As depicted below, this prototype really isn’t very big. It does model the omni-directional drive system perfectly though. Created by Osaka University nerds researchers as a solution for heavy-duty applications, the Omni-Crawler is a type of vehicle whose mobility is produced by a pair of cylinders. The big advantage this time around is it expands the directions it can move in. Compared to tracks for example, an Omni-Crawler is suited for any terrain. Okay, maybe not swamps, but a lot of other places as well.
The secret behind the Omni-Crawler’s dynamic mobility is another innovation from the Osaka University. This is the omni-ball, a two-part sphere that can move in different directions at once or even in tandem. It might take a while before a full-sized Omni-Crawler ever gets built though. The Osaka University people, however, are confident a lot of industries will adopt the technology. The omni-wheel is also expected to impact robotics thanks to tis scaling features where difficult obstacles become navigable rather than, well, obstacles.
According to sources, the Omni-Crawler system is already being applied to a planetary vehicle (still a prototype) and could impact our world as well. Imagine a whole host of construction vehicles with omni-wheel tracks.
A video:
Source Gizmag
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