Systems and methods to robotize payload equipment

A robot device comprising:

• a body defining an interior compartment and an exterior surface;
• a pair of arms coupled to the exterior surface the body by a pivot, each one of the pair of arms including a spring-loaded locking pin configured to mate with a first port in the body when the arms are in a deployed position, and a second port in the body when the arms are in a stowed position, wherein each of the pair of arms can rotate between zero and ninety degrees between the deployed position and the stowed position;
• a motor disposed on each one of the pair of arms;
• a gear assembly coupled to the motor on each one of the pair of arms;
• a removable wheel assembly operably coupled to each gear assembly;
• a detachable tail assembly;
• and
• a payload coupled to the body.

A robotic vehicle comprising:

• a body defining an interior compartment and an exterior surface, the body including two ends;
• a pair of motors disposed within the interior compartment;
• an electronics package disposed within the interior compartment electronically coupled to each one of the pair of motors;
• a pair of wheels, each wheel being removably coupled to one of the pair of motors at each end of the body;
• a pair of mounting brackets configured to surround a portion of the body at each end, and including an attachment point;
• a payload coupled to the attachment point of the bracket.

A controller for a robotic vehicle comprising:

• a joystick having a 360-degree range of horizontal motion and including a switch that is activated when the joystick is depressed vertically;
• a pair of transmitters and receivers configured to communicate with the robotic vehicle;
• a video display screen having a backlight that can be adjusted to vary a brightness level of the video display screen, the video display screen being configured to receive a video signal input from at least one of the pair of receivers;
• and
• a processor coupled to the backlight, the joystick, and the pair of transmitters and receivers, the processor being configured to interpret operator actuation of the joystick and direct the robotic vehicle in response to the actuation of the joystick by transmitting commands via the pair of transmitters;
• wherein the processor is further configured to adjust the brightness level of the video display screen by varying the intensity of the backlight in response to the combined actuation of the joystick and the switch.