This is the most advance version of Michelins 'Active Wheel'.

It is tyre,braking system, motorisation and suspension all inside one unit.

Vehicle powered by the Active Wheel will have no need for gearbox,clutch,transmission shaft,differential or shock absorbers enabling a vast reduction in the weight and bulk of a car.

Comments from TV motoring techno heads all welcome!

It's quite an old concept - a classic piece of French Engineering thinking "outside the box" - perhaps the Michelin will update it enough to make it work.

I remember in the 70s or 50s a French project that fitted hydraulic motors in the wheels.triumph motorcycles has the spring suspension in the hubs for a while too.i believe they were very popular with builders of "choppers" in the 60s/70s

.Hybrid power has been around for years too - with diesel electric trains, experimental turbine/electric cars etc.

THe beauty of motors in wheels is the flexibility it gives to drive, 1, 2, 3 4, or even 5 or 6 wheel drive as required.

i think the system needs proving - how do they see it being used? - a rally car would be interesting!

Edited June 8, 201016 yr by Deeral