[dtengineering]

Remember that "tank drive" robots don't need to turn.... or at least not turn much... they can just go "forward" down one side, then "backwards" down the other, just like mecanums and other omni-drive systems.

I would recommend, however, that teams using mecanums get them finished earlier than usual so that the programmers and drivers can have time to get all the control loops worked out. Building a successful mecanum drive (especially with Banebots gearboxes and AM wheels) is much more of a programming challenge than a mechanical one.

What I am looking forward to is the emergence of "car" steering. We are seriously considering setting up just like a sports car... rear wheel drive, front wheel steering. While it doesn't have a "zero" turn radius like tank drive, it should work great for high speed cornering and swerving around other robots heading down the straights.

But we've got a few other tests to run before we commit to that just yet.

Jason