Cable spooler for a mobile robot

A system comprising:

• a controller;
• a robot controllable by the controller, the robot comprising a drive mechanism operable to move the robot along a path in either of a forward direction and a reverse direction;
• and
• a cable handling system configured to provide a wired communication between the controller and the robot, the cable handling system comprising:
• a base housing connected to the drive mechanism of the robot;
• a disposable cable cartridge removably connected to the base housing;
• a control cable housed at least partially within the disposable cable cartridge and connected between the controller and the robot;
• and
• an outfeed assembly coupled to the base housing,
• wherein:
• the drive mechanism comprises a wheel, which, when rotated, causes the robot to move;
• and
• the outfeed assembly is coupled to the wheel of the robot such that movement of the wheel deploys the control cable from the disposable cable cartridge, the outfeed assembly deploying the control cable from the disposable cable cartridge regardless of which direction the wheel rotates.

A method comprising:

• providing a wired communication between a robot and a controller with a cable handling system, the cable handling system comprising:
• a cable cartridge;
• a control cable housed at least partially within the cable cartridge and connected between the controller and the robot;
• and,
• an outfeed assembly;
• and
• rotating a wheel of the robot to rotate with one or more signals sent over the wired communication to move the robot in either of a forward direction and a reverse direction according to a direction the wheel is rotated, wherein rotating the wheel causes the outfeed assembly to deploy the control cable regardless of the direction the wheel is rotated.