Track or whell

[pacman411]

Hello All

I am starting work on my first robot. I am starting with the platform right need I am torned between using a 4 wheel drive and 4 wheel sterring or using a track system. Since some of user in this forum have built many robot what are the pro and con of each? Any help will be welcome.

Paul

[newInRobotics]

Normally (depending on how You make it), track system offers more contact surface, hence less slippage (or that would be the case for some big heavy robot), if it's a small one You're building, slippage won't be very different. Which system do You prefer Yourself?

[jwatte]

How big is this? For mini-Sumo, tracks are fine. For two-foot-sized robots, tracks are a PITA. On the other hand, four-wheel steering is also a PITA; two-wheel steering is much easier.

The Dagu Wild Thumper comes in four-wheel and six-wheel versions, and uses "tank steering" with wheels -- it breaks the wheels on the side it wants to turn towards. It "works" as long as the surface you're driving on isn't too grabby. Dirt is great; anti-skid carpet, not so much.