Mecanum drive on Einstein

[Koko Ed]

Einstein is expanded to eight alliances which is 32 teams so chances are pretty good that one will have Mecanums.

[Mockapapella]

Here's hoping since we're using mecanum this year

[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.

[Jay O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by mman1506

Driving sideways is just another nuisance our driver has to think about.

Or another skill for them to utilize. Depends on your driver.

[AdamHeard]

It's a shame that this is likely the year that sacred ground will be touched by that unworthy drive

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by Jared Russell

This is certainly mecanum's best chance yet.

Yep.

I might add that most teams who have the ability and disciple required to make it to Einstein would also have the ability to build a swerve drivetrain. It's overgeneralizing, sure, but I think it is mostly true.

[IronicDeadBird]

I can't stand straight mecanum. On a drop drive that is different yes but straight mecanum is not something I am too happy with but when this game came out I immediately thought mecanum.
Of course then I heard a lot of people who know their bidnizz laugh at mecanum and it became a very hard pitch to my team.
I stand by it though.
As much as I am against mecanum because of its trade offs this year I feel it fits well.

[asid61]

Originally Posted by Monochron

Yep.

I might add that most teams who have the ability and disciple required to make it to Einstein would also have the ability to build a swerve drivetrain. It's overgeneralizing, sure, but I think it is mostly true.

Ability, yes. But is it worth the benefits to spend the extra time designing a swerve module when mecanum could work just as well or suit the time constraints better?

[nuggetsyl]

I am not sure what's funnier. People still thinking Mech wheels actually are competitive or the fact that SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many teams use them.

[nuggetsyl]

I can tell you 2 people that love mecanum drive. Andy Baker and Tony Norman.

[mrnoble]

One thing for sure: at the end of this season, either mec will be redeemed or it will be completely dead. If it doesn't happen this year, it won't ever happen. This game was nearly built for mec.

I'm actually more interested in whether 254 stands by their long precedent of swerve being unnecessary.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by nuggetsyl

I am not sure what's funnier. People still thinking Mech wheels actually are competitive or the fact that SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many teams use them.

How much experience and testing do you have with a well tuned mecanum drivetrain?

[Mike Marandola]

Originally Posted by nuggetsyl

I am not sure what's funnier. People still thinking Mech wheels actually are competitive

What is your reasoning on that?

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by asid61

Ability, yes. But is it worth the benefits to spend the extra time designing a swerve module when mecanum could work just as well or suit the time constraints better?

I guess we differ in opinion there. I think that mecanum will absolutely not work just as well as swerve. It might suit the time constraints better, but concerns of center of gravity, and all four wheel needing to touch the floor at all times makes mecanum very unsuited for this game. I think mecanum does offer plenty of advantages over tank drive this year that are usually made moot by other mecanum drawbacks.

[nuggetsyl]

While some teams do very well with mechs. When push comes to shove Mike mechs do neither. The reason why most feel mechs have a chance this year is the lack of contact.