Morphing drone through shape change for multimodal vehicles
OwnerMichael B. Bartlett, Brittan T. Wilcoxinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various examples are provided related to drones or other robotic vehicles that can morph for multimodal operation. In one example, a robotic vehicle includes a chassis; rotors that can provide lift to operate the robotic vehicle in a flying mode when the rotors are positioned in a first orientation; and a rotor actuation system attached to the chassis. Individual rotors can include a rim that can provide rotational support to operate the robotic vehicle in a driving mode when the rotors are positioned in a second orientation. The rotor actuation system can switch the rotors between the first and second orientations.
Claims18
A robotic vehicle, comprising:
- a chassis;
- a plurality of rotors configured to provide lift to operate the robotic vehicle in a flying mode when the plurality of rotors are positioned in a first orientation, where individual rotors of the plurality of rotors comprise a rim configured to provide rotational support to operate the robotic vehicle in a driving mode when the plurality of rotors are positioned in a second orientation;
- and
- a rotor actuation system attached to the chassis, the rotor actuation system controllable to switch the plurality of rotors between the first and second orientations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.