The word "tank turning" is actually no stranger. Similar U-turns have been installed on lexus LX570 and Toyota Land Cruiser for a long time. The 2020 Haval H9 also has a similar technology, which uses the active braking of the inner wheel to reduce the turning radius. This function really makes drivers more handy in extreme off-road and can make this "behemoth" more flexible in complex road conditions.
The "tank steering" design applied by Toyota is based on an independent hub motor installed on each wheel. As can be seen from the patent drawing, all four wheels of Toyota can rotate laterally, allowing lateral movement. At the same time, the wheels can also rotate, which can realize zero turning radius or even diagonal movement, just like the universal wheel on the office chair. Therefore, this function can facilitate the car to park and reverse in a narrow space, which is convenient for the car to be put into storage.
The patent document also shows the lateral, tilting and in-situ rotation motion modes of the vehicle. Because the movement mode of the vehicle is different from that of the traditional vehicle, a new type of "sound or light" warning signal is needed to let drivers and pedestrians near the vehicle know the next driving situation of the vehicle. For example, when the rotation angle of the wheel is 45 or 90, the direction of vehicle movement can be indicated by the body lights, or the continuously flashing signal lights and images. (Source: Gaadiwaadi；; Compile/car home? Peng Fei)