Posted on 10/01/2016 8:40:52 PM PDT by aquila48
Whether it's by the use of tiny car-lifting robots or totally spherical wheels, the idea of a car that can move effortlessly sidewise is an endlessly appealing one. Parallel parking becomes a dream, parking garage management becomes a piece of cake. And out of all the ways to make that dream come true, these "Liddiard Wheels" seem like a pretty compelling one.
Designed by one William Liddiard, the wheels are similar to the kind of "omni wheels" you'll find on some robots and heavy machinery. The difference with these is that they are on an actual car, they have one continuous surface, and they're a bolt-on modification. According to Liddiard, they can be slapped on any car.
As for general drivability, Liddiard makes some bold claims in the video's description:
[They're designed] to be used in all weather and road conditions. They are stronger, faster, and more accurately controlled than prior art. They can take a beating. The tires can have the same build characteristics (siping, grooves, rubber compounds etc.) as regular tires. All that said, they are just prototypes, and Liddiard is hoping to team up with a partner for help bringing them to market.
Of course any system like this is going to make everything around the wheels and tires much more complicated than it already is, as well require users to use non-standard tires. The ability to move sideways—cool as it is—might not be worth the trouble, especially with the self-driving car future seemingly on the horizon.
(Excerpt) Read more at popularmechanics.com ...
Video at source.
[Twist and Slide in Any Direction]
Oh, sorry. Thought this was a thread about ABC/CBS/NBC/CNN/Yahoo spinning for Hillary.
My bad.
direct link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-TOV-NBD70
I’d rather have a car that doesn’t twist and slide in every direction.
No tread.won’t last very long. Expensive as hell.
That would be a big hit here in California where parallel parking isn’t even on the driver’s test any more. You ought to see the hilarious attempts to parallel park by those under 35. Heaven help you if you get stuck behind one in the traffic lane.
James Brown would have those on his car.
Power boats with twin screws (No, not a Bill Clinton capability) have been able to this for years, by reversing one prop.
The USS Enterprise could turn ‘on a dime’ at Attack Speed, because she had props on both sides along the hull.
When it comes to doing it with vehicles it is going to take some mighty unconventional wheels/tires.
Caterpillar D-8s, 9s and 10s are simple to parallel park.
Problem is, not many people drive them in urban areas, where most parallel parking takes place.
Maybe the solution to parking is to ensure people can actually operate a vehicle before handing them a license.
I suppose that’s somehow a racist thing to say and I don’t comprehend how because of my white privilege. Or global warming. Or something.
Liddiard’s biggest market? I can see it now, low-riders. I can envision the ‘52 Chevy with the BIG bus steering wheel, the seat on the floor, the driver barely seen behind the dash peering through the spokes, doo boppin’ down the street, hydraulics, and Liddiards at play, Stereo Boom Box with the valve cranked. The crowd just marveling at the show. WOW MAN!
Might help some people with boat trailers.
Thank you.
the hilarious attempts to parallel park by those under 35. Heaven help you if you get stuck behind one in the traffic lane.
****************
Several years ago, I told a co worker he could use my pick up to make an emergency trip from work to home.
About a 15 minute round trip to the parking lot back in to our work area. He came in, handed me back my keys and said he didn’t know how to drive a stick shift.
I believe his face might have turned red except he was a black man, I don’t think black people get red faces.
By the way he was an all around family man, hard worker and good friend. Just ignorant about stick shifts.
Maybe the solution to parking is to ensure people can actually operate a vehicle before handing them a license.
I suppose that’s somehow a racist thing to say and I don’t comprehend how because of my white privilege. Or global warming. Or something.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
It’s all those things and more, you white devil honky!
(I’m identifying as a black male today)-
I have a 1988 F-150.
When someone wants to borrow mt truck, I have to give them instructions...
the first thing that confuses them is the round key and the square key,
and then it is the foot operated high-beam dimmer switch on the floor,
and then there is the switch to swap from the front tank to the rear tank.
“When it comes to doing it with vehicles it is going to take some mighty unconventional wheels/tires.”
Did you see the video?
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