R300 electric drive wheel module with integrated steering

A drive wheel module with integrated steering combines a traction wheel, an electric motor with reduction gearbox and a vertical steering axis with its own motor and position feedback in one pre-assembled unit, often on a slewing ring. Mounted under an automated guided vehicle or mobile platform, two or more such modules allow omnidirectional, crab and rotation-on-the-spot movement, while a single module can drive and steer a tricycle-type vehicle. Metalrota is an Italian manufacturer of drive wheels and geared motor units for electric vehicles and industrial trucks, and distributors list Metalrota AC motors with integrated gearbox and encoder. However, an ‘R300’ drive and steer module could not be found in Metalrota’s published range, so ratings such as wheel diameter, load capacity, voltage and steering angle cannot be stated. Such modules are typically chosen by load per wheel, supply voltage (24 to 80 V DC), wheel tread material and required speed and steering dynamics.