A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a module that enables the vehicle to adjust the position of the center of mass to trim the vehicle for efficient operations or to alter the stability and control parameters of the vehicle.

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a module that enables the vehicle to adjust the position of the center of mass to trim the vehicle for efficient operations or to alter the stability and control parameters of the vehicle.

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The main body of the vehicle is a spherical body.

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The main body of the vehicle is a spherical body.

The system utilizes fluid pressure achieved by increasing depth as a primary component for generation of energy. The system operates by varying its depth through changes in buoyancy. The ballast changes are controlled by electronics powered by a battery charged by a generator driven by a hydraulic system. Rather than utilizing a motor driven pump to generate pressure in the hydraulic system, a piston-like cylinder is applied pressure by the change in hydrostatic pressure as depth increases and draws fluid back into the cylinder as pressure decreases. As the system sinks, outside pressure forces hydraulic fluid to power a generator that charges a battery and powers a pump to deballast. As the system rises, the lowering of ambient pressure, and other internal forces, causes the hydraulic fluid to return to its initial state, where once the ballast begins to take in fluid, the whole process will continue to repeat.

The system utilizes fluid pressure achieved by increasing depth as a primary component for generation of energy. The system operates by varying its depth through changes in buoyancy. The ballast changes are controlled by electronics powered by a battery charged by a generator driven by a hydraulic system. Rather than utilizing a motor driven pump to generate pressure in the hydraulic system, a piston-like cylinder is applied pressure by the change in hydrostatic pressure as depth increases and draws fluid back into the cylinder as pressure decreases. As the system sinks, outside pressure forces hydraulic fluid to power a generator that charges a battery and powers a pump to deballast. As the system rises, the lowering of ambient pressure, and other internal forces, causes the hydraulic fluid to return to its initial state, where once the ballast begins to take in fluid, the whole process will continue to repeat.

An underwater robot based on a variable-size auxiliary drive and a control method thereof includes a variable-size auxiliary drive module and a main control system. The variable-size auxiliary drive module includes a first variable-size silo, at least two first variable-size units and at least two first gasbags. The first variable-size silo has a first accommodating space with at least two first accommodating subspaces. Each of the first variable-size units includes a first micro push rod motor, a first push rod, a first push plate and a first gas guide tube. The first micro push rod motor, the first push rod and the first push plate are accommodated in the corresponding first accommodating subspace. The first push rod is fixed to the first push plate. one of the first gas guide tubes correspondingly communicates with one of the first accommodating subspaces and one of the first gasbags.

An underwater robot based on a variable-size auxiliary drive and a control method thereof includes a variable-size auxiliary drive module and a main control system. The variable-size auxiliary drive module includes a first variable-size silo, at least two first variable-size units and at least two first gasbags. The first variable-size silo has a first accommodating space with at least two first accommodating subspaces. Each of the first variable-size units includes a first micro push rod motor, a first push rod, a first push plate and a first gas guide tube. The first micro push rod motor, the first push rod and the first push plate are accommodated in the corresponding first accommodating subspace. The first push rod is fixed to the first push plate. one of the first gas guide tubes correspondingly communicates with one of the first accommodating subspaces and one of the first gasbags.

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a module for buoyancy control.

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a module for buoyancy control.