[donkehote]

Originally Posted by evanperryg

You could do this, if it were a flat field. Actually, if it were a flat field your idea would be better. But, like EricH said, you couldn't do this on a non-flat field unless you intend on only using traction wheels when on the bumps.

Originally Posted by EricH

Unless you happen to be on a hill in the field while trying to strafe, when you'l end up doing who-knows-what when the traction wheels hit. And the last game I can think of with a completely flat field is Aerial Assist; before that I'd have to go clear back to 2007 (if you didn't climb the on-robot ramps, which most teams did) or 1999 (if you weren't a puck-climber, which most teams were). Every other game has at least had raised surface under the carpet. If you have a way of neutralizing the motion of the center wheel, you can at least get predictable results, which will be a lot easier to plan for.

And yes, I can think of situations over the years where strafing on a hill or irregularity in the field would provide an advantage.

Sorry, looking at the original design, I assumed this was for a flat field, having very low ground clearance. I agree that it would cause weird issues if the middle wheel caught on a raised/inclined surface. Should have been more specific.

To be honest, any strafing drive besides swerve may behave oddly on inclines or on uneven surfaces just based on orientation and angle. It will work, but might not go exactly where you intended.