Foot-Operated Robot Interface

A foot-operated robot control apparatus comprising:

• a foot-operated controller comprising an array of tiles, wherein at least one tile of the array of tiles is a rigid platform, and wherein at least one tile of the array of tiles is a pressure-sensitive tile that includes a pressure sensor configured to produce a first signal when a force applied to an upper surface of the pressure-sensitive tile exceeds a threshold, wherein the upper surface measures at least 144 square inches;
• a controller board operatively coupled to the foot-operated controller, wherein the controller board is configured to receive the first signal produced by the pressure-sensitive tile;
• a processor operatively coupled to receive a second signal from the controller board, the processor further including a first wireless communication interface operable within an unlicensed radio frequency band;
• and
• a robotic vehicle comprising:
• a rigid frame supported by a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the frame;
• at least one motor mechanically coupled to selectively provide a rotational force to at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels;
• and
• a robot control hub affixed to the frame, wherein the robot control hub includes a second wireless communication interface configured to receive a third signal from the first wireless communication interface and, in response to the third signal, to activate at least one motor to provide the rotational force.