VERSITILE AUTONOMOUS MOBILE PLATFORM
This Application discloses autonomous mobile systems comprising: a means of achieving mobility, a means of navigating, a means of providing autonomous power, and a means of providing general purpose computing. In some embodiments, the system comprises a base unit capable of sensing its environment and computing navigation instructions to direct the system to move to particular locations and execute particular functions, as directed by a set of programmed instructions. In some embodiments, a coupling exists on the base unit to attach additional structures and mechanisms. These structures may comprise a means for carrying packages or other items, robotic manipulators that can grab and move objects, interactive audio and video displays for telepresence applications, a means for serving food and drink, etc. These extensions may be designed to be detachable and interchangeable, or may be designed to be permanently attached to the base unit.
1 . A robotic system comprising:
a power source;
a means to move through a designated environment in which predetermined reference patterns have been designated;
an attached computing device;
a navigation system to direct the motion of the apparatus through the designated environment; and
a means for coupling a first additional accessory comprising a connector for providing power from the power source to the first additional accessory;
said navigation system comprising:
at least one sensor to detect said designated reference patterns, and
an processing system to match data related to said designated reference patterns to a pre-stored electronic map.
2 . The system of claim 1 , in which
the means to move through a designated environment comprises wheels.
3 . The system of claim 2 , in which
at least one of the wheels comprises a brushless DC hub motor.
4 . The system of claim 1 , in which
the designated reference patterns comprise fiducial markings placed in the designated environment.
5 . The system of claim 1 , in which
the designated reference patterns comprise
predetermined combinations of elements ambient in the designated environment.
6 . The system of claim 1 , in which
the power source provides the motive force
for moving through the designated environment.
7 . The system of claim 1 , in which
the power source comprises a battery selected from the group consisting of:
a lead acid battery, a deep cycle lead acid battery, a sealed lead acid battery, an AGM lead acid battery, a gel lead acid battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal-hydride battery, a lithium battery, a silicon-mediated lithium battery, a lithium ion battery, and an alkaline battery.
8 . The system of claim 1 , in which
the power source comprises a common power conversion system selected from the group consisting of consisting of:
a fuel cell, a hydrogen fuel cell, a hydrocarbon powered heat engine, a microwave transmission energy power source, an inductive energy source, a flywheel, a flywheel energy storage system, and a Carnot engine.
9 . The system of claim 1 , in which
the computing device comprises at least one microprocessor.
10 . The system of claim 1 , in which
the computing device directs the activity of the means to move through said designated environment.
11 . The system of claim 1 , in which
the navigation system utilizes the attached computing device.
12 . The system of claim 1 , in which
the navigation system comprises at least one LIDAR system.
13 . The system of claim 1 , in which
at least one sensor to detect said designated reference patterns comprises at least one camera, and
the processing system to match data comprises an image processing system.
14 . The system of claim 1 , in which
at least one sensor to detect said designated reference patterns comprises at least one ultrasonic detector.
15 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising
a means to communicate using a wireless communication network.
16 . The system of claim 1 , in which
the means for coupling comprises at least one item selected from the group consisting of: clamps, bolts, screws, and pegs.
17 . The system of claim 1 , in which
the means for coupling comprises
at least one set of holes in a configuration that corresponds to a first accessory with a set of attachment devices.
18 . The system of claim 17 , in which
the attachment devices are selected from the group consisting of:
clamps, bolts, screws, and pegs.
19 . The system of claim 1 , additionally comprising:
a connector for communicating data between the robotic system and the first additional accessory.