8-Part Smart Wheel

clipped from www.technovelgy.com Dynamic Augmented Wheel System Eight-Part Wheel The Dynamic Augmented Wheel System eight-part wheel is actually a working prototype of an interesting idea; that a car can take a turn better if the wheels lean in segments. However, I'm still liking this prototype because it reminds me of the cool (and as yet unattainable) smartwheels from Neal Stephenson's 1992 novel Snow Crash. Smartwheels use sonar, laser range finding and millimeter wave radar to identify mufflers and other debris. Each one consists of a hub with many tiny spokes. Each spoke telescopes into five sections. On the end is a squat foot, rubber tread on the bottom, swiveling on a ball joint. As the wheel rolls, the feet plant themselves one at a time, almost glomming into one continuous tire. If you surf over a bump, the spokes contract to roll over it. If you surf over a pothole, the rubber prongs probe its asphalt depths. (Read more about smartwheels) Jalopnik and Yanko; thanks to Zac Hunter for pointing this one out