You can spot·2 Airtrax Sidewinder forklifts operating inside the shuttle hanger scene in the new Star Trek movie. That endorsement alone legitimizes the concept!
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ·"If you build it, they will come."
These are both variations of Mecanum wheels. Andy Mark and at least one other site sell "robot sized" versions, but they are pricey.
The youtube video in skylight's post is actually the first of 3 robots by that group. The second was about the same size, but had "rimless" wheels, similar to those on the forklifts in the first video. The 3rd was about 30" square, and the base for a wheel chair type "concept vehicle". More on their work (including more videos) can be seen at this link:
This page also does some explaining of how the wheels work.
Like the "omni-wheel" concept, these wheels depend on vector addition to control direction and rotation. Because the main "wheel" rotates parallel with the "forward/reverse" direction, they can be more efficient in strait travel than the omni-wheel. However, like the omni-wheel, they are dependent on all wheels maintaining contact in order for the vector addition to work. This makes them a bit "challenging" in irregular terrain. It can also create problems with things like transitioning from tile to carpet.
I like omniwheels alot. My omniwheel growbot is collecting dust until I can get the money for some functional wheels. They are pricy.I have seen some versons using conveyor rollers. Warning stay from the hard plastic wheels they sell for robots. Totally useless. I learned the hard way. Rubber or silicone coated are must unless you have rubber floors. lol
Post Edited (Prettybird) : 9/19/2009 5:56:22 PM GMT
skylight
Posts: 1,915
Comments
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Computers are microcontrolled.
Robots are microcontrolled.
I am microcontrolled.
But you·can·call me micro.
Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
SX Spinning light display·
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·"If you build it, they will come."
Post Edited (erco) : 9/21/2009 2:25:41 AM GMT
The youtube video in skylight's post is actually the first of 3 robots by that group. The second was about the same size, but had "rimless" wheels, similar to those on the forklifts in the first video. The 3rd was about 30" square, and the base for a wheel chair type "concept vehicle". More on their work (including more videos) can be seen at this link:
* Omni-Directional Vehicles
This page also does some explaining of how the wheels work.
Like the "omni-wheel" concept, these wheels depend on vector addition to control direction and rotation. Because the main "wheel" rotates parallel with the "forward/reverse" direction, they can be more efficient in strait travel than the omni-wheel. However, like the omni-wheel, they are dependent on all wheels maintaining contact in order for the vector addition to work. This makes them a bit "challenging" in irregular terrain. It can also create problems with things like transitioning from tile to carpet.
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John R.
Click here to see my Nomad Build Log
Rich H
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The Servo Boss, a 12 channel servo tester kit from Gadget Gangster.
Post Edited (Prettybird) : 9/19/2009 5:56:22 PM GMT