Electromagnetic Wheels for the eco-car of the future?

[Luxbg]

Excerpt from Eco Cars: Car of the future gets propelled by electromagnetic wheels

Working to design cars for the future, Indian auto designer Nanish K R has come up with a car design aimed to revolutionize transport in the year 2020. The simple, yet stylish car is powered by four independent electromagnetic wheels, which allows the car to do without a conventional powertrain.

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[Frank Lee]

I like the look. It's got a mini-robo-early microbus thing going.

Ahhh, wheel hub motors. Been with us for over 100 years now but haven't really ever taken off.

[cfg83]

Luxbg -

Cool. Straight out of iRobot.

Frank, has someone built a practicable prototype at any time?

CarloSW2

[Frank Lee]

Lots of prototypes but not much in the way of mass production.

[Christ]

That thing have a camera for a windshield?

[Frank Lee]

I would put windows that you can see through in it; smaller wheels and tires and tuck them into the bodywork; do away with the fancy necklace and put regular lighting on it; and get rid of all those giant musical notes. Oh, and I would bolt the seats down onto something too.

[drbobwoolery]

Wheel motors are common on large construction equipment, but they use hydraulics.

[Luxbg]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I would put windows that you can see through in it; smaller wheels and tires and tuck them into the bodywork; do away with the fancy necklace and put regular lighting on it; and get rid of all those giant musical notes. Oh, and I would bolt the seats down onto something too.

I wouldn't worry too much about bolting the seats down, that's really not that important... first those giant musical notes need to go