Bridgestone, Microsoft Create Intelligent Tyre Monitoring

Bridgestone, Microsoft Create Intelligent Tyre Monitoring
Bridgestone and Microsoft have collaborated to develop a world-first monitoring system for detecting tyre damage issues in real-time, a problem that contributes to around 30 per cent of all car accidents caused by technical failure.

Bridgestone says its Tyre Damage Monitoring System (TDMS) delivers real-time awareness of damage by using the Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform (MCVP) cloud framework along with existing sensor data, from hardware already installed, and uses algorithms to detect events affecting the tyre surface and carcass. The driver can then be immediately notified of the hazard and act accordingly to remedy the situation. According to the company, there is currently no other equivalent monitoring system available in the market as alternatives would require extra hardware to be installed.

Bridgestone says tyre issues have four main forms: inadequate pressure, fatigue, irregular wear, and damage from curbs, potholes or items on the road. However, most of these issues can already be reliably mitigated. Tyre pressure monitoring systems have been mandatory in several jurisdictions, including the USA and EU, for many years now, while regular service and replacing tyres in time will guard against wear and fatigue.

Bridgestone says the exception and safety gap has been tyre damage. Tyre damage often cannot be detected without close inspection, can potentially occur at any time and lead to accidents. It can also negatively affect other vehicle components, like damage to the wheels, and can then create a larger source of potential danger to motorists.

According to the company, the TDMS both understands when and where damage has occurred, allowing for broader insight into road conditions and infrastructure which can be used to alert the appropriate agencies of the presence and location of potholes and other hazards.

Bridgestone’s TDMS is available to all vehicle fleets and OEMs that use MCVP. The partnership with Microsoft also enables Bridgestone to further develop its solution to meet the requirements of fleets and key OEM partners around the world.