By Franklin Ogude
Inspired by the question, “What makes a bicycle a bicycle?” Stephan Henrich is developing a universal, all-wheeled alternative bicycle design at his design and research firm, Stephan Henrich Robotic Design and Architecture, located in Stuttgart, Germany.
He is interested in building, robotics, and design. He has dubbed this innovative invention the “Infinity Bicycle.” Following its social media debut, the Infinity bicycle is frequently compared to a bike or a bicycle due to the handlebar’s similar-looking wheels, which raises a significant query.
The wheels are constructed to resemble a caterpillar more than anything else. A caterpillar element, a construction element that fluidly alters the function, is present in this supposed wheel. In the central section, which is oriented toward the chain wheel, it takes on the appearance of a toothed bar propulsion element, while in the rear sections, something resembling a rim forms automatically and momentarily. That’s the idea.
According to him, it’s worthwhile to challenge the idea of two wheels if you want to attempt creating anything akin to a bicycle, and I thought: “Go two-three steps backward from that and reimagine how something could look that propels both wheels.”
We have a handlebar, saddle, pedals, and other components because it’s a bicycle with a frame and a fork-like component. However, except for that, it’s entirely different.
He went on to reveal the advantage:
With both wheels propulsed, it has much more traction.
He has this to say about the source of his inspiration. He said sources of inspiration for the design originated from his extensive BMX riding. Considering all the tricks the bike might perform, particularly pedaling nose wheelies, which are impossible for any bike in the world.
On social media, people are inquiring: “Will it be available for purchase one day?”
“How much would be the price?”
He stated: “The prices aren’t set yet, the release date isn’t set yet,” because I’m in the process of prototyping and solving problem by problem because when you rethink the concept from the beginning, you have to solve problems that appear.
Continuing, he added: “But, I’m confident that one day, hopefully sooner than later, I’ll have a rideable device.”
