[Video] Team 648 Released
 

Haha... one day before an official, in person release of our 2007 robot, Spartacus, I present you. A midnight-ish release. Feel free to ask questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

The footage was taken on our first day of practice. Have fun and see some of you in Chicago in 48 hours or something like that.


Spartacus

Re: [Video] Team 648 Released
 

looks good, I'm liking the swerve drive! Also that gripper looks very easy to use. good luck at competition

Re: [Video] Team 648 Released
 

The gripper is extremely easy to pick up ringers and deposit ringers. The swerve is awesome. We could not have hoped for a more maneuverable drive in our first attempt at a swerve steer.

Thanks for the comments.

Re: [Video] Team 648 Released
 

Other than 118 and 469, I haven't seen a true swerve drive in a while. It's great to see you guys bringing back this "old school" drive. :) What kind of feedback are you using on the drive? Looks nice and stable, even with than elevating/extending arm.

BEN

Re: [Video] Team 648 Released
 

I'm not sure about the feedbacks we use, I think potentiometers. But then again, I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to programming/electronics.

Re: [Video] Team 648 Released
 

Nice looking robot! That should definitely be competitive!

Re: [Video] Team 648 Released
 

does it do diagonal? what about moving in a circle while facing the center point?

Just two questions that came to mind.

Re: [Video] Team 648 Released
 

I have a question. How are you guys planning on picking up tubes? Since you have a crab, you are only going to be facing one direction unless you get clocked or your wheels aren't aligned or you have two steering chains. Do you have two steering chains and if not are you guys planning on just scoring on your side of the rack only? The crab may be disadvantageous unless you have a turret or some other means of turning the direction of your manipulator.

Re: [Video] Team 648 Released
 

what about driving it straight up tank drive style?????? I think that would get them turned around.

Re: [Video] Team 648 Released
 

That is pretty much what two steering chains will do. Control two sides of your robot.

A team mate who worked on our crab answers your question with:
"The chains just make it tank, where one side of the robot can turn the wheels one way while the other side can move the wheels in the opposite direction."

Re: [Video] Team 648 Released
 

Yes, it does diagonal and articulates about the center point.

Our manipulator is what you see in the video. We usually keep one orientation and that makes things much easier for us. We can score on all sides of the rack without much complication, we did it multiple times at MWR. We feel that a turret would most likely hinder our ability to pick up tubes, conflicting with the maneuverability of our chassis. Yes, we have two steering chains and then all of our drive wheels are powered by two CIM's together, a total of four. Very slick design.

Keep the questions coming.

PS - Sorry I couldn't respond, I was busy at the Midwest Regional.