Self-Balancing Bike with Giant Balls Instead of Wheels: A Wild New Invention by James Bruton
Last Updated on February 20, 2025 by Kristina
Self-balancing two-wheelers have been explored by various bike and motorcycle manufacturers over the years, but none have dared to replace wheels with giant balls—until now. British YouTuber and inventor James Bruton has created one of the most bizarre yet fascinating motorcycle projects ever: a self-balancing electric bike that rides on giant equilibrium balls.
Bruton, who is a robotics, electrical, and mechanical engineer by profession, has an impressive background in self-balancing technology and omnidirectional wheels. After working on numerous self-stabilizing robots using different types of wheels, Bruton took his passion to the next level and ventured into full-size bikes. This incredible creation is his fourth project in this realm.
This bike, unlike anything you’ve ever seen, is an omnidirectional, self-balancing electric bike that completely skips traditional wheels. Instead of wheels or even his signature “omni-wheel” design—where cylinders are mounted at an angle around the rim—Bruton uses two giant red plastic balls that are typically used for circus performances to balance the bike.
While this unique bike isn’t built for speed, it offers a whole new set of possibilities. Thanks to its ball-based wheels and five ODrive brushless motors, it can move sideways like a Segway or hoverboard, roll in any direction, and even rotate 360 degrees. This makes it a dream for anyone who loves to drift, and it’s easily the ultimate drift bike.
The frame of the bike is constructed from extruded aluminum, which ensures it’s both strong and lightweight. Positioned 120 degrees apart, the circus balls are equipped with small rollers on their edges that allow the bike to move sideways smoothly. The balance of the bike is maintained by four electric motors—two at the front and two at the rear, positioned at a 90-degree angle. These motors connect to omni-wheels that drive each ball, utilizing a belt and pulley system with gear reduction. The fifth motor controls forward and backward movement, providing full mobility.
The bike also boasts a complex system of bearings, pulleys, belts, and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to measure the balance parameters in real time. This communicates with a Teensy 4.1 microcontroller to constantly adjust the system for smooth energy transfer, ensuring the rider has precise control over the bike’s movement.
For power, the bike is equipped with six 6S lithium polymer batteries wired to create a 50V system. Similar to Bruton’s previous omnidirectional creations, such as the Screw Bike, the rider controls this eccentric bike with a set of rigid handlebars and twist grips, plus additional controls that allow for a full range of motion.
One of the most impressive aspects of this project is Bruton’s DIY approach to engineering. Many parts of the bike, including motor mounts and structural components, were 3D printed using a Lulzbot 3D printer. Bruton also took it a step further by coding the control system himself, using Arduino-based C++ programming.
Although the ball-wheeled bike might look unconventional and could be challenging to ride, it’s an extraordinary achievement in engineering. For those who are curious and willing to try building something similar, Bruton has made all the CAD files, wiring diagrams, and software available online, so you can create your own version of this fascinating machine.
