A new method of assembling tyres that promises to improve quality and productivity while eliminating the risk of human error has been introduced within a Bridgestone Corporation plant in Japan. The tyre maker has announced the installation of the new Examation system at its flagship Hikone passenger car tyre production site. The tyre maker reports that Examation "combines Bridgestone's proprietary information and communication technologies with artificial intelligence." The proprietary technologies Bridgestone refers to have been developed in stages over the past two decades: Research into tyre production systems employing ICT and other cutting-edge technologies began at Bridgestone in the late 1990s with the aim of creating more functional tyres and improving quality. In 2002, the company developed the BIRD (Bridgestone Innovative and Rational Development) production system, which was the world's first system for realising complete automation in areas of production ranging from components processes to product inspection processes.