Meet the DFRobotShop Omni Rover

Most three and four wheel drive omnidirectional robots cost $500 and up and are usually intended for the research rather than the hobbyist market. For those who have the knowledge to design and build their own omniwheel driven robot, matching all the parts can be a daunting task: finding the right motors, sourcing the wheels, digging-up a hub which can fit both, keeping the weight down; designing and build the frame, etc. With the launch of the DFRobotShop Omni Rover Kits, experimenting with omnidirectional robots is now inexpensive and fun. [gallery link="file" columns="2"] RobotShop adapted the popular DFRobotShop Rover to almost every kind of wheeled motion in existence; the first kit released, the basic DFRobotShop Rover, was a tracked robot which loves to climb over obstacles. The second kit, the DFRobotShop Mecanum Rover, can move in any direction using its four independently controlled Mecanum wheels. Next up are the DFRobotShop Omni Rover kits: these kits use four identical omnidirectional wheels to move in any direction. Unlike the Mecanum kit, the Omni Rovers are symmetric and use a new, versatile aluminum bracket. Here is the assembly video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dP-0V6_ayY&w=500 The "DFRobotShop Rover Multipurpose Bracket" has been created to allow customers who purchase the new Omni Rovers, as well as customers who purchased the DFRobotShop Rover Basic Kits (all previous versions are compatible) to try any type of wheeled motion. What's next? Soon enough you will see 4WD versions of the rover, as well as a "Swerve Drive" version which allows for directional control of four wheels, much like a planetary rover! For those who already purchased a Rover, upgrade kits will be available. As with all DFRobotShop Rover Kits, the PCB itself, made up of an Arduino Uno, a dual motor controller, a voltage regulator and prototyping area, doubles as a structural element, keeping weight down and slowly merging electronics with mechanics. All Rovers use Arduino software and are compatible with many shields; add sensors to your Rover to make it autonomous, or control it remotely via Bluetooth, WiFi, RF or XBee.