Engineer and former toy designer, James Bruton has a serious penchant for omnidirectional wheel which allows it to move in several directions thanks to smaller wheels distributed around its circumference. It can then be used as a conventional wheel or perform lateral movements. After designing a number of robots fitted with self-stabilizing omnidirectional wheels, this inventor took on the challenge of adapting this device to the front wheel of a bike.
The video documents all the design work of the omnidirectional wheel which uses skateboard wheels and a stabilization system managed by an electric motor itself controlled by an electronic box. All this is “homemade” by James Bruton whose ingenuity impresses.
The demonstration seems quite conclusive, even if the inventor explains that he had to unlearn the classic driving of a bicycle by blocking the arms to immobilize the handlebars and by leaning instead of steering. In the end, this invention will certainly not revolutionize the bikebut it deserves a tip of the hat.