Are two speed transmissions worth it?

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Joel J.

Something I'm curious to investigate is some sort of current-based shifting "algorithm." Have the drive default to a reasonable high gear (9-10 fps), then shift to low whenever the current draw grows beyond a certain value for a certain period of time. Then shift back to high when the current draw falls below a certain value for a certain length of time. Then have a manual override of some sort. Pretty much, the system only shifts to low to push.

You could do this with encoders.

If the measured speed of the robot is significantly less than what it should be, it must be hitting something and then it shifts down. If the robot is in low and going 95-100% speed, then it isn't hitting anything and will shift back up.

I made a vex robot with that exact functionality.