Video: In-wheel electric motors on robotic legs
Want to take the in-wheel electric motor concept cars like iReal or Pivo off roading? NASA is developing ATHLETE (All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer) which has in-wheel electric motors as the "foot pads" for mechanical legs. The advantage to this set-up is the small in-wheel electric motors are ideal for transport on flatter surfaces while the robotic legs are better for rougher surfaces. There are several slow, robotic human carriers that exist but what might the future hold for this technology?
Below the fold is a clip from the anime Ghost in the Shell that include Tachikomas, intelligent robots with robot legs that have wheels at the end. At the end of the Nissan press conference at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, Carlos Ghosn, Nissan CEO says with no more engine blocks, transmissions, mechanical steering gears, etc., sustainable mobility technologies like in-wheel motors represent a radical shift in design. I can't wait.
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Domenick 7:19PM (11/12/2007)
Wow, that's pretty amazing tech right there. Nice Ghost in the Shell clip too, btw. I hope we get to see these in working in space and not on earth fitted with laser turrents.
I hope someone comes out with an in-wheel motor based ev conversion kit. I'd like to keep my old truck....
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Murc 1:59AM (11/13/2007)
Nice. beats the shit out of the old moon rover. I hope that who ever gets into the whitehouse next year...that they dont halt Bush's Space vision...thing......its a good road map that he laid out, and I like that it involves finishing the ISS, then going to the moon, make a permanent habitat on there, and then go to Mars sometime after 2030.....its all laid out nicely. Its all do-able...as long as the 09 president doesn't cut the funding...
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slntax 9:52PM (11/12/2007)
this is retarded just use tracks. its been proven over and over that tracks are superior to wheels on off road terrain.
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ninesuns 1:01PM (12/24/2007)
I am happy, but I will wait and see.
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