THE COPENHAGEN WHEEL: WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL BICYCLE-PROPULSION SYSTEM

Superpedestrian's Invention Boasts Powerful New Drivetrain

The Copenhagen Wheel by Superpedestrian, Inc. is the world’s most powerful automated bicycle-propulsion device. Assaf Biderman, Founder of Superpedestrian, says that the bike “needs to be rugged, but it also needs to look and feel great.” A robot, but also a vehicle, the wheel is human-controlled, employing a powerful new drivetrain, power train and control system. Custom parts based on the team’s design were built by partners throughout the world. The wheel’s components are distributed among six boards, each of which is responsible for a different task. It employs a novel torque-sensing technology that’s lighter, more compact, and more precise, allowing the wheel to respond naturally to a rider’s peddling. With the housing of the wheel made of exotic alloys rather than aluminium, structural integrity is maintained while weight is reduced by almost half. Multiple software systems were developed to integrate with the wheel, including a mobile app that allows users to control the wheel as well as record average speed, distance travelled and even wattage produced by the ride. The team is currently conducting a battery of various tests, including accelerated life testing, fatigue testing, and hot and cold environmental tests. Testing will continue into this year, with production expected to ramp up shortly.