17 July 2019

How Michelin is innovating for the future

We all know how rapidly evolving technologies are changing the world. At Michelin, we’re not afraid of change. Instead, we relish any opportunity to find better ways of doing things. Sometimes that means reinventing the wheel.

Revolutionary designs

With the radical design of our Uptis (Unique Puncture-proof Tyre System) prototype, we did just that. This revolutionary concept, developed in partnership with General Motors, eliminates the need for an air bladder and combines the tyre and wheel into a single, highly durable unit.

The safety benefits are enormous since the Uptis eliminates the dangers associated with blowouts and punctures and requires almost no maintenance. It also dramatically reduces waste, given that every year roughly 200 million tyres are scrapped prematurely because of punctures and damage, or uneven wear caused by improper inflation. The Uptis prototype is undergoing trials and is planned for release for the passenger car market as early as 2024.

The design of the Uptis is based on the Tweel airless tyre which Michelin pioneered in 2004. The Tweel has been used for heavy-duty vehicles such as skid-steer loaders used in construction and other industrial applications. Not only did the Tweel win several awards, it received a vote of confidence from NASA, which contracted Michelin to develop a wheel for the next-generation lunar rover based on the Tweel concept. The result was the LRI AB Scarab Tweel, which could even be used on Mars one day.

3D-printed tyres

While the Uptis is an excellent example of our focus on the four Rs that guide our innovation strategy – reduce, reuse, renew and recycle – we’ve taken it to the next level with the Vision concept airless tyre which we unveiled in 2017.

This combined wheel and tyre is designed to last as long as the vehicle and has a lightweight yet highly durable alveolar structure made from recycled or bio-sourced materials that are fully biodegradable. The tread can be rejuvenated using a 3D printer and cold vulcanisation technology, and Vision can even inform drivers of tread wear so they can schedule a reprinting.

Eyes on the road ahead

We’re constantly working to develop the products and services of the future with our open approach to innovation which strives for safer, cleaner and more accessible mobility that’s increasingly lighter on resources and energy.

Terry K Gettys, executive vice-president of Research and Development, and member of the Michelin Group Executive Committee, says: “Our goal is to support the evolution of mobility while limiting its negative effects on society and the environment. That means building an innovation-centric strategy, so we can tackle the inherent challenges of more sustainable mobility.”

Our entire product range has been designed with the same focus and incorporates cutting-edge innovations to take you further and keep you safer. Learn more about our range.