For this to have any chance of working a full size prototype is required.
The electronics and software are fairly straight forward, building the rotating base not a huge challenge and the mecanum wheels are availble online to buy, albeit slightly expensive.
The main issue is the panels. Getting them made and paying for them… I am under no illusions that they’re going to be rather expensive. Probably a couple of grand for several sets worth.
The plan breaks down into two main parts now, I need to get a quote for how much they will cost and then see who wants to see them made.
Normally you’d make a kickstarter and start offering t-shirts and widgets to get it done but I believe I have a more cunning method of financing the project. Star citizen alone has 500k people waiting for the game, so instead of offering them a over priced (and frankly worthless (on it’s own)) panel, I say I’ll make a prototype for Cloud Imperium Games in the UK. If I do this for Eve Valkyrie and Elite Dangerous, and let the oculus rift crowd know, I could probably find a million gamers to chip in the equivalent of a few cents each to get some prototypes made.
I also need a model prototype working to show the principles too as well as printing the mecanum wheel I already designed.
You never know unless you try… I will get in touch with the two likely metal pressing factories nearby and see what they say…. I already started on the kickstarter page last week 🙂
