A robotic vehicle may include a first chassis platform including a first wheel assembly, a second chassis platform including a second wheel assembly where the first and second chassis platforms are spaced apart from each other, and a combination linkage operably coupling the first and second chassis platforms. The combination linkage may be operably coupled to the first chassis platform via a first link and is operably coupled to the second chassis platform via a second link. The combination linkage employs at least two different coupling features to operably couple the first and second chassis platforms. The at least two different coupling features include at least any two among a fixed attachment, an attachment that enables rotation about a turning axis, and an attachment that enables pivoting about a pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the turning axis.

Inspection robots with removeable interface plates and method for configuring payload interfaces are described. An example robot may include a payload, with at least one sensor, mounted to a housing of the inspection robot. The housing may include a removeable interface plate coupled to the at least one sensor and to an electronic board, the electronic board positioned within the housing. The removeable interface plate may define an electrical coupling interface compatible with the payload, and the electronic board may include an electrical processing configuration compatible with the payload.

Inspection robots with removeable interface plates and method for configuring payload interfaces are described. An example robot may include a payload, with at least one sensor, mounted to a housing of the inspection robot. The housing may include a removeable interface plate coupled to the at least one sensor and to an electronic board, the electronic board positioned within the housing. The removeable interface plate may define an electrical coupling interface compatible with the payload, and the electronic board may include an electrical processing configuration compatible with the payload.

Disclosed is a mobile articulated crane having a boom for carrying a load when the crane is stationary and while the crane is mobile. The boom has an end for engaging with a load and an opposed end. The crane further comprises a counterweight attached to the boom at or close to the opposed end of the boom. A rear body of the crane can comprise first and second rear axles, each for supporting the rear body on the ground. The first rear axle can be arranged to be displaced relative to the second rear axle such that wheels of the first rear axle selectively engage or disengage with the ground.

Disclosed is a mobile articulated crane having a boom for carrying a load when the crane is stationary and while the crane is mobile. The boom has an end for engaging with a load and an opposed end. The crane further comprises a counterweight attached to the boom at or close to the opposed end of the boom. A rear body of the crane can comprise first and second rear axles, each for supporting the rear body on the ground. The first rear axle can be arranged to be displaced relative to the second rear axle such that wheels of the first rear axle selectively engage or disengage with the ground.

A battery powered driver for propelling a wheeled ground surface modifying machine includes at least one wheel contacting a ground surface, a battery powered electric motor, control circuitry configured to manage delivery of electrical battery power to the electric motor to control a sped of the driver, at least one pedal attached to a pedal axle and tiltable in each of a forward and rearward direction with respect to the pedal axle, and at least one pedal tilt sensor configured to output one or more signals to the control circuitry indicating a degree of tilt of the at least one pedal. The control circuitry is configured to control the electric motor to accelerate the driver forward based on the one or more signals indicating a forward tilt of the at least one pedal, the electrical battery power delivered to the electric motor for forward acceleration proportional to a degree of forward tilt of the at least one pedal, and to control the electric motor to accelerate the driver rearward based on the one or more signals indicating a rearward tilt of at least one pedal, the electrical battery power delivered to the electric motor for rearward acceleration proportional to a degree of rearward tilt of the at least one pedal.

In an autonomous traveling unit, a toggle mechanism including a plurality of sliders is provided. In the plurality of sliders, cam followers are provided, respectively. Meanwhile, in a workpiece loading unit, a clamped portion is provided. As a result of the cam followers, which are displaced so as to separate away from each other, entering intersection portions of the clamped portion, the workpiece loading unit is restrained by the autonomous traveling unit.

An autonomous system for transporting an item from a first location to a second location includes an autonomous vehicle and a trailer. The autonomous vehicle includes a compartment, a vehicle sensor, a vehicle drive mechanism, a vehicle power source, and a vehicle control module for controlling the vehicle drive mechanism. The trailer includes a hitch for connecting the trailer to the autonomous vehicle, an electrical system, a trailer sensor in communication with the electrical system, a trailer power source in communication with the electrical system, a storage space, and a mechanism for autonomously transferring the item from the storage space into the compartment of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle and trailer are configured to transport the item to the first location, the trailer is configured to transfer the item to the autonomous vehicle, and the autonomous vehicle is configured to transport the item to the second location.

A vehicle includes a frame including a front frame part and a rear frame part. An elongated single wheel is rotatably connected to one of the front frame part and the rear frame part. The elongated wheel houses an expansion device including a linkage mechanism adapted to reconfigure a shape of the elongated wheel between a cylindrical shape in top view of the vehicle when the vehicle is traveling in a straight direction and a frustoconical shape in top view of the vehicle in a turning condition of the vehicle

A vehicle includes a frame including a front frame part and a rear frame part. An elongated single wheel is rotatably connected to one of the front frame part and the rear frame part. The elongated wheel houses an expansion device including a linkage mechanism adapted to reconfigure a shape of the elongated wheel between a cylindrical shape in top view of the vehicle when the vehicle is traveling in a straight direction and a frustoconical shape in top view of the vehicle in a turning condition of the vehicle