Bridgestone Makes Strategic Investment in Proactive Ride Technology

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (Bridgestone), has made a strategic investment in ClearMotion, Inc. (ClearMotion), a venture-backed technology company developing road sensing software and hardware that dramatically improves ride performance in cars. As part of the investment, Bridgestone will have opportunities to integrate and leverage ClearMotion's forward-looking technology to rapidly engineer new and innovative solutions for the automotive industry. The investment amount is not being disclosed.

"Bridgestone has a long history of engineering best-in-class tire and mobility solutions, and investing in ClearMotion is an opportunity to expand a technology area that is aligned with our solutions mindset and strategic growth plans," said Bill Thompson, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Bridgestone Americas. "We will be working with ClearMotion not only to advance the future of the digital, connected, autonomous car, but also to leverage our leadership in tire, anti-vibration, and air spring technology in order to deliver unparalleled ride comfort, safety and more advanced mobility solutions."

ClearMotion, which designs and builds digital motion control systems, has developed forward-looking technology called proactive ride. The system, with its proprietary software algorithms, makes traditional dampers intelligent and responsive, delivering dramatic improvements in comfort, performance and safety.

"We want to improve the quality of time in cars," says Shakeel Avadhany, ClearMotion's CEO and co-founder. "Innovation coming online now will change how we spend time on the road. ClearMotion delivers previously unachievable levels of comfort and safety combined with handling abilities beyond that of today's sports cars. The vision for autonomy is to enable productivity on the road, but this is only achievable with a stable, comfortable ride."

Bridgestone, the world's largest tire and rubber company, offers a full range of anti-vibration technologies through its Firestone Industrial Products business. A global engineering and technology company that manufactures air springs and related products for a wide range of commercial, consumer and industrial applications, Firestone Industrial Products is a leader in developing solutions designed to eliminate vibration in global and commercial automotive transportation. Bridgestone is the only tire and rubber manufacturing company invested in ClearMotion. 

To learn more about Bridgestone and its commitment to innovation, visit bridgestoneamericas.com.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tennessee-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.

About ClearMotion:
ClearMotion is a venture-backed automotive technology company based in the Boston area. The company, founded out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is launching its proactive ride technology to improve the quality of time in cars. ClearMotion is led by an experienced team and backed by marquee investors. For more information, visit https://www.clearmotion.com.

SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc.