Michelin, GM to forge ahead with airless tire/wheel concept as OE option

MONTREAL — Michelin Group, in partnership with General Motors Co., is taking its development of a maintenance-free, non-pneumatic tire to the next level with the "Uptis" prototype that the two companies said could be market ready as an OE fitment by 2024.

Michelin and GM presented the next-generation airless tire/wheel concept during the Movin'On Summit for sustainable mobility, under way in Montreal through June 6.

Uptis — Unique Punctureproof Tire System — is based on the fundamentals of Michelin's Tweel tire/wheel product, introduced at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show, according to Eric Vinesse, Michelin executive vice president, research and development.

Like the Tweel, the Uptis uses resin-reinforced fiberglass spokes as load-bearing elements. The wheel hub is integrated and the rubber tread is molded onto the circular platform that attaches to the end of the spokes.

"Uptis represents progress toward Michelin's vision for tomorrow's mobility," Mr. Vinesse said, "and also embodies our commitment to a better, sustainable mobility for all."

Michelin and GM have entered into a joint research agreement under which the companies intend to further develop and validate the Uptis prototype with the goal of introducing Uptis on passenger models as early as 2024.

Michelin and GM have been testing the prototype on vehicles such as the Chevrolet Bolt EV and disclosed that they intend to initiate real-world testing of Uptis on a test fleet of Bolt EV vehicles in Michigan.

"General Motors is excited about the possibilities that Uptis presents, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Michelin on this breakthrough technology," Steve Kiefer, GM senior vice president, global purchasing and supply chain, said.

"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."

From GM's perspective, Uptis represents a maintenance-free product that offers the prospect of essentially no tire/wheel-related breakdowns.

Mr. Kiefer said GM likely would introduce the product on a limited basis, targeting electric vehicles and fleets, which also could lead to development work on autonomous vehicles. Eventually, though, GM foresees airless tire/wheel composites as compatible with its full range of passenger vehicles, Mr. Kiefer said, declining to comment on the extent of GM's exclusivity with Michelin on this product.

According to Michelin, the airless aspect of the Uptis means drivers of passenger vehicles feel safer on the road and operators of passenger vehicle fleets will minimize downtime and improve efficiency.

In addition, society at large should see benefits from "extraordinary" environmental savings through reduced use of raw materials for replacement tire or spare tire production.

Mr. Vinesse said the Uptis tire/wheel assembly weighs about 5% more than a comparable pneumatic tire/wheel assembly, but using an airless tire/wheel product eliminates the need for a spare, resulting in a net weight improvement.

Michelin claims the Uptis prototype represents a major advancement toward achieving its Vision Concept, which debuted at the 2017 Movin'On Summit. The Vision Concept introduced four key pillars of innovation: airless, connected, 3D-printed and 100% sustainable (entirely renewable or biosourced materials).

"Uptis demonstrates that Michelin's vision for a future of sustainable mobility is clearly an achievable dream," Michelin Group CEO Florent Menegaux said.

"Through work with strategic partners like GM, who share our ambitions for transforming mobility, we can seize the future today."

Mr. Vinesse stressed that developing a product like Uptis could help Michelin generated "extraordinary" environmental savings by cutting into the 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.

Mr. Vinesse also acknowledged an airless tire/wheel product like Uptis could lead to a resurgence in retreading of consumer tires, although retreading in this sense likely would involve 3D printing of new treads.