The Circulus (top pictures) is a neat idea for a future three-wheeler from US designer Santosh Chawla. It’s actually one of the entries in this year’s Michelin Challenge Design, or in the international tyre company’s words: “Brave + Bold America’s Next Iconic Vehicle”.
This has a splendid ring to it, so how does Santosh’s entry stack up? The main reason for the triple-wheel design is manoeuvrability, using the spheroid front tyre to spin around on the spot, if needed. Circulus would run on a slim hydrogen power plant, have side panels made from recycled plastic, polyurethane seats, and lightweight mechanical parts. Lighting is a space- and energy-saving LED system
It’s a neat design, so good luck Santosh, but of course spherical wheels in themselves are not new. Way back in 1953, readers of the British Eagle comic (bottom) were introduced to the Aranjet Supersport Aquagyro, owned by ‘Pilot of the Future’ Dan Dare.
Dan Dare creator Frank Hampson penned many original concepts, and vehicles that rode on a gyro-stabilized ball were common in his weekly sci-fi picture strip. The workings were never quite explained, but it looked so neat we don’t really mind - and as for this particular version, the Aranjet was a full-on speedboat as well. IWOOT!
Visit Michelin Challenge Design here.
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