Self propelled device with magnetic coupling
A self-propelled device includes a spherical housing and an internal drive system. The self-propelled device can further include an internal structure having a magnet holder that holds a first set of magnets and an external accessory comprising a second set of magnets to magnetically interact, through the spherical housing, with the first set magnets.
1. A self-propelled device comprising:
a housing;
an internal drive system enclosed within the housing and operable to accelerate and maneuver the self-propelled device;
an internal structure coupled to the internal drive system and comprising a magnet holder, the magnet holder including a first set of interactive elements;
an external accessory comprising a second set of interactive elements to interact, through the housing, with the first set of interactive elements as the self-propelled device accelerates and maneuvers;
a communication interface to receive control inputs; and
one or more processors to process the control inputs and implement commands on the internal drive system, based on the control inputs, to accelerate and maneuver the self-propelled device.
2. The self-propelled device of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface receives the control inputs via a communication link with a controller device.
3. The self-propelled device of claim 2 , wherein the control inputs correspond to voice inputs from a user, the voice inputs being received by the controller.
4. The self-propelled device of claim 2 , wherein the controller device comprises one of a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a personal computer that executes a control application specific to operating the self-propelled device.
5. The self-propelled device of claim 1 , further comprising:
one or more memory resources storing a set of instructions;
wherein the one or more processors process the control inputs by executing the set of instructions, mapping at least one input of the control inputs to a control movement.
6. The self-propelled device of claim 1 , wherein the control inputs comprise one or more of:
voice commands received by the control device;
physical manipulations;
a gesture received on a touchscreen of the control device; or
a tap received on the touchscreen of the control device.
7. The self-propelled device of claim 1 , wherein processing the control inputs causes the one or more processors to implement an autonomous mode.
8. The self-propelled device of claim 1 , wherein the internal structure includes a biasing mechanism to actively force a pair of wheel of the internal drive system to continuously engage an inner surface of the housing as the self-propelled device accelerates and maneuvers.
9. The self-propelled device of claim 8 , wherein the internal drive system includes a pair of independent motors each powering a corresponding one of the pair of wheels.
10. A system comprising:
a controller device; and
a self-propelled device comprising:
a housing;
an internal drive system enclosed within the housing and operable to accelerate and maneuver the self-propelled device;
an internal structure coupled to the internal drive system and comprising a magnet holder, the magnet holder including a first set of interactive elements;
an external accessory comprising a second set of interactive elements to interact, through the housing, with the first set of interactive elements as the self-propelled device accelerates and maneuvers;
a communication interface to communicate with the controller device; and
one or more processors to process control inputs and implement commands on the internal drive system, based on the control inputs, to accelerate and maneuver the self-propelled device.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the communication interface establishes a link with the controller device to receive the control inputs from the controller device.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the control inputs correspond to voice inputs, the voice inputs being received by the controller device.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the controller device comprises one of a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a personal computer that executes a control application specific to operating the self-propelled device.
14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the self-propelled device further comprises:
one or more memory resources storing a set of instructions;
wherein the one or more processors process the control inputs by executing the set of instructions mapping at least one input of the control inputs to a control movement.
15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control inputs comprise one or more of:
voice commands received by the control device;
physical manipulations;
a gesture received on a touchscreen of the control device; or
a tap received on the touchscreen of the control device.
16. The system of claim 10 , wherein processing the control inputs causes the one or more processors to implement an autonomous mode.
17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the external accessory is includes an underlying surface that corresponds to the housing.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the autonomous mode comprises a mode where control parameters are generated programmatically on the self-propelled device in response to sensor input without need for the control inputs.
19. The self-propelled device of claim 7 , wherein the autonomous mode comprises a mode where control parameters are generated programmatically on the self-propelled device in response to sensor input without need for the control inputs.