michelin uptis airless, puncture-proof tire debuts on MINI at IAA 2021

michelin uptis’ world public debut at IAA 2021

michelin — the company behind the chubby white tire man we all know and love — together with general motors, is stretching out one plump arm towards the future with its new visionary tire concept. dubbed the michelin uptis prototype (or unique puncture-proof tire system), this new generation of wheel technology for passenger vehicles is completely airless. with a joint research agreement underway, the two mobility giants intend to validate the prototype as early as 2024.

at IAA 2021, uptis stays on track for 2024 as it takes its first spin in public on an electric MINI cooper SE.

the michelin uptis takes a ride on the MINI cooper SE at IAA 2021

all images courtesy of michelin

first stop on michelin’s journey to sustainable mobility

‘michelin’s strategy is focused on sustainable mobility. that’s why our ambition is to be using 100% sustainable materials in our tires by 2050. the VISION concept demonstrates michelin’s ability to meet this challenge and our commitment to offer products and services that are environmentally sound throughout their entire life cycle,‘ explains yves chapot, general manager of the michelin group, at the IAA in munich, germany.

the reinvented wheel, michelin uptis, is the first stop in the brand’s journey in using only sustainable materials in tires by 2050 aka VISION concept. the strategy looks to the circular economy – reduce, reuse, recycle and renew – for environmentally friendly mobility in the future.

the reinvented wheel is part of michelin’s VISION concept specifying only sustainable materials used in tires by 2050

the michelin uptis is an airless mobility solution for passenger vehicles, which eliminates the risk of flat tires and blowouts that result from punctures or road hazards. its airless technology minimizes regular maintenance such as pressure checks and inspections for damage. created with sustainability in mind, michelin uptis’ materials reduce the number of tires that are condemned to scrap while decreasing overall raw materials and energy used in tire production.

the michelin uptis is an airless mobility solution for passenger vehicles that eliminates the risk of flat tires

‘uptis demonstrates that michelin’s vision for a future of sustainable mobility is clearly an achievable dream,’ concludes florent menegaux, chief executive officer for michelin group. ‘through work with strategic partners like GM, who share our ambitions for transforming mobility, we can seize the future today.’

the airless technology also minimizes regular maintenance