Swerve-drive robot

A robot apparatus, comprising:

• a base platform;
• a first differential swerve drive pod attached to the base platform;
• a second differential swerve drive pod attached to the base platform;
• a first odometry omniwheel attached to the base platform;
• a second odometry omniwheel attached to the base platform;
• at least one side plate attached to the base platform,
• a lift system comprising:
• a first linear slide;
• and
• a second linear slide mechanically coupled to the first linear slide such that raising and lowering of the first linear slide is synchronized with raising and lowering, respectively, of the second linear slide;
• at least one programmable controller physically attached to the side plate and electrically coupled to provide one or more electrical signals to each of the first and second differential swerve drive pods, the at least one programmable controller being further electrically coupled to receive tracking information from the first and second odometry omniwheels.