Another chapter to the 6WD vs. Mecanum debate

[Ether]

Originally Posted by JamesCH95

Because a mecanum drive has less total usable force at any given speed than a 6wd, and power = force * speed, does this not mean that mecanum drive has less available power than a 6wd?

Yes. But that's a power limit, not a power loss. This may seem like nitpicking, but it's an important distinction.

If my interpretation is correct (please correct me if I'm wrong), the power loss in mecanum comes from the force vector cancellation during straight-line driving, not from frictional losses in the rollers.

The "force vector cancellation" does not cause any power loss unless you are operating on a very resilient surface at high vehicle force levels and speeds. And then it's not a fixed 30% number but rather a function of the force and speed.

Once a mecanum's wheels break traction (start slipping), then any additional power supplied to the motors is wasted in scrubbing the wheels on the floor.