Tire manufacturers across Japan are focused on making unique technological developments in the bid to differentiate themselves from one another. This includes their respective pursuits in the delivery of driving comfort and the fundamental structures in which they maintain their definitions of fuel-efficient tires through proprietary technologies. Bridgestone Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) has with its “Ultimate Eye” a proprietary testing technology...
Innovation

Toyo Targets Mid-Range Minivans With New Tire in Tranpath Series
Toyo Tire and Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5105) has brought to market a new tire in the Tranpath minivan tire series: the Tranpath ML. This tire is aimed specifically at the mid-range minivan market. It offers good running stability, wear resistance and fuel efficiency, which are all requirements of minivan tires. During the development of the rubber materials used in the...

Toyota First to Use Biohydrin Rubber in Engine and Drive System Hoses
Toyota Motor Corp. (TYO:7203) has announced that it will be the world’s first automobile manufacturer to employ biohydrin rubber in its engine and drive system hoses. These special rubber components must be highly resistant to oil and heat. Toyota will begin using biohydrin rubber in vacuum sensing hoses (used in engine intake systems) this May, with usage expected in all...

Yokohama Rubber to Launch New All-terrain SUV Tires
Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101) has announced it will release new all-terrain SUV tires “Geolandar A/T G015” in August under its Geolandar SUV tire brand. The product will come in 27 sizes. Marking the 20th anniversary of the Geolandar brand, the new product targets drivers who enjoy an active lifestyle. The product’s overall improvements enable higher off-road capabilities and endurance...
JSR Receives Technical Development Award From Chemical Society of Japan
A five-member team led by Motoyuki Shima has received the 64th CSJ Award for Technical Development from the Chemical Society of Japan. Shima is General Manager of the Semiconductor Materials Laboratory, one of the Fine Electronic Materials Research Laboratories at JSR Corp. (TYO:4185). The award recognizes the team’s development of a topcoat material for use in argon fluoride (ArF) immersion...

Toyoda Gosei Develops System to Prevent Drivers From Looking Away, Sleeping on the Wheel
Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) developed a retrofittable alert system that detects dangerous driving behaviors such as taking eyes off the road and nodding off at the wheel in order to help prevent accidents involving its trucks it sold. The system, which consists of a replacement handle equipped with a camera and a smartphone installed with a dedicated application, sends...