Michelin and General Motors have teamed up to literally reinvent the wheel with a new generation of high-tech airless tires.

The automotive companies' Uptis (Unique Puncture-proof Tire System) prototype grabbed headlines after it was presented at the Movin'On Summit on sustainable mobility in Montreal this week.

It doesn't have a traditional sidewall and carries a load by the top via a resin-embedded fiberglass material that Michelin already has 50 patents for, according to Car and Driver.

https://www.maxim.com/gear/michelin-...t-uptis-2019-6



My first question would be: is it easier or harder on the arms, ball joints, etc.

 

My bet is they are heavy as hell and as such, pretty hard on the suspension. Apparently Michelin didn't learn from their PAX debacle. I keep wondering what part of "unsprung" weight Michelin is not understanding.

 

'For the car driver, Michelin claims the Uptis tire won't feel much different from a standard pneumatic tire. The weight of the Uptis is inbetween the weight of a standard tire and a run-flat at 22.5 kg (49.6 lb). The Uptis has the advantage of removing the need for a spare tire, however, which can be a significant weight savings for a vehicle.'



https://newatlas.com/michelin-gm-upt...ss-tire/60004/

 

I would argue the exponential effect of unsprung weight will greatly exceed the benefit of eliminating the spare tire. When it comes to ride and handling (and suspension life for that matter), even a few pounds makes a difference, if a tire weighs ten to twelve pounds more than an standard pneumatic tire, it will suck when it comes to performance.

 

Here's a couple of videos that show some 'sidewall' loading on industrial equipment. It's interesting to see how they flex during sideways loading.
Of course, it's all based on their 'Tweel' tech of the future now being developed for cars.

 

With aftermarket wheels being a significant aspect of customization, I wonder how they are going to let people personalize these.

Or will they just be thrown on the appliance car of the near future that no one owns but can grab for a ride.

 

I imagine they'll be an 'appliance car' product, at least in the beginning. Probably take a few iterations/generations before a viable performance variant is available.
Put a set on the rears of a Hellcat & watch it snap the 'spokes' off.

 

We have a couple of farm vehicles with these types of wheel/tire combinations; I see them as being very viable for a small tractor tooling along over dirt at 10 mph, I do not see them as being viable for any sort of a performance oriented vehicle. Everything else in the middle will be viable on a case-by-case basis.

 

I've seen some county/state/local/whatever equipment (mowers & such) using them on occasion. Definitely a place for them.

Would be great on our ranch trucks, where there are mesquite thorns that'll make short work of a tire.

 

Cool tech but boy are they ugly