[Mister Dave]

New Ring Drive In-Wheel EV Motor Claimed To Be A Breakthrough

The Orbis Ring Drive Wheel is kind of an in-wheel motor, but different from hub motors and, according to company founder Marcus Hays, it saves weight, cost and complexity. Having such wheels apparently improves performance, efficiency and braking (outside disc and caliper operates 20% cooler), too.

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Let's see if this is something that gets forgotten or not.

Good idea in principle, but might not work in practice.

 

[Steverino]

I like the Mad Max look

Seems like it has a lot of pluses going for it. Cost not mentioned. I guess if you have to ask...

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Cost not mentioned. I guess if you have to ask...

Well, they mentioned looking for military use. Not a positive sign. But maybe that's an initial volume production problem.

 

[obermd]

I can see this being incorporated into EV wheels.

 

[BrianP]

All ready been done. See Protean in wheel motors. British/Chines company.
Many manufactures are experimenting with them including GM, Ford and Volvo.
Makes for more interior space and simpler design, is really the way to go.

First car designed by Dr Porche was an electric four wheel drive in wheel design.

 

[Volterado]

Orbis and Protean are not at all the same. Protean adds the weight of a whole motor to the already existing weight of the typical wheel and tire, the Orbis attempts to keep the TOTAL weight of everything about the same as a standard undriven wheel. Protean uses standard wheels, Orbis developed their own wheel system that does away with the normal hub, bearings, brakes, etc.

I don't think either design will be successful in mainstream use, but each seems to have advantages from some types of transit.

 

[edk-austin]

I think I can understand the more mass market appeal of doing it for a Civic, but really?
I'm thinking it's odd they didn't use an EV for the demo.
Where does the extra 100KW come from in a Civic R ?

 

[Guest]

This is really old news! Search for Ferdinand Porsche and his first hybrid automobile. It is the world's very first hybrid and used electric motors in the wheels!

 

[JRRF]

Interesting concept, that definitely frees up space. But I don't think I'd put any large bets on it. Un-sprung weight is a killer.

 

[Steverino]

This is really old news! Search for Ferdinand Porsche and his first hybrid automobile. It is the world's very first hybrid and used electric motors in the wheels!

True, in wheel electric motors, but this ring drive is new.

Interesting concept, that definitely frees up space. But I don't think I'd put any large bets on it. Un-sprung weight is a killer.

Their site says, "Orbis technology dramatically reduces wheel/drivetrain inertia and unsprung weight", so maybe not so much a killer?

 

[El Dobro]

A tire rotation looks like it would be interesting.

 

[srmarti]

Looks vulnerable to curb and debris damage.

 

[Guest]

Not just curb and and debris damage, but those motors will have to work in the rain and snow, through mud and gravel, extreme heat and cold--very severe conditions for an electric motor.