Translational drift

From Combat Robot

Also called Melty Brain or Tornado Drive, Translational Drift refers to a type of drivetrain which allows a rapidly rotating robot to move in a controlled manner while spinning. In most designs a rotation sensor is coupled with an electronic speed controller capable of very rapid switching, and the robot translates directional commands into minute variations in wheel speed at precise points in its rotation which moves the spinning robot around. Translational drift robots utilize the full body spinner weapon type, placing weapon contact points along the perimeter of the bot. The bot's ability to navigate while spinning differentiates a translational drift robot from traditional (stationary while spinning) thwackbots, and the fact that the drivetrain is spinning differentiates it from a shell spinner.

Translational drift bots utilize a navigation light, which is mounted towards the outside of the bot and is pulsed on and off through the robot's rotation. This produces a sort of heading pointer to assist the driver in knowing which direction the bot will treat as forwards. The robot has to be spinning at a minimum speed in order to calibrate a directional heading, and as a result they suffer from navigational instability before they spin up to operating speed and are able to calibrate a heading.

Translational drift has proven to be a difficult design to implement, and while several translational drift robots have competed, none have yet enjoyed the competitive success that other FBS bots have had.

Examples of robots using translational drift: Melty B, Blade Runner, and Cyclonebot