Canadian invents a tire that can make cars move sideways

[eznutz]

The age of parallel parking may soon be over thanks to a literal reinvention of the wheel by Canadian man William Liddiard.

“True all-way drive for anything with wheels,” Liddiard says in an online writeup for his successful prototype of “omni-directional” wheels, a specialized rim and tire that can allow any car the ability to move sideways.

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/c...nted-a-wheel-that-can-make-cars-move-sideways

 

[anon1]

Useless for real world automotive use, but has potential in factory floor applications.

 

[rhuarc29]

Useless for real world automotive use, but has potential in factory floor applications.

I wouldn't call it useless, but probably impractical and unlikely to catch on.

I'd like to have a set just to freak out my neighbours....

 

[Occasionally]

I have Spidey Sense that those tires will have awful durability (even if you don't do the parallel parking mode).

 

[Kirby2006]

I suspect ice and snow would not be your friend.

 

[AJstar]

I have Spidey Sense that those tires will have awful durability (even if you don't do the parallel parking mode).

Yes,I don't want to buy & change my rubber every 2 weeks.

 

[LickingGravity]

Not practical and certainly not durable.

 

[Anynym]

I'm interested in seeing how it performs after an hour at highway speeds in the summer, and after sitting in a parking lot at -20 and snow in the winter. Rain? Can you say hydroplaning?

We've seen much more practical ideas with hydraulically activated wheels to lift the car off the regular tires for low-speed sideways motion.

 

[barnacler]

I think makes more sense:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXqCciSmCzo

Have the WHEELS turn rather than the tires ON the wheel.