More than 5,000 years ago, in the cradle of civilization known as Uruk, scribes etched pictograms into clay tablets that hinted at something revolutionary: wheeled transport. These weren’t just abstract symbols. As Stefan Burmeister’s research shows, they depicted sledges with house-like structures and—crucially—two round impressions beneath them. Scholars long debated whether these marks were numerical signs or something more. Burmeister argues they were wheels, placed exactly where you'd expect them on a wagon. That subtle distinction could rewrite our understanding of early mobility.

The wheel is being reimagined—from ancient clay tablets to futuristic actuators—and it could reshape how we move through the world. Surface Plan 


Fast forward to today, and the wheel is once again at the center of a radical rethink. Denver-based inventor David Henson has proposed a concept so bold it feels like science fiction: a wheel that doesn’t spin to move you forward. Instead, it pushes. His SurfacePlan™ design replaces traditional spokes with piston-like actuators that poke directly into the road, delivering thrust where it’s needed most.

An intelligent, actuated wheel that delivers direct thrust at the road. Because the wheel is the engine, vehicles become lighter, more energy-efficient, and radically simpler. Surface Plan 


If that sounds strange, think of the pin-art toys from childhood—the ones where you pressed your hand into a bed of tiny rods and watched the shape emerge. Now imagine each of those pins as a mini motor, programmed to push your vehicle forward in smooth, wave-like motions. That’s the essence of SurfacePlan. It’s not just a new wheel—it’s a complete rethink of how vehicles move.

The Intelligent Wheel embeds precision actuators at the tire surface, applying thrust exactly where it’s needed — directly into the road. Surface Plan 


Why does this matter now? Because we’re at a crossroads in transportation. Electric vehicles (EVs) have made strides in efficiency, but they still rely on heavy drivetrains and indirect power transfer. SurfacePlan aims to eliminate all that. By embedding propulsion directly into the wheel, Henson says we could cut vehicle weight by up to 75%, reduce energy loss, and simplify repairs to something as easy as swapping out a wheel.

The implications extend far beyond improved drivetrains. By eliminating engines, transmissions, drive shafts, and the heavy structural frameworks required to support them... Surface Plan 


The implications go far beyond cars. SurfacePlan could power everything from e-bikes to off-road vehicles, even robotic systems. And because each actuator can adjust in real time, traction on ice, gravel, or mud becomes programmable. That’s a game-changer for safety and adaptability. Imagine a wheel that actively clears mud or adjusts its grip mid-ride—something no passive tire can do.

While enabling lightweight single-person pod architectures, the system could achieve 60-80% weight reductions compared to traditional vehicles. A typical 3,500-pound car becomes a 700-pound personal transport pod. Surface Plan 


Of course, there are skeptics. Engineers have raised concerns about vertical lift reducing traction, actuator durability, and the complexity of managing dozens of tiny motors per wheel. Henson acknowledges these challenges but insists they’re solvable. He’s filed provisional patents and launched a Wefunder campaign to attract partners who can help bring the idea to life.

And here’s where ancient history meets modern innovation. The pictograms from Uruk weren’t just early doodles—they were blueprints for mobility. They showed that even 5,000 years ago, humans were obsessed with moving more efficiently. Today, that obsession continues, but with AI, modular design, and programmable motion.

If SurfacePlan succeeds, it could usher in a new era of lightweight, pod-based travel. Picture single-person vehicles that link together like train cars, then detach for solo trips. Charging pads embedded in roads could power them on the go. It’s not just a wheel—it’s a vision for how cities, commutes, and communities might evolve.

So what should we watch for next? Whether Henson’s concept can move from sketches to prototypes. Whether automakers, universities, or investors will take the leap. And whether this bold swing at reinventing the wheel will finally stick. Because if it does, the next chapter in transportation might be written not in clay—but in code and actuators.