Kit Chassis

There are two typical kit Chassis sold by each of the FTC vendors. In this case, we have links to the GoBilda Chassis, but Rev and Andymark each have their own versions as well .

Tank or differential drive - Allows the robot to move Forward, backward, and Spin on Axis.  It is  simple, durable, and provides strong traction, but cannot move sideways.

Mecanum drive - Allows the robot to move Forward, backward, sideways, diagonal, while rotating.  This system is highly maneuverable and very common in FTC, but requires careful programming and proper wheel installation.

How Mecanum Works:

Mecanum wheels allow a robot to move forward, backward, sideways, diagonally, and rotate without changing the direction the chassis faces. Each wheel has angled rollers at 45 degrees that redirect part of the wheel’s force sideways.By changing the direction and speed of the four wheels, these forces either cancel or reinforce one another:

• All wheels turn together: The robot moves forward or backward.

• Left and right wheels turn in opposite directions: The robot rotates.

• Diagonal wheel pairs turn in matching directions: The robot moves sideways.

• Different wheel speeds: The robot can move diagonally or combine translation with rotation.

The wheels must be installed in the correct orientation, commonly forming an “X” roller pattern when viewed from above. Mecanum drive requires coordinated programming and generally provides less traction than a conventional tank drivetrain, but its ability to move in any direction makes it especially useful for navigating FTC fields and aligning with scoring locations.