Quote:
Originally posted by Andy Baker:
This has been the case if the robot has it's wheels positioned along the long dimension (36 inches~914mm) of the robot. On the other hand, if the robot is wider than its length and the wheels are positioned along the short dimension (30 inches~762mm), then that middle wheel may not need to be lowered at all.
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This, I think, is the most pertinent and useful information you'll find in this thread so far. There is nothing intrinsic to the use of 6WD systems that make them superior in turning. Instead, current draw during turning is affected by friction and wheelbase dimension, essentially, and 6WD systems with a lowered center wheel are preferred over a shortened 4WD wheel base only because they are more stable. The 6WD system is, after all, nothing more than than two shortened 4WD systems that share a common wheel.
The other benefits that people seem to associate with 6WD systems, such an increased traction, seem to be related only anecdotally. For once, though, I'm going to leave the beating of that poor horse to some other people.
This Whitepaper by Chris Hibner is a great resource when trying to figure out if you're robot will turn.