GMC shows off Hummer EV “CrabWalk” feature in real-world conditions

[MEDICALJMP]

GMC shows off Hummer EV “CrabWalk” feature in real-world conditions
(CREDIT: GMC)

ByMaria Merano
Posted on March 11, 2021

General Motors Truck Company (GMC) released a video of its upcoming Hummer EV using its CrabWalk feature and performing 360-degree turns in cold-weather conditions.

The company sent a preproduction Hummer EV to GM’s test facility to try out the electric vehicle’s 4-wheel steering and CrabWalk feature in -6 degree temperature. “Get a sneak peek at how the world’s first all-electric super truck spends a snow day,” GMC wrote.



The Hummer EV’s CrabWalk is unique to GMC’s supertruck, almost similar to Rivian’s Tank Turn feature for the R1T pickup. Tank Turn enables the R1T to complete 360-degree turns, allowing drivers to get out of tough spots during outdoor adventures. Interestingly enough, GMC’s recent video of a preproduction Hummer EV in action also showed the vehicle’s performing some 360-degree turns.

GMC’s CrabWalk will be a standard feature for the Hummer EV Edition 1, EV3x, and EV2x. The feature is limited to low speeds. Like Rivian’s Tank Turn, CrabWalk allows drivers to get out of tight spots during outdoor trips. GMC’s first CrabWalk video showed the Hummer EV making its way up rocky terrain through a narrow trail with rock walls on either side.

In that video, one of the rock walls cut into the narrow trail a little. Normally, such a situation would end in the driver executing a multi-point turn to navigate around the obstacle. However, the Hummer EV easily avoided the rock wall using its CrabWalk feature.





https://www.teslarati.com/gmc-hummer-ev-crabwalk-video/

 

[cheeseandcraigerz]

Pretty cool. I just realized that thing has 3 windshield wipers. lol

 

[DMC-81]

Cool. I remember seeing four wheel steering for the first time in 1988 on a Honda Prelude:



As with the Hummer. the Prelude in the video was white too.

 

[firsttruck]

GM has had production trucks/SUVs with options for 4 wheel steering before.

Owners loved them. Just like with EV1, GM did not promote or advertise the option.

Don't know if GM is using same technology as before.

Quadrasteer is the name of a four wheel steering system developed by Delphi Automotive while under the ownership of General Motors for use in automobiles. It was available as an option on GM's full-size pickup trucks and 2500 Suburbans for model years 2002 through 2005.[
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrasteer

-----------------------------------

ZF produces steering systems for cars, trucks & buses
Twice the steering power: ZF launches next generation AKC active rear axle steering system in volume production
Latest Generation AKC offers rear steering angle of up to ten degrees
Steer-by-wire" rear axle steering improves agility of longer electric vehicles
2020-Oct-14
https://press.zf.com/press/en/releases/release_20547.html

-----------------------------------

General Motors Quadrasteer Technology is 17 years old and owners still using it.

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4 wheel steering on trucks helps with
1. turning into parking slot in parking lots with narrow lanes
2. turning right on intersections with tight corners and narrow lanes
3. towing at high-speed and lane change
4. low speed towing forward and turns
5. low speed towing backing up and turning
6. higher payload & towing GCWR (gross combined weight rating)

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*** great article with diagrams of how it worked

General Motors Quadrasteer Technology
https://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gen...chassis-suspension-technology/gm-quadrasteer/

Benefits
Quadrasteer benefits can be realized while parking and towing.
Turning Circle with Quadrasteer
Compared to vehicles without Quadrasteer, vehicles with the feature have a smaller turning radius. This can be very handy for big vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUVs when parking in small spaces. In addition, a smaller turning circle is particularly useful for those who tow boats, fifth wheels, or other large equipment, as it enables easier maneuverability when towing and parking.

The Quadrasteer system adds about 285 pounds of additional weight to the truck but gives back this amount and more in additional towing and hauling capabilities over the C3. The rear axle’s weight rating increases by 250 pounds to 4,000 pounds and maximum GCWR (gross combined weight rating) climbs from 14,000 to 16,000 pounds. Trailering capacity has increased from 8,700 pounds to 10,000 pounds. The wider rear axle also provides more stability when towing.

