Six Wheel Drive Question

[Loose Screw]

Originally Posted by Kevin Leonard

20 ran a 6 wheel drop center with colsons, while 340 ran 8 wheel, 4 traction, 4 omni. From experience at four different 2014 events that both 340 and 20 attended, the wheels on the ground made no difference in performance between the two machines, and as long as the team understands how to use their drivetrain, has well practiced drivers, and the other parts of the robot are also consistent, you should do well enough with either.

One thing I have to take into consideration as a coach when we design our robot is that as a Jr. High FTC team, driving experience is tough to come by. We try to have our drive team set as a mix of 8th, 7th, and possibly a 6th grader. This setup allows for a more "mature" team that has at least one member with prior drive team experience. As this allows for drive team experience, the underclassman usually transitions from driver/manipulator to drive coach, removing drive experience. My point here is that it's rare for us to have the same driver for more than one year. We have to account for this when we build our robot, so we can't go with more advanced drivetrains unless we dedicate a good few weeks purely for drive practice.

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by Loose Screw

We have to account for this when we build our robot, so we can't go with more advanced drivetrains unless we dedicate a good few weeks purely for drive practice.

Just remember that drive practice, especially drivetrain practice, can happen on the off season. Make sure that you're not just driving around an open field - include some tracks to slalom, targets to hit, and other game like features on your practice field. The driver will still need some time with the actual robot, which will undoubtedly have a somewhat different weight or balance or precision requirements, but a few weeks of practice with a similar drive train can provide a big leg up on mastering the new robot.

[Loose Screw]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

Just remember that drive practice, especially drivetrain practice, can happen on the off season. Make sure that you're not just driving around an open field - include some tracks to slalom, targets to hit, and other game like features on your practice field. The driver will still need some time with the actual robot, which will undoubtedly have a somewhat different weight or balance or precision requirements, but a few weeks of practice with a similar drive train can provide a big leg up on mastering the new robot.

Thanks for the advice. What we did last season was drive our previous robot on the new field, giving them obstacles to avoid and drive around. We ended up using the same type of drivetrain, so that helped with drive practice. I would like to see them choose another drivetrain like omni or swerve, but those depend on the game. If we do go with a new drivetrain, drive practice will be a huge focus.