Hitting the skids

Anyone who has ever hit a body of sitting water on the road – especially at speed – will know the feeling of losing control of your vehicle and potentially becoming a passenger. This very unpleasant phenomenon called aquaplaning occurs when water forms a layer between the tyre and the road surface, effectively rendering the tyre’s contact patch useless and making all driver inputs – steering, braking – ineffective.

It is a problem when the amount of water on the road surface is such that the car’s weight alone is not enough to ‘break’ the surface and make contact with the road and is the cause of accidents all over the world.

Until now, there was no solution to stop being caught out, but exciting new technology being developed in a joint venture has made a significant breakthrough in the development of technology to help fight the problem.

Although still in its infancy, the all-new technology being developed to combat the problem has been tested for the very first time on a production car during a rigorous track session.

The system, called Easyrain AIS (Aquaplaning Intelligent Solution), is a collaboration between Easyrain, Bosch and Italdesign and has been in development for several years to reach this historic stage.

The Easyrain AIS (Aquaplaning Intelligent Solution) is the first system capable of effectively countering aquaplaning. Using a controlled water jet injected ahead of the front wheels, the system is able to restore the grip of the tyre and the control of the vehicle, breaking the excessive layer of water on the asphalt that the tyres cannot dissipate.
AIS is made up of a hydraulic system consisting of a pump and two foldable injectors, and is activated thanks to the Easyrain DAI (Digital Aquaplaning Information), the proprietary activation software. The virtual sensor recognises the onset of aquaplaning, instantly informing the system.
“I’m very proud. The new tests are a historic result,” says Giovanni Blandina, Easyrain Founder & CEO.

“Our system solves a dangerous issue and so far without solutions. Saving lives is our vision, the reason we exist. Knowing that it is possible to do so is a source a deep responsibility but also of great pride, inspiration and joy”, he says. 

Although development of the system between Easyrain, Bosch and Italdesign is ongoing, the results of this first practical vehicle testing has been overwhelmingly positive and could well see this technology joint so many vehicle safety systems that once upon a time likewise seems like science fiction.