Tanktowheel

Tanktowheel is a wheel-based locomotion concept that integrates a continuous track or belt around the circumference of a wheel to form a wheel-track hybrid. The idea is to capture the steering and rolling efficiency of wheeled systems while gaining the additional traction and stability of tracked vehicles on challenging terrain.

Design and variants: In common implementations a belt or track is wrapped around the wheel rim and either fixed to the wheel hub or driven by a separate drive mechanism. Some designs use segmented plates or flexible tread elements that can deform to maintain ground contact on irregular surfaces. Tensioning systems and drive arrangements vary, with some configurations providing partial contact around the wheel and others effectively creating a full ring around it.

Advantages and challenges: The tanktowheel can offer higher ground contact area, improved mud and snow performance, and better obstacle negotiation with potentially lower ground pressure. It can also simplify steering in certain layouts by adjusting belt tension or slip. The drawbacks include added weight and complexity, higher manufacturing and maintenance costs, belt wear, and potential efficiency losses compared with pure wheels on smooth surfaces.

History and applications: The concept has appeared in robotics and off-road vehicle research since the late 20th century, with prototype demonstrations on testbeds and small vehicles. While not adopted for mainstream consumer cars, tanktowheels have been explored for exploration rovers, unmanned ground vehicles, emergency response bots, and agricultural robots where rough terrain is common.

See also: Tracked wheel, hybrid wheel, continuous track.