Across the years in both VRC and VIQ I’ve built a number of Holonomic Drive bases. My all time VRC favorite is the large C-Channel frame with the drives as being motor modules that are easy to swap for repair. I don’t know the original design, mine is a variation of the Vexmen one.
On the VIQ side, I presently have two, the one for just demoing the drive concept is built on two of the “rise above” plates with the motor sandwiched in between. The small format makes it easy to transport, but there isn’t any space to add a game manipulator, the brain takes up a lot of real estate. I’ve considered a third layer, with the brain being sandwiched. But that makes getting to the buttons and battery replacement a new set of issues to work around. Holonomic drives really want to have the weight balanced on all the wheels.
The other one is a cross with a heavy gusseted crossover at the center. The arms are 2x20 “boxes” with a flat plate at the outer end. The plate is offset so that the motor sits under the arm, and I use the single motor support cap Smart Motor Mount Add-On Pack - VEX Robotics to connect the rear of the motor to the box arms. It works well as a demo platform, but it really screams for support on the ends.
In the hunt for a 2026 design to demo I came across this one from Caution Tape - 8309T - X drive - It has motor modules and a lot of space in the center to put field object manipulators.
There is also Ultra Low & Fast X-Drive Chassis for VEX IQ by 839A that was one of the house bots for their annual battle bot setup. This has some appeal, it looks like I could drive it into a wall (showcasing my amazing lack of hand / eye control) without it breaking.
Onshape has a pretty nice VEXIQ X drive base (scroll down to about the middle of the page). It would be a great example as a 1x build (hey it could be the start of the winning Rapid Relay in 1x parts contest
Of course I could go for this uber small version that was built for Squared Away by team 5580 (Look I used the search feature in the VEX forum!)
In the process I found Xander’s IQ quadruped robot that may end up being a build for another time, but not what I’m after.
So VEXIQ roboteers, post a picture of your favorite (and best) Holonomic drive base that I can reproduce and use as my 2026 demo example. Or design a new one. You are not constrained by parts choices, I pretty much have anything you can think to use.
Thanks!
(Oh and I do have a third VIQ holobot, it’s a 3D printed wonder designed and built by Cody Smith. Once VIQ is allowed 3D printing I’ll bring it out. )