A new invention called the “morphing wheel” has been developed by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM). This innovative wheel can handle obstacles like curbs, bumps, and stairs that are up to 1.3 times its radius. Inspired by the way water droplets change shape, it can switch between solid and fluid states to overcome challenges. The wheel is expected to improve mobility for wheelchairs, delivery vehicles, and robots. It was featured on the cover of Science Robotics in August. Lead researcher Song Sung-hyuk shared that the wheel can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, similar to a regular car. Unlike current wheels, including airless tires, this wheel offers more flexibility.

The wheel has a chain-like outer hoop and spoke wires connected to the center hub. A sensor adjusts the spoke stiffness in real-time, allowing it to adapt to different surfaces. KIMM tested the wheel on a prototype wheelchair, which successfully climbed stairs 18 centimeters high while carrying a life-size dummy. The researchers hope to use the wheel in industrial robots and military machines. This could revolutionize transportation and robotics by offering stronger, more adaptable mobility solutions.