Rotor attachments for electric motors

An electric motor, comprising:

• a stator;
• a rotor circumscribing the stator, the rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator;
• and
• a planetary gear assembly operatively coupled to the rotor, the planetary gear assembly including a sprocket circumscribing the rotor, wherein rotation of the rotor at a first rotational speed causes a corresponding rotation of the sprocket at a second rotational speed that differs from the first rotational speed, the sprocket including a plurality of teeth projecting in a radially-outward direction, respective ones of the plurality of teeth configured to operatively engage a structure such that the corresponding rotation of the sprocket causes movement of the structure.

A wheel, comprising:

• an electric motor including a stator, a rotor, and an open central region, the rotor circumscribing the stator, the rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator, the open central region located radially inward relative to the rotor and relative to the stator;
• a plurality of foldable spokes rotatably coupled to the rotor, each one of the plurality of foldable spokes being movable relative to the rotor between a stowed position in which a portion of the foldable spoke is located radially within the open central region and a deployed position in which the portion of the foldable spoke is located radially outside of the open central region;
• and
• an airless tire selectively coupled to the rotor via respective ones of the plurality of foldable spokes, the airless tire including an outer tread that circumscribes and is spaced radially apart from the rotor when the airless tire is coupled to the respective ones of the plurality of foldable spokes and the respective ones of the plurality of foldable spokes are in the deployed position, wherein rotation of the rotor causes a corresponding rotation of the airless tire when the airless tire is coupled to the respective ones of the plurality of foldable spokes and the respective ones of the plurality of foldable spokes are in the deployed position.