Autonomous Mobile Robot with Increased Payload Capacity

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a ballast for an autonomous mobile robot. The mobile robot can include a frame, a top plate coupled to an upper surface of the frame and configured to support a payload, one or more support wheels coupled to a lower surface of the frame and configured to support the payload through the frame, a drive assembly including a drive wheel configured to engage a surface upon which the mobile robot travels, and a ballast coupled to the drive assembly. The drive assembly is movably coupled to the frame, and the ballast is positioned to impart a downward force on the drive wheel. The ballast is configured to maximize the downward force on the drive wheel, independent of the payload supported by the frame, thereby maximizing traction of the drive wheel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.