A Kiwi drive is a holonomic drive system of three omni-directional wheels (such as omni wheels or Mecanum wheels), 120 degrees from each other, that enables movement in any direction using only three motors. This is in contrast with non-holonomic systems such as traditionally wheeled or tracked vehicles which cannot move sideways without turning first.[1][2]
This drive system is similar to the Killough platform which achieves omni-directional travel using traditional non-omni-directional wheels in a three-wheel configuration.[3]
It was named for the flightless national bird of New Zealand, the Kiwi.[4]
- ^ Swart, Dirk (11 September 2014). "R/C Omniwheel Robot — Electronics | Make". Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "Kiwi Drive Kit with Cheap & Dirty Control System (am-3415) - AndyMark". Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ "1997 Discover Awards: Automotive & Transportation: Cleaner Than Air | DiscoverMagazine.com". Discover Magazine. 1 July 1997. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "KIWI | Meaning & Definition for UK English | Lexico.com". Lexico Dictionaries | English. Archived from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved 2022-03-23.