operating costs, improve safety, and enhance sustainability.

The company's journey included significant milestones, such as securing a strategic investment from Bridgestone Americas in March 2022 to accelerate the deployment of its solutions. This partnership aimed to integrate Tyrata's data insights with Bridgestone's existing fleet management offerings. The technology evolved from an in-tire electric field sensor to a more practical drive-over magnetic field system to meet the demands of large vehicle fleets for a non-invasive solution. Ultimately, in November 2023, Tyrata was acquired by Bridgestone Americas, marking the successful transition of its technology from a university lab to a commercial product integrated within a major industry player.

Keywords: tire monitoring, tread wear sensor, fleet management, data analytics, drive-over system, automotive safety, vehicle maintenance, carbon nanotubes, asset tracking, predictive analytics