Mecanum wheels are great when used in the appropriate setting. Which is: indoors, where there are only very small disturbances in the floor. And even then you might want a very little bit of suspension like on the robot on the left here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/techunited/27997314227/in/albu... that I used in RoboCup@Home This robot drove so smooth it could sneak up on you (in a relatively noisy hall, fair enough)
The math to control them well might be an interesting task for a student perhaps.
The math to control them well might be an interesting task for a student perhaps.