Hybrid mobile robot
First Claim
1. An autonomous hybrid mobile robot comprising:
- a base link having a drive system, wherein the base link includes a right base link and a left base link, wherein each of the right and left base links have a drive system, and the right base link and the left base link are spaced apart, the base link adapted to function as a traction device and a turret;
a second link attached to the base link at a first joint, the second link having a drive system and being adapted to function as a traction device and to be deployed for manipulation;
an end link attached to the second link at a second joint, the end link having a drive system and an end effector attached to the end link at a third joint and the end link being adapted to function as a traction device and to be deployed for manipulation; and
a navigational system housed inside one of the links to automate obstacle traversal, obstacle avoidance and object manipulation with minimal or no operator input.
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Abstract
An autonomous hybrid mobile robot includes a base link and a second link. The base link has a drive system and is adapted to function as a traction device and a turret. The second link is attached to the base link at a first joint. The second link has a drive system and is adapted to function as a traction device and to be deployed for manipulation. One of the links houses a retractable navigational system. In another embodiment an invertible robot includes at least one base link and a second link. In another embodiment a mobile robot includes a chassis and a track drive pulley system including a tension and suspension mechanism. In another embodiment a mobile robot includes a wireless communication system.
64 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An autonomous hybrid mobile robot comprising:
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a base link having a drive system, wherein the base link includes a right base link and a left base link, wherein each of the right and left base links have a drive system, and the right base link and the left base link are spaced apart, the base link adapted to function as a traction device and a turret; a second link attached to the base link at a first joint, the second link having a drive system and being adapted to function as a traction device and to be deployed for manipulation; an end link attached to the second link at a second joint, the end link having a drive system and an end effector attached to the end link at a third joint and the end link being adapted to function as a traction device and to be deployed for manipulation; and a navigational system housed inside one of the links to automate obstacle traversal, obstacle avoidance and object manipulation with minimal or no operator input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 20, 21)
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4. An internal wireless communication system on-board mobile robots comprising:
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a plurality of data transmission systems having a plurality of sensors connected to a plurality of transceivers, the data transmission systems are located in at least one of the mechanical subsystems which interface with other mechanical subsystems such as drive systems, links, end effector, fingers platform, and fingers; and a plurality of data processing systems having a plurality of processing units connected to transceivers, the data processing systems are located in some or all of the mechanical subsystems such as drive systems, links, end effector, fingers, and fingers platform; wherein the wireless exchange of data between the data transmission systems and data processing systems enables the mechanical subsystems which interface with other mechanical subsystems to have unrestricted freedom of motion and help exchange the relative and absolute spatial positions and other relevant data. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. An end effector for mobile robots comprising:
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a self contained module, the self contained module housing mechanical and electrical hardware; a plurality of wireless communication modules housed in the self contained module for internal wireless communication with at least one of the robot'"'"'s data processing systems, and operator'"'"'s control unit; wherein the self contained module is connected to the mobile robot end link via a plurality of rotational pivots. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A navigational system for mobile robots comprising:
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a LIDAR scanning sensor; a stereo camera assembly; a plurality of internal wireless communication units connected to the LIDAR scanning sensor and the stereo camera assembly; and a housing mechanism which houses the LIDAR scanning sensor and the stereo camera assembly inside at least one of the robot links wherein the stereo camera assembly provides depth perception and the LIDAR scanning sensor augments the visual perception. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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22. A method of operating a hybrid mobile robot which comprises:
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a) Locomoting the position of the hybrid mobile robot using at least one of base link, second link, end link, end effector, and a combination of links for traction while the other links are positioned for maneuverability or for support; b) Manipulating an external object using at least one of base link, second link, end link, end effector, and a combination of links while the other links are used to maintain stability; c) Combining the locomotion and manipulation of steps a and b concurrently or in succession in various combinations to achieve at least one of locomotion of position, manipulation, and both locomotion and manipulation. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification