Tokyo (Feb. 28, 2006) - Bridgestone Corporation announced today the development of a multi air chamber tire which has three separate chambers acting as pressure vessels.

The all-new type of tire contour was born from extensive R&D efforts with a view to the future of tires. The inside of the tire consists of a main chamber in the center and sub-chambers on both sides. The air pressure in each of the chambers can be controlled independently, making it possible to adjust the stiffness balance between the tread area and the left and right sidewalls. This ensures ideal contact in any condition, and thus, a more stable and comfortable drive. It also means performance can be adjusted in line with customer needs such as comfort or maneuverability.

Also, as the tire is divided into three parts, even if the air pressure in one of the chambers drops to 0kPa caused by a nail puncture for instance, the remaining chambers will be able to support the weight of the tire, so it will be able to continue to operate for a specified distance.

Bridgestone will continue developing the multi air chamber tire for more practical use.