Omni-directional vehicle

Challenge: Design and build a human powered omni-directional vehicle, capable of simultaneous orientation and travel in any direction.

Solution: Our final design, “omnivore”, consisted of:

1) A sandwiched chassis that contains and protects power and steering components, using two parallel plywood boards held together with a tongue and groove snap fit.

2) A pedal-powered drive train that powers a drive hub at the back using a 90 degree twisted V-belt

3) A coaxial power and steering drive hub

​4) Coaxial steering wheels (placed on top of each other) connected to two front trailing links

5) An ergonomically adjustable seat for easy use my all team members

Logistics: 10 weeks in team of 5

My Role: Brainstormed and sketched numerous concepts during ideation phase; in charge of developing and modeling component 4; helped manufacture components as part of team

Lessons learned:  CSWA certified in Solid Works, FEA Analysis, Use of Solid-works simulation tools, mechanical design and manufacture, further practice in 3-axis CNC milling, CNC lathes and ShopBot