New Bridgestone tyre technology reads road conditions

ERJ staff report (LMH)

Tokyo -- Bridgestone Corp has developed new technology that can provide real time road surface condition information to the driver through the tyres.

The technology, based on a concept called Contact Area Information Sensing (CAIS), will be on display at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 13-15 Sept 2011, Bridgestone said in an announcement.

CAIS is the name for proprietary Bridgestone technology that collects and evaluates road surface condition information. The Japanese company said it is capable of sensing instantaneous vibration input data and digitalising it by in-vehicle analysis equipment.

CAIS classifies the current state of the road surface into seven conditions (dry, semi-dry, wet, slush, fresh snow, compacted snow, ice) and transmits this information directly to the driver through an in-car display, Bridgestone said.

By providing immediate road surface information, CAIS aims to better prepare drivers for “rapid changes in dangerous driving conditions,” Bridgestone noted in the 13 Sept news release.

This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Press release from Bridgestone