1. Subscribersonhouse
    Fast and Curious
    slatington, pa, usa
    Joined
    28 Dec '04
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    53223
    27 Mar '12 10:28
    http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-03-kyoto-prof-omnidirectional-wheelchair.html

    Pretty clever if you ask me! Wonder if it would work on cars?
  2. Joined
    31 May '06
    Moves
    1795
    27 Mar '12 12:18
    Originally posted by sonhouse
    http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-03-kyoto-prof-omnidirectional-wheelchair.html

    Pretty clever if you ask me! Wonder if it would work on cars?
    Now if only they can bring the price down....



    Hmmm, theoretically there is no reason that this couldn't work for cars however in practice
    it is likely to be extremely hard to make that kind of wheel design withstand the punishment
    it would receive pounding down a motorway at 70+ miles an hour with several tons of vehicle
    on top.

    Also the reduced contact area is likely to significantly effect braking and cornering performance.

    There are also other options for cars to achieve the same level of mobility that still use ordinary
    wheels that are less practical on a wheelchair.
  3. Standard memberforkedknight
    Defend the Universe
    127.0.0.1
    Joined
    18 Dec '03
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    16687
    28 Mar '12 17:09
    As one of the comments on the article noted, it seems like it would be much simpler to use Mecanum wheels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecanum_wheel). They don't work great for difficult terrain, although the design in the article doesn't seem to be much better in that area.
  4. Joined
    31 May '06
    Moves
    1795
    28 Mar '12 23:27
    Originally posted by forkedknight
    As one of the comments on the article noted, it seems like it would be much simpler to use Mecanum wheels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecanum_wheel). They don't work great for difficult terrain, although the design in the article doesn't seem to be much better in that area.
    Speaking of which....

    http://www.tuvie.com/amphi-x-amphibious-vehicle-for-dubai-2030-by-beichen-nan/
  5. Wat?
    Joined
    16 Aug '05
    Moves
    76863
    29 Mar '12 03:101 edit
    This is how to park sideways. 😉

    YouTube

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=WCXw-dIhaR4&NR=1

    -m.
  6. Standard memberfinnegan
    GENS UNA SUMUS
    Joined
    25 Jun '06
    Moves
    64930
    01 Apr '12 20:47
    Originally posted by mikelom
    This is how to park sideways. 😉

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=484SMuhUY_8

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=WCXw-dIhaR4&NR=1

    -m.
    I need to copy this to my next door neighbour! The dents on my car are getting too much for me to endure. 🙂
  7. Subscribersonhouse
    Fast and Curious
    slatington, pa, usa
    Joined
    28 Dec '04
    Moves
    53223
    01 Apr '12 23:54
    Originally posted by forkedknight
    As one of the comments on the article noted, it seems like it would be much simpler to use Mecanum wheels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecanum_wheel). They don't work great for difficult terrain, although the design in the article doesn't seem to be much better in that area.
    It says the navy bought the patent, wonder how much he got for it?
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