According to Bridgestone, tire issues can be split into four categories: inadequate pressure, fatigue, irregular wear and of course, damage.
Damage can occur in several ways, such as from curbs, potholes or items in the road. Now, while TPMS (tire pressure monitoring systems) do a good job at helping drivers avoid low-pressure problems, they cannot actually detect damage, which can potentially occur at any time.
This is where Bridgestone’s Tire Damage Monitoring System comes in, offering real-time awareness of damage thanks to Microsoft’s MCVP cloud framework. The system uses algorithms to detect events affecting the tire surface and compound, notifying the driver immediately if there’s a hazard.
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The tech can also understand not just when, but also where exactly damage on the tire has occurred. Furthermore, it can alert various agencies as to the presence and location of potholes and other hazards.
“Digital is such a huge part of what we do today at Bridgestone; it’s imperative that we work with industry-leading partners who can support our needs today and in the future. By teaming up with Microsoft we have the opportunity to bring our Tire Damage Monitoring System to millions of drivers, offering them better safety and peace of mind,” Bridgestone CEO Laurent Dartoux said.
MCVP will give Bridgestone the digital infrastructure it needs to accelerate delivery of connected mobility solutions, while the latter will help Microsoft grow its ecosystem of partners.
“With the Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform, our mission is to help businesses accelerate the delivery of safe and personalized connected mobility experiences. Using MCVP, Bridgestone has created Tire Damage Monitoring System that offers a remarkable contribution to road safety and proves how the collaboration between industry leaders can unlock new business opportunities ahead,” added Microsoft MCVP exec Tara Prakriya.