Patents by Inventor Matthew J. Spenko

Matthew J. Spenko has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Self-assembling shape-morphing robotic platform
    Patent number: 12643224
    Abstract: A robotic system includes a first robotic unit, where the first robotic unit includes a wheel and an actuator that is mounted to the wheel. The actuator is configured to rotate an active rotor that is mounted within the wheel. The first robotic unit also includes an actuated magnet that is mounted to the active rotor such that the actuator controls rotation of the actuated magnet within the wheel. The first robotic unit also includes a free magnet mounted to a passive rotor that rotates within the wheel. Movement of the actuated magnet by the actuator causes rotation of the wheel, and wherein the free magnet is configured to attach to a second actuated magnet of a second robotic unit to facilitate movement of the first robotic unit, and allow for continuous, material-like, deformation in a multi-units aggregate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Baudouin Saintyves, Heinrich M. Jaeger, Matthew J. Spenko
  • SELF-ASSEMBLING SHAPE-MORPHING ROBOTIC PLATFORM
    Publication number: 20240208044
    Abstract: A robotic system includes a first robotic unit, where the first robotic unit includes a wheel and an actuator that is mounted to the wheel. The actuator is configured to rotate an active rotor that is mounted within the wheel. The first robotic unit also includes an actuated magnet that is mounted to the active rotor such that the actuator controls rotation of the actuated magnet within the wheel. The first robotic unit also includes a free magnet mounted to a passive rotor that rotates within the wheel. Movement of the actuated magnet by the actuator causes rotation of the wheel, and wherein the free magnet is configured to attach to a second actuated magnet of a second robotic unit to facilitate movement of the first robotic unit, and allow for continuous, material-like, deformation in a multi-units aggregate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Baudouin Saintyves, Heinrich M. Jaeger, Matthew J. Spenko