6WD Pros and Cons

[Kevin Sevcik]

Originally Posted by corpralchee

Sorry if this is the wrong thread for this question but seems like it would fit. My team is wondering if going with a 6wd traction wheels all on the same level would be better than a 4wd traction wheels all on the same level.

It would be, but not by a whole lot. Assuming a dead center weight distribution on both bots, you'd still be trying to skid the outside wheels. The only advantage you have is that your center wheels don't need to side-slip (approximately), so they don't add any resistance to your robot turning. Since they support one-third the weight of your robot, your outer wheels now support two-thirds the weight and effectively resist turning a third less than they used to. It's sort of like magically reducing your weight by a third while keeping the turning torque approximately the same. It's probably a lot more like reducing the side-to-side friction of your wheels by a third while keeping the forwards-backwards friction the same.

Point being, those wheels and your robot will still resist turning, they'll just resist it somewhat less.