Miniature robotic vehicles and methods of controlling same

US6548982B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Regents of the University of Minnesota · US

Inventors

• Nikolaos Papanikolopoulos · Minneapolis, US
• Donald G. Krantz · Eden Prairie, US
• Richard M. Voyles · North Oaks, US
• John A. Bushey · Eden Prairie, US
• Alan N. Johnson · Chanhassen, US
• Bradley Nelson · Zumikon, CH
• Paul Edmund Rybski · Pittsburgh, US
• Kathleen Ann Griggs · Vienna, US
• Ellison C. Urban, II · Alexandria, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 17, 2000
• Grant date: Apr 15, 2003
• Expiry date: Nov 17, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D57/02
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A robotic vehicle capable of traveling over various terrain and traversing obstacles. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a cylindrical body having two or more drive wheels coupled to the ends thereof. The wheels are selectively powered to propel the vehicle. The vehicle may further include a spring member which may be deflected to a first, stored position from a second, extended position. The spring member may be quickly released from the first, stored position such that it strikes the terrain with sufficient force to lift and propel the vehicle over or onto a proximate obstacle or object. Robotic vehicles of the present invention may also include one or more sensing devices operable to collect information. Electronics may further permit autonomous, semi-autonomous, and/or remote control of the vehicle. In still other embodiments, the robotic vehicle forms part of a multi-robot surveillance team. The robotic vehicles may be delivered to the desired location through the use of a deployment and communication apparatus which, in one embodiment, is a larger robotic vehicle. The deployment and communication apparatus may form part of the communication system between the robotic veh…