James Bruton, a YouTube engineer and creator has unveiled his latest project an omni-directional self-balancing electric bike with five motors to power it. This allows for movement in multiple directions, creating a unique riding experience.
source.image: James Bruton
Each motor has a very minimal gear reduction to maintain the necessary amount of torque to the wheel that drives the ball to keep the whole thing upright. The bike’s core structure is built for durability and precision control. Instead of wheels, it features two massive rigid spheres.
The five electric motors are powered by six batteries, and there’s an electronics unit with start and emergency stop buttons, two voltmeters, and a neat LED display that provides the bike’s lean angle.
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I built an omni-directional ball-wheeled bike. This bike balanced like a Segway sideways, and drives in all directions, which makes it the ultimate drift bike! I used five ODrive brushless motors driving omni-directional wheels, running on large plastic balls which are intended for circus acts to balance on. Active control keeps it upright and twist grips are used to drive and steer.
