B62D57/032

Mitigating sensor noise in legged robots
09789919 · 2017-10-17 · ·

An example implementation involves receiving measurements from an inertial sensor coupled to the robot and detecting an occurrence of a foot of the legged robot making contact with a surface. The implementation also involves reducing a gain value of an amplifier from a nominal value to a reduced value upon detecting the occurrence. The amplifier receives the measurements from the inertial sensor and provides a modulated output based on the gain value. The implementation further involves increasing the gain value from the reduced value to the nominal value over a predetermined duration of time after detecting the occurrence. The gain value is increased according to a profile indicative of a manner in which to increase the gain value of the predetermined duration of time. The implementation also involves controlling at least one actuator of the legged robot based on the modulated output during the predetermined duration of time.

Mitigating sensor noise in legged robots
09789919 · 2017-10-17 · ·

An example implementation involves receiving measurements from an inertial sensor coupled to the robot and detecting an occurrence of a foot of the legged robot making contact with a surface. The implementation also involves reducing a gain value of an amplifier from a nominal value to a reduced value upon detecting the occurrence. The amplifier receives the measurements from the inertial sensor and provides a modulated output based on the gain value. The implementation further involves increasing the gain value from the reduced value to the nominal value over a predetermined duration of time after detecting the occurrence. The gain value is increased according to a profile indicative of a manner in which to increase the gain value of the predetermined duration of time. The implementation also involves controlling at least one actuator of the legged robot based on the modulated output during the predetermined duration of time.

Achieving a target gait in a legged robot based on steering commands
09789607 · 2017-10-17 · ·

Based on input steering commands, a legged robot may select a target gait. Based on the target gait, the legged robot may obtain a list of gait controllers. Each gait controller may define a gait of the legged robot, and include validity tests and steering commands. The legged robot may apply a cost function to the gait controllers, where the cost for a gait controller is based on a difference between the steering commands of the gait controller and the input steering commands, and a proximity of the legged robot to obstacles should the legged robot operate according the gait controller. The legged robot may reorder the list in increasing magnitude of the cost function, and traverse the list until a validity test associated with a particular gait controller passes. The legged robot may actuate its legs according to the steering commands of the particular gait controller.

Rotatable robot foot with perpendicular soles
09821866 · 2017-11-21 · ·

Example embodiments relate to a robotic device with at least two legs. Each leg includes a foot including a first sole and a second sole perpendicular to the first sole. Each leg additionally includes an ankle joint configured to rotate the foot from a first position in which the first sole is contacting a ground surface to a second position in which the second sole is contacting the ground surface. The robotic device includes a control system. When the foot of a given leg of the at least two legs is in the first position, the control system may determine to cause the foot of the given leg to switch from the first position to the second position, and may cause the ankle joint of the given leg to rotate the foot of the given leg from the first position to the second position.

Rotatable robot foot with perpendicular soles
09821866 · 2017-11-21 · ·

Example embodiments relate to a robotic device with at least two legs. Each leg includes a foot including a first sole and a second sole perpendicular to the first sole. Each leg additionally includes an ankle joint configured to rotate the foot from a first position in which the first sole is contacting a ground surface to a second position in which the second sole is contacting the ground surface. The robotic device includes a control system. When the foot of a given leg of the at least two legs is in the first position, the control system may determine to cause the foot of the given leg to switch from the first position to the second position, and may cause the ankle joint of the given leg to rotate the foot of the given leg from the first position to the second position.

Methods and systems for force sensor calibration

An implementation may involve causing a foot of a robot to orient in a first position, where the foot comprises a sole configured to contact a surface, where the sole comprises a first edge and a second edge, and where in the first position: (i) the first edge contacts the surface, and (ii) a zero moment point (ZMP) is located on the first edge; receiving, from a force sensor, (i) first force data indicative of a first force and (ii) first moment data indicative of a first moment; determining a calibration of the force sensor based at least in part on the first force data, the first moment data, and a distance between the ZMP and a measurement location on the robot; and while the robot is engaged in bipedal movement, controlling the bipedal movement of the robot based at least in part on the calibration.

Mounting structure with ambulating transport system
09751578 · 2017-09-05 · ·

A load transporting apparatus includes a base structure that supports a load and a plurality of transport devices that move the base structure over a base surface. A first group of transport devices concurrently contact the base surface during a first movement step. Following the first movement step the first group of transport devices are disengaged from the base structure during a second movement step of the base structure. A second group of transport devices are disengaged from the base surface during the first movement step. Following the first movement step the second group of transport devices contact the base surface during the second movement step, and the weight of the load supported by the first group of transport devices is transferred from the first group of transport devices to the second group of transport devices.

Mounting structure with ambulating transport system
09751578 · 2017-09-05 · ·

A load transporting apparatus includes a base structure that supports a load and a plurality of transport devices that move the base structure over a base surface. A first group of transport devices concurrently contact the base surface during a first movement step. Following the first movement step the first group of transport devices are disengaged from the base structure during a second movement step of the base structure. A second group of transport devices are disengaged from the base surface during the first movement step. Following the first movement step the second group of transport devices contact the base surface during the second movement step, and the weight of the load supported by the first group of transport devices is transferred from the first group of transport devices to the second group of transport devices.

Walking infant seat
11241982 · 2022-02-08 · ·

The disclosure provides an infant vehicle seat that is capable of independent movement. The infant vehicle seat may include a base including a shell enclosing a seating area and an infant restraint harness. The infant vehicle seat may include four legs, each pivotably mounted to the base and including a joint between an upper segment and a lower segment. The infant vehicle seat may include a first actuator for each leg coupled with the base and the respective upper segment and configured to pivot the leg with respect to the base. The infant vehicle seat may include a second actuator for each leg coupled with the upper segment and the lower segment and configured to bend and extend the leg. The infant vehicle seat may include a control system configured to translate an input command into a series of control signals for each of the first actuators and second actuators.

Walking infant seat
11241982 · 2022-02-08 · ·

The disclosure provides an infant vehicle seat that is capable of independent movement. The infant vehicle seat may include a base including a shell enclosing a seating area and an infant restraint harness. The infant vehicle seat may include four legs, each pivotably mounted to the base and including a joint between an upper segment and a lower segment. The infant vehicle seat may include a first actuator for each leg coupled with the base and the respective upper segment and configured to pivot the leg with respect to the base. The infant vehicle seat may include a second actuator for each leg coupled with the upper segment and the lower segment and configured to bend and extend the leg. The infant vehicle seat may include a control system configured to translate an input command into a series of control signals for each of the first actuators and second actuators.