Tracked Robot Platform

A tracked robot platform is a mechanical device that moves by maintaining continuous contact with the ground via its tracks, widely used in complex terrain operations. Its core structure consists of tracks, drive wheels, idler wheels, road wheels, and a tensioning system. The tracks are typically made of high-strength rubber or metal, featuring anti-slip patterns on their surface to significantly increase ground contact area. 

Table Parameters

Compared to wheeled chassis, the tracked robot platform offers a distinct advantage in low ground pressure, effectively preventing sinking into soft terrain while delivering exceptional adaptability across diverse landscapes. Whether traversing mud, mountains, snow, or gravel roads, it maintains stable mobility.

The track pads make direct contact with the ground, and their anti-slip tread patterns increase friction to prevent slipping on soft surfaces like mud or sand. The drive wheels engage with the tracks via gears to provide forward propulsion. The idler wheels are mounted at the front to guide the track direction and assist steering. Road wheels are distributed along the inner track sections to distribute the machine's weight and reduce friction resistance. The track tensioning system adjusts the track's tightness to prevent derailment or excessive slack that could impair power transmission.

This chassis features a mid-to-large compact design, maintaining a reasonable footprint while ensuring sufficient internal space for motor, battery, and controller installation. The frame employs a modular structure for easy expansion. Its compact dimensions facilitate transportation and storage (fitting standard trucks or warehouse racks), while its adequate volume supports load distribution. Customers can assemble it quickly during deployment (e.g., mounting on fire trucks).

360° On-the-Spot Turn: Achieves a 360° turn in place with zero turning radius through dual-side independent drive (differential steering). This relies on precise servo motor control and friction-optimized track design, enabling rotation in place without requiring additional space. This allows the robot to operate flexibly in congested or obstacle-dense areas—such as disaster debris or warehouse shelving—while reducing path planning complexity.

Servo Motors: Equipped with dual 48V 2000W servo motors on both sides. The servo motors utilize a closed-loop control system incorporating encoder feedback to achieve precise regulation of position, speed, and torque.

Dual-Drive Controller (Supports CAN/PWM/232/485 Interfaces): Featuring a modular design, this dual-drive controller supports CAN bus (industrial standard communication), PWM pulse width modulation (simple speed control), and RS232/RS485 serial ports (data transmission), enabling multi-protocol compatibility. Multiple interfaces enhance expandability, enabling seamless connection to host computers, remote controllers, or AI modules (e.g., ROS systems) to accelerate secondary development. In research, it facilitates data acquisition and debugging; in industrial applications like firefighting robots, it enables remote monitoring and group control.

The inspection environments for tracked robot platforms primarily encompass scenarios such as power facilities, pipelines, mines, industrial parks, forests, and urban infrastructure. These areas often feature complex terrain, including muddy roads, slopes, gravel piles, narrow passages, or rugged wilderness with significant elevation changes. For instance, during power line inspections, the chassis must traverse grasslands or mountainous terrain beneath high-voltage lines; pipeline inspections may involve underground damp or dusty environments; and forest inspections require navigating dense tree cover and potential fire hazards.

How to choose the right tracked robot platform for you?

(1) First, clearly define the intended use and purpose of your robot chassis purchase.

For programming learning, smart car experiments, or demonstration models: We recommend DIY entry-level chassis. These are simple and easy to get started with, making them ideal for beginners to assemble and debug.

For outdoor off-road use, video filming, or light-load inspections: Opt for mid-to-high-end DIY chassis. These support wheeled or tracked designs, suitable for complex outdoor terrains.

Research and development, real-world inspections, rescue missions, or heavy-load transportation: Prioritize industrial/professional-grade chassis. These typically utilize high-strength materials and support modular expansion, making them suitable for demanding professional applications.

(2) Next, what are your load requirements for the tracked robot platform?

Less than 5kg (carrying only lightweight modules like Raspberry Pi, cameras, etc.): A small aluminum alloy or plastic chassis is sufficient. Compact and lightweight, it suits desktop-level applications. Our company currently does not handle this segment.

5-20kg (with robotic arms, gimbals, or other extensions): A medium-sized metal chassis with shock absorption features and a suspension system effectively absorbs vibrations, suitable for medium-load mobile tasks.

Over 50kg: Professional-grade chassis typically employ steel frames or tracked designs, supporting heavy-duty transport while ensuring safety and reliability.

(3) For secondary development needs, this is crucial if you wish to customize functionality.

For remote control or mobile app operation only: An entry-level kit suffices, pre-installed with basic software requiring no programming experience.

Planning to learn Arduino, STM32, or ROS systems: You must select a chassis with open-source code and ROS support to facilitate secondary development, sensor integration, and algorithm implementation for advanced features like autonomous navigation.

(4) Finally, select the tracked robot platform offering the best value for money within your budget.