A composite climb structure includes a climber, a horizontal planar structure, and a ramp coupled on to a base plate. The horizontal planar structure and the ramp are collinearly situated on opposite sides of the climber. The climber is pressed by a robotic vehicle moving on to it from the horizontal planar structure, the climber being pressed to a final position, wherein the angle of elevation (BOC) of the climber is same as the angle of elevation of the ramp, thereby facilitating traversal of the robotic vehicle from the horizontal planar structure on to the ramp.

A robot detects, through a sensor, the location and movement direction of a user and an object near the user, sets a nearby ground area in front at the feet of the user according to the detected location and movement direction of the user, controls an illumination device in the robot to irradiate the nearby ground area with light while driving at least one pair of legs or wheels of the robot to cause the robot to accompany the user, specifies the type and the location of the detected object, and if the object is a dangerous object and is located ahead of the user, controls the illumination device to irradiate a danger area including at least a portion of the dangerous object with light in addition to irradiating the nearby ground area with light.

A buoyancy module for use with a water environment robotic system of the type having an underwater robotic vehicle having a winch has a buoyancy configuration which can be selectively altered. The system includes a module that is configured to be repeatedly, selectively buoyantly engaged and buoyantly disengaged with the underwater robotic vehicle. A tether is connected to the module and is extendable and retractable in response to operation of the winch. Extending and retracting the module can buoyantly engage or buoyantly disengage the buoyancy module with the underwater robotic vehicle according to the operation of a state controller. By engaging and disengaging the buoyancy module, the buoyancy of the underwater robot can be selectively altered. A method is also disclosed.

An embodiment is developed for a cylindrically shaped, elliptical rolling robot that has the ability to morph its outer surface as it rolls. The morphing actuation alters lengths of the major and minor axes, resulting in a torque imbalance that rolls the robot along faster or brakes its motion. A control scheme is implemented, whereby angular position and horizontal velocity are used as feedback to trigger and define morphing actuation. A goal of the control scheme is to cause the robot to follow a given velocity profile comprised of steps and ramps. Equations of motion for the rolling robot are formulated, which include rolling resistance torque caused by deformation of the outer surface tread. A computer program solves the equations of motion, and resulting plots show that by automatically morphing its shape in a periodic fashion, the rolling robot is able to commence from an initial position, achieve constant average velocity and slow itself.

An embodiment is developed for a cylindrically shaped, elliptical rolling robot that has the ability to morph its outer surface as it rolls. The morphing actuation alters lengths of the major and minor axes, resulting in a torque imbalance that rolls the robot along faster or brakes its motion. A control scheme is implemented, whereby angular position and horizontal velocity are used as feedback to trigger and define morphing actuation. A goal of the control scheme is to cause the robot to follow a given velocity profile comprised of steps and ramps. Equations of motion for the rolling robot are formulated, which include rolling resistance torque caused by deformation of the outer surface tread. A computer program solves the equations of motion, and resulting plots show that by automatically morphing its shape in a periodic fashion, the rolling robot is able to commence from an initial position, achieve constant average velocity and slow itself.

A robotic device for providing vertical mobility has a payload is disposed inside a central compartment and supported by a skid. The skid can move up and down through latch and hook pairs to keep intimate contact with the surface and cross over bumps. The apparatus uses a flexible seal to create a reliable vacuum chamber. The flexible seal comprises a foam ring inside fabric pocket. A plurality of rod and spring strips are configured to apply a downward force to the flexible seal to conform with surface curvatures. The fabric pocket fills in the gaps or seams to maintain a vacuum. The air flows inside a manifold and passes through a filter to avoid debris from damaging the vacuum motor assembly.

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

A two-part, selectively dockable robotic system having counterbalanced stabilization during performance of an operation on an underwater target structure is provided. The robotic system includes a first underwater robotic vehicle that is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the underwater target structure. A second underwater robotic vehicle is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the underwater target structure and selectively dock with the first underwater robotic vehicle. The first and second robotic vehicles include complimentary docking mechanisms that permit the vehicles to selectively couple to each other with the underwater target structure disposed at least partially therebetween. One robot includes a tool that can act upon the target structure and the other robot includes a stabilization module that can act upon the target structure in an opposite manner in order to counterbalance the force of the tool.

A personal transportation vehicle. The personal transportation vehicle provides an outer and inner shell having a rotor assembly supported between. The inner shell defines a compartment, which in turn houses an input system that controls an electromagnetic drive system. The electromagnetic drive system includes electromagnets that can generate a magnetic field. A sensor detects motion of the rotor assembly and stabilizes the inner shell. A controller controls states of each electromagnet depending on a position of the rotor assembly and an input from the input system. The electromagnets of the electromagnetic drive system cooperatively cause the personal transportation vehicle to move.

The present disclosure relates to the field of robot technology, and discloses a spherical robot and a method of controlling the same. The spherical robot includes: a spherical shell, a spherical shell drive mechanism mounted inside the spherical shell to drive the spherical shell to spin about a center of sphere thereof, and a camera module. The spherical robot further includes a head shell in which the camera module is mounted, the head shell is located outside the spherical shell and is slideable along an outer surface of the spherical shell; and, the head shell is provided with a first magnetic component, the spherical shell drive mechanism is provided with a second magnetic component, and the first magnetic component is in a magnetic connection with the second magnetic component.