Very clever drive system! If you look at the side legs the center 'pistons' look almost as though they were originally designed as shock absorbers. Given the weight that many of these robots ended up being you would assume some suspension would be required to dampen the shock. Your pneumatic tyre is a great addition.
Yes it is tough to say about the leg cylinders. I have always been impressed, however, on how a droid which was originally designed by an effects artist has so many seemingly "functional" features. Amazing how most (if not all) of the little physical details on these droids have since been replicated into some sort of real functionality, either by fan builders or the droid builders for the later films. Of course, some scenes in the prequels reveal those cylinders as being related not to a suspension system, but rather as part of a set of side rocket boosters. I have to admit I did not see that coming.
As long as the grass is not too wet or muddy, the thing just pulls along. I have to say I was surprised myself. I really did not know how it would perform until I built it. I have to say, though, that I was hopeful for a good outcome, since my previous experience with the traditional side-drive differential steer droids always made me wish I had traction on the front wheel. Most times my older droids would get hung up on an obstacle it would be at least partly because the front wheel was free-rotating and had no motor drive to power it through. My original contingency with the front drive setup was to keep the side drives for an all-wheel-drive arrangement. That would have involved some challenging motor control systems. After testing the droid with just the front drive and the side wheels free rotating, I saw no justification in doing the all-wheel-drive. (Admittedly it would still be really cool.)
I have been thinking about swapping over to LiFe batteries. I would see no reason why it would not make the distance with enough juice- (not sure if I could keep up, though- it has been about 10 years since I did that distance nonstop.)
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I would love to utilize this in my build. Truly superb work. Now I have to read your entire site!
Thanks!
Very clever drive system! If you look at the side legs the center 'pistons' look almost as though they were originally designed as shock absorbers. Given the weight that many of these robots ended up being you would assume some suspension would be required to dampen the shock. Your pneumatic tyre is a great addition.
Yes it is tough to say about the leg cylinders. I have always been impressed, however, on how a droid which was originally designed by an effects artist has so many seemingly "functional" features. Amazing how most (if not all) of the little physical details on these droids have since been replicated into some sort of real functionality, either by fan builders or the droid builders for the later films.
Of course, some scenes in the prequels reveal those cylinders as being related not to a suspension system, but rather as part of a set of side rocket boosters. I have to admit I did not see that coming.
This is the drive system to beat! Wow! I've always thought pneumatics were key and now seeing this, just wow!
Thanks!- It's still working well after all this time. Thinking about taking it out again for Halloween if time permits.
you wouldn't think R2 would be able to go in the grass
As long as the grass is not too wet or muddy, the thing just pulls along. I have to say I was surprised myself. I really did not know how it would perform until I built it. I have to say, though, that I was hopeful for a good outcome, since my previous experience with the traditional side-drive differential steer droids always made me wish I had traction on the front wheel. Most times my older droids would get hung up on an obstacle it would be at least partly because the front wheel was free-rotating and had no motor drive to power it through.
My original contingency with the front drive setup was to keep the side drives for an all-wheel-drive arrangement. That would have involved some challenging motor control systems. After testing the droid with just the front drive and the side wheels free rotating, I saw no justification in doing the all-wheel-drive. (Admittedly it would still be really cool.)
Now let's see if R2 could handle a marathon.
I have been thinking about swapping over to LiFe batteries. I would see no reason why it would not make the distance with enough juice- (not sure if I could keep up, though- it has been about 10 years since I did that distance nonstop.)
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