Crab Drive HELP!!***

[AdamHeard]

If you do decide to undertake a swerve/crab design make sure to spend a little extra time in the design process to build in a back up plan; Make you can switch the crab/swerve into just a normal 4WD in case it doesn't work out. This way you at least have a driving base in case of failure and won't be stuck with a completely disappointing season.

I'd say go for it if you have you have a reasonable amount of resources; you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

[CarpeNoctem]

My team had a crab drive system last year. It worked great and for the game this year it should be good for going around... you dont even have to turn.

But it probably would not be good for hurdling.. Its best use could most likely come from herding the ball around with it

[Al Skierkiewicz]

GGCO,
Although crab drive is a great tool we don't use it all the time. It will only be incorporated into the robot design after careful consideration and playing the game. Don't make the decision at this point, play the game using chairs or tricycles or whatever and see if it is needed. If the team decides to use it then be advised that crab requires some strong mechanical attachments for both the top and botom, special handling to determine how assemblies are attached for steering, how to build a module so that both the wheel and the motor you use will fit into the space you require for turning the module and realize that crab by design puts the wheels closer to the center of the robot which compromises stability. After all of that is overcome, your drivers still need plenty of practice.
A so-so robot with lot's of practice will beat out a superior robot with no practice, every time.

As a personal request, can you include your first name in your profile? It makes it easier to respond. Thanks.

[GGCO]

Ok, thanks all for replying! I am doing research and I am starting to see that a well designed robot/crab drive is not going to happen. I'll try to convince the rest of the team. THANKS!