A self-propelled device includes a spherical housing and an internal drive system. The self-propelled device can further include an internal structure having a magnet holder that holds a first set of magnets and an external accessory comprising a second set of magnets to magnetically interact, through the spherical housing, with the first set magnets.

A method for registering one of a plurality of assembly modules operatively coupled to one another in a modular assembly system is provided. A first message including a first identifier of the assembly module is received from one of the plurality of assembly modules. A second message including a second identifier for the assembly module is transmitted to the assembly module. The second identifier is generated based on at least the first identifier. A third message including the second identifier is received from the assembly module. In response to determining that the third message is received, the assembly module is registered as a new assembly module of the modular assembly system. At least one of the receiving, transmitting, determining, and registering is performed by a control module of the plurality of assembly modules.

A multi-purposed, self-propelled device and method for operation of the self-propelled device. Certain variations can include a spherical housing having an internal drive system and a multifunctional payload space for use in a variety of applications.

A system produces bubbles. The system may be used as a children's toy, a special effects machine, an art performance prop, a party entertainment item, or a similar object for entertaining users. The system is designed to produce bubbles regardless of the orientation of the system. The system includes a reservoir, a pump, a swiping mechanism, and a fan. The reservoir receives and stores fluid, and the pump provides pressure on the stored fluid such that the fluid travels through the reservoir and exits the reservoir. The swiping mechanism spreads across the exited fluid to create a fluid sheet, and the fan blows on the fluid sheet, transforming it into a bubble. The pump enables the stored fluid to be available for bubble production at any orientation of the system. The system may be moved, rotated, thrown, bounced, swung, etc. by a user and produce bubbles during its motion.

A wearable device can be worn by a user, and can include one or more sensors to detect user gestures performed by the user. The wearable device can further include a wireless communication module to establish a communication link with a self-propelled device, and a controller that can generate control commands based on the user gestures. The control commands may be executable to accelerate and maneuver the self-propelled device. The controller may then transmit the control commands to the self-propelled device over the communication link for execution by the self-propelled device.

A computing device operating as a controller can obtain image data from a camera component. The computing device can determine a location of the self-propelled device relative to the camera based on the image data. A virtual content may be generated on the computing device based at least in part on the location of the self-propelled device.

A spherical, self-propelled device responds to remote controls from a user. The self-propelled device has an internal drive system and an internal vision system. The vision system remains in a constant orientation with respect to the spherical, self-propelled device. As the spherical, self-propelled device rolls along a surface, the internal vision system captures video data from an upward field of view.

A spherical shaped robot with a drive mechanism and a weight drive mechanism is provided. If a distance from the robot to an object is less than a predetermined value, the robot executes a pivot turn mode. In the pivot turn mode, the robot controls the drive mechanism to stop linear movements of the robot, controls the weight drive mechanism to tilt the weight to a first side representing one of the right hand side and left hand side of the robot, controls the drive mechanism to cause a forward movement of the robot with the weight tilted to the first side, controls the drive mechanism to stop the forward movement of the robot, controls the weight drive mechanism to tilt the weight to a second side different from the first side, and controls the drive mechanism to cause a backward movement of the robot with the weight tilted to the second side.

A robot controlled by a control circuit moves to a predetermined target point by rotating its spherical body. The robot detects a value of a pitch angle and then determines a minimum control amount corresponding to the statistical value of the pitch angle. When the robot arrives at a predetermined distance short of the predetermined target point, the control circuit generates a deceleration control amount for a drive mechanism greater than or equal to the minimum control amount. The control circuit then decelerates rotation of the spherical body by controlling the drive mechanism in accordance with the deceleration control amount.

A robot includes a control circuit that detects a changing maximum value of a pitch angle, when the robot moves to a predetermined target point by rotating its main body. The control circuit determines a minimum control amount corresponding to the maximum value of the pitch angle, when the robot arrives at a predetermined distance short of the predetermined target point. The control circuit generates a deceleration control amount for the second drive mechanism that is greater than or equal to the minimum control amount, according to a remaining distance to the predetermined target point. The control circuit decelerates the rotation of the main body by controlling the second drive mechanism in accordance with the deceleration control amount.