8 Omni Wheel Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for omni wheels as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 8 omni wheel manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked omni wheel companies as of November, 2024: 1.VEX Robotics, 2.TOK America, Inc., 3.WestCoast Products & Design LLC.
Table of Contents
What Is an Omni Wheel?
An Omni wheel is a wheel that can move in any direction. It consists of a main rotating part on the body and a passive rotating part of rollers placed on the outer circle of the body.
Usually, a set of three wheels or a set of four wheels is used. Compared to a wheel configuration with tires using a steering wheel, such as in an automobile, the moving mechanism is simpler, making it suitable for smaller sizes and lighter weight.
Uses of Omni Wheels
Omni wheels are mainly used as moving mechanisms for robots and carts. Because they are suitable for moving in confined spaces, they are often used as an unmanned transport robot in factories and warehouses, or as a wheelchair for indoor environments such as hospitals.
Omni wheels as an unmanned transport robot also include a robot with a human tracking function equipped with sensors. Since the Omni wheels can move with work equipment on them, they can be used as both a dolly and a work platform.
Principle of Omni Wheels
The Omni wheel is a wheel that transmits the driving force of a motor in the vertical direction and rotates in the horizontal direction by a free mechanism that has no self-driving force. Turning and parallel movement in all directions is made possible by adjusting the speed control of each motor relative to the omniwheel's grip on the road surface.
Usually, one set of three wheels or one set of four wheels is used. The characteristics of each are shown below.
1. 3-Wheel Configuration
Compared to a 4-wheel configuration, the 3-wheel configuration has the advantage of being smaller and lighter because it has one less drive system. However, since the amount of movement in any direction is the combined force of vectors, the straightness of the vehicle may deteriorate depending on the road surface.
2. 4-Wheel Configuration
In the case of a 4-wheel configuration, movement in the front-back and left-right directions is the same as that of a normal tire like a car, so high straight-line performance can be expected. On the other hand, it has the disadvantage of being larger and heavier as a whole because it has one more drive system than the 3-wheel configuration.
Features of Omni Wheels
Advantages
- They are capable of turning on the spot and parallel movement in all directions.
- The drive system can be configured with a minimum of three wheels, simplifying the movement mechanism and reducing size and weight compared to a four-wheel-drive system.
- Less vibration during operation
In particular, there is a big difference in mobile robots: a two-wheeled robot "basically moves forward while changing its direction of movement toward the target," while an omni wheeled robot "moves parallel to the target with its direction of movement fixed at all times."
This means that the omni wheels eliminate the procedure of "changing direction before moving," which is a big advantage of "quick movement in the shortest distance.
Because the Omni wheels have such a big advantage in quick movement, many robots for robot contests, in which contestants compete in terms of time to reach the goal, are equipped with a movement mechanism that uses the Omni wheels.
There is no fixed component structure for omni wheels, and there are a variety of materials, angles, and numbers of rollers placed on the passive rotating parts. Since each omni wheel has its own special environment, application, load capacity, etc., it is necessary to select one that best suits the intended use.
Disadvantages
Disadvantages of omni wheels include: "weak against bumps" and "weak for outdoor use." This is due to the operating principle of the omni wheel, and both conditions are caused by the issue of insufficient grip on the ground.
Other Information About the Omni Wheels
1. How to Control an Omni Wheel Robot
In the case of the 4-wheel type, four omni wheels are mounted every 90 degrees to the machine base. A motor is attached to each omniwheel. The speed and direction of the platform are determined by issuing commands to the motors independently.
For example, if the platform is to move straight ahead in the X direction, it must be controlled so that the sum of the velocity vectors of each Omni wheel in the Y direction becomes zero.
2. Points to Note in Control
One point to note in control is that insufficient grip on the ground will cause tire slippage. If even one of the omni wheels idles, the sum of the velocity vectors of the omni wheels will deviate from the expected value. A mechanism is needed to correct the motor commands each time by incorporating feedback control or other means.
Feedback control refers to control in which the output control quantity is fed back to the input value and the input value is corrected so that the difference between the output and input is zero. This control is capable of making corrections even when disturbances such as idling occur.
List of 8 Omni Wheel Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Australia
- China
- United Kingdom
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WestCoast Products & Design LLC
Omni Wheels
Distributor Overview
WestCoast Products & Design LLC, founded in Madera, CA in 2011 is a supplier of Belts, Chain & Gears, Gearboxes and Hardware & Tools. The company's product portfolio includes WCP Sensors, CTRE Electronics, Hex Bore Mag Encoder, Brushless Motors and Brushed Controllers. The company serves industries such as Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Construction, and Power Generation. They also offer custom packaging, warehousing, distribution services, and customized services including milling, turning, tapping, gear & sprocket.
