A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a modular propulsion system with magnetic drive.

A mover according to the present disclosure includes: a body to move; a second member; a suction unit; a location detection unit; a first moving part, and a second moving part. The second member moves in a state where the second member is combined with a first member provided for an object, as the body is displaced relative to the object. The suction unit is sucked to the object in the state where the second member is combined with the first member. The location detection unit detects a location of the body with respect to the object by detecting movement of the second member. The first moving part moves the body until the state where the second member is combined with the first member is established. The second moving part displaces the body relative to the object in the state where the second member is combined with the first member.

A mover according to the present disclosure includes: a body to move; a second member; a suction unit; a location detection unit; a first moving part, and a second moving part. The second member moves in a state where the second member is combined with a first member provided for an object, as the body is displaced relative to the object. The suction unit is sucked to the object in the state where the second member is combined with the first member. The location detection unit detects a location of the body with respect to the object by detecting movement of the second member. The first moving part moves the body until the state where the second member is combined with the first member is established. The second moving part displaces the body relative to the object in the state where the second member is combined with the first member.

An unloading type sinking rescue device of a subsea mining vehicle and a use method thereof are provided. The unloading type sinking rescue device includes an assembly support, an unloading system, an ejection system and a control system. The assembly support is box-shaped, fixed to a subsea mining vehicle, and provided with a plurality of enclosed cavities. The unloading system includes a counterweight, a counterweight cable, a counterweight fixing bracket and a counterweight recovery cavity. The ejection system includes an anchor, an ejection cavity, an anchor cable, an anchor recovery shaft, a pulley, a spring and a boosting device. The control system controls the operation of the unloading system and the ejection system. The use method includes: (1) unloading; (2) ejection; (3) recovery of a part of counterweights; (4) recovery of the anchor; and (5) recovery of remaining counterweights.

An unloading type sinking rescue device of a subsea mining vehicle and a use method thereof are provided. The unloading type sinking rescue device includes an assembly support, an unloading system, an ejection system and a control system. The assembly support is box-shaped, fixed to a subsea mining vehicle, and provided with a plurality of enclosed cavities. The unloading system includes a counterweight, a counterweight cable, a counterweight fixing bracket and a counterweight recovery cavity. The ejection system includes an anchor, an ejection cavity, an anchor cable, an anchor recovery shaft, a pulley, a spring and a boosting device. The control system controls the operation of the unloading system and the ejection system. The use method includes: (1) unloading; (2) ejection; (3) recovery of a part of counterweights; (4) recovery of the anchor; and (5) recovery of remaining counterweights.

A wall-climbing drone using an auxiliary arm and a method for controlling therefore are disclosed. The wall-climbing drone according to an example of embodiments includes at least one front wheel for moving a drone on a wall by being attached on one surface of a body in contact with the wall and controlling rotation by a wall-climbing motor; an auxiliary arm including a link having one degree of freedom connected to a part of the body and changing an angle and an auxiliary wheel attached to an end of the link; a power transmission system for controlling power transmission by connecting a belt between the body and the auxiliary arm and using the belt; and a controlling unit for controlling propulsion force of each of at least one propellant according to an angle between the auxiliary arm and the body in a state attached to the wall, controlling power transmission of the power transmission system, and controlling movement of the drone by controlling rotation of the motor.

A foot for a drilling device includes a foot frame and a plurality of louver assemblies attached to the foot frame. Each louver assembly includes a louver that is at a first position when the foot is on a surface and that is movable toward a second position to facilitate release of the foot from the surface.

The present disclosure discusses a transportation vehicle configured for transforming between a drive mode and a flight mode. The vehicle includes a chassis with a body coupled thereto and a plurality of fenders coupled to the body. Each of the fenders includes a rim comprising spokes and a tire configured to rotate during drive mode and a suspension configured to pivot the plurality of fenders from a substantially vertical orientation during drive mode to a substantially horizontal orientation during flight mode. Each of the fender also includes a propulsion mechanism configured to rotate independently of the rim to generate lift during flight mode and a motor configured to independently provide rotational force to the tire built into the rim during drive mode and rotational force to the propulsion mechanism during flight mode.

The soft bodied structures and systems for controlling such devices are described herein. The soft bodied structures can, through a series of soft hydraulic actuators, move from a first position to a second position by a somersaulting motion. The system can include connecting to a first contact point of the surface using a surface attachment. The rigidity of the controllably resistive material can then be increased. The medial hydraulic actuators can be actuated to expand the exterior medial surface, creating a bend. The device can then attach to a second contact point using the surface attachment and the end portion actuator of the unattached end portion. Then, the surface attachment of the first attached end portion can detach. The medial hydraulic actuators and the controllably resistive material can then relax, followed by detaching the surface attachment of the second attached end portion.

According to certain embodiments, a device comprises a body, a mechanical propulsion system affixed to the body to cause the body to traverse a multi-oriented surface and to prevent contact between the body and the multi-oriented surface, a thrust system to apply a thrust force to the device that opposes a gravitational force acting on the device, and a payload with at least one sensor to detect a characteristics of the multi-oriented surface.