Michelin and the University of Poitiers to inaugurate I-TireLab this November

Poitiers, France (AP) — The University of Poitiers and tire manufacturer Michelin have officially launched LabCom I‑TireLab, a collaborative research laboratory aimed at developing data-driven technologies for safer and more sustainable transportation.

The new laboratory brings together researchers from Université de Poitiers, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble INP and the CNRS, working alongside Michelin specialists through the academic research centers LIAS and GIPSA-Lab.

I‑TireLab will focus on using vehicle and industrial data to address challenges in connected mobility. Researchers plan to develop mathematical models and real-time algorithms capable of operating with existing vehicle sensors and industrial equipment, while testing their effectiveness through practical demonstrations.

One major area of research involves estimating tire characteristics such as grip and wear using standard onboard vehicle sensors. The laboratory is also expected to explore ways of incorporating that information into vehicle control systems to improve handling, safety and efficiency.

Additional projects will examine automation in rubber manufacturing and new flow-control technologies using flexible rubber actuators. Researchers say those efforts could reduce material waste, improve production efficiency and lower the environmental impact of tire manufacturing.

Officials involved in the initiative have described the laboratory as a long-term bridge between academic research and industrial application, combining Michelin’s operational expertise with university-led scientific research. The partnership aims to produce practical technologies that can be deployed in real-world transportation and manufacturing environments.

The laboratory was established in 2025 and is intended to serve as a platform for advancing connected mobility technologies through closer cooperation between industry and academia.