The advances in technology of drive motor design and related control systems result in extensive changes in the design of drive mechanisms in various technical systems. Direct interconnection of the driving motor and the working parts of the mechanism, without any mechanical transmission, has always been a dream of visionaries in the field of mechanical engineering. This thesis explores the possible implementations of direct drives and their impact on the general drive mechanism designs in technical systems. A design approach utilizing the high-torque electric motor was proposed in order to find a universal implementation concept which would be characterized by a broad spectrum of possible applications in drive mechanisms. The cost-benefit analysis of the direct drive development has been carried out, and the guidelines for cost reduction have been proposed. The structure of direct drive has been analyzed, thus forming the principles of the individual partial functions. This has defined their influence on the driving mechanism systems. The design of the technical functionality, structure and interface with the environment has been carried out. It has formed a method of precise defining of the drive for the specific objective in technical systems. Apart from the explored and proposed driving mechanism structures utilizing the direct drive, this thesis comprises the development of a direct drive for an experimental electrical vehicle. The direct drive is built in the vehicle’s front wheel with standard dimensions for automotive purposes. The drive identification experiments have been carried out, and the obtained results have confirmed its practical applicability and numerous high performance qualities (i.e. high motor torque within a relatively wide speed range, fast torque response, and low magnitude of torque ripple) of such drives compared to conventional drive systems. By examining the characteristics of the novel drive system based on the direct drive, the appropriate criteria and rules have been set up for the design of such system, thus creating an expert knowledge base for the design of future similar systems.