Abstract: A trailer and hitch system for a mobile robot. The trailer includes a front Ackerman steering linkage, a releasable locking mechanism for releasably positioning the Ackerman steering linkage in a turned position to arrest the trailer, a tow bar extending upwardly from the Ackerman steering linkage and terminating in a lunette ring, and spaced skid members extending downwardly and rearwardly. The mobile robot includes a hitch assembly for the lunette ring. The hitch assembly has a frame including a slot for the lunette ring and a guide portion for guiding the lunette ring into the slot, a latch pivotable with respect to the frame and biased to close the slot, and a decoupling mechanism configured to move the latch to release the lunette ring from the slot. A robot arm is maneuverable to engage the decoupling mechanism.

Abstract: A trailer and hitch system for a mobile robot. The trailer includes a front Ackerman steering linkage, a releasable locking mechanism for releasably positioning the Ackerman steering linkage in a turned position to arrest the trailer, a tow bar extending upwardly from the Ackerman steering linkage and terminating in a lunette ring, and spaced skid members extending downwardly and rearwardly. The mobile robot includes a hitch assembly for the lunette ring. The hitch assembly has a frame including a slot for the lunette ring and a guide portion for guiding the lunette ring into the slot, a latch pivotable with respect to the frame and biased to close the slot, and a decoupling mechanism configured to move the latch to release the lunette ring from the slot. A robot arm is maneuverable to engage the decoupling mechanism.

Abstract: A hazardous materials sensing robot includes a robot platform and a universal mounting tray on the robot platform for removably mounting thereon a plurality of sensors each having an output. An electronic interface unit is configured to receive the outputs of the sensors. An operator control unit remotely operates the robot platform. There is a communication link between the robot platform and the operator control unit for transmitting the sensor outputs to the operator control unit.

Abstract: A mobile robot with a chassis including one or more drive mechanisms and at least a first arm pivotably connected to the chassis and configured to pitch up and down. A ski structure is attached on an underside of the first arm for raising the chassis as the arm is pitched down so the drive mechanisms can traverse a riser in the path of the chassis.