A new technology that could see tires generate electricity whilst driving is being developed by engineers in Japan. Falken’s parent company, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, together with Professor Hiroshi Tani of Kansai University, have developed the Energy Harvester that takes advantage of the buildup of static electricity, known as frictional charging, to produce power efficiently as the tire turns.

Inside the Energy Harvester are two layers of rubber each covered in an electrode, along with a negatively charged film that interfaces with a positively charged film. When fixed to the inside of a conventional tire carcass it generates electricity as the tire deforms during rotation.

Engineers believe the Energy Harvester could lead to practical applications as a power source for sensors used in TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems) and other automotive devices without the need for batteries.