Sorry - Swedish Defence Research developed that in the 60's.
See [link|http://www.granfoss.net/arne/k100e/bilar/carmakes/k1cafoa.htm|[link|http://www.granfoss.net/arne/k100e/bilar/carmakes/k1cafoa.htm|http://www.granfoss.../k1cafoa.htm]][*]. At least as far as I know, it has hydraulic (sic) motors not only articulating, but also driving, each wheel.
If I've got this wrong, then *I* was probably still before him, since in the late 70's (AFAICR), I "developed" -- based upon the possible misunderstanding above (and also on the Lohner-Porsche system I've mentioned here before) -- cars and lorries using hydraulic motors driving each wheel.
And if that "doesn't count" (since it was only in my head), then lumber machines and dumper trucks (at least ones from Volvo) use the same system. As does the Bofors "model 77" semi-self-propelled howitzer, come to think of it.
So if your friend gets a patent on it... Then that only goes to prove how fucked-up your patent system is.
[*]: It's a direct link to a sub-page of a framed site; the main page is at [link|http://www.granfoss.net/arne/k100e/bilar/|[link|http://www.granfoss.net/arne/k100e/bilar/|http://www.granfoss...k100e/bilar/]]. (I especially liked the tractor-trailer combo from Kalmar Verkstad -- scroll down to 'K' in the left-hand manufacturer listing.)
