Robotic Golf Caddy

A method for controlling movement of an autonomous golf caddy at a predetermined distance behind a golfer on a golf course, the method comprising:

• providing a remote transmitter that is configured to be releasably connected to or borne by the golfer;
• providing said autonomous golf caddy, said autonomous golf caddy including:
• a vehicle frame and a housing connected to said vehicle frame, said housing having a bag support and an electronic display, a rear surface of said bag support configured to support a portion of the golf bag when the golf bag is loaded on said housing, said electronic display configured to a) provide information to a golfer, b) provide information about said golf caddy, or a) and b);
• a tracking receiver system, said tracking receiver system configured to receive a signal from a remote transmitter that is adapted to be located on a golfer, said tracking receiver system including a plurality of ultra-wide band bandwidth sensors;
• a processor system in communication with said tracking receiver system, said processor system configured to receive a signal from said tracking receiver system and to use such received signal from said tracking receiver system to determine a position of said remote transmitter relative to said golf caddy and to cause said golf caddy to move relative to the remote transmitter in accordance with instructions processed by said processor system;
• a drive mechanism connected to said vehicle frame, said drive mechanism configured to move said golf caddy;
• and,
• a collision avoidance arrangement in communication with said processor system, said collision avoidance arrangement including a plurality of ultrasonic sensors that are configured to detect objects about said golf caddy, said collision avoidance arrangement configured to send information to said processor system so that such information can be used to cause said golf caddy to avoid collision or contact with said detected objects;
• creating a communication connection between said remote transmitter and said golf caddy;
• wherein said golf caddy is configured to follow the golfer on a golf course and to avoid collision with objects on the golf course by use of said collision avoidance arrangement.

An autonomous golf caddy responsive to a signal from a remote transmitter, said autonomous golf caddy including:

• a remote transmitter;
• a golf caddy having a vehicle frame and a housing connected to said vehicle frame;
• said housing having a bag support and one or more features selected from the group consisting of i) an electronic display configured to a) provide information to a golfer, b) provide information about said golf caddy, or a) and b);
• ii) a smart device charger configured to charge a smart device, and iii) a smart device communication arrangement configured to communicate with a smart device located remotely from said golf caddy;
• a rear surface of said bag support configured to support a portion of the golf bag when the golf bag is loaded on said housing;
• a tracking receiver system, said tracking receiver system configured to receive a signal from said remote transmitter;
• a guidance system, said guidance system including one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of an ultra-wide band bandwidth sensor, camera, bluetooth sensor, RF-based sensor, ultrasonic sensor, WiFi sensor, Lidar sensor, GPS sensor, LORAN sensor, mobile phone sensor, lateral sensor, gradient sensor and GSM sensor;
• a processor system in communication with said tracking receiver system and said guidance system, said processor system configured to receive a signal from said tracking receiver system and to use such received signal from said tracking receiver system to determine a position of said remote transmitter relative to said golf caddy, said processor system configured to receive a signal from said guidance system and to use such received signal from said guidance system to cause said golf caddy to a) avoid collision or contact with the golfer during movement of said golf caddy, b) avoid collision or contact with an object during movement of said golf caddy, c) avoid movement to an undesired or restricted location, or d) some combination of a), b) and c);
• and,
• a drive mechanism connected to said vehicle frame, said drive mechanism configured to move said golf caddy.

A method for controlling movement of an autonomous golf caddy on a golf course, the method comprising:

• providing a remote transmitter;
• providing said autonomous golf caddy, said autonomous golf caddy including:
• a vehicle frame and a housing connected to said vehicle frame;
• said housing having a bag support and one or more features selected from the group consisting of i) an electronic display configured to a) provide information to a golfer, b) provide information about said golf caddy, or a) and b);
• ii) a smart device charger configured to charge a smart device, and iii) a smart device communication arrangement configured to communicate with a smart device located remotely from said golf caddy;
• a rear surface of said bag support configured to support a portion of the golf bag when the golf bag is loaded on said housing;
• a tracking receiver system, said tracking receiver system configured to receive a signal from said remote transmitter;
• a guidance system, said guidance system including one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of an ultra-wide band bandwidth sensor, camera, bluetooth sensor, RF-based sensor, ultrasonic sensor, WiFi sensor, Lidar sensor, GPS sensor, LORAN sensor, mobile phone sensor, lateral sensor, gradient sensor and GSM sensor;
• a processor system in communication with said tracking receiver system and said guidance system, said processor system configured to receive a signal from said tracking receiver system and to use such received signal from said tracking receiver system to determine a position of said remote transmitter relative to said golf caddy, said processor system configured to receive a signal from said guidance system and to use such received signal from said guidance system to cause said golf caddy to a) avoid collision or contact with the golfer during movement of said golf caddy, b) avoid collision or contact with an object during movement of said golf caddy, c) avoid movement to an undesired or restricted location, or d) some combination of a), b) and c);
• and,
• a drive mechanism connected to said vehicle frame, said drive mechanism configured to move said golf caddy;
• and,
• creating a communication connection between said remote transmitter and said golf caddy.