PRODUCT

Loose Wheel Indicator

Early detection of wheel loosening through advanced signal processing.

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Software-based loose wheel detection

Wheel loosening is a serious safety issue worldwide, leading to injuries, material damage and, in severe cases, casualties. A detached wheel can exceed speeds of 100 km/h and bounce dozens of meters, posing risks not only to the affected vehicle but also to other motorists and vulnerable road users.

Loose Wheel Indicator (LWI) is a software based solution that uses the vehicle’s existing sensors to create a high performance monitoring system, without requiring any additional hardware. By analyzing the spectrum content of the wheel speed signals, LWI determines if a wheel is loose and identifies which specific wheel is affected.

Prevent wheel detachment through early detection

Many lost wheels are caused by basic issues such as using the wrong bolts or nuts, over or under-torque, omitted retorquing, dirt and corrosion. Basic issues, that have led to thousands of accidents each year. No education or information campaign will ever solve this problem entirely, people simply make mistakes, laymen as well as professionals. To think, these accidents could have been avoided – if only the driver knew the wheels were loose a little earlier.

Fortunately, from now on there’s a perfect solution for that: Loose Wheel Indicator (LWI) by NIRA. With it, the driver is alerted to any loose wheel – well before it risks falling off – making it possible to avoid ending up in a dangerous situation.

Real-Time Monitoring

Early Detection

Immediate Driver Alert

Seamless Integration

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Key capabilities of Loose Wheel Indicator (LWI):

Early detection of wheel loosening within minutes from the first vibration patterns, well before wheel detachment or major damage occurs, even at an air gap of 1 mm on all bolts.
Improved road safety for drivers and other road users through timely loose wheel warnings.
Continuous wheel monitoring ensures that wheel loosening does not go unnoticed.
Detailed driver warnings with optional wheel isolation functionality.
Maintenance-free operation with no driver reset required and automatic system recovery.

With increased car sharing, and autonomous vehicles around the corner, smarter vehicle diagnostics is quickly becoming a necessity.

Who knows what a vehicle should feel and sound like when driving it the first time?

Do you notice strange noises when being busy and driving half-autonomously?

With the successful Tire Pressure Indicator we covered tire under inflation, the most common wheel problems. With Loose Wheel Indicator, we’re addressing yet another common and serious wheel problem, making driving even safer.

Loose wheel monitoring interface

LWI integrates seamlessly into the vehicle’s existing interface, providing an enhanced, real-time visualization of loose wheel detection and wheel status. Drivers can instantly see when attention is required and access detailed component-level information when needed. All critical information is presented in a simple, intuitive format, ensuring clarity without distraction.

Reliable loose wheel detection and warnings

The algorithm is tuned for rapid detection and robust performance, supported by NIRA’s unique database built from test cases covering many millions of kilometers worldwide, including hundreds of vehicles and thousands of tires and wheels. Loose Wheel Indicator issues a warning only when wheel loosening is detected and provides clear driver instructions. With its self-healing functionality, the warning is automatically cleared after a short period of driving once the wheel bolts have been properly tightened.

Loose Wheel Indicator – in less than a minute

A high-performance software solution, Loose Wheel Indicator detects if a wheel is loose by analyzing the wheel speed signals – greatly increasing safety. Here’s how it works.

Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions about Loose Wheel Indicator (LWI):

What is the Loose Wheel Indicator (LWI)?

The Loose Wheel Indicator (LWI) is a software-based wheel looseness detection system developed by NIRA Dynamics that identifies early signs of wheel bolt or nut loosening using existing wheel speed sensors, without requiring any additional hardware. LWI continuously monitors the wheels while the vehicle is in motion and provides a instant driver warning if loosening is detected.

How does Loose Wheel Indicator detect a loose wheel?

Loose Wheel Indicator uses advanced signal processing to analyze data from the vehicle’s existing wheel speed sensors. When a wheel begins to loosen, it affects the wheel’s rotational behavior. LWI detects these changes in signal patterns and determines which wheel is affected.

Does Loose Wheel Indicator require additional sensors or hardware?

No. LWI is a fully software-based solution that uses already available wheel speed sensor signals. It does not require additional in-wheel sensors, mechanical components, batteries, or radio communication modules.

Can Loose Wheel Indicator identify which wheel is loosening?

Yes. LWI identifies which specific wheel shows signs of loosening and provides a corresponding driver alert.

How is the Loose Wheel Indicator presented to the driver?

Loose Wheel Indicator is visualized directly in the vehicle’s existing interface. The system provides clear and intuitive warnings, enabling the driver to quickly understand which wheel is affected and take appropriate action.

What makes NIRA Dynamics’ Loose Wheel Indicator unique?

Loose Wheel Indicator applies NIRA Dynamics’ expertise in signal processing and vehicle dynamics to detect wheel loosening through software. By using existing vehicle sensors, LWI enables continuous monitoring without adding physical components to the vehicle.

How is Loose Wheel Indicator integrated into vehicles?

LWI is typically integrated into the vehicle’s existing control unit, such as the ABS or ESC system. Since it relies on existing sensor signals, no additional hardware components are required for implementation.

What are the benefits of a software-based loose wheel detection system?

A software-based solution like LWI:

Uses existing vehicle sensors.
Does not require additional hardware.
Enables continuous monitoring while driving.
Supports integration into modern vehicle architectures.

Is Loose Wheel Indicator suitable for electric vehicles?

Yes. Because LWI is software-based and does not require additional hardware, it can be integrated into electric vehicles as well as other modern vehicle platforms.

How does Loose Wheel Indicator provide robust detection?

Loose Wheel Indicator applies advanced signal processing to analyze wheel speed sensor data and detect patterns associated with wheel loosening. The system is developed to provide robust and reliable detection during normal vehicle operation.