Quick Dips

Computer Tyre Expert

"How fast do you drive?", the computer asks the customer. A slightly impertinent question, perhaps, but an essential one for correct tyre selection. It's one of the questions asked by the computer-based tyre advice expert system.

The system also asks about the make and model of the car, yearly mileage and the maximum tyre price the customer will pay. A choice of answers is offered and a help menu provides assistance.

It's all part of the expert system developed by Victoria University students Antony Trapp and Catherine Jeffries. The computer analyses the responses given and advises the customer of tyre combinations to suit their needs. It won the students the Price Waterhouse prize for the best of the 15 expert systems developed by the Management Support Systems class.

The computerised system is unlikely to replace garage attendants, but Trapp sees it as a useful training tool. Beaurepaires has already expressed interest in the project.