Abstract: A steering controller can control steering of a vehicle and is suitable for precision farm controlling. The steering controller can rotate the steering shaft of the vehicle direct the vehicle on a desired path, for example, using a satellite positioning system. Components of the steering controller are environmental protected by a housing that has an opening extending between its front and rear surfaces. The opening is lined by a shaft. A hub located near the front of the opening can be coupled to the steering shaft of the vehicle. A motor has a stator fixed to the housing and a rotor fixed to the hub. When the housing is attached to a fixed location on the vehicle, the motor can rotate the steering shaft by rotating the hub with respect to the housing. A control module drives the motor based on commands from a guidance module.

Abstract: A steering controller can control steering of a vehicle and is suitable for precision farm controlling. The steering controller can rotate the steering shaft of the vehicle direct the vehicle on a desired path, for example, using a satellite positioning system. Components of the steering controller are environmental protected by a housing that has an opening extending between its front and rear surfaces. The opening is lined by a shaft. A hub located near the front of the opening can be coupled to the steering shaft of the vehicle. A motor has a stator fixed to the housing and a rotor fixed to the hub. When the housing is attached to a fixed location on the vehicle, the motor can rotate the steering shaft by rotating the hub with respect to the housing. A control module drives the motor based on commands from a guidance module.

Abstract: A steering controller can control steering of a vehicle and is suitable for precision farm controlling. The steering controller can rotate the steering shaft of the vehicle direct the vehicle on a desired path, for example, using a satellite positioning system. Components of the steering controller are environmental protected by a housing that has an opening extending between its front and rear surfaces. The opening is lined by a shaft. A hub located near the front of the opening can be coupled to the steering shaft of the vehicle. A motor has a stator fixed to the housing and a rotor fixed to the hub. When the housing is attached to a fixed location on the vehicle, the motor can rotate the steering shaft by rotating the hub with respect to the housing. A control module drives the motor based on commands from a guidance module.

Abstract: A steering controller can control steering of a vehicle and is suitable for precision farm controlling. The steering controller can rotate the steering shaft of the vehicle direct the vehicle on a desired path, for example, using a satellite positioning system. Components of the steering controller are environmental protected by a housing that has an opening extending between its front and rear surfaces. The opening is lined by a shaft. A hub located near the front of the opening can be coupled to the steering shaft of the vehicle. A motor has a stator fixed to the housing and a rotor fixed to the hub. When the housing is attached to a fixed location on the vehicle, the motor can rotate the steering shaft by rotating the hub with respect to the housing. A control module drives the motor based on commands from a guidance module.

Abstract: An automated micro-well plate handling device for removing a micro-well plate from within a vertically stacked plurality of micro-well plates and transferring the removable micro-well plate to a receiving area. A vertical storage device for storing the vertically stacked plurality of micro-well plates creates a vertical clearance space between the vertically stacked micro-well plates. A shovel slides into the vertical clearance space underneath the micro-well plate that is being removed. The shovel then removes the micro-well plate from the vertical storage device and places the micro-well plate at a transfer station. A gripper then grabs the micro-well plate from the transfer station and transfers the micro-well plate to a receiving area. In a preferred embodiment, the automated micro-well plate handling device is controlled via a computer network.

Abstract: A small item dispense module. Small items are stored inside a first chamber. The small items are then transferred to a second chamber having a first singulator. The first singulator transfers the small items to a third chamber having a second singulator. The second singulator transfers the small items from the third chamber to a discharge tube having a discharge gate. The discharge gate allows for the dispensing of the small items so that they easily accessible. Preferably, the dispense module further includes: a microcontroller with real-time clock, a unique electronic identification number, an external barcode identification label, and an automatic locking mechanism that can be released electronically and controlled by the microcontroller. The microcontroller also preferably keeps track of dispense and fill requests and inventory. In a preferred embodiment, the small items being dispensed are pills.

Abstract: An environmental data recorder for recording environmental factors acting on micro-well plates. The environmental data recorder has sensors for sensing environmental factors and it has a microcontroller programmed to receive and process inputs from the sensors. The sensors and microcontroller are housed in a recorder housing unit. The recording housing unit has exterior dimensions that are approximately equal to the exterior dimensions of the micro-well plates enabling the recorder housing unit to be handled by the same robotic device handling the micro-well plates. In a preferred embodiment, the environmental data recorder's sensors are a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and an accelerometer.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device. The liquid dispensing device has a tray for holding a liquid at a relatively constant level. A syringe is used for drawing fluid from the tray. A liquid container containing a liquid is positioned upside-down in the tray such that the opening of the liquid container defines a vertical position that is slightly below the liquid level in the tray. Atmospheric pressure on the liquid in the tray and a vacuum inside the liquid container prevents liquid from draining from the container until the fluid level in the tray drops to a level approximately equal to the vertical position of the opening. The positioning of the syringe for drawing fluid is simplified by reason of the fact that the level of fluid in the tray is maintained at an approximately constant level despite withdrawal of quantities of fluid from the tray.

Abstract: A wind propelled vehicle defining a center of gravity. The wind propelled vehicle has a frame. A rear axle is connected to the frame at its rear portion and two rear wheels are rotatably connected to the rear axle. The center of gravity of the wind propelled vehicle is forward of the rear axle. A front wheel is rotatably connected to the frame at its forward portion. A mast is connected to the frame and a boom is connected to the mast. A sail is connected to the mast and boom. A motor is operably connected to the boom and to the front wheel. The motor is also physically connected to the boom. The motor is remotely controlled via a remote control unit. To propel the wind propelled vehicle the position of the sail is adjusted relative to the wind. Sail position adjustment is achieved by the motor turning the front wheel and manipulating the position of the boom in response to control signals generated by the remote control unit.