[Specialagentjim]

Originally Posted by Evan Austin

Last year we had a two-wheel drive robot that rolled very easily. We also had a cart that rolled like it had square wheels. We got tired of it and finally just rolled the robot from the pit to the field with no cart at all. We loved it because we didn't have a cart to move out of the way or try to maneuver through the pits in Chicago. We did use our cart in Atlanta, though, because we didn't want to roll the robot that far.

Just as a note to the rookie teams, don't do this if your drive motors are attached to the wheels your pushing it on. There's an effect you're probably familiar wtih called backdrive (where the motor acts as a generator by being turned by the wheel). This causes quite a bit of voltage to go back to the victor, leaving a bit of voltage flowing INTO the OUT side of it. This is bad. (I don't know about other teams, but back in the 883's we used to fry quite a few due to backdrive).


As far as our cart, we have one thats made out of aluminum extrusion and anodized diamond plate, but its too bulky, doesnt move very well, and has now been replaced by a handcart we bought at home depot. I think the team is formulating plans to be build a new motorized cart, but thats just speculation at this point.

Oh, and whoever brought their cart to the team party: I bow in the presence of greatness. Good work.