An autonomous humanoid robot configured to overcome limited maneuvering issues by offering a more efficient autonomous humanoid robot that autonomously operates to interact with users and interact with other robots, and includes a computing system configured to provide instruction and programming for estimating and controlling pivotal movement of body components involving arms, legs and a waist module which are configured to support the body and reposition the body such that the autonomous humanoid robot can step, walk, roll or skate or perform various handling maneuvers to complete tasks.

An autonomous humanoid robot configured to overcome limited maneuvering issues by offering a more efficient autonomous humanoid robot that autonomously operates to interact with users and interact with other robots, and includes a computing system configured to provide instruction and programming for estimating and controlling pivotal movement of body components involving arms, legs and a waist module which are configured to support the body and reposition the body such that the autonomous humanoid robot can step, walk, roll or skate or perform various handling maneuvers to complete tasks.

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 robot is provided, the robot comprising a body carrying a first drive arrangement, a second drive arrangement and a stabiliser. The robot further comprises actuators operable to cause relative movement of the first drive arrangement, the second drive arrangement and the stabiliser, and to drive the first and the second drive arrangements. The robot is arrangeable in first, second and third configurations each having static stability. In the first configuration, the stabiliser and the first drive arrangement are arranged to contact the ground. In the second configuration, the stabiliser and the second drive arrangement are arranged to contact the ground. In the third configuration, the first and the second drive arrangements are arranged to contact the ground. No other ground contacting point is involved in conferring said static stability in said configurations.

A robot is provided, the robot comprising a body carrying a first drive arrangement, a second drive arrangement and a stabiliser. The robot further comprises actuators operable to cause relative movement of the first drive arrangement, the second drive arrangement and the stabiliser, and to drive the first and the second drive arrangements. The robot is arrangeable in first, second and third configurations each having static stability. In the first configuration, the stabiliser and the first drive arrangement are arranged to contact the ground. In the second configuration, the stabiliser and the second drive arrangement are arranged to contact the ground. In the third configuration, the first and the second drive arrangements are arranged to contact the ground. No other ground contacting point is involved in conferring said static stability in said configurations.

A humanoid robot includes: a body portion; a head portion; a left arm and a right arm that have ends connected to the left and right at an upper portion of the body portion; a left foot and a right foot that have ends connected to the left and right at a lower portion of the body portion; and a left running unit and a right running unit provided to the other ends of the left foot and the right foot. The left running unit has a left drive wheel on a front side of an advancing direction and a left follower wheel on a rear side in the advancing direction, the right running unit has a right drive wheel on a front side of the advancing direction, and a right follower wheel on a rear side in the advancing direction.

A humanoid robot includes: a body portion; a head portion; a left arm and a right arm that have ends connected to the left and right at an upper portion of the body portion; a left foot and a right foot that have ends connected to the left and right at a lower portion of the body portion; and a left running unit and a right running unit provided to the other ends of the left foot and the right foot. The left running unit has a left drive wheel on a front side of an advancing direction and a left follower wheel on a rear side in the advancing direction, the right running unit has a right drive wheel on a front side of the advancing direction, and a right follower wheel on a rear side in the advancing direction.

A mechanical leg comprises a frame, a retractable member, a wheel, an extension and retraction driving member, a travel driving member, an auxiliary leg, and an auxiliary wheel. The extension and retraction driving member is located on a side of the frame. The retractable member is connected to the extension and retraction driving member. The wheel is connected to the retractable member. The wheel is further connected to the travel driving member. A first end of the auxiliary leg is connected to the auxiliary wheel, and a second end of the auxiliary leg is located on the frame. The retractable member extends under the driving of the extension and retraction driving member to drive the wheel to jump. The wheel is driven by the travel driving member to move. When the auxiliary wheel contacts the ground, the mechanical leg moves with the rolling of the wheel and the auxiliary wheel.

An agile manufacturing platform for manufacture of an object includes a substantially planar body (301) supporting a computer processor (303) and a plurality of articulated legs (305). An articulated robotic arm (307) is rotatably mounted to the planar body and includes at least one articulated joint to providing at least 3 degrees of freedom relative to the planar body. A machine tool (315) is coupled to the articulated robotic arm.