Swedish automotive software specialist NIRA Dynamics AB has entered into a strategic partnership with South Korea-based BANF Smart Tire System to enhance vehicle safety and predictive maintenance, particularly for commercial fleets. The collaboration, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, will see BANF’s advanced tire sensor technology integrated into NIRA’s robust software platforms, improving real-time monitoring and expanding safety insights for trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles.
A global leader in sensor fusion and connected mobility, NIRA Dynamics brings over two decades of experience in developing automotive software solutions. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Linköping, Sweden, NIRA’s technologies are currently embedded in more than 120 million vehicles. Its indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring System (iTPMS) alone has surpassed 110 million units in global deployments, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainable, sensor-based safety systems.
Integrating Advanced Hardware into a Proven Software Platform
Through the agreement, NIRA will incorporate BANF’s high-frequency triaxial tire sensors into its Road Surface Information (RSI) and Wheel Safety Insights (WSI) platforms. These systems currently deliver key functions—such as tire grip estimation, tread wear analysis, and loose wheel detection—by processing data from onboard sensors using proprietary algorithms.
BANF’s Smart Profiler solution offers a major technical advancement. Its ability to wirelessly power tire-embedded sensors while maintaining a direct connection to the vehicle’s battery allows continuous data collection from rotating wheels—long a challenge in tire digitization. With sampling rates of 1kHz and 4kHz, BANF’s sensors will significantly increase the resolution of NIRA’s data, enabling more accurate insights into vehicle load dynamics and dual-tire configurations.
“This collaboration accelerates our vision of building a comprehensive vehicle intelligence network,” said Otto Johansson, Head of Innovation at NIRA Dynamics. “Our software processes vast amounts of data across millions of vehicles. Integrating BANF’s tire-level hardware opens up new opportunities in predictive maintenance and advanced driver assistance systems.”
From Software-Only to Fully Integrated Safety Solutions
NIRA’s shift from software-only offerings to integrated safety solutions reflects the broader evolution of the automotive industry. Its Tire Pressure Indicator (TPI) technology eliminated the need for physical sensors by using wheel speed data, reducing electronic waste by an estimated 40,000 tons since 2005. The latest generation, TPI UX, offers improved accuracy and global TPMS compliance.
NIRA’s partnerships with leading automotive manufacturers, including the Volkswagen Group, have led to innovations such as Road Surface Alerts, which deliver real-time road hazard notifications based on friction and vehicle data.
Addressing Safety and Operational Needs of Commercial Fleets
The partnership also supports NIRA’s growing focus on the commercial vehicle sector, where safety remains a critical concern. According to the Swedish Tire Safety Council, thousands of wheel detachment incidents occur annually. NIRA’s Loose Wheel Indicator (LWI), introduced in Audi vehicles in 2017, uses existing wheel speed sensors to detect potential lug nut loosening. This technology is now being adapted for trucks and buses through BANF’s integration.
Operational benefits for fleet managers are also expected. NIRA’s Winter Road Insights platform already assists Scandinavian road agencies in optimizing road treatment strategies. With the addition of BANF’s wear prediction algorithms, fleet operators can better manage tire replacement schedules and improve fuel efficiency.
“Our mission is to bring cost-efficiency, safety, and environmental protection by digitizing tires—still one of the last analog elements in modern mobility,” said Ron Yoogun Lee, Head of Business Development at BANF.
Enabling Predictive Infrastructure and Autonomous Mobility
Looking ahead, NIRA is extending its applications beyond traditional safety systems. Its Road Surface Conditions product creates friction-based “grip maps” to help SAE Level 2 and 3 autonomous vehicles adjust driving behavior in real time. The integration of BANF’s sensors will enhance this capability by adding granular tire-level data.
NIRA is also building artificial intelligence models that draw from millions of connected vehicles to support predictive infrastructure maintenance—ensuring not just vehicle safety, but improved road conditions for all.
The collaboration between NIRA Dynamics and BANF marks a significant advancement in the development of integrated, software-defined vehicle safety systems. By combining NIRA’s deep expertise in automotive algorithms with BANF’s breakthrough in tire sensor hardware, the partnership is set to redefine how the industry approaches tire health, vehicle safety, and road condition monitoring. As connected mobility continues to evolve, NIRA remains well-positioned to deliver smarter, safer, and more sustainable transportation solutions.
This news was sourced from PR Newswire.
