Ekruzer an Australian company known for making the world’s first gaming-enabled e-scooter, has developed what it calls a “groundbreaking advancement” in the evolution of the wheel: a hubless drivetrain package.
Ekruzer’s design and engineering team – TAV Systems – has rethought the structure of the traditional spoked wheel by removing the central hub and spokes, to create a sleek design. The company says the designers took inspiration from cutting-edge technology and the principles of minimalism, to create a wheel that is functionally superior to a spoked version.
As a company statement from Ekruzer says, “This revolutionary development marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the wheel.”
The company claims four main advantages of a hubless wheel over a traditional spoked design. The reduced unsprung weight of the hubless wheels can improve ride quality and handling. By eliminating the hub and spokes, hubless wheels have decreased rotational inertia, resulting in quicker acceleration and superior handling.
The team also believe the hubless design has a clean, modern aesthetic, which offers space for incorporating advanced technology, such as integrated lighting systems, sensors, or even autonomous functionalities.
Ekruzer is making the hubless wheel available to licence to other equipment makers, in modular form or as a complete drivetrain unit including a 3.2kW/90Nm motor, torque sensors and 11in custom tyre.
