On the 35th episode of Enterprise Software Innovators, hosts Evan Reiser (Abnormal Security) and Saam Motamedi (Greylock Partners) talk with Chris Helsel, SVP of Global Operations and  CTO of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Goodyear is a leading vehicle equipment manufacturer known for producing tires and rubber products for diverse applications, including cars, airplanes, and industrial equipment worldwide. Chris shares his thoughts on the vital role of technology at Goodyear, important blueprints for successfully leveraging AI, and how Goodyear tire sensors are enabling the future of self-driving vehicles.

Chris's journey with Goodyear highlights a remarkable blend of traditional engineering and modern technological advancements. Chris has been pivotal in integrating sophisticated technology into Goodyear's product development, particularly in tire design and performance optimization. His role in transitioning simulation tools from racing tires to consumer and commercial applications exemplifies Goodyear's commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced product innovation. Under Chris's leadership, Goodyear is not just manufacturing tires but redefining the interaction between vehicles and the road. The introduction of tire sensors and the Goodyear Mobility Cloud are prime examples of how Goodyear is utilizing the Internet of Things to transform tires into smart, data-generating devices. "We're bringing IoT to tires by putting sensors in there so they can detect things, specifically managing that contact with the road. It's a job that we uniquely do, and now we're doing it digitally, in addition to the way we've done for 125 years with chemistry and mechanics." This innovation is crucial for developing autonomous vehicles, offering real-time friction prediction and enhancing safety and reliability across diverse driving conditions.

As Goodyear continues to harness the power of tire sensors and the Internet of Things to pioneer advancements in the future of mobility, Chris's vision extends into leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance Goodyear's operational efficiency. By supercharging the creativity and productivity of its engineers and bridging the gap between traditional manufacturing processes, the company is capitalizing on the cutting-edge potential of AI-driven innovation. In discussing the hype surrounding AI, Chris emphasizes the importance of practical applications over speculative endeavors. He shares valuable examples of AI's impact on Goodyear's operations, from improving tire design processes to refining demand forecasting. "If you had tires stacked up next to each other, they have different shapes to the outside contours. That shape dictates a lot of performance because you can impact the shape of that contact with the road significantly with those shapes. We do a lot of simulations to optimize those shapes. As much as we love to go do our first physics simulation, what's even better is we've done thousands of those already today. Why don't we train some AI on that to give us the first prediction of what that mold shape should look like? So we've done that, and now all of a sudden, you're able to hone in on that in half the time." These applications demonstrate AI's potential to revolutionize product development, operational efficiency, and strategic planning within the enterprise.

Goodyear's commitment to innovation goes beyond integrating AI and digital technologies into its operations. Chris highlights the importance of sustainable innovation and exploring new tire technologies as critical drivers for Goodyear's future success. One area where Goodyear is making significant strides is in developing smart tires and utilizing advanced materials to meet the evolving demands of the automotive industry and environmental sustainability. "There's a lot of new materials technology, and we deal a lot with carbon in our space, so there are very interesting technologies with nanotubes, specifically engineered materials...We're in the early stage of thinking about how to use them in our product." Moreover, the goal to make every Goodyear tire smart by 2028 reflects an ambitious vision for the future of tire technology. By embedding sensors and leveraging data analytics, Goodyear aims to revolutionize how tires interact with vehicles and the road, offering unprecedented levels of safety, performance, and efficiency.

It can be challenging to balance the conflicting demands of upholding valued traditions at a 125-year-old company while striving to lead innovation and be forward-thinking. Despite that fact, Goodyear is a testament to technology's transformative power in the automotive and manufacturing industries. Through Chris's stewardship, Goodyear is not only making strides in the automotive world; it's redefining what the drive forward means, ensuring that every mile traveled is safer, more innovative, and more sustainable. As we look to the roads ahead, Goodyear's commitment to innovation is a guiding example, showing the path toward a future where technology and tradition converge to create a world that moves us all forward.

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Listen to Chris's episode here and read the transcript here.