He creates a motorcycle with omnidirectional wheels that rolls in all directions!

This is undoubtedly one of the strangest cars of this year. His name is Screw bike and this electric car, which looks like a two-wheeler but isn’t, can go in any direction. Thus, it can move while maintaining balance like a crab, or move forward or backward and turn while remaining motionless in all directions. Engineer and former toy designer James Bruton who developed it is not his first attempt. A few years ago, Futura introduced their bike with an omnidirectional front wheel. Oddly enough, this wheel was then positioned perpendicular to the bicycle frame. An omnidirectional wheel is actually made up of small wheels skateboard rotating in the direction of movement. By turning the steering wheel, you can turn in all directions without moving forward. An electric stabilization system keeps the bike balanced.

James Bruton developed this concept further in his Screw bike. On the other hand, he didn’t invent anything. It was based on a process dating back fifty years ago called Mecanum wheels. These are omnidirectional wheels, some non-motorized rollers are located at an angle of 45° relative to the rest.

James Bruton explains the development and shows how his screw bike works. ©James Bruton

Mecanum wheels

In the first version with simple omnidirectional wheels motorbikemotorbike perfectly balanced and allowed movement in all directions except forward and backward. This is exactly what the engineer used Mecanum wheels for. Thanks to the four Mecanum wheels, the motorcycle can turn in all directions, both when stationary and in forward motion. Wheels Screw bike were 3D printed because there was no commercial equivalent. Their diameter is 36 centimeters. Each wheel is driven by a timing belt. rubberrubber which rotates thanks to an electric motor. The machine may resemble a Segway because its self-balancing system keeps it upright. Likewise, to activate movementmovement one way, just tilt it. The accelerator on the handle allows it to move forward or backward. The engineer is proud of his creation, which he was able to test indoors without colliding with furniture before trying it out outdoors. The machine is not lightninglightning war and isn’t really designed to allow you to jump over a curb, but as the video above shows, it’s still a lot of fun.