Abstract: An autonomous electric mower for mowing a lawn comprises a frame, drive wheels, cutting deck, computer, a Lidar sensor, at least one color and depth sensing camera. The computer is programmed and operable to: determine the location of the mower; detect obstacles; and to instruct the mower to avoid the obstacles. Advantageously, the system is operable to analyze the data from the multiple sensors and to instruct the mower to continue to safely operate and cut the lawn despite one or more of the sensors being obstructed. Novel route planning methods are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of an ultra-fine-grained, medium carbon steel are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the ultra-fine grained steel can have high corrosion fatigue resistance, as well as high toughness and yield strength. The ultra-fine grained steels can be advantageous for use as sucker rods in oil wells having corrosive environments.

Abstract: Embodiments of an ultra-fine-grained, medium carbon steel are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the ultra-fine grained steel can have high corrosion fatigue resistance, as well as high toughness and yield strength. The ultra-fine grained steels can be advantageous for use as sucker rods in oil wells having corrosive environments.

Abstract: A robotic joint assembly includes a first structural member, a second structural member, and a rolling flexure joint joining the first structural member to the second structural member to provide at least one degree of freedom between the first and second structural members. The rolling flexure joint includes first and second flexible hinge members each having one end secured to the first structural member and an opposing end secured to the second structural member. The first and second flexible hinge members cross one another between the first and second structural members.

Abstract: A transmission assembly comprises: a motor; a shift actuator mechanism coupled to the motor; a sun gear coupled to an output shaft of the motor; a first magnet assembly coupled to the sun gear; a ring gear assembly coupled to a shift coupler, the shift coupler being configured to engage via the shift actuator mechanism; a second magnet assembly coupled to a housing face plate, the housing face plate being coupled to an output gear box; and a planet carrier coupled to an output pinion in communication with the output gearbox. The planet carrier comprises at least one planet gear. In a first mode, the ring gear is locked to the first magnet assembly and configured to rotate with the sun gear, the ring gear being configured to prevent the rotation of the at least one planet gear about its own axis causing the planet carrier to rotate at the same speed as the sun gear.

Abstract: A transmission assembly comprises: a motor; a shift actuator mechanism coupled to the motor; a sun gear coupled to an output shaft of the motor; a first magnet assembly coupled to the sun gear; a ring gear assembly coupled to a shift coupler, the shift coupler being configured to engage via the shift actuator mechanism; a second magnet assembly coupled to a housing face plate, the housing face plate being coupled to an output gear box; and a planet carrier coupled to an output pinion in communication with the output gearbox. The planet carrier comprises at least one planet gear. In a first mode, the ring gear is locked to the first magnet assembly and configured to rotate with the sun gear, the ring gear being configured to prevent the rotation of the at least one planet gear about its own axis causing the planet carrier to rotate at the same speed as the sun gear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container arrangement for fluids that contain gas, comprising a casing. Said casing is made of a pressure-proof collapsible material, and surrounds at least two chambers. The first chamber is used to receive and release the fluids containing gas via a first connection. The second chamber is a pressure chamber that is provided with a second connection for applying pressure. A flexible wall is arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber. The invention further relates to a method for transporting and releasing liquids containing gas into or from a pressure-proof collapsible casing, in addition to a corresponding pressure-proof, flexible non or slightly elastic covering. A container arrangement for liquids containing gas that has a simple construction, is easy to produce, fill, transport, empty and dispose of or recycle is provided due to the above mentioned invention.

Abstract: A robot with a body, at least one leg on each side of the body, and a hip connecting the leg to the body. The hip is configured to abduct and adduct the leg. A linkage is configured to rotate the leg along a predetermined path.

