The guy trying to revolutionize transportation by reinventing the wheel and saying goodbye to the engine.
The brilliant mind behind this innovative idea is David Henson, a renowned inventor known more for his creative toys than for his work in the automotive industry. Inspired by the classic pin art toy, he came up with the radical concept of a car without an engine, gearbox, or limits. Imagine a wheel made up of hundreds of small actuators that move with precision to push the car forward. These actuators could be electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic, adjusting their thrust based on the terrain. This would result in a simpler and lighter vehicle, potentially reducing its weight by 50% to 75%.
The Future of Transportation
While there is no prototype or real-world testing yet, Henson’s idea is protected by a patent and has already sparked interest among engineers in various sectors. The concept could revolutionize maintenance in challenging environments such as agricultural vehicles, lunar explorers, or Martian rovers. Henson sees his idea not just as mechanical innovation but also as a philosophical shift. He believes that by eliminating traditional propulsion systems, the wheel could once again change how we move the world. Perhaps in the future, cars without engines or transmissions will become the norm, and we will look back on this moment as the beginning of a new era in transportation.
