Abstract: A drive unit for transport devices comprises a spindle (1) with a stator (2) and, mounted on said spindle so as to be capable of rotation, a rotor (3), all these elements forming an electric motor (4) and a rim (5). The device is provided with permanent magnets (6, 7, 8, 9), cores (10) with coils (11), and sensors (12) for determining the angular position of the rotor (3). The rotor (3) is designed as concentric shells (13,14) and joined to the rim (5). The permanent magnets (6, 7, 8, 9) are mounted on the sleeves (13, 14), each magnet facing another magnet of opposite polarity; on each sleeve (13, 14) permanent magnets (6, 7, 8, 9) are mounted so that their polarity alternates. The stator (2) is located between the permanent magnets (6, 7, 8, 9) and carries the coils (11) with cores (10), the coils being connected around the periphery to the stator (2) and arranged with gaps between themselves and the permanent magnets (6, 7, 8, 9).