IP Library Granted Patent US 12,485,551
Granted Patent B2
US 12,485,551 · App. 17/860,354 · Granted Dec 2, 2025

Robot system for cell sites and towers

Inventor: Lee Priest (Charlotte, NC)
Assignee: ETAK Systems, LLC
B25J11/00B25J15/0608B64U10/14G08C17/02B64U30/293B64U2101/30B64U2101/67H04N7/185
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,485,551
App. No.
17/860,354
Granted
Dec 2, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

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 for performing audit tasks of cell towers. The robot includes 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 via direct programming.

Claims (36)

1 . A robot for performing audit tasks of cell towers, the robot comprising:

a body portion configured to hold various electronic components of the robot further comprising 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;

wireless interfaces adapted to allow wireless control of the robot; and

a processor adapted to utilize a Machine Learning (ML) model to learn and improve an ability of the robot to work on the cell tower over time.

2 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the one or more arms further comprise claws adapted to grip tools and components of the cell tower.

3 . The robot of claim 2 , wherein the claws comprise image sensors disposed on a distal end of the claws for capturing image data of difficult to reach areas of the cell tower.

4 . The robot of claim 1 , further comprising magnets disposed on the body portion, wherein the magnets are one of permanent magnets and selectively enabled magnets adapted to secure the robot to the cell tower.

5 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the body portion further comprises storage compartments configured to hold tools and equipment.

6 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the robot is adapted to operate in adverse weather conditions.

7 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the body portion further comprises elongated compartments, and wherein the one or more arms are configured to stow within the elongated compartments.

8 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the robot is configured to be controlled by one of a user in a remote location, a user at a cell tower site, and autonomously via direct programing.

9 . A robot for performing audit tasks of cell towers, the robot comprising:

a body portion configured to hold various electronic components of the robot comprising 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;

wireless interfaces adapted to allow wireless control of the robot;

a processor coupled to the wireless interfaces; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:

process commands to position the robot on the cell tower to perform an audit task chosen from a plurality of operations to the cell tower;

process commands to capture data associated with components being audited based on the audit being performed; and

process the data collected to verify whether the component being audited is in a predetermined condition;

wherein the instructions further cause the processor to utilize a Machine Learning (ML) model to learn and improve an ability of the robot to work on the cell tower over time.

10 . The robot of claim 9 , 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.

11 . The robot of claim 9 , wherein the robot is configured to be controlled by one of a user in a remote location, a user at a cell tower site, and autonomously via direct programing.

12 . The robot of claim 9 , wherein the one or more arms further comprise claws adapted to grip tools and components of the cell tower.

13 . The robot of claim 12 , wherein data is captured by image sensors disposed on a distal end of the claws.

14 . The robot of claim 9 , further comprising magnets disposed on the body portion, wherein the magnets are one of permanent magnets and selectively enabled magnets adapted to secure the robot to the cell tower, and wherein the instructions further cause the processor to control the selectively enabled magnets.

15 . The robot of claim 9 , wherein the body portion further comprises storage compartments configured to hold tools and equipment.

16 . The robot of claim 9 , wherein the robot is adapted to operate in adverse weather conditions.

17 . The robot of claim 9 , wherein the body portion further comprises elongated compartments, and wherein the one or more arms are configured to stow within the elongated compartments.

18 . A method comprising the steps of:

positioning a robot on a cell tower to perform an audit task chosen from a plurality of operations to the cell tower;

capturing data associated with components being audited based on the audit being performed;

processing the data collected to verify whether the component being audited is in a predetermined condition; and

utilizing a Machine Learning (ML) model to learn and improve the robot's ability to work on the cell tower over time.

19 . The method of claim 18 , 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.

Assignments (2)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 20, 2026
From: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
To: AQUARIAN CREDIT FUNDING LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075246/0859 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2022
From: PRIEST, LEE
To: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 060462/0454 →
Continuity (9)
Continuation In Part 15671439 · Aug 8, 2017
Continuation In Part 15248634 · Aug 26, 2016
Continuation In Part 15205313 · Jul 8, 2016
Continuation In Part 15190450 · Jun 23, 2016
Continuation In Part 15175314 · Jun 7, 2016
Continuation In Part 15131460 · Apr 18, 2016
Continuation In Part 14736925 · Jun 11, 2015
Continuation In Part 14685720 · Apr 14, 2015
Related Publication 20220347855A1 · Nov 3, 2022
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