Another Drivetrain Idea - "True Octanum"

[SpeedFreed]

While reading the recent thread about "Box drive", I was struck with the idea of that configuration made out of mecanum wheels. Now this is pretty much just a thought experiment, but I got to thinking that it does solve one of the biggest problems mecanum has, which is the loss of power in strafing. Here is a concept drawing:



Notice the 8 mecanum wheels, making this, in my option, more worthy of the "octanum" name.

In an environment with no unwanted friction, a typical mecanum configuration can reach full speeds forwards as well strafing. For the longest time I thought that mathematically mecanum were limited to about 70% speed in strafing action, but in actuality the 30% lost entirely to entropy (booooooo).

However, as shown above, this configuration has the second set of mecanum wheels that will be able to strafe at the same speed the other set can go forward. Since mecanum wheels are not mathematically limited, the set not being "used" should just go along with the ride, and while not providing much use in moving that direction, they shouldn't drag much on the ground.

Each pair of mecanum wheels (two per corner) should be able to be linked via a clever use of bevel gears, and the driving/coding should be no different than typical mecanum.

I have only been able to think it through forwards, backwards, strafing, turning, and diagonals, and as far as I can tell I should work. Though I can't tell when it comes to complex movements.

This should allow you to make a completely symmetrical, omni-directional drivetrain; the only other ones being swerve and holonomic. It also should reduce mecanum bounce, as well as increase mecanum's traction some (though that is a complete guess). Furthermore, you get the advantage of full motor usage in the primary direction, which you lose in something like H drive (which has to split up the motors for different directions).

What do you guys think?

Note: Again, we aren't planning to actually do this. In fact we have already designed built and are now testing the other "octanum" for next year.