British YouTuber James Bruton has a lot of experience working with self-balancing technology and omnidirectional wheels. His new electric motorcycle balances well and moves in any direction. Earlier Bruton had already made a self-balancing bicycle, as well as a bunch of self-stabilizing robots.
This is not James' first attempt to create an omnidirectional motorcycle. About seven months ago, he published a video in which he demonstrated a similar bike with two wheels in the front and two in the back. However, the previous model could not move forward or backward.
The latest iteration is the screw bike. Bruton has moved from omnidirectional wheels to a Mecanum-type design. Unlike the previous ones, the rollers on these wheels are arranged diagonally. While they rotate freely, the wheels themselves are set in motion. A vehicle with four Mecanum wheels can move in any direction or maneuver gracefully in place.
Bruton created 360 mm (14.2″) diameter wheels from individual components printed on a 3D printer. He installed four wheels sideways, since their main task is primarily fast self-balancing of the chassis. Each of them is set in motion by a toothed rubber belt connected to an electric motor.
After turning on without a pilot, the motorcycle stably balances in place, and with a driver on board, it does almost the same. Like on a Segway, you can lean it to start moving in any direction. The bike moves forward without compromising its self-balancing. A switch on the handlebar engages reverse, and separate controls allow the driver to spin the motorcycle in place.
The vehicle doesn't seem fast - especially when moving forward or backward. It is difficult to call it a practical design for use or industrial production, however, it is good enough for entertainment and as a model made by one person. Bruton's project files are open, available for use by other enthusiasts.
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