Mecanum drive on Einstein

[Caleb Sykes]

Is this the year? Will we see a straight-up mecanum drive on Einstein?

[pntbll1313]

Heck yes we will!

[Chris Hibner]

Yes

[Jared]

No. There will be no mecanum drive robots on Einstein this year.

[Jared Russell]

This is certainly mecanum's best chance yet.

[Lil' Lavery]

With a back-up robot and eight alliances on Einstein this year, I'd be shocked if at least one of the thirty-two robots doesn't have a mecanum drive.

[efoote868]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

With a back-up robot and eight alliances on Einstein this year, I'd be shocked if at least one of the thirty-two robots doesn't have a mecanum drive.

I'd put it pretty close to 1 as far as probabilities go, especially since the lack of interactions between opposing alliances removes most team's hesitations with the drive...

[JohnSchneider]

Originally Posted by efoote868

I'd put it pretty close to 1 as far as probabilities go, especially since the lack of interactions between opposing alliances removes most team's hesitations with the drive...

A constantly shifting CG might be a deterrent for some teams though

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by JohnSchneider

A constantly shifting CG might be a deterrent for some teams though

It's manageable.

[smart1]

No team has ever used Mecanum drive on Einstein before? That's kind of surprising to me.

[Thad House]

Originally Posted by smart1

No team has ever used Mecanum drive on Einstein before? That's kind of surprising to me.

Nope. No robot with a mecanum drive has ever made it to Einstein before. It's usually because of defense, and it you don't do them right, they have alot of issues on open fields. However, for a year like this, if you can get the balance right, you have a pretty good shot of being able to perform at a high level even with mecanum.

[mman1506]

While I doubt we will see the alliance captains and first picks with mecanum drives I think alliance captains will have to seriously consider mecanum robots for 2nd and 3rd picks out of necessity due to the smaller, watered down fields and the sheer popularity of mecanum drive this year.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by mman1506

While I doubt we will see the alliance captains and first picks with mecanum drives

Why do you say that?

[tindleroot]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Why do you say that?

Agreed. I think some top robots this year will be mecanum.

[mman1506]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Why do you say that?

I think the issues with weight balance and integration (due to extra gearboxes) don't pose well for high ranking "do everything" robots. That's not to say it is impossible but I think many top tier teams will be turned off them for these reasons. Additionally most top tier teams have a preferred driver train that they are comfortable building and have practice driving.


IMO, I couldn't care less how little defense there is or how flat the field is. After thoroughly testing both a mecanum drive and a holonomic omni drive I think they handle terribly compared to a well built tank drive especially at a low speed. Driving sideways is just another nuisance our driver has to think about.