Self-assembling shape-morphing robotic platform

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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.