Pirelli & Univrses: Harnessing AI Vision in Tyre Technology

Pirelli has signed an agreement with Univrses for the integration of AI computer vision technologies into the Cyber Tyre System.

The Swedish 3D computer vision and machine learning company will contribute its 3DAI platform to the tyre manufacturer's sensor-based infrastructure monitoring solutions.

The agreement could expand applications for autonomous vehicle systems and road network monitoring.

Pirelli will acquire a 30% stake in Univrses with an option to reach majority ownership.

Cyber Tyre system architecture

According to Pirelli, the Cyber Tyre is a hardware and software system that collects data from sensors embedded inside tyres.

The system processes information through proprietary software and algorithms before communicating in real time with vehicle electronics.

The company has announced that production of the Cyber Tyre will begin at its Georgia facility in the US.

This follows a governance dispute involving the Italian government and Pirelli's Chinese investor Sinochem.

Pirelli Chief Executive Officer Andrea Casaluci says: "The agreement with Univrses further enhances our Cyber Tyre platform, thanks to advanced AI-based artificial vision technologies.

"The collaboration between Pirelli and Univrses will make a significant contribution to the ongoing transformation of cars into true software-defined vehicles."

Andrea says that the combination of technologies from both companies could support autonomous driving applications.

3DAI infrastructure digitisation platform

Univrses' 3DAI system digitises urban and roadside infrastructure by transforming roads and road assets into real-time data streams.

According to Pirelli, the combination of sensor data from tyres and visual data from Univrses' camera systems could create new capabilities for autonomous vehicle navigation.

Over the past seven years, Univrses has worked with vehicle manufacturers to develop advanced driver assistance functionality.

The company's software is integrated into flagship models from several global brands.

Univrses has previously collaborated with Volvo Group and Mercedes-Benz and now supports authorities across Europe, including Sweden's Trafikverket and National Highways in the UK.

Univrses Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Selbie says: "Continuous monitoring and data are becoming the new foundation for infrastructure asset management, and Univrses technology is able to provide powerful analytical capabilities based on reliable and frequently updated data.

"In this context, we are pleased to welcome Pirelli as an investor and to take our partnership to the next level: we will join forces to deliver increasingly advanced services and products."

Advanced manufacturing in Georgia

Pirelli's Rome facility in Georgia produces tyres for the high-value segment and motorsport applications.

The company has selected this manufacturing site to begin Cyber Tyre production in the US.

The tyre manufacturer is finalising the introduction of the Modular Integrated Robotized System production process at the site. A

ccording to Pirelli, this process will be the most advanced manufacturing system for high-end production within the entire Pirelli Group.

Claudio Zanardo, Chief Executive Officer of Pirelli North America, says: "The start of Cyber Tyre production in our Rome, Georgia, plant is a significant milestone for Pirelli in this country.

"It reflects our commitment to bringing advanced technologies like Cyber Tyre closer to the market, further strengthening our industrial footprint and innovation capabilities in the United States."

Pirelli says exact investment and output expansion details in Georgia will be communicated in the coming months following finalisation of development plans.

US manufacturing and governance

According to Reuters, a governance dispute emerged before the decision to manufacture in the US.

The dispute related to concerns that Pirelli could fall foul of US rules restricting the use of Chinese technology in the automotive sector.

Reuters adds that Pirelli moved production to the US after Italy curbed the influence of Pirelli's Chinese investor Sinochem. Sinochem owns a 34.1% stake in Pirelli.

The Italian government's actions were an attempt to help the tyre manufacturer's expansion into the US market.

Regional road monitoring pilot

A first project in collaboration with Univrses is underway in Italy.

In 2025, Pirelli and the Puglia Region launched a monitoring system for the regional road network to create a current map of infrastructure conditions.

The system provides analyses based on data collected by tyres and processed through the Cyber Tyre platform.

This is combined with visual data collected through cameras and interpreted using Univrses technology.

The Puglia project could demonstrate how sensor-equipped tyres and computer vision systems work together for infrastructure assessment.

The combined data streams could provide authorities with more frequent updates on road conditions than traditional inspection methods.