The present disclosure relates to an articulated, self-propelled robotic tool, having a first platform 3 with a first wheel assembly 5 and a second platform 7 with a second wheel assembly 9. A link arrangement 15, 17, 19, 21 connects the first and second platforms at a turning axis 11. A goniometer arrangement senses the angle between the first and second platforms, and comprises a magnet 29 attached to a first part 17 connected to the first platform, and a Hall sensor arrangement 31 attached to the second platform 7.

A vehicle and steering system for a vehicle are described. The vehicle is described to include a frame and a first set of wheels configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. Each wheel in the first set of wheels is independently motor controlled and pivotably mounted to the frame such that the first set of wheels spin about a first steering axis. The first steering axis may be orthogonal to the first rotational axis.

A vehicle and steering system for a vehicle are described. The vehicle is described to include a frame and a first set of wheels configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. Each wheel in the first set of wheels is independently motor controlled and pivotably mounted to the frame such that the first set of wheels spin about a first steering axis. The first steering axis may be orthogonal to the first rotational axis.

A rubber-tired train, and a control method and system thereof are disclosed. The train comprises multiple cars connected in series in turn, the cars include a relatively front car and a relatively rear car, and the front car is able to rotate in a horizontal plane relative to the rear car. The method comprises: acquiring a turning angle of a front car at a target position; determining a turning angle of a rear car at the target position according to the turning angle of the front car; and when it is determined that the rear car reaches the target position, controlling the rear car to steer according to the determined turning angle of the rear car. The rear car can follow the front car to steer, each car of the rubber-tired train can be controlled to steer accurately, allowing the rubber-tired train to run accurately along a preset running plan.

A rubber-tired train, and a control method and system thereof are disclosed. The train comprises multiple cars connected in series in turn, the cars include a relatively front car and a relatively rear car, and the front car is able to rotate in a horizontal plane relative to the rear car. The method comprises: acquiring a turning angle of a front car at a target position; determining a turning angle of a rear car at the target position according to the turning angle of the front car; and when it is determined that the rear car reaches the target position, controlling the rear car to steer according to the determined turning angle of the rear car. The rear car can follow the front car to steer, each car of the rubber-tired train can be controlled to steer accurately, allowing the rubber-tired train to run accurately along a preset running plan.

A multi-purpose planet planetary exploration rover is provided in this invention, which relates to the field of planet exploration. The multi-purpose planetary exploration rover includes a case body, mounted with a first wheel at left and right sides respectively; and a cantilever, having a front end connected to the case body, a rear end of the cantilever being mounted with a second wheel; wherein the cantilever is rotated or fixed relative to the case body, the second wheel is steered relative to the cantilever, and the first wheel and the second wheel are used to drive the multi-purpose planetary exploration rover. Compared with the prior art, the multi-purpose planetary exploration rover of this invention can effectively explore special geographic locations such as cliffs, volcanic craters, craters and lava caves on alien planets.

The multiple maneuvering systems for various applications includes several embodiments of wheeled, multiple maneuvering systems including multiple parallel maneuvering systems (MPMS). Each MPMS includes two or more parallel maneuvering units (PMUs) attached to one another by a connecting structure. Each PMU includes two or more powered or non-powered wheels, with the wheels being maintained parallel to one another by a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism may include gears, belt and pulley, chain and sprocket, or a rigid linkage. The connecting structure may be rigid, linearly adjustable, rotatable adjustable or both linearly and rotatable adjustable. The adjustable connecting structures allow for relative movement between the PMUs, while maintaining a load support surface(s) of the MPMSs.

The multiple maneuvering systems for various applications includes several embodiments of wheeled, multiple maneuvering systems including multiple parallel maneuvering systems (MPMS). Each MPMS includes two or more parallel maneuvering units (PMUs) attached to one another by a connecting structure. Each PMU includes two or more powered or non-powered wheels, with the wheels being maintained parallel to one another by a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism may include gears, belt and pulley, chain and sprocket, or a rigid linkage. The connecting structure may be rigid, linearly adjustable, rotatable adjustable or both linearly and rotatable adjustable. The adjustable connecting structures allow for relative movement between the PMUs, while maintaining a load support surface(s) of the MPMSs.

Systems and methods are disclosed for holonomic drivetrain modules for mobile robots. In one embodiment, an example mobile robot may include a chassis, and a holonomic drivetrain module removably coupled to the chassis. The holonomic drivetrain module may include a first drive wheel having a caster angle of substantially zero, a first bearing block assembly vertically aligned with the first drive wheel, and a first steer motor coupled to the first bearing block assembly and vertically aligned with the first drive wheel.

There is described a mobile drive system comprising at least one mobile drive unit capable of automated or autonomous navigation, wherein the mobile drive unit comprises: a platform comprising U or V type shape, the platform comprising two legs and a bent or front interconnector interconnecting both legs at one end; a first wheelset comprising two wheels, each arranged at a corresponding distal end of the legs of the platform; and a second wheelset comprising two or only one wheel at the interconnector of the platform.