The premise is simple: ants (along with various other insects) benefit from an articulated design, meaning their various body sections can move independently of one another. Compare ants to say, a tortoise, which has a fixed body and moving legs (i.e, the same design as a traditional car/SUV), and it’s clear that the ant benefits from a much greater degree of agility on various terrains than the tortoise. Applying this concept to his design study, Dehkordi created the Mercedes Hexawheel, which utilizes a similar articulated design. Up front, the Mercedes Hexawheel has a short, main seating compartment for up to three people, while the rear storage area is connected via a hinged, hydraulically regulated joint. As a result, the Mercedes Hexawheel’s wheelbase length is substantially reduced, allowing the front half to navigate obstacles independently of the rear. Also present is an all-wheel drive system providing power to each of the Hexawheel’s six wheels, and a diesel engine mated to a flexible hydraulic power transmission system. – from here