Reconfigurable wheel changes from tyre to track in two seconds

This captioned movie shows a shape-shifting wheel to track mechanism created by DARPA and Carnegie Mellon University’s National Robotics Engineering Centre. The Reconfigurable Wheel-Track (RWT) mechanism transitions from a round wheel to a triangular track, which enhances mobility and manoeuvrability, while allowing for faster travel on a range of terrains. The wheel function allows for fast travel on hard terrains and the tracks perform better on soft surfaces, by lowering the vehicle’s ground pressure. Launched as part of DARPA’s Ground X-Vehicle Technologies programme, the Reconfigurable Wheel-Track system aims to improve the mobility and effectiveness of combat vehicles. Read more on Dezeen: WATCH NEXT: Foster and Heatherwick complete Shanghai theatre with curtain-like facade - Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest architecture and design movies: Like Dezeen on Facebook: Follow