** this same range as Cybertruck & many Ford Superduty 2500 pickup trucks.

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Chevy's Quadrasteer: Four-wheel steering makes this rig ideal for tugging trailers.
By Drew Hardin
September 18, 2007
https://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/gear/2007/09/chevys-quadrasteer/

.....
new Quadrasteer option available on some 2003 Chevrolet Silverado pickups. A steering rack on the rear axle controls the direction of the back wheels, steering them in a direction opposite the front wheels at low speeds, and in the same direction at highway speeds. The low-speed operation cuts the Silverado's turning circle to a compact-sedan-like 37 feet, while the high-speed function increases stability during lane changes and other maneuvers.

.....
A Trailer Puller's Dream
We found the low-speed mode particularly helpful, as the smaller turning circle made this long-wheelbase truck more nimble than it used to be. If you pull a trailer, you'll like how the rear-steer feels on the highway, but be prepared to practice backing up to get the hang of how the rear-steer moves the trailer tongue around.

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Denali Swoops Into Tight Spaces Thanks to Quadrasteer System
By Jonathan WelshStaff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal
March 1, 2002
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1014926541434987080

.....
Being able to handle a full-size pickup truck used to be a point of pride: Parking took the strength of a weightlifter. Backing a trailer down a boat ramp took the timing of a shortstop.

Now, General Motors says, it has the truck for everyone else -- the GMC Sierra Denali, with a new steering system called Quadrasteer. Its gimmick: All four wheels -- not just the front two -- turn when you crank the wheel, allowing the big rig to maneuver more like a smaller car. Yes, it's handy for off-roading and towing big trailers. But what seems to matter most is that it lets the new Denali swoop into tight parking spots without those old-style 20-point turns.

.....
At high speeds, Quadrasteer turns the rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels, although at a lesser angle, which makes changing lanes on the highway surprisingly smooth. At low speeds, the rear wheels go in the opposite direction, giving the truck a 37-foot turning circle -- about 10 feet less than a standard-steering Sierra.

.....
Behind the WheelFour-wheel steering makes this big pickup handle like a small car in parking lots, and makes towing easier.

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[FutureBoy]

OK, that GMC video is just a waste. Sure it shows what crab walk is. But it does nothing to show how helpful it could be. A wide-open field of snow... What possible benefit does crab walk provide there?

Now the Prelude video is much better. It goes into detail about the benefits of 4 wheel steering. And some of the times when it doesn't really do very much. And hearing all the comments in the video about cost of repair, upfront costs, etc it's very little wonder that 4 wheel steering didn't take off.

I do love the performance stats on that Prelude though.

But there is more to the '88 Prelude than 4 wheel steering. Such as a 0 to 60 time of 9 seconds and a quarter-mile run that ends in 17 seconds at 81 miles per hour. Those good times are due to...

Oh boy! 0 to 60 in 9 seconds!! THOSE are some GOOD TIMES! I think if the narrator had a drive in the CT his head might just pop off.

 

[LoPro]

I know all Porsches including the Taycan EV are available with rear axle steering, and the “Turbo S” level comes with it standard I believe. Probably on the new taller Cross Turismo EV too. I don’t think you can “crab walk” with them but crudely said they turn opposite of the front at low speeds and the same as the front at high speeds.

 

[BillyGee]

Neat. So... Have they even built a working one yet?

 

[TyPope]

Okay... I'm not a fan of the Hummers but, dang, I want four wheel steering sooo bad! Check it out:

https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/3/22362072/hummer-suv-electric-price-specs-release-date

 

[Revoltlution]

Mo money mo money mo money lol

 

[Ehninger1212]

over priced bro dozer.

 

[Dids]

I don't want to crab walk. I want to Naruto run.

 

[Diehard]

Mo money mo money mo money lol

The first one has already been sold for $2.5 million

 

[Luke42]

over priced bro dozer.

At least it's electric!

It can't roll coal.

We all win when more EVs are on the road.

 

[Ehninger1212]

At least it's electric!

It can't roll coal.

We all win when more EVs are on the road.

Haha true.. I guess I shouldn't be so cynical.

 

[Diehard]

There seem to be an SUV now. The poor man's version goes for $80K. Get yours while it last:
https://www.gmc.com/electric/hummer-ev/suvs

I stick with CT until Elan come out and say I was just kidding about the price.