The idea behind these segmented, eight-part wheels is that your car can take a turn while maintaining speed and traction by having the wheels lean like the Tower of Pisa.
Yanko says the Dynamic Augmented Wheel System are guided by a magnetic guide rail on the inside that hold’s the wheel in place while driving straight, and moves to let it shift with the car’s center of gravity while turning. The current design is inspired by motorcycle wheels and the human foot, making uses of servos, a drive gear and embedded magnets in each segment to pull this feat off.
Currently, the prototype wheel works on a 1:2 scale, but no word on actual implementation plans. [DAWs via Jalopnik, Yanko]
https://jalopnik.com/dynamically-augmenting-wheel-system-neat-looking-but-5167545
