Wheel Suspension Startup Adds Investors

Israeli startup SoftWheel Ltd., which is developing a wheel system with an integrated suspension, says Mitsubishi Corp. has made an unspecified investment in its latest round of funding.

The 7-year-old company initially developed its technology for bicycles and wheelchairs to make operating the devices easier and smoother for riders. The in-wheel system uses suspension arms set equidistant around a central hub to provide shock absorption—with the rim remaining rigid—regardless of the angle of impact from an obstacle.

SoftWheel now aims to adapt the technology to vehicles and has development partnerships with Ford and Iveco. Several auto parts companies also have made recent investments in SoftWheel, including Linamar, Musashi Seimitsu and NSK.

In vehicles, the technology could be used to integrate an e-motor, suspension and other drivetrain components into the wheel, according to the Tel Aviv-based developer. SoftWheel says such a system would enable significant energy, space and weight savings for electrified and autonomous vehicles.