Uh, I've never worked with them, but the linked Wikipedia article states that the US Navy did early development in order to create equipment to move things aboard aircraft carriers. I've never been to one of those, either, but it sure seems like an environment that might be a bit more challenging than a robotics lab.
Plus there's an image of a container-slinging machine being used at airports.
So I guess my point is that I'm sorry you were burned by them, but they do seem to be usable in the real world, too.
Also: had forgotten the inventor was kinda Swedish, yay! :)
Edit: I made it sound like the container-machine used Mecanum wheels on the tarmac which of course is not the case.
Parent comment I believe refers to using the wheels as a means of horizontal displacement, not to move items on top of them. They pick up dirt from the floor that is hard to remove.
Plus there's an image of a container-slinging machine being used at airports.
So I guess my point is that I'm sorry you were burned by them, but they do seem to be usable in the real world, too.
Also: had forgotten the inventor was kinda Swedish, yay! :)
Edit: I made it sound like the container-machine used Mecanum wheels on the tarmac which of course is not the case.