pic: Wildstang 2008

[Waynep]

Wildstang,
Another sexy machine out of your shop. The bouncy balls are definitely a nice touch in the roller. Is the caster assembly an outrigger that is extended for additional stability or is this your starting configuration? Judging by where the bumpers end I'm guessing they slide out....but you guys never cease to amaze and surprise me. Great job! Can't wait to see it in action.
-wayne

[Ryan Dognaux]

Just one more reason that Midwest is the regional to watch this weekend. Can't wait to see it in action in person at Boilermaker.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Hmmmm...
How to answer....
Dana, the clear tube is and remains at the atmospheric pressure of the venue.
The balls are ping pong balls with "ones" on them, multicolor of course.
No, we don't do the easter egg thing but we do pick up balls.
No, we don't launch, but we can hurdle.
Lauren, Lauren, Lauren, no idea how you came to that conclusion!
Yes, we think we are stable, but time will tell.
Same as always, we can go forward and back, and up and down.
See everyone on Thursday.

[Alex Cormier]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Hmmmm...
How to answer....
Dana, the clear tube is and remains at the atmospheric pressure of the venue.
The balls are ping pong balls with "ones" on them, multicolor of course.
No, we don't do the easter egg thing but we do pick up balls.
No, we don't launch, but we can hurdle.
Lauren, Lauren, Lauren, no idea how you came to that conclusion!
Yes, we think we are stable, but time will tell.
Same as always, we can go forward and back, and up and down.
See everyone on Thursday.

hmm... does it look more of car type steering, now that i look at it more closely.




edit//

let's all rant in demand of a video...

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Hmmmm...
How to answer....
Dana, the clear tube is and remains at the atmospheric pressure of the venue.
The balls are ping pong balls with "ones" on them, multicolor of course. ...

I'll guess those tie-dyed, numbered balls are used for alliance-partner lotto.

[Jimmy Cao]

I may be wrong, but i'm betting it's crab/swerve. It's clear that all 4 wheels are steerable (look at the wires sticking up).

After zooming in on the pic, you can see the chains linking the two front and two back wheels. I'm betting it's front and back linked crab. (And, is that an MA3 encoder? It looks like one =D)

[Alex Golec]

I see 4 large pneumatics, 2 smaller things (pneumatics or gas shocks) and a small motor powering the lottery roller. I can't figure out all the linkages from the picture, though - how does this arm move?

[JaneYoung]

I'm beginning to think the full photo of the robot is a worse tease than the teasers.

My head hurts. It's those little lottery balls, I want to watch them go.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Richard

I'll guess those tie-dyed, numbered balls are used for alliance-partner lotto.

Only if the team is #1, #11, or #1111. The design was a fallout of a long build day and everyone being a little giddy. So they got painted when we painted our bumpers, what's a little overspray among friends? Raul said, "Ping Pong balls, they weigh nothing!"

Lauren,
I am glad you are working with a team. You will prove to be a great Wildstang ambassador out there in CA. Don't give away all our secrets at once though. Heads might explode. We really are very proud of you, keep up the good work. Two more students are following in your MSOE footsteps this year.

Everyone,
Who ever said we were under weight? Isn't that what Thursdays are for, dieting?!?

[Mike Copioli]

Al, Looks great (as usual). Are those welds I see? Where are all the rivets?

Good luck at midwest.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Mike,
Welds are for the parts that aren't supposed to move. Rivets for those that might or those that break or those that are too heavy to stay on...There's too many reasons for rivets.

[Stephen Kowski]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

The balls are ping pong balls with "ones" on them, multicolor of course.

add different numbers....make a betting pool of some sort (whatever order they stop in at the end of the match?), revenues going to the team, prize to the winner

At least I know in this lottery where my money is really going

[David Brinza]

Casters on a WildStang robot?
Is this an imposter's robot or is this a "wheelie bar" feature ?

[jgannon]

Originally Posted by David Brinza

Casters on a WildStang robot?
Is this an imposter's robot or is this a "wheelie bar" feature ?

Originally Posted by Waynep

Is the caster assembly an outrigger that is extended for additional stability or is this your starting configuration? Judging by where the bumpers end I'm guessing they slide out.

I think Wayne nailed it here. It definitely looks like the caster assembly is not directly affixed to the chassis proper.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by jgannon

I think Wayne nailed it here. It definitely looks like the caster assembly is not directly affixed to the chassis proper.

I think you're right! Looking closely at the left side, you can see a little latch-looking thing. Over-analyzing a little more, the caster assembly drops down (note that sliding backwards into the frame is not an option due to welding). Pivot point is probably along the bottom frame rail somewhere.

Other notes: At least one side is some variety of swerve, but not coaxial (motor wires coming up, indicating vertical motors, one per module, plus chain across the top of the frame in the front). Probably full swerve, noting another chain in the back.

So, nice "expanding" swerve drive, Wildstang! How does the rest work?