A method of inspection or maintenance of a curved ferromagnetic surface using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a releasable crawler is provided. The method includes: flying the UAV from an initial position to a pre-perching position in a vicinity of the ferromagnetic surface; autonomously perching the UAV on the ferromagnetic surface; maintaining magnetic attachment of the perched UAV to the ferromagnetic surface; releasing the crawler from the magnetically attached UAV onto the ferromagnetic surface; moving the crawler over the curved ferromagnetic surface while maintaining magnetic attachment of the released crawler to the ferromagnetic surface; inspecting or maintaining the ferromagnetic surface using the magnetically attached crawler; and re-docking the released crawler with the perched UAV.

A robotic device is described. The robotic device includes segments and arms connected to a platform. A machining or another processing tool can be coupled to the platform. The segments can have one end attached to the platform and the other end attached to an attachment device. The attachment device can include an attachment surface/mechanism that can attach to a workpiece.

A vertical surface cleaning device comprising a main body, a cleaning arm, a cleaning head, and leg mechanisms with grippers. The cleaning head applies a cleaning fluid on a surface to carry out a cleaning operation. A waste collector is provided to collect a waste material arising from the cleaning operation. The grippers may remain in a grip or in a release state. The segments of the leg mechanisms are articulatable to configure a first group of the leg mechanisms to stably hold the main body at a first place with the grippers remaining in the grip state. A second group of the leg mechanisms move in a desired direction with their grippers in release state while the first group stably holds the main body. The first group of the leg mechanisms then moves in the same direction while the second group holds the main body at a second place.

A system and a method identify an adverse geological body in a tunnel based on hyperspectral technology analysis. The system includes a wall-climbing robot, a controller, and a signal processor, wherein the wall-climbing robot is provided with a plurality of groups of hyperspectral light sources and receivers, and the hyperspectral light sources and the receivers are arranged at intervals; the controller is configured to control the operation of the wall-climbing robot to ensure that the wall-climbing robot moves on a tunnel face according to a set spiral path; and the signal processor communicates with the receivers to receive the acquired spectrum data, draws a mineral distribution map of the tunnel face with the path raveled by the wall-climbing robot as a plane, and identifies an adverse geological body by identifying categories and distribution characteristics of the representative minerals.

A system and a method identify an adverse geological body in a tunnel based on hyperspectral technology analysis. The system includes a wall-climbing robot, a controller, and a signal processor, wherein the wall-climbing robot is provided with a plurality of groups of hyperspectral light sources and receivers, and the hyperspectral light sources and the receivers are arranged at intervals; the controller is configured to control the operation of the wall-climbing robot to ensure that the wall-climbing robot moves on a tunnel face according to a set spiral path; and the signal processor communicates with the receivers to receive the acquired spectrum data, draws a mineral distribution map of the tunnel face with the path raveled by the wall-climbing robot as a plane, and identifies an adverse geological body by identifying categories and distribution characteristics of the representative minerals.

Inspection robots with swappable drive modules are described. An example inspect robot may include a first removeable interface plate on the side of a robot chassis. The first removable interface plate may couple a first drive module to an electronic board, within the chassis, where the electronic board includes a drive module interface circuit communicatively coupled to the first drive module. The example inspect robot may also include a second removeable interface plate on a side of a robot chassis. The second removable interface plate may couple a second drive module to an electronic board, within the chassis, where the electronic board includes a drive module interface circuit communicatively coupled to the second drive module.

Disclosed is a mobile robot adapted to traverse vertical obstacles. The robot comprises a frame and at least one wheel positioned in a front section of the robot, at least two middle wheels and at least two rear wheels. The at least one middle wheel and at least one rear wheel are connected by a tilting lever that is arranged on each of the opposing sides of or to the frame, forming a pair of wheels. Each tilting lever can be turned around a lever bearing located between the respective axial centers of rotation of each pair of wheels.

Disclosed is a mobile robot adapted to traverse vertical obstacles. The robot comprises a frame and at least one wheel positioned in a front section of the robot, at least two middle wheels and at least two rear wheels. The at least one middle wheel and at least one rear wheel are connected by a tilting lever that is arranged on each of the opposing sides of or to the frame, forming a pair of wheels. Each tilting lever can be turned around a lever bearing located between the respective axial centers of rotation of each pair of wheels.

An autonomous self-driving assembly for confined regions. The assembly is configured to move within and through narrow spaces as well as larger wider spaces. Once more, the assembly may support the carrying out of load-based applications even within the wider spaces. The assembly includes bracing capacity within such wide spaces to facilitate the carrying out of such load-based applications.

A self-driving assembly capable of traversing an elevated window. The elevated narrow space window may be present within a confined area, for example, at a wall separating different wide space rooms. The assembly is configured to carry out unique techniques for gaining access to the window from a floor level location. Further, in addition to gaining access unique stabilizing features may be employed both in terms of physical security at an edge defining the window as well as in the form of maintaining balance through unique control over mass transfer when secured at the window.