Autonomous and remote control all purpose machine (ARCAPM)

1. A machine, comprising:

a body;

a plurality of bays in the body, wherein each bay is configured to receive a respective module;

a power source carried by the body;

a respective power connector in each one of the bays that is configured to provide an electrically conductive path between the power source and a device in a said module arranged in one of the bays;

a propulsion system structured and arranged to move the body over the ground; and

a control system structured and arranged to control autonomous movement of the machine based on at least one of: proximity sensors, metal detectors, and GPS data,

wherein the plurality of bays comprises a first bay, a second bay, and a third bay, all of different sizes.

2. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the modules are selected from a group consisting of: leaf vacuum shredder module; rototiller module; weed/grass trimmer module; air compressor module; external vacuum with hose module; water jet module; rake/broom module; snow blower module; shovel module; and broadcast spreader module.

3. The machine of claim 1 , wherein a largest of the first bay, the second bay, and the third bay is at a rear end of the body.

4. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising a dashboard that provides a user with an interface for providing input to the control system.

5. The machine of claim 4 , wherein the dashboard is a touch screen GUI mounted on the body.

6. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system comprises:

first and second treads on opposite sides of the body;

a first electric motor connected to and adapted to drive the first tread; and

a second electric motor connected to and adapted to drive the second tread.

7. The machine of claim 6 , further comprising a handlebar including a first throttle that controls the first tread and a second throttle that controls the second tread independent of the first tread.

8. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises at least one re-chargeable battery.

9. The machine of claim 8 , wherein the at least one re-chargeable battery comprises:

a first battery dedicated to a first motor of the propulsion system;

a second battery dedicated to a second motor of the propulsion system;

a third battery dedicated to providing power to said module via said power connector; and

a fourth battery dedicated to providing power to said control system.

10. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising a remote control system that is adapted to permit a user to control movement of the propulsion system using a hand-held wireless remote control unit that overrides the autonomous movement.

11. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising a tow hook sticking out from or embedded into the rear end of the body.

12. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the control system is programmed to cause the machine to move to a charging station after completing a task.

13. A machine, comprising:

a body;

a plurality of bays in the body, wherein each bay is configured to receive a respective module;

a power source carried by the body;

a respective power connector in each one of the bays that is configured to provide an electrically conductive path between the power source and a device in a said module arranged in one of the bays;

a propulsion system structured and arranged to move the body over the ground; and

a control system structured and arranged to control autonomous movement of the machine based on at least one of: proximity sensors, metal detectors, and GPS data, wherein:

the plurality of bays and the modules are sized and shaped such that a said module only fits into one of the plurality of bays in a single orientation; and

the single orientation aligns the respective said power connector of the bay with a corresponding power connector of the module.

14. A machine, comprising:

a body;

a plurality of bays in the body, wherein each bay is configured to receive a respective module;

a power source carried by the body;

a respective power connector in each one of the bays that is configured to provide an electrically conductive path between the power source and a device in a said module arranged in one of the bays;

a propulsion system structured and arranged to move the body over the ground; and

a control system structured and arranged to control autonomous movement of the machine based on at least one of: proximity sensors, metal detectors, and GPS data, wherein the control system automatically determines a type of interchangeable module that is installed in any one of the module locations.

15. A system, comprising:

a machine; and

a plurality of modules;

wherein the machine comprises:

a body;

a first bay, a second bay, and a third bay, all of different sizes in the body, wherein each said bay is configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of modules;

a power source carried by the body;

a respective power connector in each said bay that is configured to provide an electrically conductive path between the power source and a device in the respective one of the plurality of modules arranged in each said bay;

a propulsion system structured and arranged to move the body over the ground; and

a control system structured and arranged to control autonomous movement of the machine based on at least one of: proximity sensors, metal detectors, and GPS data; and

wherein the plurality of modules are selected from a group consisting of: leaf vacuum shredder module; rototiller module; weed/grass trimmer module; air compressor module; external vacuum with hose module; water jet module; rake/broom module; snow blower module; shovel module; and broadcast spreader module.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the machine further comprises a dashboard that provides a user with an interface for providing input to the control system, wherein the dashboard is a touch screen GUI mounted on the body.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein:

the propulsion system comprises: first and second treads on opposite sides of the body; a first electric motor connected to and adapted to drive the first tread; and a second electric motor connected to and adapted to drive the second tread; and

the power source comprises: a first battery dedicated to the first electric motor; a second battery dedicated to the second electric motor; a third battery dedicated to providing power to said module via said power connector; and a fourth battery dedicated to providing power to said control system.

18. The system of claim 17 , further comprising one of:

a handlebar including a first throttle that controls the first tread and a second throttle that controls the second tread independent of the first tread; and

a remote control system that is adapted to permit a user to control movement of the propulsion system using a hand-held wireless remote control unit that overrides the autonomous movement.