A mobile robot configured to be widely versatile in its use. For example, the mobile robot can be configured for being used on a wide assortment of surfaces, regardless of the orientation and/or shape of the surfaces. Alternatively or in combination, the mobile robot can be configured for effective and efficient movement on the surfaces it traverses. In some cases, the mobile robot is configured with two or more component units. In some cases, the component units are configured with magnets and a control system for orientating the magnets. In some cases, one or more component couplings join the component units. In some cases, the mobile unit is configured with Mecanum wheels.

A robot for servicing metal equipment in a hydrocarbon refinery includes a robot. The robot includes a body and a plurality of magnetic wheels operatively attached to the body. The plurality of magnetic wheels are operable to attached the robot to a metal surface of the metal equipment. The robot also includes a plurality of propellers coupled to the body of the robot.

A robot for servicing metal equipment in a hydrocarbon refinery includes a robot. The robot includes a body and a plurality of magnetic wheels operatively attached to the body. The plurality of magnetic wheels are operable to attached the robot to a metal surface of the metal equipment. The robot also includes a plurality of propellers coupled to the body of the robot.

A multi-modal robot that is configured to operate with a bipedal locomotion that may be augmented with aerial locomotion. Many embodiments of a robot may incorporate a robot with a main body portion that houses the various control systems and mechanical controls of the robot. The body of the robot can have a number of different propellers connected to an upper portion of the body and configured to generate lift and/or stability for the body of the robot. Additionally, many embodiments have at least two leg elements connected to a bottom portion of the body by way of a servo mechanism. The legs are configured to provide support for the body of the robot as well as generate a walking locomotion through the movement of the legs.

A multi-modal robot that is configured to operate with a bipedal locomotion that may be augmented with aerial locomotion. Many embodiments of a robot may incorporate a robot with a main body portion that houses the various control systems and mechanical controls of the robot. The body of the robot can have a number of different propellers connected to an upper portion of the body and configured to generate lift and/or stability for the body of the robot. Additionally, many embodiments have at least two leg elements connected to a bottom portion of the body by way of a servo mechanism. The legs are configured to provide support for the body of the robot as well as generate a walking locomotion through the movement of the legs.

A method of controlling an add-on mobility includes measuring a force in a front-rear direction between a main body vehicle and the add-on mobility by a force sensor connecting the main body vehicle and the add-on mobility and controlling a driving force and a braking force of the add-on mobility according to a magnitude of the force in the front-rear direction measured by the force sensor.

A cable climbing robot includes a climbing front body and a detection body. The climbing front body includes a front body rack, duct propellers, a front body clasping unit and a front body control module, the duct propellers are mounted on the outer side of the front body rack; the front body clasping unit includes a front body clasping electric motor, a front body clasping transmission component and a front body clasping member; the front body clasping electric motor is fixedly mounted on the front body rack, and the front body clasping electric motor drives the front body clasping member via the front body clasping transmission component; the front body control module is mounted on the front body rack, and the front body control module is electrically connected to the duct propellers and the clasping electric motor.

A cable climbing robot includes a climbing front body and a detection body. The climbing front body includes a front body rack, duct propellers, a front body clasping unit and a front body control module, the duct propellers are mounted on the outer side of the front body rack; the front body clasping unit includes a front body clasping electric motor, a front body clasping transmission component and a front body clasping member; the front body clasping electric motor is fixedly mounted on the front body rack, and the front body clasping electric motor drives the front body clasping member via the front body clasping transmission component; the front body control module is mounted on the front body rack, and the front body control module is electrically connected to the duct propellers and the clasping electric motor.

An amphibious robot is provided. An aspect of the robot includes an elongated flexible body, actuators in the flexible body and spaced apart along a length of the flexible body. The actuators are configured to move the flexible body in a serpentine or concertina motion on land and in water. An additional aspect includes a camera coupled adjacent to an end of the flexible body, at least one sensor coupled to the flexible body, and a buoyancy controller located in the flexible body. Another aspect includes a power source coupled to the flexible body and configured to power the actuators, the camera, the sensors, and the buoyancy controller. Yet another aspect employs an electric controller to control the actuators and receive data from the sensors.

An amphibious robot is provided. An aspect of the robot includes an elongated flexible body, actuators in the flexible body and spaced apart along a length of the flexible body. The actuators are configured to move the flexible body in a serpentine or concertina motion on land and in water. An additional aspect includes a camera coupled adjacent to an end of the flexible body, at least one sensor coupled to the flexible body, and a buoyancy controller located in the flexible body. Another aspect includes a power source coupled to the flexible body and configured to power the actuators, the camera, the sensors, and the buoyancy controller. Yet another aspect employs an electric controller to control the actuators and receive data from the sensors.