First Build. Some questions whilst in design phase.

[maddox10]

12" wheels, reasonable speed. In a feather? That's a large order.

Lowest RPM motors on 12V available atm are large brushless outrunners. But the problem with those light, affordable powerhouses are that they are absolutely unproven in combat for drives.

Next best thing are Graupner Speed 900's (actualy 51mm diameter Johnson motors), but those are getting very rare. With 6600 rpm @12V the slowest running usable motor for a featherweight.

[Daniel Vernall]

Ye, I'm beginning to see issues with my design. I've got a new design I'm working on. I'm still thinking of powerful motors for the drive. In your experience what sort of designs have good manoeuvrability? Increasing power to one side of the bot would make it turn but what are other mechanisms?

[maddox10]

There are 2 common ways to "steer".

Car style, using a turnable wheel to controle the direction. Robots of note. Onslaught and Mighty Mouse.

Tank style. What you proposed.

Uncommon or untried means I know off.


Tip Top used the disk as main propulsion, and by elevating a side of the robot tried to steer. Not really a succes.

Omniwheel track. I have seen a prototype at a early social/live event in the Oundle mill, way back a decade or more. 1 huge back wheel for propulsion, and a powered track in the front, 90° on the direction of drive; This track carried small wheels aligned with the back wheel.

Meltybrain spinner. 1 driven wheel, and 5 robots worth of brainpower and electronics.