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MICHELIN UPTIS

a puncture-proof tyre prototype

Unveiled for the first time in 2019 at the Movin'On sustainable mobility summit, MICHELIN UPTIS (Unique Puncture-Proof Tyre System)(1) eliminates the risk of flats and rapid pressure loss and reduces environmental impact.

It represents a new generation of airless solutions and is an example of Michelin’s expertise in high-tech materials.

New generation of airless tire | Michelin

A FUNDAMENTAL STEP TOWARDS MORE SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY

The MICHELIN UPTIS prototype is an assembled airless solution (tyre and wheel) for passenger cars. It reduces the risk of flat tyres and other air loss failures that result from punctures or road hazards. It offers many advantages:

  • Car drivers feel safe and secure on the road since the dangers of flat tyres and blowouts are eliminated,
  • Fleet owners and professional vehicle drivers optimize their business productivity (no downtime from flats, near-zero levels of maintenance),
  • Reduction of the number of tyres scrapped because of punctures, which means less raw material use for replacement tyres and a reduction of waste.


The MICHELIN UPTIS prototype represents a major advancement toward achieving MICHELIN’s VISION concept, which includes four pillars of innovation: airless, connected, 3D-printed and 100% sustainable (renewable and bio-sourced).

MICHELIN UPTIS PROTOTYPE

MICHELIN UPTIS, A REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

MICHELIN UPTIS is the first of a new generation of airless solutions, supported through:

1

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

Through MICHELIN's expertise in high-tech materials, MICHELIN UPTIS is a significant development in existing airless mobility technology. MICHELIN UPTIS eliminates the need for pressure checks and reduces the need for other routine maintenance, making it ideal for self-driving vehicles and passenger car fleets.

2

VALUED PARTNERSHIPS

General Motors, a major global OEM and valued partner to MICHELIN, has signed a joint research agreement as a co-development partner, with the breakthrough goal of making MICHELIN UPTIS a mainstream reality on passenger vehicles as early as mid-decade. Also, MICHELIN UPTIS is chosen by DHL to be fitted to nearly 50 delivery vehicles in Singapore by end 2023.

3

SUSTAINABLE DESIGNS

MICHELIN UPTIS's revolutionary design and materials will yield sustainability benefits, such as reducing the number of tyres that are condemned to scrap and reducing overall raw materials and energy used in tyre production.

DID YOU KNOW? Every year, up to 20%(2) of tyres are discarded as scrap due to flats and rapid pressure loss (12%) or irregular wear and tear caused by poor tyre pressure (8%), i.e., the equivalent of 200 million tyres, or 2 million tonnes. That’s 200 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower. MICHELIN UPTIS fixes that problem with its airless design.

WHAT IS MICHELIN UPTIS PROTOTYPE MADE OF?

MICHELIN UPTIS is designed to withstand the weight and speeds of passenger vehicles and is especially well-suited to fleets and new forms of mobility (C.A.S.E.: Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric vehicles).

The MICHELIN UPTIS prototype is a combination of rubber, aluminum for the wheel and a flexible load-bearing structure made from glass fiber reinforced plastic: a product of Michelin’s expertise in high-tech materials.

MICHELIN UPTIS is perfectly suited to the needs of passenger cars and delivers all the performance qualities associated with a Michelin tyre.

MICHELIN UPTIS PROTOTYPE

DHL CHOOSES MICHELIN UPTIS

MICHELIN's airless innovation is taking its first steps on the last mile delivery market.

It will be fitted to nearly 50 DHL delivery vehicles in Singapore by end 2023.

Read the press release
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MICHELIN UPTIS PROTOTYPE TOOK ITS FIRST SPIN IN PUBLIC IN 2021

Mr. JWW and Gercollector, two automotive youtubers, were able to test MICHELIN UPTIS in real-life conditions on public roads at the 2021 Munich Motor Show.
"Can’t wait to see it roll out on cars ", "amazing comfort": the MICHELIN UPTIS prototype fulfilled its contract.

Michelin UPTIS Driving Experience - IAA Munich 2021

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LEARN MORE ABOUT WHY MICHELIN:

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Trust MICHELIN for a better life in motion

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LEGAL MENTIONS

(1) UPTIS: Unique Puncture-proof Tyre System, an airless tyre developed in association with Maxion, the supplier of a specific rim for the UPTIS tyre

(2) In-house “scrapyard” survey (2012-2015) based on a sample of 135,000 tyres and extrapolated on a global scale (estimates indicate that one billion end-of-life tyres are discarded each year).

(3) Find out more on https://www.michelin.com/en/sustainable-development-mobility/for-the-planet/environmental-approach

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