{"id":12223,"date":"2018-07-27T15:30:39","date_gmt":"2018-07-27T15:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/07\/27\/dod-researchers-literally-reinvented-the-wheel-with-shape-shifting-tracks\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:12:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:12:33","slug":"dod-researchers-literally-reinvented-the-wheel-with-shape-shifting-tracks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2018\/07\/27\/dod-researchers-literally-reinvented-the-wheel-with-shape-shifting-tracks\/","title":{"rendered":"DoD researchers literally reinvented the wheel with shape-shifting tracks"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-smg-jwplayer-video\"><atype-video-jwplayer nostick=\"true\" playlisturl=\"https:\/\/cdn.jwplayer.com\/v2\/playlists\/fCzRqMW8?tags=037be56b-2bf9-4905-b68d-1aa5ec2db420\" poster=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/video-poster-037be56b-2bf9-4905-b68d-1aa5ec2db420.jpg\" aspectratio=\"16 \/ 9\" mute autostart=\"false\"><\/atype-video-jwplayer><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wheels are faster on hard surfaces, while a tracked design performs better on soft ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather than pushing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/land\/2018\/02\/15\/next-gen-combat-vehicle-prototyping-to-be-accelerated\/\" target=\"_blank\">ground combat vehicle<\/a> through terrain it doesn\u2019t perform well on, why not just slap on some shape-shifting wheels?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A team from Carnegie Mellon University\u2019s National Robotics Engineering Center demonstrated the feasibility of such shape-shifting wheel-track mechanisms for the Defense Department recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new technology, dubbed a \u201creconfigurable wheel-track,\u201d can transition from a round wheel to a triangular track and back again while the vehicle is in motion \u2014 allowing for an instant improvement in tactical mobility on shifting terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The wheel-track is part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/2018\/06\/19\/quieter-military-drones-that-fly-farther-the-pentagon-thinks-this-engine-could-be-the-answer\/\" target=_blank>Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency<\/a>\u2019s Ground X-Vehicle Technologies, or GXV-T, program, which aims to improve mobility, survivability, safety, and effectiveness of future combat vehicles without piling on more armor, according to a June 22 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.darpa.mil\/news-events\/2018-06-22\" target=_blank>press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re looking at how to enhance survivability by buttoning up the cockpit and augmenting the crew through driver-assistance aids,\u201d said Maj. Amber Walker, the program manager for GXV-T in DARPA\u2019s Tactical Technology Office. \u201cFor mobility, we\u2019ve taken a radically different approach by avoiding armor and developing options to move quickly and be agile over all terrain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/digital-show-dailies\/ausa-digital-show-dailies\/2017\/10\/09\/oshkosh-makes-joint-light-tactical-vehicle-more-lethal\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"205\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/OshkoshJLTV30MM.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Oshkosh makes Joint Light Tactical Vehicle more lethal<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Oshkosh Defense is showing how the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle can be configured to meet the service\u2019s most pressing needs.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The DARPA initiative is looking to build a future in which combat vehicles can traverse up to 95 percent of off-road terrain, including slopes and various elevations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new wheel-track design is just one of the contract awardees that recently demonstrated advances on a variety of potentially groundbreaking technologies that meet the program\u2019s goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DARPA also showcased a new \u201cmulti-mode extreme travel suspension\u201d system that allows for &#8220;high-speed travel over rough terrain, while keeping the vehicle upright and minimizing occupant discomfort,\u201d the agency said in its statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The suspension can move 42 inches upward and 30 inches downward, and keeps itself level on steep grades by adjusting each wheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/DARPA_MMES.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27980\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/DARPA_MMES.jpg.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/DARPA_MMES.jpg.jpg?resize=300,158 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/DARPA_MMES.jpg.jpg?resize=768,403 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/DARPA_MMES.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,538 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Here, DARPA researchers showcased a vehicle with multi-mode extreme travel suspension. (DARPA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other enhanced mobility designs include an electric in-hub motor built by QinetiQ, which puts motors directly inside the wheels, offering heightened acceleration and maneuverability with optimal torque, traction, power, and speed over rough or smooth terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cQinetiQ demonstrated a unique approach, incorporating three gear stages and a complex thermal management design into a system small enough to fit a standard military 20-inch rim,\u201d according to the release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another new development could impact a vehicle crew\u2019s awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/off-duty\/gearscout\/2018\/06\/06\/israeli-defense-firm-unveils-souped-up-combat-atv\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Capture.JPG_497114.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Israeli defense firm unveils souped-up combat ATV<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">An Israeli defense firm has made news waves this week showcasing their new line of up-armored, combat all-terrain vehicles.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most combat vehicles have small windows. This improves the protection offered to troops, but limits their visibility to spot threats and targets. The GXV-T program is looking at sensor technologies to give mechanized troops their eyes back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One design by Honeywell International boasts an enhanced 360-degree awareness suite through virtual windows. The company showed that capability off in a windowless cockpit of an all-terrain vehicle with an opaque canopy, according to the DARPA release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe 3D near-to-eye goggles, optical head-tracker and wrap-around Active Window Display screens provide real-time, high-resolution views outside the vehicle,\u201d the release reads. \u201cIn off-road courses, drivers have completed numerous tests using the system in roughly the same time as drivers in [ATVs] with full visibility.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No fielding date has been announced by DARPA\u2019s offices for the new mobility technologies, but the program could help solve many of the ongoing mobility issues troops have experienced in recent conflicts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a full breakdown of the technologies being vetted through DARPA\u2019s GXV-T program, check out this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?time_continue=179&#038;v=HrQrJ57J9eE\" target=_blank>YouTube <\/a>video by the agency.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wheels are faster on hard surfaces, while a tracked design performs better on softer ground. Rather than pushing a vehicle through terrain it doesn\u2019t perform its upmost in, why not just slap on some shape-shifting wheels?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":27970,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":65,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[101,67,23,88,89,12,26,13,62,65],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3357],"class_list":["post-12223","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-gearscout","category-home","category-left-column","category-middle-column","category-news","category-newsletters","category-off-duty","category-pentagon-congress","category-your-navy"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"UTUMJ75DBFBDTILVAOYECIS2YM","arc_canonical_url":"\/news\/your-air-force\/2018\/07\/27\/dod-researchers-literally-reinvented-the-wheel-with-shape-shifting-tracks\/","remove_feature_photo":true,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>DoD researchers literally reinvented the wheel with shape-shifting tracks - Navy Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wheels are faster on hard surfaces, while a tracked design performs better on softer ground. Rather than pushing a vehicle through terrain it doesn\u2019t perform its upmost in, why not just slap on some shape-shifting wheels?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"DoD researchers literally reinvented the wheel with shape-shifting tracks\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Wheels are faster on hard surfaces, while a tracked design performs better on softer ground. 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