Abstract: In specific embodiments, a vehicle propellable through fluids or along surfaces, comprises a main work section and a plurality of propulsion units for propelling the main work section. The main work section supports one or more payloads. The propulsion units each include a rotor system and a ring-shaped wheel at least partially arranged about the rotor system and rotatable about the rotor system. The ring-shaped wheel is arranged at a banked angle relative to the rotor system.

Abstract: In specific embodiments, a vehicle propellable through fluids comprises a main work section and a plurality of propulsion units. The main work section includes a payload support hub, a payload support structure rotatable in 360° about the payload support hub in at least one axis, and a core including at least one microprocessor, the core at least partially nested within the payload support hub. The at least one microprocessor is adapted to substantially maintain an orientation of the payload support structure relative to a horizon line as the vehicle is propelled. One or more payloads are mountable on the rotatable payload support structure.

Abstract: In specific embodiments, a vehicle propellable through fluids or along surfaces, comprises a main work section and a plurality of propulsion units for propelling the main work section. The main work section supports one or more payloads. The propulsion units each include a rotor system and a ring-shaped wheel at least partially arranged about the rotor system and rotatable about the rotor system. The ring-shaped wheel is arranged at a banked angle relative to the rotor system.

Abstract: In specific embodiments, a vehicle propellable through fluids comprises a main work section and a plurality of propulsion units. The main work section includes a payload support hub, a payload support structure rotatable in 360° about the payload support hub in at least one axis, and a core including at least one microprocessor, the core at least partially nested within the payload support hub. The at least one microprocessor is adapted to substantially maintain an orientation of the payload support structure relative to a horizon line as the vehicle is propelled. One or more payloads are mountable on the rotatable payload support structure.

Abstract: A brain-based device (BBD) for moving in a real-world environment has sensors that provide data about the environment, actuators to move the BBD, and a hybrid controller which includes a neural controller having a simulated nervous system being a model of selected areas of the human brain and a non-neural controller based on a computational algorithmic network. The neural controller and non-neural controller interact with one another to control movement of the BBD.

Abstract: A special purpose processor (SPP) can use a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or similar programmable device to model a large number of neural elements. The FPGAs can have multiple cores doing presynaptic, postsynaptic, and plasticity calculations in parallel. Each core can implement multiple neural elements of the neural model.

Abstract: A brain-based device (BBD) for moving in a real-world environment has sensors that provide data about the environment, actuators to move the BBD, and a hybrid controller which includes a neural controller having a simulated nervous system being a model of selected areas of the human brain and a non-neural controller based on a computational algorithmic network. The neural controller and non-neural controller interact with one another to control movement of the BBD.

Abstract: A special purpose processor (SPP) for implementing a synthetic neural model of the biological anatomy of the human brain to control a brain-based device (BBD) that is movable in a real-world environment, including neural processing units (NPUs), each having a programmed processor and a local memory that stores data records of neural elements, a system memory for storing data about all the NPUs, and a finite state machine and a system bus for transferring data between the NPUs and system memory.

Abstract: A brain-based device (BBD) for moving in a real-world environment has sensors that provide data about the environment, actuators to move the BBD, and a hybrid controller which includes a neural controller having a simulated nervous system being a model of selected areas of the human brain and a non-neural controller based on a computational algorithmic network. The neural controller and non-neural controller interact with one another to control movement of the BBD.

Abstract: A brain-based device (BBD) for moving in a real-world environment has sensors that provide data about the environment, actuators to move the BBD, and a hybrid controller which includes a neural controller having a simulated nervous system being a model of selected areas of the human brain and a non-neural controller based on a computational algorithmic network. The neural controller and non-neural controller interact with one another to control movement of the BBD.

Abstract: A special purpose processor (SPP) can use a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or similar programmable device to model a large number of neural elements. The FPGAs can have multiple cores doing presynaptic, postsynaptic, and plasticity calculations in parallel. Each core can implement multiple neural elements of the neural model.

Abstract: A special purpose processor (SPP) can use a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or similar programmable device to model a large number of neural elements. The FPGAs can have multiple cores doing presynaptic, postsynaptic, and plasticity calculations in parallel. Each core can implement multiple neural elements of the neural model.