Abstract: Mobile self-balancing robots for telepresence are provided. The robots comprise a base, a head, and a shaft therebetween. The shaft can be telescoping to allow the head to be extended above the base to about the height of a normal sized person, or can be retracted to make the robot more compact for easier storage and transportation. The head includes components for telepresence such as cameras, a speaker, a microphone, a laser pointer, and a display screen, as well as protection from impacts and falls. The base provides locomotion and balance, and a narrow shaft between the head and base minimizes the robot's weight and reduces the likelihood of collisions with protrusions like table edges.

Abstract: Systems and methods as described for providing visual telepresence to an operator of a remotely controlled robot. The robot includes both video cameras and pose sensors. The system can also comprise a head-tracking sensor to monitor the orientation of the operator's head. These signals can be used to aim the video cameras. The controller receives both the video signals and the pose sensor signals from the robot, and optionally receives head-tracking signals from the head-tracking sensor. The controller stitches together the various video signals to form a composite video signal that maps to a robot view. The controller renders an image to a display from that portion of the composite video signal that maps to an operator view. The relationship of the operator view to the robot view is varied according to the signals from the pose sensors and the head-tracking sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for projecting a stabilized laser beam from a robot being controlled through a human interface. The laser beam can be stabilized through the use of optics that continuously adjust the aim of the laser beam in response to measurements of the orientation of the robot. The human interface allows the operator to both observe the visual environment of the robot and also to aim the laser beam. The projected laser beam allows the operator to communicate from the perspective of the robot by pointing to objects or locations within the robot's visual environment, creating symbols with the laser beam, and make gestures with the laser beam.

Abstract: Mobile self-balancing robots for telepresence are provided. The robots comprise a base, a head, and a shaft therebetween. The shaft can be telescoping to allow the head to be extended above the base to about the height of a normal sized person, or can be retracted to make the robot more compact for easier storage and transportation. The head includes components for telepresence such as cameras, a speaker, a microphone, a laser pointer, and a display screen, as well as protection from impacts and falls. The base provides locomotion and balance, and a narrow shaft between the head and base minimizes the robot's weight and reduces the likelihood of collisions with protrusions like table edges.

Abstract: Systems and methods as described for providing visual telepresence to an operator of a remotely controlled robot. The robot includes both video cameras and pose sensors. The system can also comprise a head-tracking sensor to monitor the orientation of the operator's head. These signals can be used to aim the video cameras. The controller receives both the video signals and the pose sensor signals from the robot, and optionally receives head-tracking signals from the head-tracking sensor. The controller stitches together the various video signals to form a composite video signal that maps to a robot view. The controller renders an image to a display from that portion of the composite video signal that maps to an operator view. The relationship of the operator view to the robot view is varied according to the signals from the pose sensors and the head-tracking sensor.

Abstract: A power system is provided for robotic systems such as dynamically balancing robots, including inverted pendulum robots, robots that balance on two legs, and dynamically balancing robotic personal vehicles. Under normal operation, the power system provides operating power from a power source such as an internal battery system or an external AC power supply. The power system includes an energy storage device, such as an ultracapacitor assembly, that can provide emergency power sufficient to power components of the robotic system to a stable shutdown configuration in the event of a deleterious power event.

Abstract: A t-bevel plumb tool configured for identifying and placing a plumb line has the components typical of a t-bevel, namely a handle and a blade that pivotally attaches to the handle, and a plumb indicator that, in one embodiment, removably attaches to one end of the blade. In this embodiment, a locking mechanism secures the blade to the first end of the handle and a plumb locking member attaches the plumb indicator to the second end of the blade during use as a plumb tool. When the plumb indicator is not being used for finding a plumb line, it attaches to an extension member at the second end of the handle. In another embodiment, the plumb indicator is incorporated into the locking mechanism that secures the blade relative to the handle and a separate level indicator is also incorporated into the handle.