Automotive

Fobo pumps up Bluetooth Tire Pressure Monitoring system

View 10 Images
A tri-level alert system notifies drivers of a tire's condition and informs if the tire becomes dangerously low
Installation of the Fobo TPMS is as simple as replacing the tire cap on each wheel then syncing up with the installed app
The Fobo app shows real time pressures in each tire and monitors tires 24/7
The Fobo tire gauge connects to the supplied app through either an Android or iOS smartphone equipped with Bluetooth 4.0
The Fobo gauge uses a single CR2032 battery for each individual sensor unit, that the company claims should last two years,depending on temperatures
The app can be cross paired so other drivers can use the vehicle and access tire data on their smartphones
For corporate clients, the device can be setup to monitor up to 20 cars from one app and allow up to 100 users to drive and monitor different cars when sharing mode is activated
While the tire mounted devices would be easy to steal, each sensor is keyed to the owner’s own Fobo cloud account, making theft pointless
The Fobo system includes an In-car unit that acts as a backup system should users forget their smartphones
A tri-level alert system notifies drivers of a tire's condition and informs if the tire becomes dangerously low
The Fobo TPMS system is compatible with either an Android or iOS smartphone equipped with Bluetooth 4.0
View gallery - 10 images

The days of guessing how much air is in that one leaky tire may be over. Paired up with an Android or iOS device, Fobo’s new Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) uses Bluetooth 4.0 and individual tire sensors to actively monitor pressures and provide real time data to user’s smartphones on a 24/7 basis.

The company, which has already designed the Fobo Max Bluetooth wireless tag for tracking belongings, is now expanding its offerings to include a real time tire monitoring system. While we've seen a number of Bluetooth-enabled tire pressure monitoring sensors for bikes and motorbikes, Fobo claims its offering is a first for cars.

The Bluetooth 4.0-enabled smart gauge is about as simple to install as the wee cap it replaces. Using two AA batteries for the "In-Car" unit and a single CR2032 button battery for each individual sensor unit, the Fobo Tire gauge connects to the companion app on an Android or iOS smartphone.

Installation of the Fobo TPMS is as simple as replacing the tire cap on each wheel then syncing up with the installed app

According to the designers, each tire receives its own unique identifier that allows accurate readouts to be provided for the individual tires, with a three-level alert raised on the phone should one of the tires drop below acceptable levels. More aggressive alerts are given should the pressure drop to dangerous levels where the system feels it’s unsafe to drive.

A backup system, that relies on the in-car unit, takes over monitoring and provides notifications should the user forget their smartphone. The system, which is effectively in monitoring mode 24/7, will also provide users real-time information from up to 30 m (100 ft) away when not in the car.

For corporate clients, the device can also be setup to monitor up to 20 cars from one app, which also allows up to 100 users to drive and monitor different cars when sharing mode is activated. While the tire-mounted devices would be easy to steal, each sensor is keyed to the owner’s own Fobo cloud account, making theft pretty pointless.

The Fobo system includes an In-car unit that acts as a backup system should users forget their smartphones

Fobo claims the device is not only waterproof and durable, but that it has been tested in both extreme hot and cold environments. The batteries are expected to last roughly two years in relatively normal temperatures.

Fobo has already reached its goal on an Indiegogo campaign that offers one set of tire monitoring systems for pledges of US$90, which includes four tire sensors, the in-car unit and the free app. If all goes well, deliveries will begin in November.

The team's Indiegogo pitch video can be viewed below.

Source: Fobo

View gallery - 10 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
7 comments
Joop Dresscher
in itself good, doesnt inflate tho.. theft sensitive and balancing wheels a hassle
BigGoofyGuy
I think that is neat. Instead of checking each tire and not knowing which one is in need of inflation, one can just fill the one that needs air. I am glad it doesn't just work with an iPhone but also an Android phone.
Stephen N Russell
Mass produce for all tires & auto makes alone.
John Banister
I would want pass through for filling so I didn't have to remove and possibly lose the expensive tire monitor every time it told me to add air. But then I'd want titanium, to avoid the galvanic corrosion problems that come with aluminum threads for holding valve cores as well.
Xn0r
Should charge based on rotation of the tire.
Peter Verwey
Four tyre sensors in a kit? Most cars have 5 tyres including the spare. Myself personally, I want to know if the spare has enough air as well.
Brian Walter
To bad this team didn1t try to find out if they could put this technologie into aftermarket tire valves. These could be easily fitted by tire vendors. I bet many guys would like a cheap little gadget like that.. The 4x4 crowd or just gadgets lovers in general. 100 buck is a steal