a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
A motorized Shoe-wheeled Vehicle most likely from the Honda Idea Contest or Toyota's Idea Olympics (Expo) which showcased ideas from their employees. See other Walking Wheels at the bottom of the Walking Machines page.
Modern Mechanix, Sept 1931. Cast-off Shoes Make Tires for "Rough Rider" Bicycle IF YOU don't know what to do with your old shoes, here's a suggestion—make bike wheels out of them. No less a unique stunt has been performed by Marie Glory, a well-known Parisian bicycling enthusiast, as the photo at left shows. The regular …
Read More “1931 – Shoe-Wheeled “Walking” Bicycle – Marie Glory (French)”
No, not a bumpy ride. Most likely a cam similar to the "Square Wheel" rides on the swingarm and driven by the main pedal crank. This vehicle was submitted by an employee to the All-Honda Idea Contest in Japan in 1974. Source: Popular Science, Aug 1974. See other Walking Wheels at the bottom of the Walking …
Source: MECHANIX ILLUSTRATED August, 1949 Truck Walks on Wheels ADMIRAL Richard E. Byrd's transport troubles in the Antarctic ten years ago started John F. Kopczynski, a student engineer, thinking: "Why can't wheels walk?" Conventional wheels merely spun and bogged down helplessly in the deep snow. Walking wheels could pull like the tracks on a tractor …
Read More “1950 – Elliptical Walking Wheels – John Kopczynski (American)”
Source: Popular Mechanics, April 1970. 1- SQUARE WHEELS WORK BETTER than round ones in this system for use on rough terrain- The sharp-cornered treads dig in on snow, mud, sand or steep grades, providing increased traction for trucks, tanks and other military vehicles. At the same time, ingenious self-leveling geometry provides a smooth ride on …
Read More “1954 – Square Walking Wheel – Albert Sfredda (American)”