Abstract:
A mobile human interface robot (100) that includes a base (120) defining a vertical center axis (Z) and a forward drive direction (F) and a holonomic drive system (200) supported by the base. The drive system has first, second, and third driven drive wheels (210a, 210b, 210c), each trilaterally spaced about the vertical center axis and having a drive direction (Drive) perpendicular to a radial axis (Slip) with respect to the vertical center axis. The robot further includes a controller (500) in communication with the holonomic drive system, a torso (140) supported above the base, and a touch sensor system (480) in communication with the controller. The touch sensor system is responsive to human contact. The controller issues drive commands to the holonomic drive system based on a touch signal received from the touch sensor system.
Abstract:
An autonomous mobile robot comprise: a chassis having a drive system mounted therein in communication with a control system; a cleaning head assembly having a lower cage and mounted to the chassis; a debris collection bin mounted to the chassis; a vacuum airway having a vacuum inlet and an airway outlet positioned adjacent the debris collection bin, and configured to deliver debris from the cleaning head assembly to a debris collection bin, the vacuum airway extending between the cleaning assembly and debris collection bin and being in fluid communication with an impeller disposed within the debris collection bin; and a cleaning head module connected to the chassis and having a front roller including a front shape-changing resilient tube and an adjacent rear roller including a rear shape-changing resilient tube rotatably opposing therewith beneath the vacuum inlet. The surface of the front shape-changing tube and the surface rear shape-changing tube are separated by a narrowest air gap of less than 1 cm, such that the vacuum draw directed from the vacuum airway is concentrated within the narrowest air gap.
Abstract:
A method of operating a mobile robot (100) that includes driving the robot according to a drive direction, determining a driven path (1012) of the robot from an origin (1013), and displaying a drive view (1010) on a remote operator control unit (400) in communication with the robot. The drive view shows the driven path of the robot from the origin. The method further includes obtaining global positioning coordinates of a current location of the robot and displaying a map (1014) in the drive view using the global positioning coordinates. The driven path of the robot is displayed on the map.
Abstract:
A robotic vehicle (10) includes a chassis (20) supported on right and left driven tracks (34,44), right and left elongated flippers (50,60) disposed on corresponding sides of the chassis (20), and a battery unit holder (210) disposed on the chassis (20) for removably receiving a battery unit (92,300) weighing at least 50 lbs. The battery unit holder (210) includes a guide (222,224) for receiving and guiding the battery unit (92,300) to a connected position and a connector mount (230) having locating features (232,234) and communication features (236). The locating features (232,234) receive corresponding locating features (332,334) of the battery unit (92,300), as the battery unit (92,300) is moved to its connected position, to align the communication features (236) of the connector mount (230) with corresponding communication features of the battery unit (92,300). The communication features (236) of the connector mount (230) are movable in a plane transverse to the guide to aid alignment of the communication features (236) for establishment of an electrical connection therebetween when the battery unit (92,300) is in its connected position.
Abstract:
A robotic vehicle (10,100,150A,150B150C,160,1000,1000A,1000B,1000C) includes a chassis (20,106,152,162) having front and rear ends (20A,152A,20B,152B) and supported on right and left driven tracks (34,44,108,165). Right and left elongated flippers (50,60,102,154,164) are disposed on corresponding sides of the chassis and operable to pivot. A linkage (70,156,166) connects a payload deck assembly (D1,D2,D3,80,158,168,806), configured to support a removable functional payload, to the chassis. The linkage has a first end (70A) rotatably connected to the chassis at a first pivot (71), and a second end (70B) rotatably connected to the deck at a second pivot (73). Both of the first and second pivots include independently controllable pivot drivers (72,74) operable to rotatably position their corresponding pivots (71,73) to control both fore-aft position and pitch orientation of the payload deck (D1,D2,D3,80,158,168,806) with respect to the chassis (20,106,152,162).
