In a differential drive robot, what is the primary effect of putting different speeds on the left and right wheels?

• A. The robot will rotate about its center, causing a turn.
• B. The robot will move forward in a curved path to the left.
• C. The robot will move straight ahead.
• D. The robot will stop.

Answer: (C)

When a differential drive robot has its two wheels driven at different speeds, a yaw motion is created while the robot also continues to translate. The result is a curved path rather than a straight line. The faster wheel pushes the robot more on that side, so the vehicle turns toward the slower wheel, following a circular arc whose center lies off to that side. The sharper the speed difference, the tighter the turn (smaller radius); if one wheel stops, the robot pivots around the stationary wheel. So the primary effect is turning along a curved path, not moving straight ahead.