Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is turning its attention to future generations of vehicles and service with the opening of an office in Silicon Valley.
The tire maker says the move will help it connect with automakers, suppliers and mobility-related startups. Here's a look at what the company's first Silicon Valley office will focus on first:
- how to optimize tires and service solutions for autonomous vehicles and ride sharing fleets;
- how to utilize tire and vehicle data to plan for tire replacement and service; and
- how to connect with leaders in the automotive industry to accelerate its own innovation platforms.
"People don't immediately associate tires with the digital transformation in the automotive industry, but we see an unprecedented opportunity for tire electronics and information systems to improve vehicle performance, safety and, ultimately, the consumer experience," says Chris Helsel, Goodyear's chief technology officer."
The new Goodyear office is located in Sunnyvale, Calif., at the Plug and Play Tech Center, the world's largest global technology accelerator and venture fund. Goodyear is a founding member of Plug and Play's mobility platform, launched in 2016. Learn more about the Plug and Play Tech Center in this video:
"Our goal is to build smarter, connected products and services for future generations of vehicles and business models," says Helsel. "We are open for business in the Silicon Valley to connect with the best and brightest thinkers around the future of mobility."
For more information about Goodyear, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.