Abstract:
A robot (100,800,1100,1200,1400,1600,2200,2300,2400,2500,2600,3300) includes a chassis (140,301,310,501,801,1601,3202) supporting a skid steered drive (110,1610,2202,2204,3310) and a set of driven flippers (130,302,502,602,802,1602). Each flipper is pivotable about a first pivot axis (15,315) common with a drive axis (15) near the chassis's leading end (104A,302A). The robot includes a neck (305,805,1605,2210) pivotable about a second pivot axis (317) substantially at the chassis's leading end (140A,301A) and a sensor head (303,803,1603,2206) pivotally coupled to the neck (305,805,1605,2210). The chassis, flippers, neck and head: (i) have a combined center of gravity (combined-CG,364,CG1,CG50) disposed in a forward-rearward sense between distal and pivot ends (130A,130B,302A,302B) of the flippers (130,302,502,602,802,1602) when the flippers are in a stowed position with their distal ends (130A,302A) between leading and trailing ends (140A,140B,301A,301B) of the chassis, and (ii) are each independently movable between a first position and a second position to reposition the combined center of gravity for negotiating an obstacle.
Abstract:
A unified framework is provided for building common functionality into diverse operator control units. A set of tools is provided for creating controller configurations for varied robot types. Preferred controllers do one or more the following: allow uploading of configuration files from a target robot, adhere to common user interface styles and standards, share common functionality, allow extendibility for unique functionality, provide flexibility for rapid prototype design, and allow dynamic communication protocol switching. Configuration files may be uploaded from robots to configure their operator control units. The files may include scene graph control definitions; instrument graphics; control protocols; or mappings of control functions to scene graphics or control inputs.
Abstract:
An autonomous coverage robot (100, 101) includes a chassis (200) having forward and rearward portions (210, 220) and a drive system (400) carried by the chassis (200). The forward portion (210) of the chassis (200) defines a substantially rectangular shape. The robot (100, 101) includes a cleaning assembly (500) mounted on the forward portion (210) of the chassis (200) and a bin (620) disposed adjacent the cleaning assembly (500) and configured to receive agitated debris. A bin cover (620) is pivotally attached to a lower portion (203) of the chassis (200) and configured to rotate between a first, closed position providing closure of an opening (612) defined by the bin (610) and a second, open position providing access to the bin opening (612). The robot (100, 101) includes a body (300) attached to the chassis (200) and a handle (330) disposed on an upper portion (305) of the body (300). A bin cover release (630) is actuatable from substantially near the handle (330).
Abstract:
An autonomous coverage robot system (5) includes an active boundary responder (600, 6012) comprising a wire (600, 6012) powered with a modulated current placed along a perimeter (1006A, 1006B) of a property (1001), at least one. passive boundary responder (600, 6001, 6010) placed on a property interior (1001A) circumscribed by the active boundary responder (600, 6012), and an autonomous coverage robot (10- 19). The robot (10 - 19) includes drive system (400) carried by a body (100) and configured to maneuver the robot (10 - 19) across the property interior (1001A). A signal emitter (1510) emits a signal, where the passive boundary responder responsive to the signal. A boundary' responder detection system (1500, 1520) is carried by the body (100) and configured to detect both the active (600, 6012) and passive boundary responders. The drive system (400) is configured to redirect the robot' both in response to the responder detection system (1500, 1520) detecting an active boundary responder (600, 6012) and in response to detecting a passive boundary responder.
Abstract:
A system and method for allowing an operator to switch between remote vehicle tele-operation and one or more remote vehicle autonomous behaviors, or for implementing remote vehicle autonomous behaviors. The system comprises an operator control system receiving input from the operator including instructions for the remote vehicle to execute an autonomous behavior, and a control system on the remote vehicle for receiving the instruction to execute an autonomous behavior from the operator control system. Upon receiving the instruction to execute an autonomous behavior, the remote vehicle executes that autonomous behavior.