BrickEngineer: LEGO Design

LEGO Engineering for LEGO NXT and Robot Enthusiasts

MEGLug LE-GOKART


Check out this amazing LEGO Go-Kart, called LE-GOKART!
It runs on 48 LEGO motors and can actually carry a small child!

See its development at MEGLug

A Catalog of Omni-directional or Holonomic Wheels for LEGO Robots

I have been researching the possibilities for omni-directional or holonomic wheels for LEGO robots. An omni-directional or holonomic wheel is one that can roll not just backwards and forwards, but sideways as well.

New Rotocaster Omni-Directional Wheel

New Rotocaster Omni-Directional Wheel

While these are often used on robots with three wheels where all three rotate at different rates allowing the robot to go in any direction,

Three-Wheeled Omni-Wheel Prototype by Xander Soldaat at Bot Bench

Three-Wheeled Omni-Wheel Prototype by Xander Soldaat at Bot Bench (click on image to see more)


I am interested in using these on a rover that can employ differential steering smoothly without skidding.

There are several different options that one can consider. LEGO purists may consider making their own omni-directional wheel designs out of only official LEGO parts. Another option is to purchase manufactured omni-directional wheels. These come in two classes: those that are designed to be LEGO compatible, and those that are not LEGO compatible. In the latter case, one would have to construct some kind of coupling mechanism to enable the wheel to connect to LEGO parts.

Here are some of the options that I have found.

Omni-Directional Wheels Constructed from LEGO Parts

Omni-Directional LEGO Wheels by Xander at Bot Bench
These wheels use the LEGO pulley to get a six-fold symmetry. Each “wheel” uses 12 LEGO wheels. For archiving purposes, here are three pictures. Please visit Xander at Bot Bench for larger images and more details.

Omni-Directional LEGO Wheels by Xander Soldaat at Bot Bench

Omni-Directional LEGO Wheels by Xander Soldaat at Bot Bench

Omni-Directional LEGO Wheels by Xander Soldaat at Bot Bench

Details of Omni-Directional LEGO Wheels by Xander Soldaat at Bot Bench

Omni-Directional LEGO Wheels by Xander Soldaat at Bot Bench

Details of Omni-Directional LEGO Wheels by Xander Soldaat at Bot Bench

This amazing tank by Peer Kreuger also sports omni-directional wheels made from LEGO parts

LEGO Tank with LEGO Omni-Directional Wheels

LEGO Tank with LEGO Omni-Directional Wheels

The Omni Bot v2 by jason701802 also sports omni-directional wheels

Omni Bot v2 by jason701802

Omni Bot v2 by jason701802

LEGO-compatible Manufactured Omni-Directional Wheels

This LEGO-compatible wheel is made by the School of Robotics

School of Robotics Omni-Directional Wheels

School of Robotics Omni-Directional Wheels

Rotacaster makes a LEGO-compatible omni-directional wheel:

Rotacaster Robot Wheel (LEGO-compatible)

Rotacaster Robot Wheel (LEGO-compatible)

Rotacaster is also coming out with a new design

New Rotocaster Omni-Directional Wheel

New Rotocaster Omni-Directional Wheel

Rotacaster also produces several non-LEGO compatible designs.

Tetrix also makes LEGO-compatible Omni-Directional Wheels

Tetrix Omni-Directional Wheels

Tetrix Omni-Directional Wheels

General Manufactured Omni-Directional Wheels

Mecanum Omni-Wheel Designed by Bengt Ilon in 1973 at the Mecanum AB Company

Mecanum Wheel

Mecanum Wheel

Mecanum Omni-Directional Wheel

Mecanum Omni-Directional Wheel

Vex Omni-Directional Wheel

Vex Omni-Directional Wheel

Vex Omni-Directional Wheel

Damon WH-01 Omni Directional Wheel (hexagon hole)
(Outer Diameter:60mm, Inner Diameter:11mm, Material: Nylon)

Damon WH-01 Omni-Directional Wheel

Damon WH-01 Omni-Directional Wheel

Kornylak Omni-Directional Wheel

Kornylak Omni-Directional Wheel

Kornylak Omni-Directional Wheel

Kornylak Transwheel

Kornylak Transwheel

Kornylak Transwheel

Kornylak Omni-Directional Wheel

Kornylak Omni-Directional Wheel

Kornylak Omni-Directional Wheel

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