Push Admin

South Korean researchers invented a shape-shifting 'morphing' wheel that could allow wheelchairs to climb stairs and navigate rocky paths.
The wheel changes its stiffness in real time depending on the situation to allow wheelchairs and other mobility devices to overcome obstacles with ease.

Article (news)

MORPHING WHEEL

Reuters

South Korean researchers are reinventing the wheel - literally - with a shape-shifting &#x27;morphing&#x27; wheel that could allow wheelchairs to climb stairs and navigate rocky paths.Engineers at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) have developed what they claim to be the “world’s first” wheel that changes its stiffness in real time depending on the situation to allow wheelchairs and other mobility devices to overcome obstacles with ease.Traditional wheels, while ideal for flat surfaces, struggle with stairs and uneven terrain due to their rigid, unchanging shape. The morphing wheel, however, shifts between rigid and soft states, offering stability on flat ground and transforming into a flexible form when encountering obstacles, without needing complex machinery or sensors.“Our wheel maintains its round form on flat ground and softens only when navigating obstacles,” said principal researcher at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) Song Sung-Hyuk.Other technologies, such as non-pneumatic tires, offer flexibility for overcoming obstacles but often lack stability on flat surfaces or had limited deformation capability, Song added.This technology allows the wheels to overcome obstacles up to 1.3 times their radius and reach speeds of 30 km/h (18 mph).The wheel’s adaptability is inspired by the surface tension of liquid droplets, the researcher said.Using a smart chain block on its outer edge, the wheel can tighten or loosen in response to the terrain, much like how increased surface tension stabilizes a liquid droplet’s shape.When wire spokes pull the smart chain blocks inward, the wheel becomes rigid for stability; when loosened, it softens, allowing it to mold to uneven surfaces.The research team sees vast potential for this wheel in a range of applications, from personal mobility devices to industrial robots.&quot;This modularised wheel can be attached to any mobile platform simply by replacing existing wheels. Once installed, the wheel provides variable stiffness, adapting to each application,&quot; Song said. &quot;We are continuously conducting research to optimise the wheel’s performance for various applications.&quot;This morphing wheel was featured on the cover of research journal Science Robotics in August 2024. - Report from Reuters<div> </div>

South Korean researchers invented a shape-shifting 'morphing' wheel that could allow wheelchairs to climb stairs and navigate rocky paths.
The wheel changes its stiffness in real time depending on the situation to allow wheelchairs and other mobility devices to overcome obstacles with ease.

South Korean researchers invented a shape-shifting 'morphing' wheel that could allow wheelchairs to climb stairs and navigate rocky paths. The wheel changes its stiffness in real time depending on the situation to allow wheelchairs and other mobility devices to overcome obstacles with ease.

WATCH: Wheelchairs that can climb stairs

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Health & Science

WATCH: Wheelchairs that can climb stairs

Reuters

Published Nov 15, 2024 05:45 PM PHT

|

Updated Nov 20, 2024 10:54 AM PHT

Read More:

South Korea

wheelchair

morphing wheel

disability

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.