SRI Invests $104 Million in AI for Fleet Services

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI) has acquired a U.S. AI solutions business for $104 million to bolster the predictive maintenance services it can offer fleets, beginning in North America.

SRI and Viaduct Inc. have collaborated on projects since 2023 and the tiremaker initially invested in Viaduct in 2024. At the time SRI said it expected to roll out its complete fleet management solutions "that combine maintenance, insurance and leasing" by the late 2020s.

SRI and Viaduct have worked to combine the tiremaker's tire sensing technology, Sensing Core, with Viaduct's AI capabilities. SRI says the partnership "will enable Sumitomo Rubber to more efficiently roll out predictive maintenance services for fleet vehicles operated by corporations and organizations in North America starting this October."

It will also help the tiremaker to expand those capabilities globally, with specific targets of Japan and Europe in the future.

"By notifying users of optimal parts replacement timing, the service aims to prevent vehicle breakdowns, streamline maintenance, and expand into areas such as parts ordering and work instructions — creating synergies with Sumitomo’s tire business."

The goal of the service launching in October is to "help fleet operators reduce downtime and maintenance costs, while also improving on-road safety and vehicle utilization," SRI said in its press release.

Viaduct says its AI technology can analyze data from both vehicles and factories to detect and predict anomalies while also finding their root causes. Viaduct is looking to expand its reach beyond the automotive industry as well. Ultimately SRI sees an avenue to make Sensing Core and the peripheral services into the company's fourth core business, alongside tires, sports and industrial products. By 2030 SRI says this fourth core could generate 10 billion yen in operating profit.

Satoru Yamamoto, president and CEO of SRI, says, "As we prepare for the coming era of autonomous driving, we are delighted to have found a trusted partner in Viaduct to help expand our Sensing Core services, which are highly compatible with next-generation vehicles."