See How This Robotic Wheelchair’s Adaptable Wheels Easily Navigate Bumps, Stones, and Staircases

This week, the Institute of Machinery and Materials in Korea unveiled a robotic wheelchair equipped with adaptive wheels capable of navigating over obstacles such as rocks and stairs. The wheels, under normal conditions, keep a standard circular shape but can transform and adjust to the dimensions of an obstacle, thanks to their compliant mechanism, aiding in easier movement over various terrains.

Featured in Science Robotics, this innovative system employs a sophisticated “smart chain” network connected to the spokes, which dynamically adjusts based on the ground it traverses. The concept draws inspiration from the natural phenomenon of water droplet surface tension. Details regarding the potential market release of this advanced mobility solution remain undisclosed.