James Bruton, a famous YouTuber and mechanical engineer who likes to challenge traditional bike design and push the boundaries of what is possible, has revealed yet another oddball vehicle - a self-balancing omnidirectional electric motorcycle called the "Screw Bike."
Most bike manufacturers seem to believe "self-balancing” bikes are the future of two-wheeled mobility. And now that electric bikes have become mainstream, they have shifted their focus to making this new concept a reality. But while they are hard at work developing cutting-edge autonomous technology with balance-assist systems and advanced sensors, microprocessors, and motors for their upcoming bikes, Bruton has already successfully built a self-balancing electric bike.
However, don't get your hopes high, as his one-of-a-kind creation is not practical for everyday commuting and is very unlikely to ever be mass-produced. It's actually one of the most bonkers electric contraptions ever built. Inspired by the concept of a screw-drive tank, the Screw Bike is a mind-blowing piece of e-bike engineering that incorporates omnidirectional wheels mounted sideways and self-balancing mechanisms.
This is not Bruton's first time experimenting with self-balancing technology and omnidirectional wheels. He previously crafted a self-balancing bicycle with a front omni-wheel mounted sideways and various self-stabilizing robot projects. He also built a multidirectional motorcycle prototype with large omni-wheels mounted at each end of the vehicle. However, that model could only balance, move sideways, and turn around successfully but was not capable of rolling forward or backward.
The new and improved contraption can not only self-balance like a Segway device but also efficiently move in any direction thanks to four ingeniously designed Mecanum wheels that, at first glance, seem to face the wrong direction. However, this is how the engineer intended them to be so that they can spin in opposite directions and give the bike impressive sliding, gliding, and spinning capabilities. While omni-wheels have the rollers mounted sideways, Mecanum wheels place them at diagonal angles, enabling more versatility and dynamism.
To ensure strength and durability, Bruton used a welded steel frame, but most of the other components were crafted using 3D printing technology, including the Mecanum wheels, which were custom-made exclusively for this project. These wheels have been mounted in a row, and each is driven by an ODrive electric motor controlled by a Teensy 4.1 development board. An IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) constantly measures balance parameters and communicates with the Teensy to enable precise control of the bike.
The rider can maneuver the Screw Bike by means of a set of rigid handlebars with a hand throttle and a switch to facilitate reverse movement. Additional controls allow the rider to spin the bike on its own axis for a complete range of motion.
Though the Screw Bike will never become your everyday commuter, it's still a remarkable feat of engineering and design that looks like a lot of fun to ride. It also showcases the endless possibilities within the ever-evolving world of e-bikes.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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