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Innovation that will transform the industry: Michelin airless tire points the way to the future of robotaxis, electric vehicles and other mobility solutions
A Michelin , renowned for its conventional tires, is now paving the way for the future with tech de airless tires. Cyrille Roget, the company's director of scientific and technical communications, recently told Green Car Reports who firmly believes in this innovation for a number of reasons.
He highlighted that globally, 20% of tires are discarded prematurely due to damage such as punctures and sidewall cuts. With approximately 1,6 billion tires reaching the end of their useful life annually, this represents approximately 320 million tires that could be saved by new technology.
Innovation with Michelin Uptis
The Michelin Uptis (Unique Puncture-proof Tire System) is a prototype that not only seeks to minimize environmental impact, but also offers tangible benefits in terms of durability and maintenance. Tires airless ones weigh more than traditional ones, but eliminate the need for replacement and maintenance equipment, such as jacks and pressure sensors. Furthermore, these tires provide safer and more consistent driving, preventing punctures and blowouts.
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Michelin suggests that airless tires are ideal for electric vehicles due to their heavier weight and for autonomous vehicles or ride-hailing services, which require high availability and less maintenance.
Development and testing
In 2019, Michelin and GM collaborated to test Uptis in the Chevy Bolt EV. Although the conclusions of these tests have not yet been released, the technology promises to be a revolution. Furthermore, in 2023, the Michelin has begun trials with DHL Express in Singapore and French postal service La Poste, equipping around 50 vehicles from each fleet with Uptis tires to collect valuable data.
This technology, still in the prototype stage, is new territory for Michelin, which has more than 130 years of experience in conventional tires. According to Roget, there is a lot to learn about the design, production and homologation of these new tires, with tests scheduled until the end of 2025.
Strategic partnerships and future
Michelin is also in talks with Tesla to explore using Uptis in future robotaxis, combining it with technologies such as wireless charging. electric vehicles. Despite being a prototype, Michelin obtained an exception to test the tires in real road conditions.
Other manufacturers, such as Hankook, Bridgestone and Goodyear, are also exploring airless tires. Toyota and Sumitomo showed concepts in 2017 that needed improvements in rolling resistance, a challenge still present in this new tire category.
Sustainable innovations and vision of the future
In addition to Uptis, Michelin is developing new materials for its tires, including fiberglass, to achieve performance comparable to modern tires. These tires have been tested in-house and have covered more than two million miles.
The company is also focusing on more sustainable solutions for electric vehicles, which tend to wear out tires more quickly. This includes the development of tires with sustainable materials, which may contain 42% or more recycled or renewable content in prototypes scheduled for 2025. Additionally, Michelin is revitalizing retreading technology for trucks, enabling multiple reuses of the tire structure.
Michelin's innovations are not just technical talk, but a real step towards a more sustainable and efficient industry, with Uptis at the forefront of this revolution. These developments show that the company not only envisions a future without air-filled tires, but also an ongoing commitment to the improvement and sustainability of its products.
