Robot having multiple wheel sets
AssigneeToyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsJames Kuffner, Satoshi Kagami
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A robot includes a body having an internal opening. The robot further includes a first wheel configured to deploy out of the internal opening and to retract into the internal opening. The robot further includes a second wheel configured to deploy out of the internal opening and to retract into the internal opening. The robot further includes a sensor configured to determine a location of the robot. The robot further includes a controller configured to control each of the first wheel and the second wheel, wherein in response to the location of the robot being at a predetermined location, the controller is configured to cause the second wheel to deploy out of the internal opening and to cause the first wheel to retract into the internal opening.
Claims20
A robot comprising:
- a body having an internal opening;
- a first wheel configured to deploy out of the internal opening and to retract into the internal opening using translational movement;
- a second wheel configured to deploy out of the internal opening and to retract into the internal opening using translational movement;
- a sensor configured to determine a location of the robot;
- and
- a controller configured to control each of the first wheel and the second wheel, wherein in response to the location of the robot being at a predetermined location, the controller is configured to cause the second wheel to deploy out of the internal opening and to cause the first wheel to retract into the internal opening.
A robot comprising:
- a body having an opening for receiving a package;
- a first wheel configured to deploy out of the body and to retract into the body using translational movement;
- a second wheel configured to deploy out of the body and to retract into the body using translational movement;
- a brush enclosure, wherein the first wheel or the second wheel is configured to contact the brush enclosure;
- and
- a controller configured to control each of the first wheel and the second wheel, wherein the controller is configured to:
- control the first wheel to propel the robot from a first location to a second location, wherein the second location is a dwelling,
- detect a presence of a step or threshold at the dwelling,
- cause the second wheel to deploy out of the body in response to detection of the step or threshold, and
- cause the first wheel to retract into the body in response to detection of the step or threshold.
A robot comprising:
- a body having an opening for receiving a package;
- a first wheel attached to the body;
- a cleaning mechanism, wherein the cleaning mechanism is movable relative to the first wheel;
- and
- a controller configured to control each of the first wheel and the cleaning mechanism, wherein the controller is configured to:
- control the first wheel to propel the robot from a first location to a second location, wherein the second location is a dwelling,
- detect a presence of a step or threshold at the dwelling,
- cause the cleaning mechanism to move to be in contact with the first wheel in response to detection of the step or threshold, and
- cause the first wheel or the cleaning mechanism to rotate in response to the cleaning mechanism contacting the first wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.