Here you will find the test
      platform we used to develop the highly bash resistant bumper
      system for Geobot-1. After several months of trying various concepts
      and designs, we came up with this one which was rugged and reliable
      even on a Lego constructed robot. The design was upscaled and
      installed in Geobot seen here.

 
 Skidbot
      is a 4 wheel drive machine, that steers like a "Bobcat"
      construction front loader. Both wheels on each side always move
      in the same direction, backward or forward and are driven in
      pairs with a single shaft per side and a worm drive. The bumper
      front plate is seen here, ready for a rugged try out with some
      big rocks!

 The
      large 4 wheel drive system goes over some pretty big pebbles,
      some over an inch tall. To turn, the wheels on one side go forward,
      and the other side the wheels go backwards, creating a somewhat
      jerky but dependable traction steering system. It essentially
      "skids" around turns, thus its name.
 

 
 The
      new bumper prototype consists of a front bar with two push rods
      that slide in and out under spring tension. They push two switches
      located behind the grey spacers to reach out and push the buttons.
      It is flexible, yet can take frontal and side impacts and remain
      durable and reliable.


      


      
 Movie Clip


      
900Kb
      MPG
 This
      small movie clip with a small amount of sound shows a few feet
      of navigation with the setup.

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