5G-Connected Tires Being Used to Facilitate Road Repairs
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Drivers know about potholes, frost heaves and pavement erosion long before the government organization in charge of the roads does. In Italy, that timing is becoming more equal.
The Apulia (Puglia) Regional Government launched a pilot project with Pirelli to test the company's Cyber Tyre functionality, mapping the area's road network and increasing safety. The project aims to create a "state of health" for the region's roads.
Pirelli's Cyber Tyre gathers data via an embedded sensor and then transmits it to the car's electronic control unit using 5G technology. The data is then transferred to onboard devices, like an infotainment screen.
Three Pirelli tire lines feature the Cyber technology: Pirelli P Zero (PZ4), P Zero Corsa and P Zero Winter. Cyber-enabled tires are distinguished by a "C" on the sidewall.
Work in progress in the highway the text reads 'Reduce speed because there are Men at Work' in Italian.
Work in progress in the highway the text reads 'Reduce speed because there are Men at Work' in Italian.
iStockphoto/Getty
The data the tires transmit will be paired with data collected by Univrses technology via cameras on the test vehicle. It is the first project in the world that is capable of unifying the two types of data.
"The Apulia Region is proud of this forward-looking agreement, as we always are when it comes to ensuring the safety of citizens. Technology can save lives. In this case, it will be useful as a thermometer of the state of health of our roads," President of the Apulia Region, Michele Emiliano, told Newsweek.
"When you systematize factors such as innovation, intelligent and long-term planning, the exchange of best practices with a historic Italian and world tyre company, the result is an historic agreement, which does not entail any charges for the Region and I am sure will bring significant results," he continued.
The cars for the project have been supplied by Ayvens, a rental company that offers long-term rental services and fleet management. They are on the Apulian roads collecting data today.
"For Pirelli's digital development, Apulia is becoming an important center of excellence, fully integrated with our other research hubs around the world. At the heart of this innovation and the related activities lies the Cyber Tyre technology: this hardware and software system not only enables a connection between the road surface and the vehicle's control systems, but also allows for precise analysis of road infrastructure conditions, contributing to increased road safety," Marco Tronchetti Provera, executive vice chairman of Pirelli, told Newsweek.
The project is preparing Pirelli for the connected technology that will rule the day in tomorrow's smart cities. "In the future, Pirelli Cyber Tyre will also be able to provide essential information in anticipation of the advent of smart cities, communicating with the surrounding environment and other vehicles through 5G connectivity," the executive said.
Highway with the signs of the locations of Southern Italy Naples Salerno Reggio Calabria Pescara and Bari with several cars running.
Highway with the signs of the locations of Southern Italy Naples Salerno Reggio Calabria Pescara and Bari with several cars running.
iStockphoto/Getty
Pirelli has long-standing business interests in the Apulia Region. Part of its research and development team works out of Bari in the Digital Solutions Center, a software factory focused entirely on digital innovation.
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It's not just about symbolism — it's about economic justice and dignity,' he said via email. The backlash Prada faced 'wasn't just about a sandal,' Amed added. 'It was a broader reaction to a long history of erasure and under-acknowledgment.' Homegrown designers are helping to change things. Indian fashion is having a striking impact on red carpets worldwide — and not only on the backs of Bollywood stars. Western celebrities are increasingly embracing Indian designers, too. Cardi B wore a custom-made, electric blue, hooded sculptural gown by Gaurav Gupta to the 2023 Grammys, while Zendaya walked the carpet in a shimmering, hand-embroidered blue sari gown by Rahul Mishra at a high-profile event in Mumbai months earlier. Kim Kardashian, meanwhile, has worn designs by the likes of Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who last year became the first Indian fashion designer to attend the exclusive Met Gala in New York. 'It's a powerful shift, almost like we're reclaiming our own narrative,' Gaurav Gupta told CNN. 'Designers from India are now presenting on the global stage not as 'ethnic' alternatives, but as innovators with our own language, our own shapes, our own ideologies. We're not adapting to fit in anymore; we're expressing to stand out.' For many Indians, the Kolhapuri chappals that Prada said it was 'inspired' by represent the ingenuity and artistry of Kolhapur, a historic city nestled in the country's western Maharashtra state. Typically crafted from locally sourced buffalo hide and tanned using traditional vegetable dyes, the sandals could effectively withstand the relentless heat and rugged terrain of the Deccan Plateau. The distinctive toe loop, which is attached to the T-strap, helped keep them close to the wearers' feet. Cutting across generational and social divides, the Kolhapuri chappal embodies both the enduring spirit of rural India and a bridge to contemporary fashion. The shoe is protected by a coveted 'geographical indication' tag — like the one ensuring Champagne is only produced in France's Champagne region — that, in theory, safeguards this symbol of Indian heritage from copycats. 'It's something truly Indian,' said Shubhika Sharma, the prominent Indian fashion designer and founder of the label Papa Don't Preach, in a video interview. Prada's initial failure to acknowledge the Indian artisans behind the design amounted to a 'missed opportunity for Indian craftsmanship,' Sharma added. About 10,000 artisan families in Kolhapur are engaged in the chappal trade, according to local media reports, though many of them struggle in poor conditions and earn low wages. In India, Kolhapuri chappals can retail for as little as $5 or as much as $100, depending on the quality of leather and level of craftsmanship. While Prada's sandals had not hit the market at the time of last month's controversy, the luxury fashion house's shoes typically retail at prices ranging from $700 to well over $2,000. For Sharma, 'everything just boils down to respect,' she said. 'Was due respect given to the creator, to the person who originated it, to the culture that originated it?' Some Western labels have proven better at engaging with Indian audiences than others. In 2023, Dior made headlines by hosting a landmark runway show at Mumbai's historic Gateway of India, unveiling a Pre-Fall collection that celebrated the subcontinent's artistry. The collection featured Banarasi brocade, mirror work, tie-dye detailing, Nehru collars and kurta tailoring — motifs deeply rooted in Indian tradition and craftsmanship. Many of the embroideries and textiles on the runway were made by the Mumbai atelier Chanakya International, which was credited for its role. 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For Diet Sabya's founder, however, much more must be done to ensure genuine recognition for Indian talent and traditions. 'When India is being eyed as the next big luxury market, you can't keep treating it like an exotic pitstop,' they said. 'While a few brands are finally acknowledging us as the global textile powerhouse we are — it's still crumbs. Visibility is a start. But equity is the end goal.'
