Systems and methods for moving at least one load transporting apparatus may include the load transporting apparatus(es) configured to move in at least one direction, at least one feedback sensing device disposed on and/or within the load transporting apparatus where the sensing device obtains movement measurements of the load transporting apparatus, a first location to receive a pre-determined input, a second location to receive the movement measurement(s), and a processing circuit to compare the movement measurement(s) to the pre-determined input. In a non-limiting embodiment, a pre-loading system may prepare the load transporting apparatus for movement prior to moving or lifting a load by depressing at least one component of the load transporting apparatus.

A robotic platform may include a chassis, left and right wheel assemblies, and a controller. The left and right wheel assemblies may include a caster wheel, a motor, a shaft, and a bevel gear. The wheel may be mounted to an axle for rotation about a drive axis and steering about a steering axis. The drive shaft may have one end coupled to the axle and another end wrapped by a respective belt to control rotation of the shaft about the steering axis. The bevel gear may couple the shaft to the axle so rotation of the shaft about the steering axis controls rotation of the wheel about the drive axis to drive the platform in a substantially horizontal direction. The controller may control the left and right drive motors independently, to provide differential drive. Various other assemblies, robots, and methods are also disclosed.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a robot. The robot includes a body and a wheel assembly coupled to the body. The wheel assembly includes a central hub and a central gear coupled to the central hub. A plurality of legs are coupled to the central hub. The plurality of legs are operatively coupled to the central gear such that the central gear drives the plurality of legs between a closed position and an open position. A motor is coupled to the body and coupled to the wheel. A suspension system is coupled to the wheel assembly. An autonomous guidance system is coupled to the motor.

A control system retracts lifting devices to a stored reset height during a reset operation to raise support feet off of a base surface. The control device raises a load to a stored moving height above the base surface during a moving operation. The control system automatically repeats the reset and moving operations using the stored reset and stored moving heights. The control device may receive an adjustment signal identifying anew height of the support feet or load bearing frame above the base surface and uses the new height during subsequent reset or moving operations. The control device may default to a minimum reset height or a minimum moving height when the new height would cause the support feet or load bearing frame to drag on the base surface.

A stabilizer frame apparatus may be configured for engaging a load transporting apparatus for purposes of moving a load. The stabilizer frame apparatus may have or include a first stabilizer bar and a second stabilizer bar where the stabilizer frame apparatus is configured to operatively integrate into a load structure. The first stabilizer bar may have a first end and a second end, and the second stabilizer bar may have a first end and a second end. The first end of the first stabilizer bar may be operatively coupled to the first end of the second stabilizer bar. Similarly, the second end of the first stabilizer bar may be operatively coupled to the second end of the second stabilizer bar. In a non-limiting embodiment, the load transporting apparatus may maintain a substantially parallel configuration between the sidewalls of the load structure during movement.

A robotic apparatus moveable between a bipod mode and a tripod mode includes a housing, a first leg and a second leg extending from the housing, and a retractable third leg positioned between the first leg and the second leg. The third leg is configured to extend from the housing in the tripod mode and retract at least partially into the housing in the bipod mode. The robotic apparatus also includes a motor disposed within the housing and a transmission system coupled between the motor and at least one of the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg. The transmission system is configured to move the robotic apparatus between the bipod mode where the first leg and the second leg support the housing and the tripod mode where the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg support the housing.

A two wheeled throwable robot comprises an elongate chassis with two ends, a motor at each end, drive wheels connected to the motors, and a tail extending from the elongate chassis. A rear portion having a deep recess securing the pair of motors with brackets, and batteries with brackets. The forward part having a shallow recess with a printed circuit board secured therein having control circuitry. The wheels are less than six inches in diameter and the robot weighs less than five pounds.

A robot balance control method as well as a robot using the same and a computer readable storage medium are provided. In the method, a brand new flywheel model different from the existing flywheel model is created. In this flywheel model, the foot of the support leg of the robot is equivalent to the massless link of the flywheel model, while rest parts of the robot are equivalent to the flywheel of the flywheel model. Compared with the various models in the prior art, this flywheel model is more in line with the actual situation of the robot during the monoped supporting period. By controlling the posture of the foot of the support leg based on this flywheel model, a better balance effect can be achieved, which avoids the overturning of the robot.

Disclosed is a movable object which includes a wheel assembly including a main rotary part that rotates about a first rotational axis and a variable rotary part that moves relative to the main rotary part in a direction not aligned with the first rotational axis. The variable rotary part rotates at the same angular velocity as a main angular velocity when the main rotary part rotates, the main angular velocity being an angular velocity of the main rotary part.

According to an embodiment, a robot includes a supporter disposed in the lower portion of a body to be spaced apart from a rear joint and a front joint and having a length shorter than a length of the rear joint and a length of the front joint; and a processor configured to perform a rear joint raising mode when a moved distance of the body is within a set distance or the body is stationary during driving of a front drive motor, and the rear joint raising mode is a mode in which a rear joint motor raises the rear joint such that a rear wheel which is connected to the rear joint is spaced apart from the ground.