Mobile platform for materials transport

A mobile platform comprising:

• a chassis comprising a first end, a second end distal the first end, and opposite sides extending there between;
• a pair of suspension devices located on the opposite sides, each comprising:
• a respective rocker beam, pivotally connected to a respective side, and extending from about a centre of the chassis to about the first end, and being one of a pair of rocker beams;
• a respective central wheel connected to the rocker beam at about the centre, and being one of a pair of central wheels;
• and,
• a respective first end wheel connected to the rocker beam at about the first end, and being one of a pair of first end wheels;
• and,
• one or more second end wheels located at the second end, each of the pair of rocker beams configured to rotate between at least:
• a first position, the pair of central wheels extending outwards from a bottom portion of the chassis in the first position, such that the chassis rolls using at least the pair of central wheels;
• and, a second position, the pair of central wheels retracting towards the bottom portion in the second position, such that the chassis rolls using the pair of first end wheels, and the one or more second end wheels without the pair of central wheels;
• a drive system configured to drive the pair of central wheels;
• one or more sensors positioned to sense one or more of force, a strain, and a rotation of one or more of the pair of suspension devices;
• and
• a control device in communication with the one or more sensors, the control device configured to adjust operation of the drive system according to data received from the one or more sensors.

A mobile platform comprising:

• a chassis comprising a first end, a second end distal the first end, and opposite sides extending there between;
• a pair of suspension devices located on the opposite sides, each comprising:
• a respective rocker beam, pivotally connected to a respective side, and extending from about a centre of the chassis to about the first end, and being one of a pair of rocker beams;
• a respective central wheel connected to the rocker beam at about the centre, and being one of a pair of central wheels;
• and,
• a respective first end wheel connected to the rocker beam at about the first end, and being one of a pair of first end wheels;
• and,
• one or more second end wheels located at the second end, each of the pair of rocker beams configured to rotate between at least:
• a first position, the pair of central wheels extending outwards from a bottom portion of the chassis in the first position, such that the chassis rolls using at least the pair of central wheels;
• and, a second position, the pair of central wheels retracting towards the bottom portion in the second position, such that the chassis rolls using the pair of first end wheels, and the one or more second end wheels without the pair of central wheels;
• a drive system configured to drive the pair of central wheels;
• one or more load cells configured to sense a load on the chassis;
• and,
• a control device in communication with the one or more load cells, the control device configured to adjust operation of the drive system according to data received from the one or more load cells.