Michelin UPTIS, A technology that eliminates the risk of flats and rapid pressure loss and reduces environmental impact
VISION eliminates the need for air with a revolutionary structure capable of supporting the vehicle, while also delivering a safe, comfortable ride. Without air, flat tires and pressure loss are no longer an issue.
Today, this airless technology is embodied by Michelin’s Unique Puncture-proof Tire System (UPTIS) prototype, which is a combined airless tire and wheel assembly for passenger cars.
Presented to the world at the Movin’On June 2019 summit for sustainable mobility, UPTIS marks the first step on the road to making the VISION concept a technological reality.
A decisive technological breakthrough
Ushering in a new generation of airless solutions developed by Michelin, UPTIS represents a genuine technological breakthrough thanks to its unique structure and materials.
Combining an aluminum wheel and a flexible load-bearing structure made from glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP), a product of Michelin’s expertise in high-tech materials, UPTIS delivers all the performance qualities associated with a Michelin tire.
Unlike existing airless solutions, which are only suitable for low-speed professional applications, UPTIS is perfectly suited to the needs of passenger cars.
A fundamental step toward more sustainable mobility, Michelin’s UPTIS prototype generates significant benefits for motorists, fleet owners and the environment
Greater peace of mind
Motorists no longer need to worry about the impact of road conditions on their tires, because UPTIS eliminates the risk of losing control of the vehicle or having to stop at the roadside with a flat.
Increased productivity
UPTIS enhances efficiency for fleet owners by reducing the risks of vehicle downtime and eliminating tire-related maintenance needs (pressure checks and tire inflation).
A smaller environmental footprint
Airless technology will drastically reduce the number of tires that are scrapped because of punctures.
An ideal solution for the mobility of tomorrow
Designed for passenger vehicles (including electric vehicles), Michelin’s UPTIS prototype is perfectly suited to the new generation of clean, autonomous mobility solutions. UPTIS delivers a high level of comfort and safety and eliminates the burden associated with tire maintenance, making it a key asset for emerging collective mobility applications, such as autonomous shuttles and shared vehicle fleets.
Bringing the future closer
Michelin UPTIS will be brought to market in 2024, thanks to a partnership between Michelin and General Motors. As part of a joint research agreement, Michelin UPTIS has already been tested on vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt EV, with testing now continuing on fleets operating in real-world conditions.
Putting innovation to the test
The UPTIS prototype will be fitted to a fleet of vehicles in Las Vegas, where it will be tested for two years through intensive use in real-world conditions. The fleet was chosen because it met the testing requirement of vehicles with high daily mileage, exposed to high-temperature driving conditions.
This development phase comes on top of the tests initiated several months ago in Greenville, South Carolina.
Fitting prototypes to vehicles for real-world testing is the final test round to which Michelin tires are regularly subjected. The data collected by engineers during this period will enable them to perfect the prototype in preparation for its market launch
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