A Unique Omnidirectional Robot

Here’s a neat new method for your robot to move around. The goal of the project was to create a gearless drive system, but the creator found out his concept had actually been around since the 1930s. The idea didn’t create a lot of excitement back then, but with modern electronics and robotics, it looks like the idea may have a second life.

The hemispherical omnidirectional gimballed wheel, or HOG wheel, is a simple rubber hemisphere that spins like a top. When the rubber hits the road, it creates the torque necessary to move the object attached to it in any directions. Based on how the gimballed wheel is placed, change directions with split second speed. Awesome!