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 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 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 gear mechanism having a shuttle gear adjacent both an auxiliary gear and an action gear and a cam plate, having a shuttle lock adjacent the shuttle gear and including a cam follower riding back and forth along a first cam pathway with an action element in mechanical communication with the action gear. A motor operates the shuttle gear with rotation of the motor in a first direction rotating the shuttle gear into engagement with the auxiliary gear, activating the shuttle lock to maintain the engagement throughout a predetermined rotational range of the cam plate and rotating the cam plate back and forth driving controlled back and forth movement of the auxiliary elements, with rotation of the motor in a second direction rotating the cam plate beyond the predetermined range releasing the shuttle lock.

A gear mechanism having a shuttle gear adjacent both an auxiliary gear and an action gear and a cam plate, having a shuttle lock adjacent the shuttle gear and including a cam follower riding back and forth along a first cam pathway with an action element in mechanical communication with the action gear. A motor operates the shuttle gear with rotation of the motor in a first direction rotating the shuttle gear into engagement with the auxiliary gear, activating the shuttle lock to maintain the engagement throughout a predetermined rotational range of the cam plate and rotating the cam plate back and forth driving controlled back and forth movement of the auxiliary elements, with rotation of the motor in a second direction rotating the cam plate beyond the predetermined range releasing the shuttle lock.

There is provided a gaming robot comprising at least one movable joint actuated by a prime mover. The gaming robot comprises a first module comprising first electronic circuitry and a first coupling. The first coupling is connectable to a second coupling on a second module comprising second electronic circuitry to create a mechanical interface between the first module and the second module and an electrical interface between the first module and the second module. The first electronic circuitry is configured to: in response to a connection of the second module to the first module, access via the electrical interface data stored within the second electronic circuitry, said data identifying the second module; and transmit the data to an identification system configured to detect the presence and identification of modules attached to the gaming robot.

There is provided a gaming robot comprising at least one movable joint actuated by a prime mover. The gaming robot comprises a first module comprising first electronic circuitry and a first coupling. The first coupling is connectable to a second coupling on a second module comprising second electronic circuitry to create a mechanical interface between the first module and the second module and an electrical interface between the first module and the second module. The first electronic circuitry is configured to: in response to a connection of the second module to the first module, access via the electrical interface data stored within the second electronic circuitry, said data identifying the second module; and transmit the data to an identification system configured to detect the presence and identification of modules attached to the gaming robot.

Empathy toward a robot is increased by the robot emulating human-like or animal-like behavior. A robot includes a movement determining unit that determines a direction of movement, an action determining unit that selects a gesture from multiple kinds of gesture, and a drive mechanism that executes a specified movement and gesture. When a user enters a hall, an external sensor installed in advance detects a return home, and notifies the robot via a server that the user has returned home. The robot heads to the hall, and welcomes the user home by performing a gesture indicating goodwill, such as sitting down and raising an arm.

Empathy toward a robot is increased by the robot emulating human-like or animal-like behavior. A robot includes a movement determining unit that determines a direction of movement, an action determining unit that selects a gesture from multiple kinds of gesture, and a drive mechanism that executes a specified movement and gesture. When a user enters a hall, an external sensor installed in advance detects a return home, and notifies the robot via a server that the user has returned home. The robot heads to the hall, and welcomes the user home by performing a gesture indicating goodwill, such as sitting down and raising an arm.

Putting clothes on a robot is facilitated. A robot includes an operation control unit that selects a motion, a drive mechanism that executes the selected motion, a mode setting unit that sets a mode of the robot, and a power supply control unit. The operation control unit restricts a torque of an actuator included in the drive mechanism when a clothes changing mode is set, and the power supply control unit maintains energization of an electronic circuit that realizes a function of the operation control unit, even while in the clothes changing mode.