Ackerman Steering Robot Chassis

December 16, 2023

Ackerman steering is a type of steering mechanism commonly used in cars and other wheeled vehicles. In Ackerman steering, the inner and outer front wheels of a vehicle turn at different angles when the steering wheel is turned. This is necessary because the inner wheel is traveling along a shorter arc than the outer wheel when the vehicle is turning. If the wheels turned at the same angle, the inner wheel would scrub against the ground, causing wear and tear on the tires and making the vehicle difficult to control.

The Ackerman steering mechanism is designed to minimize this scrubbing effect. The inner wheel turns at a smaller angle than the outer wheel, which allows it to track along a smoother path. The angle difference between the two wheels is called the Ackerman angle. The Ackerman angle is typically between 5 and 15 degrees. Ackerman steering is used in most cars and trucks today. It is a simple and effective way to provide smooth and stable steering, even when the vehicle is turning.

The video from HiWonder shows their simple Ackerman intelligent ROS robot car with a metal chassis and dual encoder motor in a DIY kit. The car's chassis is equipped with forward Ackerman steering and the rear wheels travel with electronic differential, which can help robotic students learn about Ackerman's steering structure. It features a high-precision, high-torque digital servo with all-metal gears. It has a controllable angle range of 180°, good linearity, and precise control.

The video above is intended for educational purposes and does not constitute or imply an endorsement by FutureForAll.org.