pic: Dual omni-wheel

[Richard Wallace]

Recently posted images. Top view, bottom view, and first test run.

Next we plan to try other roller materials, aiming for better traction than we obtained using polyurethane. Maybe gum rubber, as team222badbrad recommended earlier in this thread.

[JVN]

I was recently in St. Louis for a conference, and got the chance to see (and drive) this omni-drive prototype. I was REALLY impressed. It handled incredibly. If the 2006 game requires omni-directional motion, this design could be an awesome competitior on the field.

The design & construction techniques were also very cool. A lot of work and attention to detail went into this machine. I hope I see it on the field sometime soon.

Kudos!
-JV

[mechanicalbrain]

Has anyone considered a second set of omni wheels (or a ball) in the center of the robot so the weight is evenly distributed. They need not be powered. The other thing I'm curious about is the use of different surfaces. I see some mention of using different materials and I have seen some work done on roller surfaces (the grenade wheels come to mind though I don't think that was for traction) but has anyone really experimented with different surfaces?