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Unread 23-01-2004, 12:11
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AKA: Bill Bennett
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Re: pic: Swerve^2 Prototype

Quote:
Originally Posted by bjammin64
hey, i was just wondering how exactly the driver will control all of this. would it mbe one person, or would both drivers have to work together to achieve topmost maneuveurability
We have a few different driver control options in the works, but all are single driver, at least for the "driving" part. Another operator will probably manage other gadgets on the 'bot.

We think the "preferred" driving mode will be a single joystick, where the joystick displacement from center is speed, and joystick angle is the drive direction. All four wheels steer in tandem to the same angle and always roll the same direction (never have to run the drill motor backwards).

We'll also be able to lock the back wheels and steer just the front, which makes it drive like a car more or less. This is one way we could rotate the body of the 'bot. Notice that in the "preferred" mode above there's no way for the driver to rotate the body. In "car" mode we'll enable the motors to go backwards for more maneuverability.

Another variation will be to steer the wheels in opposite directions and do a turn-in-place (a tank turn), then return to swerve for moving around the field. This gives a quick way to turn the body to a needed orientation.

Bill