Team Orion Takes Aim at Simplifying the Brushless Motor Setup
The R/C hobby has seen a number of tech advances throughout its history, moving from brushed to brushless motors, leaving radio frequency crystals behind, in favor of 2.4GHz radio systems, the use of LiPo batteries, and the arrival of 3D printing. Going beyond these, there have been other, smaller-scale advances that have changed the look of the hobby, and these vehicles in a short amount of time. Team Orion is hoping that they’re marking another large shift in technology.
With the announcement of their Vortex dDrive, Team Orion is making a run at changing history through simplifying the power-source behind radio-controlled cars. The current setup in most vehicles uses three main components to make these machines run.
- Brushless/Brushed Motor
- Electronic Speed Control (ESC)
- Battery
While there are other necessary parts that make these vehicles go, the “big three” are at the heart of every R/C car. Team Orion has streamlined this setup with the Vortex dDrive by placing the ESC inside of the brushless motor can, lessening the “power drain” that would occur from, as Team Orion puts it, the “Power Triangle” configuration.
Team Orion Vortex dDrive Features and Specifications
- 2-in-1 Motor/ESC Unit for 1/10 scale cars
- Vortex Sensorless Brushless Technology
- Simple compact design for easy installation
- Improved reliability
- Designed for LiPo and NiMH batteries
- High performance 4-pole motor
- Aluminum case with high efficiency cooling
- Forward/brake, forward/brake/reverse and forward/reverse (crawler) function modes
- User adjustable performance settings
- Overheat protection system
- Battery low voltage cut-off system
- Status control by LED and audio tones
- Plug&Play: no soldering required, easy setup
- Fitted with Deans high current connectors
- Splash Proof
- Developed by Oscar Jansen
It remains to be seen how well this new, simplified, and compact power system will work, but it appears to be a system that should be easy to add into any R/C vehicle on the market today. Price-wise, no information has been released. Additional details about the dDrive can be found at teamorion.com.
Image credit: Team Orion
