Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company has implemented RFID in tires, and passed a real life test recently.

The RFID-tagged tires were used in a Nascar race, providing an excellent opportunity for field testing:

This weekend, Goodyear's RFID technology passed its first major real-life test when NASCAR used it for Saturday's Craftsman Truck Series race at Homestead - Miami Speedway in Florida.

"A multitude of passenger tire advances, such as innovative tread designs and new construction techniques, have evolved from our racing roots. Now RFID technology is following that same path," said Steve Roth, Goodyear's director of vehicle systems. "The fast-paced, high-pressure racing environment was the perfect real-life test for our patented, embedded RFID tag, which has been in development in our laboratories for several years," he said.

This implementation is part of a leased tire program. RFID enabled thousands of new and used tires to be quickly logged in upon their return at the end of the race before the teams could depart the track.

I find two things interesting about this announcement:

(1) The press release hints at the possibility of adding additional capabilities -- perhaps sensor capability. Consider what would happen if a sensor were added, along with the RFID tag. That would allow the tire's condition to be sensed and reported. It could signficantly improve safety for consumers.

(2) It appears that Goodyear has solved the physical challenges associated with using tags in demanding conditions. About a year ago I saw a demonstration of the tags that were then in testing for use on tires. A tag was placed with adhesive on the interior wall of the tire. Obviously there is the potential for tags that are affixed to -- even embedded in -- something moving at high speeds to be dislodged. And there is the potential for disruption of the signals due to the presence of metal nearby.

By the way, this is a great example of a controlled, limited roll-out.

InformationWeek has an article with additional background information about Goodyear's initiative. Racing West has even more information, including a Q & A piece.