Would You Drive With Airless Tires?

by TTAC Staff

Published: January 5th, 2024

Photo Credit: Michelin

The automotive industry has witnessed a revolutionary development with the introduction of airless tire technology. This innovation eliminates the need for air in tires, offering a more stable and reliable driving experience. It effectively addresses the common issues of flat tires and rapid pressure loss, enhancing safety and comfort for drivers.

Michelin's Role in Airless Tire Innovation

Michelin is leading this technological advancement with its Unique Puncture-proof Tire System (UPTIS) prototype. Designed for passenger cars, UPTIS was first showcased at the Movin’On summit in 2019. This marks a crucial step towards making airless tire technology widely available.

The Composition and Advantages of UPTIS

UPTIS distinguishes itself with its composition, merging an aluminum wheel and a flexible load-bearing structure crafted from glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP). This structure preserves Michelin's known tire performance while being adaptable for high-speed use, a feature not seen in previous airless tire models.

Benefits Across the Board

UPTIS introduces several advantages:

For Motorists: Eliminates concerns about tire damage from road conditions.
For Fleet Owners: Boosts productivity by minimizing vehicle downtime and tire-related maintenance.
Environmental Benefits: Significantly cuts down tire waste, reducing environmental waste and harm.

Tackling Tire Waste

Each year, a substantial portion of tires are discarded due to punctures, pressure loss, and uneven wear. UPTIS aims to lessen this waste, potentially saving around 200 million tires, equivalent to 2 million tonnes, from disposal.

UPTIS: Shaping the Future of Mobility

Beyond traditional vehicles, UPTIS is also tailored for emerging clean and autonomous mobility solutions. It's especially useful for shared mobility services, including autonomous shuttles and vehicle fleets.

Partnerships and Practical Applications

Michelin's dedication is further demonstrated through its collaboration with DHL, equipping delivery vehicles in Singapore with UPTIS. Real-world tests are underway in various locations like Las Vegas and Thailand, showcasing UPTIS’s durability and effectiveness.

This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.

TTAC Staff

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1 comment

JoeTaco on Jan 07, 2024
“This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.” That explains why it reads like a press release.

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Recent Comments

Luke42 When will they release a Gladiator 4xe?I don’t care what color it is, but I do care about being able to plug it in.
Bd2 As I have posited here numerous times; the Hyundai Pony Coupe of 1974 was the most influential sports and, later on, supercar template. This Toyota is a prime example of Hyundai's primal influence upon the design industry. Just look at the years, 1976 > 1974, so the numbers bear Hyundai out and this Toyota is the copy.
MaintenanceCosts Two of my four cars currently have tires that have remaining tread life but 2017 date codes. Time for a tire-stravaganza pretty soon.
Lorenzo I'd actually buy another Ford, if they'd bring back the butternut-squash color. Well, they actually called it sea foam green, but some cars had more green than others, and my 1968 Mercury Montego MX was one of the more-yellow, less-green models. The police always wrote 'yellow' on the ticket.
ToolGuy Some of my first cars were die-cast from pot-metal in 2 pieces: body-in-white plus chassis. I spray-painted some of them, the masking was a pain. The tires did burn realistically.