Reinventing the wheel and
myself through top-notch research

Researching the wheel that moves in any direction

My passion for the automotive industry led me to explore innovations like the Mecanum wheel, which allows vehicles to move in any direction. Through a literature review, I investigated its potential for industrial applications. My focus was on improving the Mecanum wheel’s kinematics, which often suffers from reduced speed while offering multi-directional movement. I aimed to challenge this limitation by developing new equations for its movement.

Research Methodology

Under the mentorship of Dr. Joshua Whitman and guided by Lumiere, I conducted a thorough literature review on the Mecanum wheel’s mechanics. I learned CAD to simulate and test the kinematic models I developed. After rigorous testing, I formulated an equation that correlates speed across all axes with the torque applied to each motor, optimizing the robot’s movement.

Key Research Insights

  • Mecanum wheel geometry and precise angular construction.
  • Force and movement relationships for directional control of the robot.
  • Kinematic equations to set optimal power for each wheel of the robot based on battery power, torque, and size.

Publication

My research is confirmed and to be published by the National High School Journal of Science (NHSJS).