this post was submitted on 06 Aug 2023
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Weird Wheels

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Source (Full video): Can I ride a Bike with an Omni-Wheel? - (James Bruton, YouTube)

1 minute edit: https://i.imgur.com/ywsDJ2f.mp4

From the video description:

Last time I built a giant omni-wheel. An omni-wheel can move in multiple directions because it has lots of smaller wheels around its circumference, so it can roll like a normal wheel, or slide sideways.
Normally you’d use at least three omni-wheels on a vehicle so that you can move or rotate in any direction. But in this video I’m going to put my giant omni-wheel on the front of a bicycle, and with some clever electronics I’m going to control the wheel so I can ride it.
I’m using the back end of the bike from the Makers Secret Santa Christmas video which Colin Furze left on my driveway. I’ll need to modify the bike so I checked it wasn’t Colin’s bike from his childhood or anything and he said it sounds cool.
As I mentioned last time, the wheel is going to be mounted the wrong way around on the front of the bike so the two wheels make a T-shape. So first of all I need to make some modifications to the front forks of the bike.

CAD and Code: https://github.com/XRobots/BIGOmni-Bike

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

That's great on a smooth, flat surface. But not gonna do great on a commute.

[–] BravoVictor 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Cool implementation; I can only assume it was an engineering challenge of some sort?

There’s be zero use for it as it’s presented, but it’s fun to see the bike move with the wheel perpendicular to normal.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I can only assume it was an engineering challenge of some sort?

I would say so, James Bruton has some videos of the type "let's see what happens if I try this very impractical idea".

There’s be zero use for it as it’s presented,

Agree. For me, the fun part is that it's not a 100% fail :D.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

He should seek sponsorship from helmet manufacturers. Very cool project and an impressive array of skills. It feels like there are applications in robotics and automation for this type of technology.