James Bruton, a famous YouTuber and mechanical engineer who likes to challenge traditional bicycle design and push the limits of what is possible, has revealed another strange vehicle – a self-balancing omnidirectional electric motorcycle called the “Screw Bike”.
Most bicycle manufacturers seem to believe that “self-balancing” bicycles are the future of two-wheeled mobility. And now that electric bicycles have become mainstream, they have shifted their focus to make this new concept a reality. state-of-the-art autonomous technology with balance assistance systems and advanced sensors, microprocessors and motors for their futures bicyclesBruton has already successfully built a self-balancing electric bicycle.
However, don’t get your hopes up high, as his unique creation isn’t practical for everyday transport and is highly unlikely to ever be mass-produced. It’s actually one of the most bonkers electrical contraptions ever built. Inspired by the concept of a screw tank, the Screw Bike is a stunning piece of e-bike engineering that incorporates side-mounted omnidirectional wheels and self-balancing mechanisms.
This is not the first time Bruton has experimented self-balancing technology and omnidirectional wheels. Previously, he created a self-balancing bicycle with a side-mounted front omni-wheel and various self-stabilizing robot projects. He also built a prototype multi-directional motorcycle with large omni-wheels mounted on each end of the vehicle. However, this model could only balance, move sideways, and turn successfully, but was unable to roll forward or backward.
The new and improved design can not only balance itself like a Segway device, but also move efficiently 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 thought it would be to be able to spin in the opposite direction and give the bike impressive sliding, gliding, and spinning capabilities. While all wheels having the rollers mounted laterally, the Mecanum wheels place them diagonally, allowing more versatility and dynamism.
To ensure strength and durability, Bruton used a welded steel frame, but most of the other components were created using 3D printing technology, including the Mecanum wheels, which were made especially for this project These wheels were mounted in a row, and each one 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 allow precise control of the bike.
The rider can maneuver the Screw Bike through 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 full range of motion.
Although the Screw Bike will never become your daily commuter, it’s still a marvel of engineering and design that looks like a lot of fun to ride. It also shows the endless possibilities in the ever-evolving world of e-bikes.
