720264TreadReader Hand Held Tyre Measurement DeviceClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKPoor monitoring of tyre wear is a major source of waste in fuel, tyres and CO2 emissions for commercial vehicles and passenger cars. Infrequent tyre checks also results in the failure to detect illegal tyres that compromise road safety. UK surveys indicate >3.6 million vehicles 11%) have at least one illegal tyre that lead to >40 deaths pa. Moreover, this results in 20% lost revenue for workshops and garages in tyres and tyre related services. Sigmavision’s TreadReader tyre inspection technology provides a fast and effective way to monitor tyre wear on a vehicle. The innovative steps of the technology are its compactness and ability to generate a 3D profile of the tyre tread. A successful TSB DOP project (#720004) has developed a drive over ramp prototype which directly secured the company’s first commercial TreadReader contract with a global garage equipment OEM. This contract alone will generate £6 million sales over the next three years. Further global opportunities now exist for TreadReader in both drive over ramp and held held scanner versions. TreadReader is protected with an international PCT patent application. A portable hand held scanner is required for applications involving existing operators and inspectors. A working model has been evaluated but requires significant development of functional specifications, optical hardware, software, electronic and mechanical design in order to create a solution that is fit for purpose and cost viable. A further DOP application is therefore proposed to produce a prototype hand held device meeting these requirements. Technical risks are low as they build on a successful DOP project for the drive over ramp. Commercial exploitation builds on existing opportunities with OE and end user clients in both passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors. The global market potential for TreadReader is estimated at >£3.6 billion which allows revenue generation of >£20 million and employment for >120 people in the UK.