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Posted on June 04, 2019

Michelin, GM Take the Air Out of Tires for Passenger Vehicles

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Michelin and General Motors presented a new generation of airless wheel technology for passenger vehicles — the MICHELIN Uptis Prototype (or “Unique Puncture-proof Tire System”) — at the Movin’On Summit for sustainable mobility.

Michelin and GM also announced a joint research agreement under which the companies intend to validate the Uptis Prototype with the goal of introducing Uptis on passenger models as early as 2024.

Michelin and GM are testing the Uptis Prototype, beginning with vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Later this year, the companies will initiate real-world testing of Uptis on a test fleet of Bolt EV vehicles in Michigan.

Because Uptis is airless, the breakthrough wheel assembly eliminates the dangerous risk of flat tires and blowouts:

  • Drivers of passenger vehicles feel safer on the road.
  • Operators of passenger vehicle fleets minimize downtime and improve efficiency resulting from flat tires and near-zero levels of maintenance.
  • Society at large benefits from extraordinary environmental savings through reduced use of raw materials for replacement tire or spare tire production.

The Uptis Prototype represents a major advancement toward achieving Michelin’s VISION concept, which was presented at the Movin’On Summit in 2017 as an illustration of Michelin’s strategy for research and  development in sustainable mobility. The VISION concept introduced four main pillars of innovation: airless, connected, 3D-printed and 100% sustainable (entirely renewable or bio-sourced materials).

“Uptis demonstrates that Michelin’s vision for a future of sustainable mobility is clearly an achievable dream,” said Florent Menegaux, chief executive officer for Michelin Group. “Through work with strategic partners like GM, who share our ambitions for transforming mobility, we can seize the future today.

“General Motors is excited about the possibilities that Uptis presents, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Michelin on this breakthrough technology,” said Steve Kiefer, senior vice president, global purchasing and supply chain, General Motors. “Uptis is an ideal fit for propelling the automotive industry into the future and a great example of how our customers benefit when we collaborate and innovate with our supplier partners.”

The Uptis Prototype is re-engineered for today’s passenger vehicles, and it is also well suited to emerging forms of mobility. The vehicles and fleets of tomorrow — whether autonomous, all-electric, shared service or other applications — will demand near-zero maintenance from the tire to maximize their operating capabilities.

“The Uptis Prototype demonstrates Michelin’s capacity for innovation — in both the mastery of these high-tech materials, and also the development approach in close collaboration with GM, which validates our Vision concept as a roadmap for innovation,” said Eric Vinesse, executive vice president, research and development, Group Michelin, who revealed Uptis at the Movin’On Summit. “Uptis represents progress toward Michelin’s vision for tomorrow’s mobility, and also embodies our commitment to a better, sustainable mobility for all.”

Uptis features ground-breaking improvements in architecture and composite materials, which enable Uptis to bear the car’s weight at road-going speeds.

These innovations combine to eliminate compressed air to support the vehicle’s load, and result in extroardinary environmental savings: approximately 200 million tires worldwide are scrapped prematurely every year as a result of punctures, damage from road hazards or improper air pressure that causes uneven wear.

These advancements through the Uptis Prototype demonstrate Michelin’s and GM’s shared commitment to delivering safer, more sustainable mobility solutions.

For downloadable Facts, Images and Video select this link http://michelinmedia.com/michelin-uptis

 

 

40 Comments

Adam | October 20, 2024 @ 12:51AM
So excited for this

Amanda | October 17, 2024 @ 5:34AM
I'm really excited for these to come out. I have a 2007 toyota matrix and would love to test them on my car.

Ruslan Khudyakov | August 30, 2024 @ 8:29PM
Shut Up And Take My Money!
(If you need a tester — its me!)

Jay | August 6, 2024 @ 12:28PM
… me here looking for these tires after getting like 4 nails in 3 different tires all in 2 months…. Tires were new smh Im tired of doing plug ins…

Dennis Glenn | July 15, 2024 @ 11:49PM
Love the concept when will it be available for suv I'm in Texas where it's very hot and what's the weight of a tire

Mike Brown | July 6, 2024 @ 7:12PM
I drive a 2014 Scion IQ with the same Goodyears with minimum wear for ten years. I believe my small car would be perfect for testing the UPTIS on Texas roads.

Joshua | July 5, 2024 @ 7:01AM
I got a grand cherokee and i would be ready to pay to try these tires i'm living where there is 4 season so can try it in every condition doing 20k+ km/years

Michael meade | July 3, 2024 @ 6:55AM
Hello. I drive a Hyundai Kona EV and would be willing to test your tires. Thank you

DAVID | June 27, 2024 @ 10:47AM
Very interesting, if possible, I would act as a test driver for you with my car, Fiat Punto Classic 3-door LPG 1.2, tire size 165/70 R14, as I should start a job: GENTLEMAN DRIVER and I will be an alternative to taxis and NCC

JOE P | April 1, 2024 @ 4:54AM
Very interested in airless tires i think it's brilliant.

