Transense Technologies plc (AIM:  TRT) is pleased to announce 
the  full commercial launch  of its new  'iProbe' multi-function tyre inspection 
tool.  Developed over a  long period by  its subsidiary Translogik and following 
consultation  with  potential  customers  as  to  their requirements, the iProbe 
provides wireless measurement of tread depth, tyre temperature and tyre pressure 
combined  with  integrated  RFID  (Radio  Frequency Identification) tag and TPMS 
(Temperature Pressure Monitoring System) sensor reading capabilities. 
 
Commercialisation 
 
The  first  production  run  of  probes  has  been fully sold to customers which 
include  the  world's  three  largest  tyre manufacturers. Additionally, several 
fleet  providers  around  the  world  have  purchased  the iProbe, and commenced 
software  integration work at  their expense to  integrate the iProbe with their 
systems. 
 
Development 
 
The  iProbe  is  a  development  of  the  existing  technology  from the current 
Translogik  Tread Depth  & Pressure  Probe. The  iProbe builds  upon this proven 
design  and is constructed  to an exacting  specification, to meet the stringent 
demands  of the fleet tyre maintenance  market.  Significant market research was 
undertaken  during the product design phase  to ensure that the iProbe fulfilled 
all  the requirements of its  target markets. Key amongst  these was the need to 
have   sufficient   read-range   to   interrogate   RFID   tags  in  'dual-tyre' 
configurations - where the inside tyre tag can be up to 50cm away from the probe 
antenna.  The Directors of Transense believe that attaining this read-range from 
an  antenna  small  enough  to  fit  within  the  compact dimensions of a tough, 
lightweight  hand-held product represents a significant technical achievement by 
the Translogik engineers. 
 
New features 
 
The  ability to read and write to RFID tyre tags is a significant new feature as 
tyre  manufactures begin to launch truck and  bus tyres with embedded RFID tags, 
and  patches incorporating RFID tags are  increasingly adopted as an aftermarket 
solution.  At  the  recent  Technology  and  Maintenance  Council  (TMC) show in 
Florida, the iProbe was demonstrated where it read an RFID tag embedded within a 
Goodyear  G572 truck tyre. This is the first commercially available RFID enabled 
truck tyre. 
 
Advantages 
 
Use  of passive RFID tags offers significant advantages over traditional optical 
tyre identification methods in terms of durability, reliability and ease of use, 
allowing  for accurate real-time asset management in order to maximise tyre life 
and  performance, and reduce theft and counterfeiting.  The iProbe has a modular 
design  that allows additional functionality to be added as customers require it 
ensuring  the iProbes' abilities can expand as customers' own requirements grow. 
Transense  sees  that  an  increasing  number  of  software  solution and system 
integrators are adopting the iProbe. 
 
Complete Inspection Solution 
 
The  Directors of Transense believe that by providing a complete tyre inspection 
solution  (previously  only  available  from  two  or  more  separate inspection 
products)  in  a  single  wireless  device  brings  new levels of functionality, 
accuracy and efficiency to the tyre management market, at a market leading price 
point.  The iProbe's 'one-click' wireless  data collection function, as compiled 
by  Translogik during product trials, can  reduce vehicle inspection times by up 
to 60% and can virtually eliminate data errors, whilst also offering significant 
cost  savings in on-going tyre  maintenance, not only in  terms of time savings, 
but  also in the quality and accuracy of tyre data so allowing fleet managers to 
extract the maximum possible return on their tyre investment. 
 
 
 
Graham Storey, CEO of Transense Technologies, commented: 
 
"We  are excited about the  prospects for the new  iProbe. We set out to develop 
the  industry-leading purpose-built tyre inspection tool, and we believe we have 
achieved that. At a time when the cost of tyres and fuel continue to increase at 
an  alarming  rate,  the  iProbe  provides  an  all-in-one solution to the asset 
management market for maximising the return on their tyre investment. We believe 
the  iProbe is the  'Swiss Army Knife'  of tyre inspection  and audit tools. The 
potential  market,  while  already  significant,  is  set to grow rapidly as the 
requirement   to   collect   data  electronically,  accurately  and  efficiently 
increases".