Electromechanical robotic soldier
An electromechanical soldier equipped with standard armament, reconnoiter and data gathering equipment replaces soldiers, police officers and the like in dangerous, and life-threatening situations. The soldier may be equipped with interchangeable weapon systems coupled to a chassis. The chassis rotates the weapons in a 360 degree manner while the altitude of the weaponry may be raised and lowered. A global positioning system may be included for location and control by a remote operator. The soldier may be equipped with omni and vertical direction view cameras for performing surveillance and target acquisition. It may be equipped with titanium armor for withstanding attacks. The chassis is equipped with wheels for maneuvering it across rough terrain and stairs. It may be programmed with facial, voice and other such recognition systems. Duplex communications is provided between the soldier and a remote operator for providing operating instructions and real-time data.
This patent application relates to the subject matter of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/516,374 filed on Nov. 3, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/624,673 filed on Nov. 3, 2004.
This patent application did not receive any federal research and development funding.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates generally to robotic or electromechanical machines that may be utilized in combat, police or other such functions. More specifically, the invention relates to a machine that may be remotely controlled for use in dangerous situations and may include a targeting system for recognizing and handling multiple enemy combatants.
Previously, robots have been used to perform various tasks such as manufacturing products, cleaning households, mowing lawns, delivering items, providing companionship and the like. Other robots have been tasked with specific duties such as detecting blockages in pipelines and the like. It is believed that no robots have been used to supplement police or military operations as that of the instant invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention is an electromechanical soldier equipped with standard armament, reconnoiter and data gathering equipment replaces soldiers, police officers and the like in dangerous and life-threatening situations. The soldier may be used to perform check point security, perform open terrain combat missions, conduct building-to-building search and destroy missions, operate as a combat interpreter, and conduct surveillance patrols and reconnoiter missions. It may include a targeting system for tracking and destroying enemy combatants.
The soldier may also be used to perform police functions such as building to building searches for criminals, facial recognition and apprehension of criminals, street patrols, raids on drug labs and crack houses, and riot control operations.
Other uses of the soldier may include performing building security functions, access control to sensitive areas through recognition systems, embassy security and protection services for dignitaries.
The soldier may be equipped with a guided missile recognition radar system for traversing to avoid missile and artillery attacks. In one embodiment, the soldier is equipped with a laser sighted weapons system and camera. A grenade launcher includes a range and distance guidance system. Rechargable DC motors may allow the soldier to operate for extended periods of time without presenting a thermal target. Other weapons that may be included on the soldier are anti-aircraft weapons systems, anti-tank missiles, flame thrower, a mine sweeper/detector and a jet pack or water operational package. These weapons may be interchangeable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention comprises a soldier equipped with interchangeable weapon systems coupled to a chassis. The weapons may include a rifle or machine gun firing a standard military round such as a 5.56 mm or 7.62 mm. Alternatively the soldier may include a grenade launcher or missile launcher. A laser sighting system assures accuracy of the weapons.
The soldier rotates the weapons in a 360 degree manner while the altitude of the weaponry may be raised and lowered. A global positioning system may be included for location and control by a remote operator. The soldier may be equipped with omni and vertical direction view cameras for performing surveillance and target acquisition.
The outer skin of the soldier is equipped with a total body electrification system to protect it from unauthorized manipulation. This may also be used to stun an enemy and render them unconscious. The soldier may squat down during attacks and movements to lower its center of gravity for stability purposes. It may be equipped with titanium armor for withstanding attacks.
It may also be programmed with facial, voice and other such recognition systems. It may include a gas deployment system and a nuclear, biological and chemical detection system. Duplex communications is provided between the soldier and a remote operator for providing operating instructions and real-time data.
Two arms 15 attach to the torso 10. Each arm 15 includes a weapons system. In
A pair of legs 35 attach to the torso 10 and comprise base plates 36 which include bolts 37 for coupling the base plate 36 to a moveable platform 65. The movable platform 90 comprises an antenna 100 for receiving signals from the remote controller 79. A speaker/microphone 101 is mounted on the front of the platform 90 for establishing communications between the user and another near the soldier 1. The platform 90 is equipped with a plurality of tires 102. The platform includes a speaker amplifier 103. Batteries 104 are included in the base of the platform 90. An additional gyro 105 is provided for stabilizing the platform. Motor controllers 106 and 107 provide control signals for controlling a plurality of motors that drive the tires 102. Each motor operates independent of the others to allow single tires to be locked or move in a forward or rearward direction. Thus, the platform has a tank type steering and independent power to each wheel. The exterior of the robotic solder 1 is covered with body armor 8. Preferably, the body armor 8 comprises titanium, a lightweight aluminum, Kevlar or the like which serves to protect the internal workings.
Each arm 15 comprises upper arm assembly 26 and lower arm assembly 25 that connects to torso 10 via a shoulder bracket 23. An azmith motor 11 comprising a brake rotates the torso up to 360 degrees and is sold by Animatics of Santa Clara, Calif. under model number SM3450D-BRK. Motor 11 comprises a brushless servo motor, amplifier and controller, along with a fail safe brake. Each leg 35 comprises an upper leg assembly 47 and a lower leg assembly 48 that connects to a leg base plate 36. A base actuator clevis 51 is provided below the leg base plate 36 for connecting the robotic soldier 1 to the base.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims
1. A robotic soldier comprising:
- a torso including a frame having a torso motor mounted therein that rotates said torso, said frame also including a pair of shoulder brackets;
- a pair of arms, each arm having a connecting rod passing through one of said shoulder brackets and that connects the arm to a linear actuator for causing the arm to rotate relative to the shoulder bracket;
- a weapon cradle removeably attached to one of said arms;
- a pair of legs attached to said frame and including a cross member that includes a first yoke and a second yoke;
- a torso actuator comprising a clevis and connected to said first yoke to cause the torso to tilt forward and backward;
- an elevation actuator comprising a clevis and connected to said second yoke to change an elevation of the torso;
- a head comprising a camera attached to said frame opposite the pair of legs; and,
- a base comprising a plurality of wheels for propelling said robotic soldier in a direction of travel, said base including a power source for supplying power to the robotic soldier.
