Omni Directional Robotic Car

Omni-directional is used to describe the ability of a system to move instantaneously in any direction from any configuration. Omni- directional robotic platforms have vast advantages over a conventional design in terms of mobility in congested environments. They are capable of easily performing task

Project Title

Omni Directional Robotic Car

Project Area of Specialization

Mechanical Engineering

Project Summary

Omni-directional is used to describe the ability of a system to move instantaneously in any direction from any configuration. Omni- directional robotic platforms have vast advantages over a conventional design in terms of mobility in congested environments. They are capable of easily performing tasks in environments congested with static and dynamic obstacles and narrow aisles. These environments are commonly found in factory workshops offices, warehouses, hospitals and elderly care facilities. It is a type of automobile which can perfome complex manoeuring at any instant. This car is capable of moving a vehicle to any direction instantaneously by the combination of independent wheel rotations.

Project Objectives

Existing Omni directional robot has high friction against the ground while turning, which requires high-torque engines to overcome the friction. By comparison, the design of the Mecanum wheel allows for in-place rotation with minimal ground friction and low torque.

Project Implementation Method

We will implement Ilon's Mecanum wheel, which is based on the principle of a central wheel with a number of rollers placed at an angle around the periphery of the wheel. The angled peripheral rollers translate a portion of the force in the rotational direction of the wheel to a force normal to the wheel direction. Our robot car will have the ability to lock the Mecanum wheels peripheral rollers increases this efficiency when traveling in a forward direction. The addition of the ability to dynamically adjust the angle of the peripheral rollers to best suit the direction of travel to a large extent resolves the inefficiencies inherently present in the traditional design. The robot will be able to move and perform complex tasks within a congested factory environment during material transfer and handling.

Benefits of the Project

The project can benefit the following

1. Industries and factories. 

2. Warehouses.

3. Advance parking systems.

4. Stock rooms

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The peripheral rollers have the capability of having their angles dynamically adjusted to best suit the direction the platform is traveling in. Losses of efficiency when traveling in a straight line are due to energy lost in a direction normal to that of travel through the peripheral rollers which bleed off available energy as they rotate. Through the addition of a simple mechanical device that allows us to lock the peripheral rollers, we now have a wheel, which when traveling straight has its peripheral rollers locked, thus effectively forming a normal tire, but when traveling sideways has the rollers unlocked thus allowing for the flexibility of the Mecanum sideways screw motion. A simple actuator is used to rotate the brake activation disc enough to raise the brake pins until they make contact with the rollers, thus preventing their rotation. The effect of the locked rollers is similar to that of a tire with a heavy tread. This method is effective in reducing any lost forces in the forward direction to zero.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Core Industry

Transportation

Other Industries

Manufacturing

Core Technology

Robotics

Other Technologies

Others

Sustainable Development Goals

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com