Autonomous, plug-in wear or abrasion sensing system

A vehicle tire and tread wear device assembly comprising:

• a tire having a radially outward plurality of tread elements;
• at least one tread element projecting from the base of the tread and having a defined tread depth;
• a tread wear indicator having an elongate indicator body embedded within the one tread element, the indicator body extending radially outward to an end surface offset a radial distance from a ground engaging surface of the one tread element;
• the indicator body having at least one sensor element;
• power generating means for supplying operational electrical power to the at least one sensor element;
• communication means for transmitting a data signal from the at least one sensor element indicative of a radial wear level of the one tread element;
• wherein the electric power is supplied by a built-in electromechanical or thermo mechanical energy harvester;
• wherein the electrical parameter change is communicated by the communication means to a remote radio frequency receiver;
• wherein the indicator body is substantially centered within the one tread element and is substantially in a tubular shape having a longitudinal, radially extending axis;
• wherein the at least one sensor element is located radially outward from the power generating means within the tubular shape of the indicator body;
• wherein the power generating means is located radially outward from the communications means within the tubular shape of the indicator body;
• and
• wherein the power generating means comprises energy harvesting means for operably harvesting energy from the tire as the tire rolls against a ground surface.