Unless
your robot has emulated Honda Asimo's walking capability, you will need to
attach it on castor wheels in order for it to go around and function properly.
The following are the important factors to be considered:
Mobility
Depending
on the function, robots are either stationary or mobile. Some may not even need
to move at all and would only need small and thick wheels for support and
stability. In this case, castor wheels will suit best for your robot. Others
require lighter and high traction wheels for optimum mobility and performance.
Temperature
Conditions
Some
robots would need to undergo considerable heat temperature and it would be most
inappropriate to fire-proof the whole robot unit just to save the wheels. The
best wheels for this condition are Bastian-type castors which are designed to
withstand prolonged high temperatures.
Wet
or Dry Conditions
Another
important thing to consider is whether the ground unto which your robot will
operate is wet or dry. Wet conditions mean more slippery surfaces hence high
traction castor wheels are needed. In other cases, the wheels would need to
insulate the base of the robot unit to prevent short circuiting and wheels with
rubber tire are deemed fit.
Number
of Wheels
The
number of wheels on which your robot will be mounted on is the next factor to
be assessed. Just bear in mind that more wheels mean more stability but at the
expense of mobility. Three wheeled robots, for example, are easier to maneuver
as compared to four wheeled ones since it will only take fewer wheels to
control in order to make turns. Moreover, less friction with the ground means
reduced drag. On the other hand, more wheels are less mobile but have greater
stability on the account that the robot will have more contact with the ground.
In extreme conditions, for instance, where the robot has to go over a pile of
rubble, the robot would require six wheels or more so that on the event when
some wheels are airborne, the robot will still have enough contact with the ground
to move along.
Size
of the Wheels
The
wheel size will depend greatly on the weight of the robot. Needless to say,
heavier robots demand for larger wheels and smaller robots for smaller ones.
Physically, a robot may be top-heavy or not. Robots that are too tall compared
to their width have the tendency to topple over. In such case, it will require
considerable thick wheels for added stability.
Remember,
there is no right or wrong in choosing the wheels for your robot. Even Asimo,
one of the most advanced humanoid robots in the world, is just learning to take
its baby steps (pardon the pun). And although Asimo really looks cool, why not
bypass the whole walking thing altogether. Apparently, the wheel is the way to
go and with hundreds of castor wheel types to choose from you will surely find
one that will best serve your robot's purpose.
