  We investigate the large deformation and extreme load-management capabilities
of a soft topologically polarized kagome lattice mapped to a cylindrical domain
through the problem of a lattice wheel rolling on an irregular surface. We test
the surface-lattice interaction experimentally by subjecting a 3D-printed
topological lattice wheel prototype to localized and distributed boundary
loads. This investigation reveals a dichotomy in the force transfer between the
two loading scenarios, whereby localized loads are absorbed with limited stress
penetration into the bulk and small force transfer to the wheel axle, compared
to distributed loads. Through numerical simulations, we compare the lattice
wheel against a baseline solid wheel to highlight the unique stress management
opportunities offered by the lattice configuration. These findings promote the
design of rolling objects enabled by topological mechanics, in which a surplus
of softness, activated by local asperities, can coexist with a globally stiff
response to distributed loads that ensures satisfactory load-bearing
capabilities.