Dale Robert du Bois | March 22, 2024 @ 4:20PM
EV's can really benefit from this tire development.

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Jim Farrell | April 30, 2023 @ 3:30PM
What model passenger vehicles will have UPTIS option after Chevrolet Bolt?

Terry | April 25, 2023 @ 8:55AM
Can't wait for these to finally be on sale to the public. I will definitely buy some for my vehicles.

Amr Tarek | April 12, 2023 @ 12:53PM
im super interested in the air less tyres for purchase and distribution in the middle east.

please advice on procedure for business agreements.

Thabo Madisa | March 31, 2023 @ 8:14PM
im super interested in the air less tyres for purchase and distribution in south africa.

please advice on procedure for business agreements.

Jeff Hinrichs | March 15, 2023 @ 1:29PM
Great, however, the idea of the tire and wheel as a single assembly may limit application and will definitely increase cost per unit. The trash generated by scrapping rubber and rim rather than just recycling the rubber, is irresponsible.

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Crystal Warden | May 22, 2022 @ 4:15PM
When do they come out for cars that we drive and how much are they going for it’s an awesome investment and I think it’s great. I spend so much money on tires I can’t wait

Bernard SP Sianturi | February 9, 2022 @ 5:42AM
Please, give me more information the tire.

Thanks

Dave F | December 21, 2021 @ 2:47PM
Will these tires be able to be retreaded? Thanks

Ch | September 20, 2021 @ 12:33PM
When? When will they be in Dfw metroplex.Denton- Little Elm -Mckinney?So much construction here so many people here i waited 2 hours to check my tired last week another two to get tire fixed of which is new. I need these tires. How long do they last how much.

Chris Beck | July 27, 2021 @ 1:00PM
When will the tires be available to public? Would love to have a set on my car

Trevor Mitchell | July 3, 2021 @ 2:58PM
How about designing a lip on the outside to prevent damage to rim from accidental curb checking and when making a “drift” flat edge tire doesn’t catch the road and cause a flip

Hamilwil001 | April 10, 2021 @ 3:54PM
Ughh it was saying html was it the text
Tips Honeycombnot

Will | April 10, 2021 @ 3:51PM
New design
Sure use what works but that might be the issue
Silicone
Nitrile
Vinyl
Neoprene
Tire is to air as airless is to
Just some tips

Will | April 10, 2021 @ 3:50PM
Tips
Honeycomb/ not lines
Something else not plastic/rubber
Steal around open area on side

Devon Lawson | November 10, 2020 @ 3:33PM
What is the cost for the tires?

FRED | July 13, 2019 @ 2:23PM
What is the noise level of the uptis tire at highway speeds compared to regular tires?

William Shannon | June 10, 2019 @ 5:19PM
*One cut= failure (bounce/ instability)
*One rock inside body = projectile
*Heavy rain = no visibility to any one behind it
*Icing/snow ei; salt/granite dust = (see all of above)+ rust & corrosion from spray
*Not ready for hwy use (may never be)
*Excellent for ATV use
*Insurance companies will decide if they are profitable
*wind load resistance / noise

Christopher Kreschollek | June 10, 2019 @ 4:12AM
If they can be mounted to regular rim/wheel, please release ASAP.

Bd | June 6, 2019 @ 4:23PM
What happens in winter when the snow etc gets trapped ?

David | June 6, 2019 @ 8:06AM
Four questions:
1. You say the spokes/vanes are made from “Composite rubber and proprietary innovative high-strength resin embedded fiberglass” Is that short-strand fibreglass (10mm or so chopped strands), or longer strands?


2. You say it can be made using additive manufacture (3-D printing) - which aspects of the product use this technique?

3. Is the tread moulded conventionally? If not, how is it produced?


4. When you refer to “Composite rubber and proprietary innovative high-strength resin embedded fiberglass” Is it the resin that is 3-D printed. Where is the resin used - is it an armature within the spokes/vanes?


John | June 5, 2019 @ 1:33PM
@Sebastien: The rolling resistance target of Uptis is on par with a pneumatic ZP tire. Also, the benign failure mode is similar to a Tweel, in that the spokes can progressively fatigue and break, alerting the operator of a non-uniformity, rather than a sudden and catastrophic blowout that can occur in pneumatic tire.

Sebastien | June 5, 2019 @ 3:14AM
If there is air that can move in and arround the wheel it means it will create some resistance. i wonder if this will affect the WLPT tests on electric cars. And what happens if this wheel ruptures? is it worse then an air filled tires at high speeds?

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About

About Michelin North America

Michelin, the leading mobility company, is working with tires, around tires and beyond tires to enable Motion for Life. Dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility and sustainability, Michelin designs and distributes the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its customers’ needs. Michelin provides digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences. Bringing its expertise to new markets, the company is investing in high-technology materials, 3D printing and hydrogen, to serve a wide variety of industries — from aerospace to biotech. Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, Michelin North America has approximately 22,500 employees and operates 34 production facilities in the United States and Canada. (michelinman.com