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Omni-Ball robot testing (Patreon)

Published:
2021-05-17 08:55:32
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Here's next week's video, early for Patrons. This one goes out publicly on Tuesday 25th.

Well it works much better than I expected, so it looks like a practical solution with a few bits of minor redesign.

Files

Previews only

Testing Omni-Ball Wheels on a Robot - PREVIEW VERSION

This is part 2 of testing out omni-ball wheels. This time I've completed the robot chassis with radio control so we can give it a test on various surfaces and over various obstacles. A few years ago, Goodyear produced a concept for a tyre, which was a ball. But are ball shaped wheels practical, and can we make a vehicle or robot with ball shapes omni-wheels? I found a video about research carried out at Osaka University, where an omni-ball wheel is made in two halves and seems to work well. But is there more to it? You can support me on Patreon or buy my Merchandise: *************************** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xrobots Merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/james-bruton *************************** Affiliate links - I will get some money of you use them to sign up or buy something: *************************** Matterhackers 3D printing supplies: http://www.matterhackers.com?aff=7500 Music for your YouTube videos: http://share.epidemicsound.com/xrobots *************************** Other socials: *************************** Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xrobotsuk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xrobotsuk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/xrobotsuk *************************** CAD and Code for my projects: https://github.com/XRobots Huge thanks to my Patrons, without whom my standard of living would drastically decline. Like, inside out-Farm Foods bag decline. Plus a very special shoutout to Lulzbot, Inc who keep me in LulzBot 3D printers and support me via Patreon. HARDWARE/SOFTWARE Below you can also find a lot of the typical tools, equipment and supplies used in my projects: Filament from: https://www.3dfuel.com/ Lulzbot 3D Printers: http://bit.ly/2Sj6nil Lincoln Electric Welder: https://bit.ly/2Rqhqos CNC Router: https://bit.ly/2QdsNjt Ryobi Tools: http://bit.ly/2RhArcD Axminster Micro Lathe: http://bit.ly/2Sj6eeN 3D Printer Filament: http://bit.ly/2PdcdUu Soldering Iron: http://bit.ly/2DrNWDR Vectric CNC Software: http://bit.ly/2zxpZqv Why not join my community, who are mostly made up of actual geniuses. There’s a Facebook group and everything: https://www.facebook.com/groups/287089964833488/ XROBOTS Former toy designer, current YouTube maker and general robotics, electrical and mechanical engineer, I’m a fan of doing it yourself and innovation by trial and error. My channel is where I share some of my useful and not-so-useful inventions, designs and maker advice. Iron Man is my go-to cosplay, and 3D printing can solve most issues - broken bolts, missing parts, world hunger, you name it. XRobots is the community around my content where you can get in touch, share tips and advice, and more build FAQs, schematics and designs are also available.

Comments

Anonymous

Looks great James! When I saw that video you based your design on I didn't notice the smaller wheel on the end. I wonder how small you could make those balls. I have my own simpler omni-ball design I eventually want to try out that I got down to about 1in/25mm in diameter, but it has some drawbacks. I agree with your ideas to improve it. I wonder how well it would work on carpet if you put more weight on it.

XRobots
>>60011662

It would be possible to leave more clearance around the little wheel, but then it's lumpy driving in the other axis. You could always ignore the little wheel and use an encoder so you never drive on it, but it may be more trouble than it's worth. With four wheels I think the probability of driving on the little wheel would be reduced, so it would be better on carpet and everywhere even if the wheels didn't have much clearance.

Anonymous

Some brainy-stuff James, you are always pushing the limits

Al Pieroway

fyi, liking the video in Patreon is not the same as liking it in YouTube (i think). so, to help the YouTube algorithms don't forget to like in YouTube as well.

XRobots
>>60020506

Patrons are getting a separate version at the moment which is stripped of all advertising, so you'd actually have to go to YouTube on the public publishing day and like that version ;-)

Anonymous

Immediately I start wondering... What if the motors were inside the wheels? Not sure that really gains anything, this is already a really slick design!

XRobots
>>60067102

It would be challenging because the circumference changes as the wheel rotates in its driven axis. It could be solved with encoders though.

Anonymous

James, I noticed when the wheel switches from hemisphere to caster there is a jerk in a random direction. Would the wheel be more efficient if you had a ball caster on each end instead of the wheel caster? Though you may have trouble switching from the ball caster back to the hemisphere.

XRobots
>>60067600

It may just be the transition point from hemisphere to wheel. Ball casters are ok, but what is the ball mounted on that can take the load? It may just be better to have a thinner wheel(?)

Anonymous
>>60067600

Yes, you would have to have some internal omni wheels for the ball to spin against. That would get very complicated.

Mikey

That seems to be moving around A LOT better than my £$@}]$£[ rovio! What I loved about the rovio, was it's ability to return to the charger and recharge...... when it worked. Maybe that would be a future project? Possibly with something simpler than ROS

XRobots
>>60075192

I think it would need ROS to move around the whole house, but then use something else like IR or vision when it gets close to the charger

Mikey
>>60075192

I wonder how the rovio did it. Even when inside another room, it could pretty accurately maneuver into the room with the charger, and then use the beam on the ceiling in that room to continue closer to the charger.

Anonymous

Hey James. Long time fan, first time commenter. When do we get to see another opendog video? I am really excited to see more of that series

XRobots
>>60104360

I'm planning to build a new version with the Cycloidal Drive I developed, but I don't want to dismantle V2 and the motors are out of stock at the moment. It's on the plan!

John Keller

How about a lecture on goal setting and time management! Very inspiring stuff!!!

XRobots
>>60178991

Yep it's on my mind ;-) finding the blade material will be the trickiest part though.

XRobots
>>60195820

I've got some more thought process stuff coming up in the next Really Useful Robot video. Most of the volume of content comes from experience though - knowing what'll work mostly first time.

Thomas Coley
>>60178991

Yeah I was thinking with the right material it wouldn't be too difficult for someone like you, as long as you didn't try and make it too compact that is. Or robust.

Anonymous

I like how it crawls over the cables. Looks like your dish washing robot is malfunctioning!?

XRobots
>>60257011

I wonder how many people are going to say that! Yep it looks better than my Roomba though, so I think this type of wheels will make another appearance at some point.

Christopher Byrd

James, this video is truly inspiring and I'm glad to be a new Patreon supporter of yours to be part of the community encouraging you to keep making and sharing these awesome designs!