Bridgestone said the concept “was born from extensive R&D efforts with a view to the future of tires.”

The multi-chamber 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 individual sidewalls, Bridgestone said.

“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,” the company said in a statement.
 
Because the tire is divided into three segments, if the air pressure in one of the chambers drops to 0 psi, the remaining chambers could support the weight on the tire, allowing a driver to continue on. Bridgestone did not say how far the partially inflated tire could travel.

The tiremaker said it will continue developing the multi-chamber tire “for more practical use.”