Bridgestone partners Microsoft on intelligent tyre monitoring system

New system processes data from existing hardware to warn drivers about tyre damage in real time

Bridgestone has collaborated with Microsoft in the development of a new monitoring system for the real-time detection of tyre damage. The UK’s Department for Transport 2018 statistics show tyre issues contribute to 30 per cent of all car accidents caused by technical failure. Bridgestone says its Tyre Damage Monitoring System is the “final piece in tracking tyre issues.” The system offers similar applications to recent market solutions that process live data using algorithms to predict the effects of tyre damage and notify drivers, fleet operators and service providers. What separates it from existing systems is that no additional hardware need be installed, the manufacturer adds.

There are four main forms of tyre issues: inadequate pressure, fatigue, irregular wear, and damage from curbs, potholes, or items on the road. Tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), which have been a requirement of all cars built since 2012 in the EU, have mitigated against these issues alongside regular servicing and replacement. But Bridgestone says tyre damage, which is often difficult to detect, and can occur at any time, presents a gap in current security measures. It says this gap can be closed by the new Bridgestone Tyre Damage Monitoring System.

The system delivers real-time damage notifications to drivers using MCVP’s cloud framework and existing sensor data from preinstalled hardware. The system’s algorithms detect events affecting the tyre surface and carcass, allowing the driver to act accordingly to remedy the situation. Brdigestone says there is “currently no other equivalent monitoring system available in the market,” as other systems require extra hardware to be installed.

Additional applications

Bridgestone says its new tyre damage monitoring system has other valuable applications. It understands where damage has occurred in addition to when, delivering a broader insight into road conditions and infrastructure. These features can be used to alert the agencies responsible for road damage issues to the presence and location of potholes and other hazards. The system is also part of Bridgestone’s path to autonomous vehicles. It says vehicles could pass information about local hazards to others in the vicinity, as well as cloud data stores.

Currently, the Tyre Damage Monitoring System is available to all vehicle fleets and OEMs that use MCVP. Bridgestone says its Microsoft partnership also enables further developments to the system to meet the requirements of fleets and key OEM partners around the world.

Future mobility and digital partnerships

MCVP provides one consistent, cloud-connected, horizontal platform across digital scenarios on top of which customer-facing solutions can be built, including in-vehicle infotainment, advanced navigation, autonomous driving, telematics and prediction services as well as over-the-air updates (OTA). It includes the enterprise-grade global availability and scale that comes with Microsoft Azure.

MCVP will provide Bridgestone with a digital infrastructure that will accelerate its delivery of connected mobility solutions, providing access to a multitude of Microsoft Azure cloud, AI, and IoT capabilities. In turn, working with Bridgestone helps Microsoft grow its ecosystem of supporting partners, and enables MCVP’s customers to integrate these partner’s solutions into their own offerings.

Laurent Dartoux, CEO and president of Bridgestone EMIA, says: “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 Tyre Damage Monitoring System to millions of drivers, offering them better safety and peace of mind.”

“Microsoft partners with mobility companies to support their transformation into smart mobility services providers,” said Tara Prakriya, general manager, Azure Mobility and Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform at Microsoft. “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 Tyre 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.”