Odd 8 Wheel Tank Drivetrain Idea

[Bryce Paputa]

We saw some tank drives get pushed around from the side quite a lot this year, especially in the 27v67 MSC finals. Our driver generally avoided getting t-boned, but our robot (8 roughtop wheel tank) was still susceptible to it and had issues getting out of it. What if, on a rockered 8 wheel tank drive, the middle 4 wheels were omnis and the outer 4 were very high traction? As long as the chassis was stiff enough, and maybe with a slightly larger than normal rocker, wouldn't this give very high turning ability while still having rather good traction while pushing or accelerating? What if the middle 4 wheels were mecanum (4 different gearboxes)? Would that allow for omnidirectional drive while still having pushing power? I think we'll try these ideas out sometime this summer, but have they been tried before and do any of you have any other ideas or suggestions? Would anyone near us (SE Michigan) like to collaborate on the testing?