Autonomous mobile platform for service applications

• US 20150012163A1
• Filed: 03/28/2014
• Published: 01/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ubiquity Robotics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: David Crawley
• Inventors: Crawley, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,557,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/23
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/008 Manipulators for service tasks
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00136 vehicle carried
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0248 in combination with a laser lasers per se H01S

Abstract

The invention disclosed with this application is a autonomous mobile system comprising: a means of achieving mobility, a means of navigating, a means of providing autonomous power, and a means of providing general purpose computing.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a base unit capable of sensing its environment and computing navigation instructions to direct the system to move to particular locations and execute particular functions, as directed by a set of programmed instructions.

In some embodiments, a coupling exists on the base unit to attach additional structures and mechanisms. These structures may comprise a means for carrying packages or other items, robotic manipulators that can grab and move objects, interactive audio and video displays for telepresence applications, a means for serving food and drink, etc. These extensions may be designed to be detachable and interchangeable, or may be designed to be permanently attached to the base unit.

Claims

1. A robotic system comprising:

a power source;

a means to move through a designated environment;

an attached computing device; and

a navigation system to direct the motion of the apparatus through the designated environment.

2. The system of claim 1, additionally comprising a structure for delivering at least one item.

3. The system of claim 2, in which the item is a container.

4. The system of claim 3, in which the container is a cup.

5. The system of claim 2, in which the item is a measured quantity of a soft drink.

6. The system of claim 2 in which the item is a measured quantity of a mixed drink.

7. The system of claim 2, further comprising a means for delivering a marketing message.

8. The system of claim 7, in which the means for delivering a marketing message is a display attached to the structure.

9. The system of claim 8, in which the means for delivering a marketing message also comprises a video display.

10. The system of claim 1, additionally comprising a means for coupling an additional accessory.

11. The system of claim 10, in which the means of coupling comprises at least one item selected from the group consisting of clamps, bolts, screws and pegs.

12. The system of claim 10, in which the means of coupling comprises at least one set of holes in a configuration that corresponds to an accessory with a set of attachment devices.

13. The system of claim 12, in which the attachment devices are selected from the group consisting of clamps, bolts, screws and pegs.

14. The system of claim 10 in which an additional accessory that transmits audio signals has been coupled to the apparatus.

15. The system of claim 10 in which an additional accessory that transmits video signals has been coupled to the apparatus.

16. The system of claim 10 in which in which an additional accessory that transmits audio and video signals has been coupled to the apparatus.

17. The system of claim 16, in which the additional accessory further comprises a means to display video and audio transmissions originating from a remote location.

18. The system of claim 10 in which the additional accessory is a structure for carrying packages.

19. The system of claim 10 in which the additional accessory comprises at least one robotic manipulator.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means to communicate with a wireless communication network.

21. The system of claim 1, in which the power source provides the motive force for moving through the designated environment.

22. The system of claim 1, in which the power source comprises a battery selected from the group consisting of a lead acid battery, a deep cycle lead acid battery, a sealed lead acid battery, an AGM lead acid battery, a gel lead acid battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal-hydride battery, a lithium battery, a silicon-mediated lithium battery, a lithium ion battery and an alkaline battery.

23. The system of claim 1, in which the power source comprises a common power conversion system selected from the group consisting of consisting of a fuel cell, a hydrogen fuel cell, a hydrocarbon powered heat engine, a microwave transmission energy power source, an inductive energy source, a flywheel, a flywheel energy storage system and a Carnot engine.

24. The system of claim 1, in which the computing device comprises at least one microprocessor.

25. The system of claim 1, in which the computing device directs the activity of the means to move through a designated environment.

26. The system of claim 1, in which the navigation system utilizes the attached computing device.

27. The system of claim 1, in which the means to move through a designated environment comprises wheels.

28. The system of claim 27, in which at least one of the wheels comprises a brushless DC hub motor.

29. The system of claim 1, in which the navigation system comprises at least one camera.

30. The system of claim 1, in which the navigation system comprises at least one LIDAR system.

31. The system of claim 10, in which the additional accessory comprises a means to deliver consumables.

32. The system of claim 31, in which the consumables are soft drinks.

33. An accessory that couples to a mobile robot, the accessory comprising at least one mechanical coupling that attaches the accessory to the robot.

34. The accessory of claim 33, in which the mechanical coupling comprises at least one item selected from the group consisting of clamps, bolts, screws and pegs.

35. The accessory of claim 33, additionally comprising at least one connector that provides data link between the robot and the accessory.

36. The accessory of claim 33, in which there is at least one connector that provides power from the robot to the accessory.

37. A non-transitory computer readable medium for use in a computer system on a mobile robotic apparatus, the non-transitory computer readable medium having encoded upon it computer instructions executable by the computer system to direct the activities of the robot in a pre-determined sequence.

38. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 37, in which the computer readable medium is contained in an additional accessory attached to the mobile robotic apparatus.

39. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, in which the instructions on the computer readable medium additionally direct the activity of the accessory in a pre-determined sequence.

40. A robotic apparatus comprising:

a power source;

a means to move through a designated environment;

an attached computing device;

a navigation system to direct the motion of the apparatus through the designated environment; and

additionally comprising a computer readable medium, upon which are stored instructions that direct the activities of the robot in a pre-determined sequence.