Robot system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A mobile robot system for performing a plurality of separate operations, the robot system comprising:
- at least one autonomous wheeled mobile robot having at least one wheel-driving motor and comprising a coupling hitch frame, the coupling hitch frame comprising a horizontal bar including at least two upwardly directed hooks,an on-board computer;
means for navigation, orientation, and maneuvering in an environment with moving obstacles;
a sensor system;
a wireless communication system operative to receive and send signals; and
a plurality of dockable operation modules and operative to be selectively coupled to the autonomous mobile robot to form an operation unit, wherein the autonomous wheeled mobile robot autonomously docks to the dockable operation modules, the bar being automatically lowerable to disengage from and automatically raisable to engage receiving means on each operation module.
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Abstract
A mobile robot system for performing a plurality of separate operations, and including at least one autonomous wheeled mobile robot having at least one wheel-driving motor, an on-board computer, a system for navigation, orientation, and maneuvering in an environment with moving obstacles, a sensor system, a wireless communication system operative to receive and send signals, and a plurality of dockable operation modules and operative to be selectively coupled to the autonomous mobile robot to form an operation unit, wherein the autonomous wheeled mobile robot autonomously docks to the dockable operation modules.
288 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A mobile robot system for performing a plurality of separate operations, the robot system comprising:
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at least one autonomous wheeled mobile robot having at least one wheel-driving motor and comprising a coupling hitch frame, the coupling hitch frame comprising a horizontal bar including at least two upwardly directed hooks, an on-board computer; means for navigation, orientation, and maneuvering in an environment with moving obstacles; a sensor system; a wireless communication system operative to receive and send signals; and a plurality of dockable operation modules and operative to be selectively coupled to the autonomous mobile robot to form an operation unit, wherein the autonomous wheeled mobile robot autonomously docks to the dockable operation modules, the bar being automatically lowerable to disengage from and automatically raisable to engage receiving means on each operation module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An autonomous robot, comprising:
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at least one wheel-driving motor; at least one wheel driven by the motor; an on-board computer; means for navigation, orientation, and maneuvering in an environment with moving obstacles; a sensor system; a wireless communication system for receiving and sending signals; and a coupling hitch frame for autonomous selective mechanical and/or electrical coupling to and uncoupling from one of a plurality of different interchangeable wheeled operation modules, wherein the coupling hitch frame comprises a horizontal bar including at least two upwardly directed hooks, the bar being automatically lowerable to disengage from, and automatically raisable to engage receiving means on each operation module. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for performing a plurality of separate operations with a mobile robot system comprising at least one autonomous wheeled mobile robot having at least one wheel-driving motor;
- an on-board computer;
means for navigation, orientation, and maneuvering in an environment with moving obstacles;
a sensor system;
a wireless communication system for receiving and sending signals; and
a coupling hitch frame, the coupling hitch frame comprising a horizontal bar including at least two upwardly directed hooks, the method comprising;selecting an operation module in a docking station for a predetermined operation; the robot autonomously docks with the operation module, makes electrical and signaling connection with the operation module, and forms an operation unit, wherein the docking comprises engaging the operation module with the coupling hitch; the operation unit transports itself to an ordered location by the intelligence of the robot; the operation is autonomously carried out by the operation module at the location; and the operation unit autonomously returns to the docking station where the robot and the operating module are autonomously undocked and disengaged from the coupling hitch, the bar being automatically lowerable to disengage from and automatically raisable to engage receiving means on each operation module.
- an on-board computer;
Specification