An inspection crawler, and systems and methods for inspecting underwater pipelines are provided. The system includes the inspection crawler having a housing with a first side, an opposing second side, a power source, and a controller. The crawler includes an inspection tool, at least two pairs of latching arms, each latching arm including a rolling element, and at least two pairs of driving wheels. The system also includes at least one communication unit configured to communicate with the inspection crawler and to communicate aerially with one or more remote devices and, and at one sea surface unit. The inspection crawler can further include a connecting structure connecting the front and back portions of the crawler, and configured to elongate and shorten the inspection crawler.

An omnidirectional moving device is provided with a vehicle chassis, a vehicle body, a universal coupling, and an attitude stabilizing system. In the vehicle chassis, a plurality of wheels that are capable of moving omnidirectionally are provided. The vehicle body is mounted on the vehicle chassis. The universal coupling connects the vehicle chassis to the vehicle body, and the attitude of the vehicle body relative to the vehicle chassis can be changed via this universal coupling. The attitude stabilizing system causes the vehicle chassis to move in a direction that corresponds to a change in the attitude of the vehicle body, and maintains the attitude stability of the vehicle body.

A passive walking apparatus (100) according to one embodiment includes a hip portion (1), a first leg (21), a second leg (22), and a crank mechanism (3) including a first-leg-side crank portion (31), a second-leg-side crank portion (34), a crankshaft (33), a first-leg-side connection portion (32), and a second-leg-side connection portion (35). When the first leg (21) moves rearward from the front relatively to the hip portion (1) as being in contact with a walking surface (GR), the first-leg-side connection portion (32) has the first-leg-side crank portion (31) pivot, the first-leg-side crank portion (31) has the second-leg-side crank portion (34) pivot around the crankshaft (33), and the second-leg-side crank portion (34) moves the second leg (22) forward from the rear relatively to the hip portion (1) with the second-leg-side connection portion (35) being interposed.

An outdoor robotic tool (10) comprising a first part (20) and a second part (30), wherein the first part (20) supports the second part (30) through a suspension arrangement. The suspension arrangement comprises a first component (40), which comprises at least one magnetic member; and a second component (50), which comprises at least one magnetic member. The first component (40) is attached to the first part (20), wherein the second component (50) is attached to the second part (30), wherein at least one of the magnetic members of suspension arrangement is a permanent magnet (42, 52); and wherein a magnetic member of the first component (40) is positioned so as to magnetically interact with a magnetic member of the second component (50) when in use. A magnetic field sensing unit (60) may be present that comprises a control unit (61) and a magnetic field sensor. A method for detecting the alignment of the first part (20) relative to the second part (30), wherein the method comprises detecting the magnetic field using the magnetic field sensing unit (60), is also disclosed.

A system for underwater inspection including an inspection crawler are provided. The inspection crawler includes a housing having first and second sides, a power source, a controller, an inspection tool, at least two driving wheels, and a moveable center of gravity. A method for traversing a weld joint with the inspection crawler having a moving mass is also provided. In the method, the crawler is parked proximate to the joint, and the mass is slid along a slide rail to the second end of the crawler distal to the joint. The first end of the crawler is then propelled over the joint and the mass is slid to the center of the crawler. A center portion of the crawler is then propelled over the joint and the mass is slid to the first end of the crawler. The second end of the crawler is then propelled over the joint.

A surveillance system includes a robot and an operator control unit (OCU) for controlling the robot. The robot includes GO a light-weight frame housing, wheels, motor compartments positioned within the light-weight frame housing, wheel motors positioned within the motor compartments and attached to the wheels, a camera for capturing surveillance images and an electronic controller that is electrically or wirelessly connected to the wheel motors and the camera and that is wirelessly connected to the OCU. The light-weight frame is made of light-weight foam that substantially surrounds, structurally supports and protects the robot wheel motors, camera and electronic controller from mechanical shock during intended use.

An omnidirectional moving device is provided with a vehicle chassis, a vehicle body, a universal coupling, and an attitude stabilizing system. In the vehicle chassis, a plurality of wheels that are capable of moving omnidirectionally are provided. The vehicle body is mounted on the vehicle chassis. The universal coupling connects the vehicle chassis to the vehicle body, and the attitude of the vehicle body relative to the vehicle chassis can be changed via this universal coupling. The attitude stabilizing system causes the vehicle chassis to move in a direction that corresponds to a change in the attitude of the vehicle body, and maintains the attitude stability of the vehicle body.

An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an unmanned flying robotic object that contains a wheeled mechanism that encircles its spherical exoskeleton. This feature allows the flying spherical vehicle to readily transform into a ground maneuverable vehicle. A robotic motor with differential speed capability is used to operate each wheel to provide effective ground maneuverability. There are examples provided herein of wheel configurations suitable for use with an embodiment. One is the straight- (or parallel) wheel design, and another is tilted-wheel design as are illustrated and discussed hereinafter. One embodiment of an unmanned flying robotic object taught herein is foldable.

A two wheeled throwable robot comprises an elongate chassis with two ends, a motor at each end, drive wheels connected to the motors, and a tail extending from the elongate chassis. A rear portion having a deep recess securing the pair of motors with brackets, and batteries with brackets. The forward part having a shallow recess with a printed circuit board secured therein having control circuitry. The wheels are less than six inches in diameter and the robot weighs less than five pounds.

A two wheeled throwable robot comprises an elongate chassis with two ends, a motor at each end, drive wheels connected to the motors, and a tail extending from the elongate chassis. A rear portion having a deep recess securing the pair of motors with brackets, and batteries with brackets. The forward part having a shallow recess with a printed circuit board secured therein having control circuitry. The wheels are less than six inches in diameter and the robot weighs less than five pounds.