A Purdue University professor says he has developed a “smart” tire that can sense damage when it loses air pressure. “Some tire damage is not easily detected,” says Gary Krutz, director of Purdue’s Electrohydraulic Center. Krutz’s system uses sensors that let drivers know “when a tire condition has degraded,” according to Purdue officials. “The sensors also can notify drivers of low air pressure or unbalanced air pressure between tires.