Abstract: An electro-active sensor includes a nonconductive platform with a first electrode set attached with a first side of a nonconductive platform. The first electrode set serves as an electrochemical cell that may be utilized to detect electro-active species in solution. A plurality of electrode sets and a variety of additional electrochemical cells and sensors may be attached with the nonconductive platform. The present invention also includes a method for constructing the aforementioned electro-active sensor. Additionally, an apparatus for detection and observation is disclosed, where the apparatus includes a sealable chamber for insertion of a portion of an electro-active sensor. The apparatus allows for monitoring and detection activities. Allowing for control of attached cells and sensors, a dual-mode circuitry is also disclosed. The dual-mode circuitry includes a switch, allowing the circuitry to be switched from a potentiostat to a galvanostat mode.

Abstract: A robot including a robot body, a plurality of wheels on the robot body for propelling the robot body, and an axle for each wheel. Each wheel is configured to alternately attach to an axle at or proximate the center of the wheel for high efficiency mobility on flat terrain and also configured to attach to an axle at a position offset from the center of the wheel for better mobility on rougher terrain.

Abstract: A robot including a robot body, a plurality of wheels on the robot body for propelling the robot body, and an axle for each wheel. Each wheel is configured to alternately attach to an axle at or proximate the center of the wheel for high efficiency mobility on flat terrain and also configured to attach to an axle at a position offset from the center of the wheel for better mobility on rougher terrain.

Abstract: A robot with a body, at least one leg on each side of the body, and a hip connecting the leg to the body. The hip is configured to abduct and adduct the leg. A linkage is configured to rotate the leg along a predetermined path.

Abstract: An electro-active sensor includes a nonconductive platform with a first electrode set attached with a first side of a nonconductive platform. The first electrode set serves as an electrochemical cell that may be utilized to detect electro-active species in solution. A plurality of electrode sets and a variety of additional electrochemical cells and sensors may be attached with the nonconductive platform. The present invention also includes a method for constructing the aforementioned electro-active sensor. Additionally, an apparatus for detection and observation is disclosed, where the apparatus includes a sealable chamber for insertion of a portion of an electro-active sensor. The apparatus allows for monitoring and detection activities. Allowing for control of attached cells and sensors, a dual-mode circuitry is also disclosed. The dual-mode circuitry includes a switch, allowing the circuitry to be switched from a potentiostat to a galvanostat mode.

Abstract: A polymeric gas sensor utilizes a variety of electrode geometries to generate varied responses to selective gases. The characteristic response to various gases of each electrode geometry permits the construction of a gas sensor having desirable and reproducible characteristic responses to specific gases. The gas sensor array of the invention produces characteristic responses from a plurality of sensors. These responses collectively produce a characteristic response pattern that can be used for the identification of specific gases with pattern recognition techniques.

Abstract: A mobile robot comprising a body and at least six compliant legs each having only one actuator. The compliant legs are mounted to the body for movement relative thereto in a single degree of freedom. A controller is operably coupled to the actuator of each compliant leg, the controller selectively actuates the actuators to drive the compliant legs in an alternating tripod gait.

Abstract: A mobile robot comprising a body and at least six compliant legs each having only one actuator. The compliant legs are mounted to the body for movement relative thereto in a single degree of freedom. A controller is operably coupled to the actuator of each compliant leg, the controller selectively actuates the actuators to drive the compliant legs in an alternating tripod gait.

Abstract: A polymeric gas sensor utilizes a variety of electrode geometries to generate varied responses to selective gases. The characteristic response to various gases of each electrode geometry permits the construction of a gas sensor having desirable and reproducible characteristic responses to specific gases. The gas sensor array of the invention produces characteristic responses from a plurality of sensors. These responses collectively produce a characteristic response pattern that can be used for the identification of specific gases with pattern recognition techniques.

Abstract: A polymeric gas sensor utilizes a variety of electrode geometries to generate varied responses to selective gases. The characteristic response to various gases of each electrode geometry permits the construction of a gas sensor having desirable and reproducible characteristic responses to specific gases. The gas sensor array of the invention produces characteristic responses from a plurality of sensors. These responses collectively produce a characteristic response pattern that can be used for the identification of specific gases with pattern recognition techniques.