Sumitomo Rubber and Fujitsu Advance AI Tire Design with Faster Simulation Technology

Sumitomo Rubber Industries and Fujitsu announced on June 3 that they have jointly developed an AI tire design technology capable of predicting tire performance with high accuracy while significantly reducing analysis time. The newly developed AI surrogate model was validated through a proof-of-concept project focused on analyzing tire deformation when tires come into contact with road surfaces. The initiative forms part of Sumitomo Rubber’s long-term strategy to advance design digital transformation and enhance development efficiency through data-driven engineering methods.

The proof of concept demonstrated a substantial reduction in computational time, cutting the structural analysis process from approximately 45 minutes to around 5 minutes. Despite the significant acceleration, the system maintained the capability to analyze approximately 600,000 mesh elements, highlighting its potential to support complex tire development activities. By combining advanced simulation methods with artificial intelligence, the technology enables engineers to evaluate tire behavior more rapidly while maintaining the accuracy required for product development and validation.

Proof-of-Concept Performance Results

The following table summarizes the key outcomes achieved during the verification phase of the AI surrogate model.

Roadmap Toward Practical Tire Design Applications

Following the successful proof of concept, both companies will move forward with the development of a dedicated design support tool intended for tire engineering applications. The objective is to achieve practical implementation within Sumitomo Rubber by April 2027. Through the adoption of this solution, the company aims to accelerate development cycles, improve engineering productivity, and strengthen its ability to deliver high-quality tires featuring enhanced safety and environmental characteristics. The project also supports broader efforts to integrate digital technologies into product development workflows.

Integration with Next-Generation Computing Platforms

The AI tire design technology is intended to operate on FUJITSU-MONAKA, a next-generation Arm-based CPU being developed by Fujitsu. The processor is designed to balance high-performance computing capabilities with improved energy efficiency. Looking ahead, the companies plan to begin verification activities using a FUJITSU-MONAKA prototype by December 2026. These activities will focus on optimizing inference speed, prediction accuracy, and power efficiency, ensuring the technology can support demanding engineering workloads while maintaining sustainable computing performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main benefit of the AI tire design technology developed by Sumitomo Rubber and Fujitsu?
The primary benefit is a dramatic reduction in tire performance analysis time while maintaining high prediction accuracy. During testing, the AI surrogate model reduced structural analysis time from about 45 minutes to approximately 5 minutes, representing a 90% improvement. This allows engineers to evaluate tire designs much faster, accelerate product development cycles, improve design efficiency, and support the creation of safer and more environmentally friendly tires through data-driven engineering processes.

When will the new AI-powered tire design tool be implemented?
Sumitomo Rubber and Fujitsu are targeting practical implementation of the design support tool by April 2027. Following the successful proof-of-concept phase, the companies will continue development and validation activities to refine the technology. Additional verification on the FUJITSU-MONAKA prototype is planned by December 2026, focusing on improving inference speed, accuracy, and power efficiency before the solution is deployed within commercial tire development operations.