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VEX Robotics
Omni-Directional Wheels
Distributor Overview
VEX Robotics, established in 2004 and headquartered in Greenville, Texas, serves as a supplier of educational and competitive robotics products to schools, universities, and robotics teams. The company's product lineup includes VEX 123 (K+), VEX GO (3+), VEX IQ (6+), VEX EXP (9+), and VEXcode VR (CS), catering to various age groups and educational levels. It has partnered with the non-profit Robotics Education & Competition Foundation. Together, these companies promote the world's fastest-growing competitive robotics program for elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges.
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Active Robots
OMNI DIRECTIONAL WHEELS
Manufacturer Overview
Active Robots, established in 2000 and headquartered in Bath, England, operates as a supplier and manufacturer specializing in robotics and electronics products. The company offers a wide range of products, including motor controllers, legged robots, tracked and wheeled robots, professional and industrial robots, as well as parts and kits. It serves an array of sectors and industries, catering to technology enthusiasts, research institutes, universities, TV or film companies, automotive manufacturers, and more.
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Rotacaster Wheel Pty Ltd
Rotacaster omni-directional wheels
Manufacturer Overview
Rotacaster, based in Australia and established in 2005, is a manufacturer of an omni-directional, multi-purpose wheel with full 360° mobility. It offers products including OMNI WHEELS, CONVEYOR, ROTATRUCK, and ROBOTIC. The omniwheels are designed with a full polymer injection-molded structure. It provides Omni-Wheels in five sizes: 35mm, 50mm, 90mm, 125mm, and 180mm. Its range of OEM applications includes automated, multi-directional conveyor sortation and transfer units for logistics and manufacturing. In 2021, the company changed its name to OMNIA.
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Omni Wheel Ltd
OMNIA™ Wheel
Manufacturer Overview
Omni Wheel (formerly Rotacaster), established in 2002 and headquartered in Beresfield, New South Wales, is an industrial machinery manufacturer specializing in omni wheels. The company's product range includes OMNI SENSE, OMNI WHEELS, ROTATRUCK, and CONVEYOR SYSTEMS. The omniwheels are designed with a full polymer injection-molded structure. These products find applications in industrial robots, automation, industrial floor wheels, conveyor transfers, and manipulators. It operates as a trademark of Rotacaster Wheel Pty Ltd., an Australian company that specializes in producing its patented multi-directional omni wheels.
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MATRIX ROBOTICS
Omni Wheel Kit
Manufacturer Overview
Matrix Robotics, established in 2000 and headquartered in Taiwan, is a manufacturer specializing in robotics systems designed for a wide spectrum of robotics education, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. The company's product offerings include the Matrix Mini Starter Robot Set 2.0 (MR120), Matrix Micro Code:bit Car Set, Mobile Robotics Collection (WorldSkills Chinese Taipei) (WSC-2021), and the Matrix FTC Challenge Set (FTC-M100). It serves the education sector, including universities and institutions, fostering robotic design and learning. The company brand belongs to KK Intelligent Technology Inc.
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TOK America, Inc.
OMNI WHEELS
Manufacturer Overview
TOK America Inc., established in 2016 in the USA, is a manufacturer of mechanical and motion control components and parts for commercial and industrial clients. The company's product line includes ball bearings, one-way clutches, rotary dampers, torque limiters, and guides used in furniture, electrical appliances, home appliances, office equipment, and medical devices. TOK America specializes in the use of stainless steel, steel, ceramic, polyacetal, polyethylene, polyetheretherketone, and PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride). The company also provides custom product design, testing, and production services.
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Omni Wheel Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VEX Robotics |
16.8%
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| 2 | TOK America, Inc. |
16.5%
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| 3 | WestCoast Products & Design LLC |
14.9%
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| 4 | Active Robots |
11.7%
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| 5 | MATRIX ROBOTICS |
11.3%
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| 6 | Rotacaster Wheel Pty Ltd |
11.0%
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| 7 | NEXUS Robot |
9.7%
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| 8 | Omni Wheel Ltd |
8.1%
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Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the omni wheel page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
- WestCoast Products & Design LLC: 2011 (13 years ago)
- Active Robots: 2000 (24 years ago)
Company with a History
- Active Robots: 2000 (24 years ago)
- WestCoast Products & Design LLC: 2011 (13 years ago)
Omni Wheel Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Omni Wheel Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
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2 | 33.3% |
Australia
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2 | 33.3% |
United Kingdom
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1 | 16.7% |
China
|
1 | 16.7% |