2. The robotic soldier of claim 1 further comprising a weapon affixed in said weapon cradle and having a camera affixed atop the weapon, said camera including an individual power source and a wireless transmitter that transmits optical data to a user.
3. The robotic soldier of claim 1 wherein the weapon cradle attaches to one of said arms via a fastening means that comprises a pair of threaded studs and nuts.
4. The robotic soldier of claim 1 wherein each of said linear actuators comprise two ends, each end having a clevis through which a pin passes to attach each of said linear actuators to the robotic soldier.
5. The robotic soldier of claim 1 wherein said head comprises a TacFLIR III multi-sensor system.
6. The robotic soldier of claim 1 wherein said torso motor comprises a brushless servo motor, amplifier and controller, along with a fail safe brake.
7. The robotic soldier of claim 1 each wheel for propelling said robotic soldier comprises a motor connected thereto and independent suspension system.
8. The robotic soldier of claim 1 wherein each of said legs comprises an upper leg assembly and a lower leg assembly connected together via a pivot pin, said lower leg assembly connecting to a leg base plate.
9. The robotic soldier of claim 1 wherein said weapon cradle further comprises a solenoid that actuates a trigger on a weapon mounted within the weapon cradle.
10. The robotic soldier of claim 1 further comprising a remote controller that includes a plurality of joysticks and switches, said joysticks providing control signals for steering the robotic soldier, raising and lowering the torso of the robotic soldier, rotating the torso of the robotic soldier, said switches providing control signals for firing a weapon, rotating a camera, and communicating with others.
11. The robotic soldier of claim 1 further comprising exterior armor.
12. A robotic soldier comprising:
- a torso including a frame having a torso motor mounted therein that rotates said torso, said torso motor comprising a brushless servo motor, amplifier and controller, along with a fail safe brake, said frame also including a pair of shoulder brackets;
- a pair of arms, each arm having a connecting rod passing through one of said shoulder brackets and that connects the arm to a linear actuator for causing the arm to rotate relative to the shoulder bracket;
- a weapon cradle removeably attached to one of said arms via a fastening means that comprises a pair of threaded studs and nuts, said weapon cradle comprising a solenoid for actuating a trigger on a weapon mounted in the weapon cradle;
- a weapon affixed in said weapon cradle and having a camera affixed atop the weapon, said camera including an individual power source and a wireless transmitter that transmits optical data to a user;
- a pair of legs attached to said frame and including a cross member that includes a first yoke and a second yoke, each of said legs comprises an upper leg assembly and a lower leg assembly connected together via a pivot pin, said lower leg assembly connecting to a leg base plate;
- a torso actuator comprising a clevis and connected to said first yoke to cause the torso to tilt forward and backward;
- an elevation actuator comprising a clevis and connected to said second yoke to change an elevation of the torso;
- a head comprising a TacFLIR III multi-sensor system; and,
- a base comprising a plurality of wheels for propelling said robotic soldier in a direction of travel, each wheel for propelling said robotic soldier comprises a motor connected thereto and independent suspension system.
13. The robotic soldier of claim 12 further comprising a remote controller that operates the robotic soldier.
14. The robotic soldier of claim 12 further comprising a transceiver for receiving signals from a remote controller and feeding back signals to said remote controller.
15. The robotic soldier of claim 12 further comprising a power supply that comprises a plurality of batteries mounted in said base for providing power to the robotic soldier.
16. An anatomically correct robotic soldier comprising:
- a torso having a frame and a torso motor arranged therein to provide rotation to said torso;
- a head mounted to said torso, said head including a camera for providing optical data to a user;
- a pair of arms mounted to said torso, each arm including a weapon for engaging enemy soldiers;
- a pair of legs mounted to said torso for raising and lowering said torso; and
- a mobile platform attached to said pair of legs, said mobile platform including a propulsion means for moving said anatomically correct soldier in a direction of travel.
17. The anatomically correct robotic soldier of claim 16 further comprising a targeting system for tracking and engaging multiple targets simultaneously.
18. The anatomically correct robotic soldier of claim 16 wherein said torso motor comprises a brushless servo motor, amplifier and controller, along with a fail safe brake.
19. The anatomically correct robotic soldier of claim 16 further comprising a weapon cradle removeably attached to one of said arms via a fastening means that comprises a pair of threaded studs and nuts, said weapon cradle comprising a solenoid for actuating a trigger on a weapon mounted in the weapon cradle.
20. The anatomically correct robotic soldier of claim 16 wherein said propulsion means for moving said anatomically correct soldier comprises a plurality of wheels, each wheel comprising a motor connected thereto and independent suspension system.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 8, 2005
Publication Date: May 10, 2007
Inventor: Luther Trawick (Virginia Beach, VA)
Application Number: 11/269,367
International Classification: F41A 33/00 (20060101);