Lubrication-free igus tribopolymer plain bearings ensure maintenance-free operation even under the most difficult conditions

The Canadian company LyteHorse Labs shows that electric vehicles do not perform poorly. The company has designed a new type of all-terrain electric vehicle that is suitable for a wide range of applications. On board are lubrication-free igus bearings that make the vehicle maintenance-free and corrosion-free, even in the most inhospitable environments.

Brad Bonk has always had a knack for designing unique motorcycles and hot rods. Using his creative talents, he eventually designed a stand-up electric vehicle for golf courses. But he and his brother Allen soon realised that there was much more potential in the small electric vehicle. “After taking it to the golf course, Brad and I decided to hook up the new vehicle to my SUV to see if it could pull the car,” Allen Bronk recalls. “And yes, that crazy little scooter thing ended up towing a 2.2 ton SUV across the car park.” Because with four independent hub motors, the vehicle has a switchable all-wheel drive for maximum strength and traction, making it the ideal companion in a wide range of applications. Thanks to igus tribopolymers, it is light, lubrication-free, corrosion-free and is particularly low-maintenance.

Electric power pack with modern tribo technology

The LyteHorse can transport 350 kilograms on pavements and stairs in the city. But it can also be used in the great outdoors. For example by the police, for rescue operations in rough terrain, underground in mines, in warehouses or in forestry operations. “In the past, horses were often used in many of these areas. But they are expensive to train as well as to keep and comparatively slow,” says Allen Bronk. As a “Horse 2.0”, the LyteHorse can go almost anywhere and travel up to 160 kilometres, purely by electric power and completely silently. It is also waterproof up to a height of 60 centimetres. To ensure that it can be used without any problems in these very different environmental conditions, the durability and freedom from maintenance of the installed components were particularly important to the designers. After extensive testing with steel and nylon bushings, LyteHorse Labs turned to lubrication-free and maintenance-free polymer bearing technology from igus and used it in the suspension and steering. “We couldn’t achieve our requirements with conventional bearings because they are susceptible to dirt, salt water and extreme temperatures,” Allen Bronk explains. “In the end, the flanged bushings we used made of iglidur J convinced us in terms of performance, durability, reliability and cost. Without the advice from igus, we would certainly not be where we already are today with the product.” And so the Canadians are optimistic about the future and are currently expanding into the US market, with their main focus on government contracts and building up a distribution network.

You can see the LyteHorse in a video clip here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8eILFmDcRU