Bridgestone “ologic” technology has been voted “Tire Technology of the Year” in the Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence 2014. Bridgestone has developed
its ologic technology for the revolutionary i3 electric vehicle, aiming for a future with sustainable mobility.
The award was presented to Mr. Emilio Tiberio, Director, Consumer Tyre Development, Bridgestone Technical Center Europe, at Tire Technology Expo 2014 in Cologne, Germany, on 11th February.
Reducing CO2 emissions
One of the award judges summarises why Bridgestone was selected: “The technology goes hand in hand with the global need to reduce CO2 emissions and increase the safety of the road transportation system. Through both larger tyre diameter and narrower tread width, this unique technology keeps dry and wet traction and handling performance comparable to standard passenger car tires, while reducing rolling resistance.” Saied Taheri, Director, Center for Tire Research (CenTiRe), Virginia Tech, USA 3rd consecutive award for Bridgestone.
This is the third consecutive year that Bridgestone has received a Tire Technology International award. In 2013 Bridgestone won the Environmental Achievement of the Year for its new eco-friendly Americas Technical Center in Akron, Ohio, USA after winning Tire Technology of the Year in 2012 for its CAIS (Contact Area Information Sensing) technology which provides drivers with real-time information on road surface conditions.
Bridgestone Europe CEO, Franco Annunziato, who managed Bridgestone Technical Center Europe during the development stage of ologic technology, commented: “Bridgestone is extremely proud to win this 3rd consecutive Tire Technology International award. The i3 is very much a car for the future. Developing a unique tyre for this unique vehicle was therefore an enormously challenging but also rewarding experience. The development of this innovative “ologic” concept required all our knowhow, skill and passion”.
No compromise on safety
Bridgestone’s ologic technology exploits the fact that a larger tyre diameter with higher belt tension reduces tyre deformation during driving, thereby conserving energy that is otherwise lost through internal friction. This helps reduce rolling resistance and extend the battery autonomy – one of the main critical factors for an electric vehicle. The narrow tread concept also improves aerodynamics. With Bridgestone’s revolutionary ologic tread and compound technology, these improvements are achieved without compromising grip in wet or dry conditions.
