Treads, Tracks, Tank system Talk/Help

[UndergroundVoid]

Originally Posted by Pat Roche

However I do agree with Al in saying if it is not necessary for the game why implement it. Tread's are superb and often faster at vertical obstacles(stairs, bumps, etc.) but in a flat floor game it tends to be prohibitive.

Well first off, half the things we do in life is what we want and the other half is what we do. I personally choose the tank system for its ability to have the power to climb over any planed or unplanned obstacles. Tracks provided a larger footprint to the floor allowing for greater traction that no other dive can compare with equivalent materials (such at same gear ratio and tread material). Tracks due to their larger footprint can be harder to push around and with the right gear setup push others that may be friend or foe.

If you ever sit down and think about these robots as if part of a video game where you have different characters with different abilities you see all have advantages and disadvantages you never thought of but depending on how you do it could have some unexpected combination. Depending on the parts used, a tank robot could drive just as fast as any other bot but could never match the maneuverability of mecanum, swerve, 4(or 3) way omni, yet anyone can push around mecanum or 4(or 3) way omni, but is is far less likely for a Track system to be pushed around. So in the end what is truely necessary for a great machine because from what i see tracks offer no less than any other drive system.
Note: I'm not saying tracks are the best since their greatest disadvantages is weight and turning but yet this all depends on how you do things. Yet when you say something like "it not necessary" i can't agree. Please think about the world from both views as in the glass in half empty and half full.