The "thought processes" of the car is heading down to the wheels.
According to the Irish Examiner, the electric Mini Cooper concept, which was recenlty shown at the British Motor Show, featured electric motors in each of its four wheels that together . These motors, which, together, can deliver a staggering 640 horsepower, can move the car from 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 150 miles an hour. Yet it has a range of 900 miles and is estimate to get 80 to 100 miles to the gallon.
A small 250cc gas engine charges the battery as the car is driven.
But the wheels are also interesting because they adapt to both the driver and road conditions. The so-called "smart" wheels can sense the road conditions and then modify the car's performance accordingly. Artificial intelligence or AI, combined with sensors in the wheels, communicate with sensors in the other wheels and "learn" from experience as the car is driven. The information is stored in the car's memory and used again when the car encounters similar conditions. This will allow the car to respond faster and to improve the ride. The process allows the car to adapt to bends in the road, potholes, and other potential hazards.
The concept does not have a transmission, and all functions including suspension and braking will be performed with
the use of software.
Our take? Gives "performance" wheels a whole new meaning.