Holomonic drive uses a special type of omni-wheels called mecanum wheels. Like omni wheels, mecanum wheels have rollers mounted around the circumference of the wheel where it contacts the floor or drive surface. However, unlike omni wheels, mecanum wheels use rollers mounted at a 45 degree angle to the axis of the wheel. Therefore, like an omni wheel, they have an axis of traction and an axis of complete slippage oriented at 90 degrees from each-other.

In a holomonically driven vehicle, there are two mecanum wheels with their rollers turned 45 degrees to the right, and two with their rollers turned 45 degrees to the left. This requires two different wheel designs, exactly mirroring the other. When correctly oriented on a vehicle, the axes of traction and slippage line up in such a way that depending on which direction and speed each wheel is driven, the vehicle can drive in any direction on a surface while constantly facing one direction.

The vehicle also has the ability to turn in place, or slide/swivel around any point. In regard to the 2007 FIRST Competition, this allows such a vehicle to slide sideways to another column of spider legs without jockeying around and backing up like a conventional robot.

A Swedish inventor, Bengt Ilon, came up with this technology in 1973. The U.S. navy purchased the patent and uses the technology for moving items around ships and aircraft carriers where excellent maneuverability is key for efficient usage of space. Airtrax inc. produces a variety of equipment using the technology, including a forklift and a scissor lift. Using holomonic drive in a forklift design allows for easy movement of very long items through narrow doors because it can slide through the door sideways with its load.