Morphing wheels: Are shape-shifting wheels the key to all-terrain mobility?

Moving across difficult terrain, like curbs, stairs, and other urban barriers, will soon be a thing of the past. Do you know why? With its ground-breaking invention—wheels that can adjust to obstacles while in motion—a group of researchers in South Korea is upending the mobility industry.

Picture a wheelchair that can climb stairs with ease or a delivery robot that can navigate uneven ground and curbs without any problems. All of this might be made feasible by a “morphing” wheel created by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), which can roll over obstacles up to 1.3 times its own radius, a report by Reuters revealed.

Nature-Inspired for Maximum Adaptability

Inspired by the elasticity of water droplets, KIMM’s morphing wheels change from rigid to fluid-like in response to obstacles. Compared to conventional wheels, this design enables them to traverse difficult terrains far more effectively.

According to Song Sung-hyuk, principal researcher at KIMM, “the goal is to make this viable for speed up to 100 kph, or the speed of an average car.” Song and his group are committed to advancing the boundaries of robotic mobility as members of KIMM’s AI robotics research group.

How It Operates: The Best of Adaptive Engineering

The wheel’s unique structure consists of a set of spoke wires attached to the hub and an outside hoop composed of flexible chain. The wheel can instantaneously adapt when it comes into contact with various surfaces because embedded sensors change the spokes’ stiffness. When faced with difficulties, the wheels relax, enabling a smoother, safer roll over uneven terrain. On smooth roads, the wheels remain firm for stability and speed.

This versatility isn’t simply a cool feature; it’s necessary for situations where adaptation and movement efficiency are crucial. Even while earlier non-pneumatic tires had considerable flexibility, Song notes that they still had trouble handling bigger obstacles. This restriction is removed by the morphing wheel, which might establish a new benchmark for wheels across a range of industries.

Beyond Wheelchairs: Increasing Use

From military robots conducting intelligence in difficult situations to unmanned delivery trucks, the KIMM team sees a broad range of applications for morphing wheels. They also envision these versatile wheels helping industrial robots, which frequently have vibration-related problems. Morphing wheels could offer stability in these situations, which would make them perfect for transporting large loads over rough terrain.

Positive Prototype Experiments

KIMM recently demonstrated a wheelchair prototype with morphing wheels that could climb 18-cm steps with ease while holding a life-size dummy. Additionally, the wheels have been tested on devices moving at up to 30 kph, demonstrating their ability to manage both slower navigation and rapid travel.

With their unique design and adaptable nature, morphing wheels might just be the breakthrough that enables robots and vehicles to tackle all terrains. Could these shape-shifting wheels redefine mobility? The future looks promising.