Robot system housed on cell sites and towers
In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to robot systems configured to operate on a cell tower to inspect, install, reconfigure, and repair cellular equipment. The present disclosure provides a robot system for performing audit tasks of cell towers. The robot system includes a docking station secured to the cell tower adapted to house a robot when the robot is not in use, and a robot including a body portion configured to hold various electronic components of the robot including monitoring equipment disposed thereon, one or more arms extending from the body portion adapted to manipulate components of a cell tower and to facilitate movement of the robot on the cell tower, and wireless interfaces adapted to allow wireless control of the robot. The robot is configured to be controlled by one of a user in a remote location, a user at the cell tower site, and autonomously.
1 . A robot system for performing audit tasks of cell towers, the robot system comprising:
a docking station permanently secured on a portion of the cell tower via a dedicated support structure, the docking station configured to house and recharge a robot when the robot is not in use, the docking station comprising a tether operably connected to the robot and configured to provide power and prevent the robot from falling from the cell tower; and
a robot configured to live on the cell tower via the docking station, wherein the robot comprises
a body portion configured to hold various electronic components of the robot comprising monitoring equipment disposed thereon;
a continuous track disposed on a lower surface of the body portion and comprising a plurality of selectively enabled magnets configured to secure the robot to the cell tower while facilitating movement of the robot along the tower;
one or more arms extending from the body portion adapted to manipulate components of a cell tower and to facilitate movement of the robot on the cell tower; and
wireless interfaces adapted to allow wireless control of the robot.
2 . The robot system of claim 1 , wherein the robot is configured to receive power from the docking station.
3 . The robot system of claim 1 , wherein the docking station comprises one or more solar panels and batteries configured to obtain and store power for the robot.
4 . The robot system of claim 1 , wherein the docking station is structurally integrated with the cell tower and configured to draw power from existing electrical infrastructure of the cell tower.
5 . The robot system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more arms of the robot further comprise claws adapted to grip tools and components of the cell tower, each claw including at least one image sensor disposed proximate a distal end of the claw for capturing image data of areas of the cell tower that are difficult to access.
6 . The robot system of claim 1 , wherein the magnets embedded within the continuous track are configured to be selectively energized when in contact with a metallic surface of the cell lower to provide traction and de-energized when not in contact.
7 . The robot system of claim 1 , wherein the robot is configured to be controlled by one of a user in a remote location, a user at the cell tower site, and autonomously via direct programing.
8 . A cell tower comprising:
a docking station permanently secured on a portion of the cell tower via a dedicated support structure, the docking station configured to house and recharge a robot when the robot is not in use, the docking station comprising a tether operably connected to the robot and configured to provide power and prevent the robot from falling from the cell tower; and
a robot configured to live on the cell tower via the docking station, wherein the robot comprises
a body portion configured to hold various electronic components of the robot comprising monitoring equipment disposed thereon;
a continuous track disposed on a lower surface of the body portion and comprising a plurality of selectively enabled magnets configured to secure the robot to the cell tower while facilitating movement of the robot along the tower;
one or more arms extending from the body portion adapted to manipulate components of a cell tower and to facilitate movement of the robot on the cell tower; and
wireless interfaces adapted to allow wireless control of the robot.
9 . The cell tower of claim 8 , wherein the robot is configured to receive power from the docking station.
10 . The cell tower of claim 8 , wherein the docking station comprises one or more solar panels and batteries configured to obtain and store power for the robot.
11 . The cell tower of claim 8 , wherein the docking station is structurally integrated with the cell tower and configured to draw power from existing electrical infrastructure of the cell tower.
12 . The cell tower of claim 8 , wherein the one or more arms of the robot further comprise claws adapted to grip tools and components of the cell tower, each claw including at least one image sensor disposed proximate a distal end of the claw for capturing image data of areas of the cell tower that are difficult to access.
13 . The cell tower of claim 8 , wherein the magnets embedded within the continuous track are configured to be selectively energized when in contact with a metallic surface of the cell tower to provide traction and de-energized when not in contact.
14 . The cell tower of claim 8 , wherein the robot is configured to be controlled by one of a user in a remote location, a user at the cell tower site, and autonomously via direct programing.
15 . A method comprising the steps of:
causing a robot to leave a docking station permanently affixed to a cell tower via a dedicated support structure, the docking station being configured to house and recharge the robot and comprising a tether operably connected to the robot to provide power and prevent the robot from falling from the cell tower, to perform an audit task;
positioning the robot on the cell tower to perform the audit task chosen from a plurality of operations to the cell tower, wherein the robot comprises a continuous track including a plurality of selectively enabled magnets configured to secure the robot to the cell tower while facilitating movement along the cell tower;
causing the robot to perform the audit task; and
causing the robot to return to the docking station.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of operations include any of inspecting and monitoring a component of the cell tower, performing repair, and installing components of the cell tower.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of providing components to the robot utilizing one of a winch and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of providing power to the robot by way of the docking station.