Kiwi drive

the BattleBot OMINOUS, shown here with a Kiwi Drive

A Kiwi drive is a holonomic drive system of three omni-directional wheels (such as omni wheels or Mecanum wheels), 120 degrees from each other, that enables movement in any direction using only three motors. This is in contrast with non-holonomic systems such as traditionally wheeled or tracked vehicles which cannot move sideways without turning first. ^{[1] [2]}

This drive system is similar to the Killough platform which achieves omni-directional travel using traditional non-omni-directional wheels in a three-wheel configuration. ^[3] . The term "Kiwi" was a code word for Killough used by FIRST Robotics Competition team 857 students, for their 2002 robot. ^[4]

Motion

When only the front wheel is powered, the chassis will turn and strafe at once. If the back wheels turn the same amount in the same direction, the strafe is cancelled out, so the chassis will only turn. If the back wheels turn half as much in the opposite direction, the turn is cancelled out, so the chassis will only strafe. If the front wheel is not powered, and the back wheels turn the same amount in opposite directions, the chassis will only drive.^{[ citation needed ]}.

Mathematics

A Kiwi drive controls motors (${\displaystyle M_{\text{front}},M_{\text{right}},M_{\text{left}}}$) to achieve a target velocity vector ${\displaystyle (X,Y)}$ and rotation speed ${\displaystyle \theta }$. If ${\displaystyle M_{\text{front}}}$ is perpendicular to the X-axis:

${\displaystyle M_{\text{front}}=X+\theta }$

${\displaystyle M_{\text{right}}=-{\frac {1}{2}}(X-{\sqrt {3}}Y)+\theta }$

${\displaystyle M_{\text{left}}=-{\frac {1}{2}}(X+{\sqrt {3}}Y)+\theta }$

References

1. Swart, Dirk (11 September 2014). "R/C Omniwheel Robot — Electronics | Make". Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
2. "Kiwi Drive Kit with Cheap & Dirty Control System (am-3415) - AndyMark". Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
3. "1997 Discover Awards: Automotive & Transportation: Cleaner Than Air | DiscoverMagazine.com". Discover Magazine. 1 July 1997. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
4. "2002 Robot | Superior Roboworks" . Retrieved 2026-01-11.