The invention is directed to a stair-climbing remote control utility wagon. The wagon provides a forward chassis arm and a rear chassis arm which are interleaved with each other, providing a broad, stable base. The forward chassis arm terminates in a forward chassis, and the rear chassis arm terminates in a rear chassis. The forward chassis and the rear chassis provide powerful, battery-powered electric motors and caterpillar tracks. The forward chassis arm and rear chassis arm are fully articulated by servomotors, providing telescoping segments which may be extended and retracted with servomotors, and the motor housing of the forward chassis arm further provides infrared sensors, which are controlled by a microprocessor to enable the wagon to climb a flight of stairs. The forward chassis arm and rear chassis arm may also be used to elevate the bed of the wagon to any height, up to 48 inches.

A motorized walker that employs a wide angle triangular track suspension system on both sides with an elevated drive sprocket and a deployable self-balancing stand-on platform suspended from the axle of the drive sprocket that the user may use or not, depending on their walking comfort level. With or without the platform deployed the walker with track system is capable of overcoming large obstacles and steep inclines, for rough terrain applications, where a relatively large pivot angle is needed.

A motorized walker that employs a wide angle triangular track suspension system on both sides with an elevated drive sprocket and a deployable self-balancing stand-on platform suspended from the axle of the drive sprocket that the user may use or not, depending on their walking comfort level. With or without the platform deployed the walker with track system is capable of overcoming large obstacles and steep inclines, for rough terrain applications, where a relatively large pivot angle is needed.

A drive system for a vehicle is disclosed. The drive system has a track supported by pulleys; at least one wheel, disposed near an end of the track; and at least one flipper. The at least one flipper has at least one of a flipper track supported by flipper pulleys and a flipper wheel. A diameter of the at least one wheel is larger than a combined diameter of: each of the pulleys of the track and twice a thickness of the track.

A drive system for a vehicle is disclosed. The drive system has a track supported by pulleys; at least one wheel, disposed near an end of the track; and at least one flipper. The at least one flipper has at least one of a flipper track supported by flipper pulleys and a flipper wheel. A diameter of the at least one wheel is larger than a combined diameter of: each of the pulleys of the track and twice a thickness of the track.

A tooling arm includes a housing, a drive system, a lead screw and nut assembly, and a scoop assembly. The lead screw and nut assembly is operably connected to the drive system such that rotation of the nut drives the lead screw upwardly and downwardly relative to the housing. The scoop assembly is operably connected to the lead screw. The scoop assembly has an open position and a closed position and movement of the lead screw downwardly responsively moves the scoop assembly from the open position to the closed position.

A tooling arm includes a housing, a drive system, a lead screw and nut assembly, and a scoop assembly. The lead screw and nut assembly is operably connected to the drive system such that rotation of the nut drives the lead screw upwardly and downwardly relative to the housing. The scoop assembly is operably connected to the lead screw. The scoop assembly has an open position and a closed position and movement of the lead screw downwardly responsively moves the scoop assembly from the open position to the closed position.

A robot has a robot body on a frame structure, the robot body having at least one enclosed space to hold at least one delivery item. At least one sensing device detects objects along a direction of motion of said robot. The robot has six wheels, where at least two wheels on a side of the frame are connected to each other. The axis of rotation of each wheel is substantially fixed with respect to the robot during forward, rearward, and turning motion of the robot. During transition, via a substantially vertical obstacle, from a first substantially horizontally surface to a second substantially horizontally surface higher than the first substantially horizontally surface, one of the connected wheels causes an upward or a downward force to be applied to the other connected wheel.

A tracked climbing vehicle containing a compliant suspension apparatus to prescribe the distribution of forces on the adhering members in the tracked climbing machine. The compliant suspension apparatus is configured to negotiate irregularities in a climbing-surface without the vehicle tracks losing full surface contact and adhesion by distributing the loads from the climbing machine chassis to the adhering traction members in a specific prescribed fashion. The apparatus thus avoids exceeding the allowable force in any adhering traction member and significantly improves the performance of the climbing machine.

A tracked climbing vehicle containing a compliant suspension apparatus to prescribe the distribution of forces on the adhering members in the tracked climbing machine. The compliant suspension apparatus is configured to negotiate irregularities in a climbing-surface without the vehicle tracks losing full surface contact and adhesion by distributing the loads from the climbing machine chassis to the adhering traction members in a specific prescribed fashion. The apparatus thus avoids exceeding the allowable force in any adhering traction member and significantly improves the performance of the climbing machine.