Thales, a global leader in technology and security, has announced a partnership with Michelin, the renowned tire manufacturer, to protect its intellectual property and expand its software offerings worldwide using the Sentinel Software Monetization Platform. Michelin, known for producing tires for everything from bicycles to space shuttles, is shifting towards generating revenue from software. One of its key software products, TameTire, allows automotive manufacturers and motorsports teams to simulate tire performance with high precision.
TameTire leverages advanced algorithms to predict tire behavior under various conditions, such as forces, torque, and temperature, helping manufacturers design better handling vehicles at reduced costs. It also provides motorsports teams with a safer, more convenient environment to test and refine vehicle setups.
TameTire is just one of several simulation tools Michelin utilizes and protects using Thales Sentinel. Other offerings include Canopy, which enables rapid laptime simulation, vehicle modeling, and setup optimization through cloud computing and a proprietary solver, and SiMiX, which provides datasets for vehicle manufacturers, racing teams, and the automotive supply chain, covering components like tires, chassis, and suspensions.
Damien Bullot, Vice President of Software Monetization at Thales, stated, “Michelin’s software is innovative and highly specialized, which is why they needed a flexible licensing platform that is both easy to implement and secure against intellectual property theft. Thales Sentinel handles all of Michelin’s software licensing, integrating seamlessly with their systems, and we’re pleased to see operational efficiencies and growth in their revenue.”
Pierre-Yves Mauriere, Product Owner for TameTire at Michelin, added, “Quality is the foundation of our brand, so it was essential that we focused on maintaining that standard as we expanded into software. Our partnership with Thales has allowed us to protect our valuable software IP while transitioning to a subscription model that scales our license-based revenue. With Sentinel, we can continue innovating and adding value for our customers.”
Michelin utilizes the Sentinel platform for software licensing both on-premises and in the cloud. While TameTire is generally deployed offline or in a hybrid environment, Canopy and SiMiX are fully cloud-based, taking advantage of Sentinel’s Cloud License Manager.
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, and digital sectors. The company’s portfolio addresses critical challenges such as security, sustainability, and inclusivity. Thales invests over €4 billion annually in R&D, particularly in areas like AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and cloud technologies.
