The Zero Car is a full-scale experimental testing platform for a new vehicle architecture consisting of electric motor wheel modules (wheel robots) and a connecting chassis structure that supports the passenger cabin.

The Zero Car allows for multiple wheel configurations (up to four wheels) and allows the research team to experiment with vehicle control systems that drive each wheel and steering motor digitally and independently. The driver's interface is wireless, thus promoting a "drive-by-wire" architecture and therefore freeing the need for mechanical connections between driver and vehicle. A small-scale counterpart called, the Mini-Zero, complements this research by allowing easy simulation of the assembly of wheel robots and synchronization of their movements.

A Mini-Zero was also designed and tested. The Mini-Zero is a 12''x8'' model with four omni-directional wheels and is primarily used to test different control strategies for the wheel robots and to test wireless communication with similar vehicles that can lead to virtual towing.

For videos of the vehicle please refer to this site: http://web.media.mit.edu/~ypod/