An embodiment is developed for a cylindrically shaped, elliptical rolling robot that has the ability to morph its outer surface as it rolls. The morphing actuation alters lengths of the major and minor axes, resulting in a torque imbalance that rolls the robot along faster or brakes its motion. A control scheme is implemented, whereby angular position and horizontal velocity are used as feedback to trigger and define morphing actuation. A goal of the control scheme is to cause the robot to follow a given velocity profile comprised of steps and ramps. Equations of motion for the rolling robot are formulated, which include rolling resistance torque caused by deformation of the outer surface tread. A computer program solves the equations of motion, and resulting plots show that by automatically morphing its shape in a periodic fashion, the rolling robot is able to commence from an initial position, achieve constant average velocity and slow itself.

A self-propelled device determines an orientation for its movement based on a pre-determined reference frame. A controller device is operable by a user to control the self-propelled device. The controller device includes a user interface for controlling at least a direction of movement of the self-propelled device. The self-propelled device is configured to signal the controller device information that indicates the orientation of the self-propelled device. The controller device is configured to orient the user interface, based on the information signaled from the self-propelled device, to reflect the orientation of the self-propelled device.

A self-propelled device can determine an initial reference frame of the self-propelled device in three-dimensional space, receive control inputs from a controller device, where the control inputs can be inputted by a user on a steering mechanism of the controller device. The self-propelled device can interpret the control inputs as control commands to maneuver the self-propelled device, and implement the control commands on an internal drive system of the self-propelled device to maneuver the self-propelled device based on the control inputs. While maneuvering, the self-propelled device can determine an orientation of the internal drive system within a spherical housing of the self-propelled device in relation to the initial reference frame, and transmit feedback to the controller device based on the orientation of the internal drive system in order to calibrate an orientation of the steering mechanism with the orientation of the internal drive system.

A multipurpose rollable moving device is provided. The multipurpose rollable moving device includes: a spherical driving wheel; a driving device that is installed within the driving wheel in order to apply a torque to the spherical driving wheel; a docking portion that is installed within the spherical driving wheel to generate a magnetic force; and a mounting portion that may be attached to a surface of the spherical driving wheel by a magnetic force of the docking portion and that may mount an article. Therefore, the multipurpose rollable moving device can mount an article and easily stably move in an omnidirection on the ground.

A modular sensing device and method of operating a smart home device includes initiating a control mode from a plurality of modes on the modular sensing device, where the control mode determines a manner in which user gestures are interpreted. Based on initiating the control mode, a connection with the smart home device can be established. Furthermore, the modular sensing device and method can further include receiving sensor data corresponding to the user gestures, translating the sensor data into a corresponding control command, and transmitting the control command to the smart home device. The corresponding control command can be executable to control the smart home device in accordance with the user gesture.

A smart interactive toy comprises a shell, an interactive control module, a moving mechanism, and an anti-fall sensing module comprising a first signal-sending unit and a signal-receiving unit; the first signal-sending unit is mounted on the shell, connected electrically with the interactive control module and used for sending a first sensing signal to the interactive control module when the signal-receiving unit does not receives a first reflected signal, reflected after the first sensing signal meets an obstacle, in a predetermined time period so that the interactive control module drives the moving mechanism to stop moving, thereby achieving that the user controls the smart interactive toy to avoid it from falling down a table or into a deep pit, which ensures that the toy can be interacted and is not easy to damage.

One embodiment provides an apparatus that includes a plurality of wheels configured to rotate in either of two rotational directions about an axis of rotation. The apparatus further includes a turret portion disposed between the two wheels and rotatable about the axis of rotation in either of the two rotational directions and independently of the plurality of wheels. Additionally, the apparatus includes a motor configured to provide torque to the plurality of wheels and the turret portion. The motor can cause each of the plurality of wheels to rotate independently in either of the two rotational directions when operating in a first rotational speed mode. The motor can also cause the turret portion to rotate in either of the two rotational directions independently of the plurality of wheels when operating in a second rotational speed mode which is faster relative to the first rotational speed mode.

A robot includes a spherical housing, a frame disposed in the housing, and a display that displays at least a facial feature of the robot. The robot further includes a set of driving wheels that are in contact with an inner surface of the housing to rotate the housing, and a weight driving mechanism that causes a weight to move along a predetermined axis. Also, the robot includes a power supply that is externally charged and supplies electric power to the set of driving wheels and weight driving mechanism, and a control circuit that stops rotation of the set of driving wheels and moves the weight along the predetermined axis to correspondingly move the display vertically.

A robot includes a main casing, a first spherical cap and a second spherical cap, and a shaft linking the spherical caps. The robot further includes a display, a first driving mechanism causing the first and second spherical caps to be rotated by the shaft, and a second driving mechanism that causes the main casing to be rotated. The robot also includes a control circuit and an electric power source, charged by electric power from an external charger. If the remaining electric power of the electric power source is lower than or equal to a predetermined value, the second driving mechanism is controlled to stop rotation of the main casing, and the first driving mechanism is controlled to switch a rotational direction of the first spherical cap and the second spherical cap, causing the display to be reciprocally moved in a vertical direction.

A self-righting aeronautical vehicle comprising a hollowed frame and a lift mechanism. The exterior of the frame and center of gravity are adapted to self-right the vehicle. The frame can include sealed, hollowed sections for use in bodies of water. The frame can be spherical in shape enabling inspection of internal surface of partially or fully enclosed structures. Inspection equipment can be integrated into the vehicle and acquired data can be stored or wireles sly communicated to a server. A controlled or other mass can be pivotally assembled to a pivot axle spanning across the interior of the frame. The pivot axis can rotate about a vertical axis (an axis perpendicular to the elongated axis). The propulsion mechanisms can be adapted for use as a terrestrial vehicle when enclosed in a sealed spherical shell.