Donut Lab's circular motors fit inside tyres for "out of this world" performance

[Celerity]

https://www.dezeen.com/2025/05/05/donut-labs-circular-inwheel-motors/



Technology company Donut Lab has created a range of doughnut-shaped motors that fit directly inside a vehicle's wheels and enhance performance by removing the need for traditional powertrain systems. The circular motors form part of a modular platform of components created by Donut Lab to support the manufacturing of high-performing electric vehicles.



The motors can be integrated into a tyre to provide direct power to the wheel while reducing space and weight. This allows for enhanced energy transfer and greater output with lower energy consumption. The family of five motor models includes different sizes to suit vehicles from cars and trucks to motorcycles and scooters, as well as a small version for use in drones.



Donut Lab suggested that the motors could enable vehicles to break world records and described it as "by any yardstick the world's best electric motor". "Its performance capability is out of this world," said CEO Marko Lehtimäki. Donut Lab developed the products as an alternative to traditional powertrains consisting of an engine, transmission and driveshaft. These systems can be expensive to manufacture and maintain, while adding weight and complexity to the vehicle.



Combining the motor and the tyre removes the need for a separate powertrain, resulting in a more straightforward design with fewer components. This set-up helps lower the vehicle's unsprung mass – the weight associated with wheels, tyres, brakes and other components not supported by the suspension system. With fewer moving parts, direct drive technology can reduce costs and overall complexity, meaning less maintenance and more reliable performance over time.

snip

[Shellback Squid]

1. too many potholes around here

[Earl_from_PA]

2. Tyres or tires?

...

[Celerity]

5. tyres for the UK and most of the Commonwealth (and ex Commonwealth), tires mainly for the US

I was London-raised, after being born in Los Angeles but leaving before I was 2yo.

[Earl_from_PA]

7. I am familiar with how much our shared language differs,

We drop the "u" in color, as opposed to colour. We say apartment, not flat. To us it's the French "elevator" to the Brits it's a "lift". Trunk v boot. Hood v bonnet, etc.
Buy "tyre" v "tire" is new to me.

Apologies. I learned something today.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. Canadian is mixed: colour, apartment, elevator, centre, hood, tire. Automotive trends very American no surprise. . nt

[underpants]

3. WHAAAT? WOW that just crazy to me.

[chouchou]

4. From what I see, I love it.

[Aussie105]

6. Assumptions on my part:

Going to need a redesign of wheel suspension and steering systems to cater for 4 heavy wheels.

Linear induction motor, wrapped in a circle - ie the motor windings themselves are stationary as is the heavy duty cabling.

Might just need to tone down the torque and power output if you design a car with 4 of them, so the car is controllable by a clumsy driver and the battery has good range.

Pictures are AI generated, the actual items don't yet exist in real life - drumming up investment capital?

(Elon, your cars are going to look old fashioned!)

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. Probably regenerative braking, save that weight, no axle & bearing weight. . . .nt