New Atlas

Automotive Audio available

Plug-and-play wheel unit designed to boost production of EVs

Ben Coxworth March 18, 2019

Although Teslas may get a lot of attention, many EVs are actually small cars designed solely for urban use, made by struggling startup companies. A new wheel module could help increase the economic viability of building such vehicles, by simplifying the design and production processes.

Prof. Amir Khajepour poses with a prototype three-wheeled vehicle that uses the new self-contained wheel units

3D Printing Audio available

Titanium 3D-printed wheel provides a glimpse of the future

Ben Coxworth November 23, 2018

In a demonstration of what could be commercially possible within the near future, HRE Wheels recently teamed up with GE Additive’s AddWorks team to create the first-ever titanium wheel to be 3D-printed via Electron Beam Melting. The process is said to be more efficient than traditional machining.

A custom center piece was used to join the HRE3D+ wheel's five main sections together

Bicycles

Electric-assist EvoWheel set to hit Indiegogo

Ben Coxworth March 5, 2018

If you're looking at converting your standard bicycle into an e-bike, there are now several makes of powered front wheels to choose from. You might want to hold off on making your choice, though, as the crowdfunding campaign for yet another – the EvoWheel – is starting this week.

Being made in different sizes, the EvoWheel should reportedly be compatible with 95 percent of all ...

Automotive

Fascinating Air Suspension Wheels bring new thinking to one of man's oldest problems

Loz Blain January 29, 2018

This airless tire has some interesting advantages. Air Suspension Wheels can't go flat or get punctures, you can change treads with a spanner and no jacks, and they offer some interesting dynamic capabilities that could see them being very useful in large mining applications and even wheelchairs.

Wheelchair users would likely experience more ride comfort, as well as a vastly superior ability to ...

Bicycles

Revolve folding 26-inch wheel could be a game-changer

Mike Hanlon January 16, 2018

The Revolve wheel folds to a third of its diameter and back in an instant, yet provides a safe, stable, full-size 26-inch wheel for a folding bicycle or wheelchair. Announced this week in Munich, the Revolve will enable a renaissance in folding vehicle design

"I didn't design a wheel for single bicycle, but a wheel for many different products that ...

Bicycles Review

Review: Bike-boosting Copenhagen Wheel finally hits the streets

Ben Coxworth June 26, 2017

It was back in 2009 that we first heard about the Copenhagen Wheel, a motor-equipped rear bicycle wheel that could turn an existing bicycle into an e-bike. The years since saw some delays, but as of this April it finally became commercially available. We recently tried the wheel out for ourselves.

The Copenhagen Wheel is now available for purchase

Bicycles Review

Review: GeoOrbital Wheel brings an electric boost and a touch of sci-fi to your bike

Ben Coxworth May 15, 2017

Of all the cycling gadgets we've had the chance to test, the GeoOrbital Wheel has got to be one of the most fascinating. It's an electric front wheel that instantly converts your existing bike into an e-bike, and it looks like it belongs in the upcoming Blade Runner sequel.

The GeoOrbital Wheel turns your existing bike into an e-bike

Bicycles

High-tech wheel makes your bike ... slower?

Ben Coxworth March 22, 2017

Hill-climbing may be a great workout for cyclists, but, well … not everyone has a hilly road nearby. That's why Australian cyclist Michael Freiberg created the AIRhub. Sold as a complete front wheel, its hub incorporates an electromagnetic brake that creates up to 100 watts of resistance.

The AIRhub generates up to 100 watts of resistance

Bicycles

Electric bike wheel eases off on dollars and pounds

Ben Coxworth March 20, 2017

Why buy an e-bike, when you can just replace your regular bike's front wheel with one that has an electric motor? That's the thinking behind recent products such as the Omni Wheel and Electron Wheel. UrbanX has now also thrown its hat in the ring, with its lightweight Eco and Booster wheels.

The UrbanX replaces a normal bike's front wheel

Robotics

There's no escaping Boston Dynamics' wheeled jumping robot

Rich Haridy February 27, 2017

Boston Dynamics has officially unveiled its latest robot after footage leaked earlier in February. Known as "Handle" the new research robot incorporates elements from the company's Altas robot, but achieves more efficient mobility by adding wheels and a significantly less complex joint system.

Boston Dynamics latest innovation is Handle, a research robot with extraordinary mobility