Michelin Unveiled Automated Tyre Regrooving Machine Nazca
The new system uses laser scanning to automate fleet tyre maintenance, promising increased mileage and fuel savings.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Automotive — General
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Michelin debuted Nazca, an automated machine designed to streamline tyre regrooving for lorries, buses, and coaches. The system is currently undergoing pilot testing across Europe.
Why it matters
By automating the regrooving process, the technology ensures consistent quality while reducing the ergonomic strain and high skill requirements traditionally associated with manual labour.
The Nazca system reduces direct technician involvement to under three minutes per operation. It can extend tyre mileage by up to 25% and improve fuel economy by as much as 5%.
The players
Michelin
A global tyre manufacturer known for its extensive range of passenger, commercial, and specialty tyres.
The details
The machine uses a high-density laser scanner to measure exact tyre geometry across the surface. These readings inform internal algorithms that adjust cutting depth in real time, enabling the machine to handle various tyre brands and sizes automatically.
Timeline
Michelin unveiled Nazca at IAA Transportation 2026 in September 2026.
The manufacturer plans to expand the technology rollout to various countries in 2027.
The Home Front
The introduction of Nazca marks a shift toward automated precision in heavy-duty tyre maintenance. This follows established industry efforts to improve circularity by extending the service life of rubber assets.
Fleet operators and heavy vehicle owners should monitor regional service provider availability as the technology expands in 2027. Review your current tyre maintenance logs to determine if regrooving or retreading could lower your operational costs per kilometre.
The takeaway
Automated regrooving can extend tyre service life by up to 2.5 times while saving 50 kg of raw materials per unit. Fleet managers should evaluate their current tyre replacement cycle against the potential 33% cost reduction provided by optimized retreading processes.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in fleet maintenance and vehicle care in our Automotive — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TrasportoEuropa.
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