Tirematics brings together all of Bridgestone’s connected tyre solutions to remotely monitor and analyse key information such as tyre pressure and temperature.
Bridgestone has provided a TPMS-based service to fleet customers since 2013, with data captured as a vehicle drives through a ‘sensor and gate’ system. However, with its new Tirematics solution, it will capture data continuously in real time, not just when the vehicle passes through a gate.
This data, says Bridgestone, will enable its system to react quicker to pressure issues, informing the fleet and breakdown service if a tyre is rapidly deflating. The system also enables advanced algorithms to generate predictive maintenance scheduling.
Neil Purves, Bridgestone Europe’s senior manager solution business systems, describes Tirematics as “a practical, cost-effective fleet-oriented solution with great impact on tyre performance, fuel economy and breakdown prevention”.
Bridgestone says some fleets have already reported reductions of 75% in tyre-related roadside breakdowns, and can improve fuel economy by 0.5% thanks to better tyre inflation.
Cost efficiencies will come, it says, as no manual labour is needed to check tyre pressures. And tyre lifespan will be improved thanks to better tyre maintenance, bringing further potential cost reductions.
“In addition to the ongoing benefit of reduced tyre maintenance and breakdown costs, Bridgestone is testing advanced applications. Combined with vehicle data these can bring enhanced support to the fleet, allow optimal tyre selection for a particular fleet operation and enable us to provide targeted service leading to increased vehicle uptime,” adds Purves.