Orbilift is a new mechanism for use in transport. It moves in two ways - it climbs and rolls. This makes it more versatile than a wheel, because a wheel only rolls.

Whilst the wheel is a good invention, it has a problem. It stops if it meets an obstacle. When Orbilift meets an obstacle, it climbs over it.

In short:
A wheel travels two-dimensionally, across a surface. Orbilift travels three-dimensionally, up, down and across.

Wheels = 2D mobility
Orbilift = 3D mobility

Orbilift climbs by lifting, like a crane. One part stays on the ground, whilst the other part lifts and moves. It is stable as it moves, making it safe around humans.

The mechanism can be thought of as: two cranes sharing one arm, to lift each other, from one place to the next.

As it lifts, one crane orbits the other, hence the name of the device: Orbilift.

It has a stable platform for carrying goods and people. A counter-rotating gear, beneath, keeps the platform horizontal, as Orbilift climbs.

Orbilift has motorised wheels, similar to a power-wheelchair.

In rolling mode, it is compact and normal-looking. This improves social inclusivity for the user.

Existing types of vertical-transport, such as elevators and escalators, are fixed. Orbilift is not fixed. It roams between different buildings, giving the user much greater freedom.

One Orbilift can serve several, different buildings, lowering the cost of providing vertical transport.

"looks like a chair, climbs up a stair"

1. Climbing mode: for stairs, kerbs and other obstacles;
2. Rolling mode: for flat ground, footpaths and ramps;
3. Small footprint / high position; for manoeuvring in confined areas + reaching high benchtops;
4. Large footprint / low position: for sitting at low height tables.

Engineers sometimes copy animals. This introduces unnecessary complexity.

Leonardo da Vinci’s “ornithopter” had two flapping wings. Whereas a rigid wing is a better solution.

When a humanoid lifts its mechanical legs to move, it becomes unstable. Falling down is an issue

Orbilift always keeps four wheels on the ground. This allows Orbilift to stay balanced at all times.

Orbilift is safer for climbing stairs.

The natural world is three dimensional. But wheels can only move two dimensionally.

We flattened the world, to make way for the wheel.

Orbilift moves three dimensionally. Unlike the wheel, it does not require the world to be flattened. It adapts to uneven landform.

A new family of robots arise from Orbilift. Uses include: climbing transporters for delivering goods, and stair-climbing mobility chairs.
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