More Wheels?

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz

You don't really get any more traction with 5 vs. 4 wheels.

Surface area is not part of the equation.

From our friends at Wiki -

To emphasize this, it's important to note the differences between this year and previous years. In the past, the wheels were slightly squishy, as was the carpet. As you powered your wheels, the carpet and wheels were able to conform a little, and provide a larger surface area and more grip do to the deformation in the parts. More wheels, therefore, would provide an increase in traction.

This year, the Regolith material is firm and slightly bumpy, while the wheels are firm as well. What this means is that each wheel is going to approximate a point contact with the surface, with no deformation of parts. the conditions the GDC has provided us as closely match the ideal friction equation posted above - where number of wheels does not change the robots traction (assuming all wheels are driven).