Abstract: Devices and systems for performing an operation are provided. The system comprises a mobile platform comprising a frame having side supports and a rear support, side wheel assemblies coupled to the side supports, and a rear wheel assembly coupled to the rear support. The wheel assemblies each comprise wheels and a wheel frame, the wheel frame being pivotally connected to the side and rear supports. The system further comprises a first control system for controlling movement of the mobile platform and a manipulator element coupled to the mobile platform. The manipulator element is configured to removably connect to the mobile platform and to perform an operation. The manipulator element comprises a second control system for controlling the operation. The first control system and the second control system are configured to communicate to cause the mobile platform to move and to cause the manipulator element to perform the operation.

Abstract: A robotic system is provided. The robotic system includes a base unit, a plurality of roll-on units that are movably and rotatably connected to the base unit, and a plurality of suction gripper units that are expendably connected to the base unit. The robotic system provides a combination of modularity, multi-modal actuation, and real-time adaptability.

Abstract: A multi-compartment attachment for storing items is disclosed. The multi-compartment attachment includes a plurality of cabinets formed on a front surface of the multi-compartment attachment for receiving the items, and a plurality of cabinet doors that are pivotally connected to the front surface. Each of the cabinet doors is operable to cover or uncover a respective cabinet.

Abstract: A robotic arm gripper includes a base unit, a finger module movably disposed on the base unit, and a multi-camera vision system disposed on the base unit. The multi-camera vision system can include a first camera and a second camera disposed at opposite sides of the base unit for observing object features, finger positions, and workspace dynamics. The finger module includes two two-part finger members, each of which includes an inner unit and an outer unit.

Abstract: An attachment system for a mobile robot is disclosed. The attachment system comprises a docking unit configured to be coupled to the mobile robot and to interface with a coupling unit of an attachment to be installed on the mobile robot. The docking unit comprises: an attachment plate comprising one or more attachment ports for respectively interfacing with a corresponding attachment connection of the attachment; and a locking mechanism coupled to the attachment plate and comprising one or more locking units, wherein each of the one or more locking units is configured to receive and engage with a corresponding locking pin of the coupling unit. A mobile robot comprising the attachment system, and a method of configuring a mobile robot, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A collaborative mobile robot with several enhanced design features is disclosed. In an embodiment, a collaborative mobile robot comprises: a chassis, and a retractable electronic unit that is retractably coupled with the chassis. The retractable electronic unit comprises: an electronic unit housing supporting one or more electrical components; a cable enclosure housing one or more electrical cables coupled to the one or more electrical components; and one or more telescopic rails coupled to the chassis and supporting the electronic unit housing thereon.

Abstract: A robotic gripper for performing grasping operations. The robotic gripper comprises a microcontroller; a chassis; a first sensor and a second sensor coupled to the chassis and configured to provide sensor data to the microcontroller; and a first appendage and a second appendage coupled to the chassis and controllable by the microcontroller to perform gripping operation on an object. The microcontroller is configured to process sensor data to evaluate the gripping operation and to execute suitable gripping operations on the object using the first appendage and a second appendage based on the sensor data.

Abstract: Modular sensor payload systems coupled to a mobile robot for performing robotic operations and methods for operating the payload system. The payload system comprises one or more sensor systems, a primary payload comprising an onboard computation module; an onboard power module, and a communication system configured to establish communication between the mobile robot, the primary payload, and the one or more sensor systems, wherein the one or more sensor systems, the communication system, and the primary payload are configured to be electrically coupled in a modular configuration via an universal mounting interface provided on each of the one or more sensor systems, the communication system, and the primary payload, and wherein a given sensor system of the one or more sensor systems can be coupled to any other sensor system, the communication system, or the primary payload in the modular configuration.

Abstract: A mobile robot with a locomotion mechanism is described which is adapted to traverse vertical obstacles. The mobile robot includes a frame structure and a wheel assembly including at least two back wheels, at least two middle wheels, and at least two front wheels. The mobile robot further includes a first and a second front rocker arms arranged on opposing sides of the frame structure each coupled to the frame structure. Each of the first and second front rocker arms is pivotable around a lever bearing located between respective axial centers of rotation of wheel pairs.

Abstract: A wireless charging system and method is described for an outdoor autonomous robot. The system comprises a stationary charging unit, a stationary charging pad connected to the stationary charging unit, a mobile charging pad attached to the autonomous robot for capturing wireless energy transferred from the stationary charging pad, and a mobile charging unit connected to the mobile charging pad for translating the wireless energy for a battery of the autonomous robot. The mobile charging unit is adapted to communicate with the stationary charging unit for contactless and wireless charging of the autonomous robot from more than one direction of alignment in between the stationary charging pad and the mobile charging pad.

Abstract: A system and method of autonomously navigating an autonomous robot is described. The described method involves creating a topological mapping of an area of environment around a location of the mobile robot; identifying at least one pathway around the location; and locally constraining a motion of the mobile robot based on the topological mapping and the identified at least pathway. The method expects inaccuracies in the localization to happen within an acceptable range and mitigates these errors by locally constraining the motion of the robot or vehicle to what is defined safe upon an analysis of data perceived through one or more robot sensors.

Abstract: Compact, multi-level cable-driven devices and systems for performing surface operations. The device comprises a structural frame, one or more cable actuation systems arranged on a first elevation level of the structural frame, and one or more cable actuation systems arranged on a second elevation level of the structural frame. Each cable actuation system is configured to be coupled to a respective cable, the respective cable is configured to be removably connected to different positions on a work surface such that the device can move on the work surface by adjusting the length of the one or more cables.

Abstract: Devices and systems for performing an operation are provided. The system comprises a mobile platform comprising a frame having side supports and a rear support, side wheel assemblies coupled to the side supports, and a rear wheel assembly coupled to the rear support. The wheel assemblies each comprise wheels and a wheel frame, the wheel frame being pivotally connected to the side and rear supports. The system further comprises a first control system for controlling movement of the mobile platform and a manipulator element coupled to the mobile platform. The manipulator element is configured to removably connect to the mobile platform and to perform an operation. The manipulator element comprises a second control system for controlling the operation. The first control system and the second control system are configured to communicate to cause the mobile platform to move and to cause the manipulator element to perform the operation.

Abstract: Devices and systems for performing an operation are provided. The system comprises a mobile platform comprising a frame having side supports and a rear support, side wheel assemblies coupled to the side supports, and a rear wheel assembly coupled to the rear support. The wheel assemblies each comprise wheels and a wheel frame, the wheel frame being pivotally connected to the side and rear supports. The system further comprises a first control system for controlling movement of the mobile platform and a manipulator element coupled to the mobile platform. The manipulator element is configured to removably connect to the mobile platform and to perform an operation. The manipulator element comprises a second control system for controlling the operation. The first control system and the second control system are configured to communicate to cause the mobile platform to move and to cause the manipulator element to perform the operation.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of performing a surface operation on a building are provided. The device comprises a plurality of cables removably coupled to a surface of a building, tower or bridge, each of the plurality of cables removably coupled at a different position on the surface; and a body coupled to the plurality of cables at an intersection of the plurality of cables. A length of each cable between the respective position on the surface and the body is automatically adjustable and a tension in each cable is maintained to move the body on the surface. The devices, systems, and methods can be used on buildings, tower, or bridges with complex geometries or irregular surfaces to for example, automatically clean the surface of the building.