A robotic system comprises a first robotic crawler having a mobility mechanism for locomotion, a second robotic crawler having a mobility mechanism for locomotion, and at least one coupling mechanism supported by at least one of the first or second robotic crawlers to couple and uncouple the first and second robotic crawlers to and from each other. When coupled together, the first and second robotic crawlers are operable as a unified robotic crawler system in a coordinated drive mode for operational control of respective mobility mechanisms in a coordinated manner. Various operating modes provide for selective control of various aspects of the first and second robotic crawlers, whether coordinated or independent control. The unified robotic crawler system provides greater or enhanced stability of the first and second robotic crawlers. Associated methods are provided herein.

A robotic vehicle with modular track assemblies that are separable from the chassis with the drive unit being self-contained in each track assembly with the motor controller, and the coolant system being enclosed in an ornamental cover all of which is positioned above the track and with a cooler of the coolant system being positioned rearward of the motor and the motor controller and a gear box connected outside the ornamental cover on the inside of the left track assembly to couple the motor to a final drive that drives the track with the motor being positioned above the final drive.

A vehicle includes a chassis, an engine coupled to the chassis, a power source coupled to the chassis, and a track assembly. The track assembly includes an electric motor coupled to the chassis, a first drive wheel coupled to the electric motor and pivotally coupled to the chassis, a second drive wheel coupled to the engine and pivotally coupled to the chassis, and a track engaging the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel. The engine is configured to provide mechanical energy to the second drive wheel to drive the track and propel the vehicle. The electric motor is configured to receive electrical energy from the power source and provide mechanical energy to the first drive wheel to drive the track and propel the vehicle.

A vehicle includes a chassis, an engine coupled to the chassis, a power source coupled to the chassis, and a track assembly. The track assembly includes an electric motor coupled to the chassis, a first drive wheel coupled to the electric motor and pivotally coupled to the chassis, a second drive wheel coupled to the engine and pivotally coupled to the chassis, and a track engaging the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel. The engine is configured to provide mechanical energy to the second drive wheel to drive the track and propel the vehicle. The electric motor is configured to receive electrical energy from the power source and provide mechanical energy to the first drive wheel to drive the track and propel the vehicle.

Track systems for traction of a vehicle in which a spacing of laterally-adjacent ones of the track systems in a widthwise direction of the vehicle is adjustable. This may facilitate use of the vehicle in different conditions (e.g., in different field configurations, such as in different configurations of row crops, where the vehicle is an agricultural vehicle). For instance, the spacing of the laterally-adjacent ones of the track systems may be adjustable while the laterally-adjacent ones of the track systems are connected to a powertrain of the vehicle and/or without requiring use of additional parts (e.g. spacers).

A track system for a vehicle (e.g., an all-terrain vehicle (ATV)) in which the track system is configured to enhance traction, floatation, and/or other aspects of its performance, such as, for example, to maintain proper contact with the ground (e.g., even if it is cambered) and/or to better absorb shocks when it encounters obstacles on the ground.

A track system for a vehicle (e.g., an all-terrain vehicle (ATV)) in which the track system is configured to enhance traction, floatation, and/or other aspects of its performance, such as, for example, to maintain proper contact with the ground (e.g., even if it is cambered) and/or to better absorb shocks when it encounters obstacles on the ground.

A wheel of a track system for traction of a vehicle (e.g., an agricultural vehicle) may be configured to protect against (e.g., prevent) accumulation of unwanted ground matter, such as mud, debris, water, etc., within the wheel, while enhancing visual appearance of the wheel. This may help to avoid or minimize mud buildup that may otherwise need to be drilled out before removing the wheel (e.g., for replacement or maintenance) and/or rust that may otherwise arise.

Current invention corresponds to a mobility vehicle that draws its properties from a special kind of a track that can change its rigidity. The track can become rigid on its lower part corresponding to a wheel shape with large diameter or become totally flexible as usual track on upper side for practical use. When rigid, the track correspond to circular wheel and thus plays a role of a wheel in contact with the ground. The upper part of the track remains flexible and allows to use space above a the track for practical reasons. More particularly, the invention relates to a mobile system including variable flexibility track and at least two rollers around which the variable flexibility track is wrapped, wherein the rollers are adapted to change the rigidity and the curvature of the track to adapt its shape to different functionalities as being a wheel or having a part of circular wheel with different curvature or being foldable. The variable flexibility track is composed of track elements and hinges linking the track elements so as to allow rotation of the track elements with respect to each other around the hinges. Each track element bears a locking mechanism that allows a rigid positioning of the track elements with respect to the adjacent ones at various angles. The rollers are in contact with the variable flexibility track and can contain mechanisms to lock a track elements thus changing track rigidity and/or mechanisms to change track curvature. The tracks also play a role of shock absorbers and bear mechanisms to perform turning of the vehicle by applying different speed and/or curvature to the tracks.

Current invention corresponds to a mobility vehicle that draws its properties from a special kind of a track that can change its rigidity. The track can become rigid on its lower part corresponding to a wheel shape with large diameter or become totally flexible as usual track on upper side for practical use. When rigid, the track correspond to circular wheel and thus plays a role of a wheel in contact with the ground. The upper part of the track remains flexible and allows to use space above a the track for practical reasons. More particularly, the invention relates to a mobile system including variable flexibility track and at least two rollers around which the variable flexibility track is wrapped, wherein the rollers are adapted to change the rigidity and the curvature of the track to adapt its shape to different functionalities as being a wheel or having a part of circular wheel with different curvature or being foldable. The variable flexibility track is composed of track elements and hinges linking the track elements so as to allow rotation of the track elements with respect to each other around the hinges. Each track element bears a locking mechanism that allows a rigid positioning of the track elements with respect to the adjacent ones at various angles. The rollers are in contact with the variable flexibility track and can contain mechanisms to lock a track elements thus changing track rigidity and/or mechanisms to change track curvature. The tracks also play a role of shock absorbers and bear mechanisms to perform turning of the vehicle by applying different speed and/or curvature to the tracks.