The presently disclosed invention provides an outer rotor brushless direct current motor that includes a tire integrated as part of the outer rotor, and is thus configured as a direct drive wheel, such as may be used on a mobile robot. The drive wheel includes a cylindrical outer rotor having a plurality of poles positioned on an inner surface, a stationary stator spaced inwardly from the rotor and defining a magnetic clearance gap between the plurality of poles of the rotor and a plurality of electromagnets positioned on an outer circumference of the stator, and a stationary central shaft. The stator is mounted to the central shaft and the rotor is configured for rotation about the stator.