Multi-purposed self-propelled device
A self-propelled device can include at least a wireless interface, a housing, a propulsion mechanism, and a camera. Using the camera, the self-propelled device can generate a video feed and transmit the video feed to a controller device via the wireless interface. The self-propelled device can receive an input from the controller device indicating an object or location in the video feed. In response to the input, the self-propelled device can initiate an autonomous mode to autonomously operate the propulsion mechanism to propel the self-propelled device towards the object or location indicated in the video feed.
1. A method of operating a self-propelled device comprising:
generating a video feed from a camera disposed within a housing of the self-propelled device;
transmitting the video feed to a controller device via a wireless interface of the self-propelled device, wherein the self-propelled device comprises a plurality of operation modes comprising a controlled mode, an autonomous mode, and touch and drive mode;
receiving an input from the controller device indicating a location in the video feed; and
in response to the input, initiating an autonomous mode to autonomously operate a propulsion mechanism of the self-propelled device to propel the self-propelled device to a physical location point that corresponds to the location in the video feed based upon one or more control parameters programmatically generated on the self-propelled device, wherein the propulsion mechanism is disposed within the housing and includes a motor and a wheel engaged with an inner surface of the housing to propel the housing.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising when in the autonomous mode:
detecting one or more obstacles in the path of propulsion; and
maneuvering around the one or more obstacles by changing operation of the propulsion mechanism.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising initiating a control mode to (i) receive command inputs from the controller device, and (ii) operate the propulsion mechanism to accelerate and maneuver the self-propelled device based on the input.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving feedback from an inertial measurement unit of the self-propelled device; and
based on the feedback, dynamically stabile at least one of a pitch, a roll, and a yaw of the self-propelled device via the propulsion mechanism.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising when in the autonomous mode, maintaining an orientation awareness of the self-propelled device in relation to an initial frame of reference.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising operating a door mechanism on the housing.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising stabilizing the camera within the housing.
8. A method of operating a self-propelled device comprising;
receiving at a mobile computing device an image from a camera disposed within the self-propelled device, wherein the image provides a field of view of the camera;
displaying the image on a touch-sensitive display of the mobile computing device;
receiving, on the touch-sensitive display, a user selection of a location within the field of view of the camera;
based on the user selection, generating a command signal to be transmitted to the self-propelled device, wherein the command signal includes instructions for causing the self-propelled device to autonomously generate one or more control parameters for a propulsion mechanism disposed within the self-propelled device to maneuver the self-propelled device to the location; and
sending the command signal to the self-propelled device.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
determining a position of the location in the field of view based on a first reference frame of the field of view as displayed on the mobile computing device; and
mapping the position of the location point on a second reference frame corresponding to the location point relative to the self-propelled device.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the command signal is generated to include instructions for maneuvering the self-propelled device based solely on the second reference frame.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the image is a live video feed provided from the camera.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein generating the command signal is performed dynamically in conjunction with receiving the live video feed.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the command signal further includes opening instructions for a door mechanism on the self-propelled device.
14. A self-propelled device comprising:
a housing comprising an inner surface and defining a payload space;
a carrier disposed within the housing;
a propulsion mechanism disposed within the housing and supported by the carrier, wherein the propulsion mechanism comprises a motor and a wheel engaged with the inner surface of the housing to propel the housing;
a controller for self-propelled device comprises a plurality of operation modes comprising a controlled mode, an autonomous mode in which controls are programmatically generated on the self-propelled device, and touch and drive mode, the controller providing instructions to the propulsion mechanism based upon a determined operation mode;
a camera supported on the carrier and at least partially disposed within the payload space of the housing; and
a wireless interface configured to transmit one or more images from the camera to a remote device.
15. The self-propelled device of claim 14 , wherein the camera is a video camera and the one or more images is a video feed.
16. The self-propelled device of claim 14 , wherein the housing is at least partially transparent.
17. The self-propelled device of claim 14 , further comprising one or more of a motion sensor, an infrared sensor, a chemical sensor, a biological sensor, an explosive, and a listening device disposed within the payload space.
18. The self-propelled device of claim 14 , wherein the housing further comprises at least two shells configured to at least partially open so as to expose the payload space.
19. The self-propelled device of claim 14 , wherein the camera is mounted on a biasing mechanism.
20. The self-propelled device of claim 14 , further comprising a protective cover for the housing.