Reinventing the wheel

While technology has brought notable improvements to motoring, tyres are still a problem for many drivers. But Michelin may have the answer,

A special preview of Michelin’s innovative new Unique Puncture-proof Tyre System.

The pneumatic tyre has been with us since the 1880s, with Scottish veterinary surgeon John Boyd Dunlop credited with its invention. While some argue that another Scot, Robert Thomson, is the true inventor, having patented something similar in 1845, there’s no doubt that a move from solid tyres to ones filled with air transformed motoring.

The technology involved may have changed out of all recognition compared to those early efforts, thanks to advances in materials and construction, as well as the advent of the run-flat tyre, but the humble ‘boot’ is still seen as a troublesome expense by many drivers.

But what if the need for regular maintenance and the risk of annoying and costly punctures could be eliminated? That’s what Michelin are proposing with its Unique Punctureproof Tyre System (Uptis) airless tyre. The tyre was unveiled at the Movin’ On summit held in Montreal in June 2019, with Michelin claiming it could be in mainstream production in just five years.

Although derived from Michelin’s Tweel technology – introduced in 2004 to investigate the potential for combined wheels and tyres – the key difference is that ealier prototypes could only handle low-speed use. On the other hand, Uptis has been designed for high-speed driving and handling. Michelin also claim that, as far as ride comfort is concerned, a driver won’t notice any difference. According to Michelin CEO Florent Menegaux: “Uptis demonstrates that Michelin’s vision for a future of sustainable mobility is clearly an achievable dream”.

How does this new technology work?

At its core is an aluminium wheel assembly that forms the spokes and attachment point to the wheel hub. While that appears conventional, things then take a significantly unorthodox turn. Surrounding the central wheel is a flexible structure made from rubber and high-strength resin-embedded glassfibre that’s wrapped in a normal tyre tread. Able to deform in order to absorb impacts, the prototype wheel and tyre weighs around 22kg, which is similar to a conventional wheel. While this might be reduced further as the technology is refined, Michelin says other weight savings are realised due to the innovative design, because a spare wheel, jack and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System can all be ditched.

Part of the company’s VISION initiative that brings together a raft of innovative technology, including the potential for 3D printing, Uptis is claimed to be suitable for all manner of vehicles and should bring notable benefits in sustainability. Michelin says 200 million tyres are scrapped per year – equivalent to the weight of 200 Eiffel Towers! – so the clever design will not only bring about substantial reductions in waste, but also limit the energy and materials needed for production. With no danger of blow-outs, driving will also be safer. Combine that with the elimination of damage and punctures suffered by conventional rubber and it’s easy to see the advantages it offers to motorists. Being stranded at the roadside could become a thing of the past, and there would be no more worries about under- or over-inflation.

While it may be 2024 before Uptis is available to most of us, it will be hitting the road much sooner. Michelin has announced a partnership with General Motors that will see the wheel fitted to a test fleet of Chevrolet Bolt EVS. Real-world testing will begin in the US in 2019 and, if the results are as promising as the company hopes, it could just signal the beginning of a revolution that will see regular visits to the tyre-fitting centre consigned to history.