Versitile autonomous mobile platform

Abstract

This Application discloses autonomous mobile systems comprising: a means of achieving mobility, a means of navigating, a means of providing autonomous power, and a means of providing general purpose computing. In some embodiments, the system comprises a base unit capable of sensing its environment and computing navigation instructions to direct the system to move to particular locations and execute particular functions, as directed by a set of programmed instructions. In some embodiments, a coupling exists on the base unit to attach additional structures and mechanisms. These structures may comprise a means for carrying packages or other items, robotic manipulators that can grab and move objects, interactive audio and video displays for telepresence applications, a means for serving food and drink, etc. These extensions may be designed to be detachable and interchangeable, or may be designed to be permanently attached to the base unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A robotic system comprising:
 a power source;   a means to move through a designated environment in which predetermined reference patterns have been designated;   an attached computing device;   a navigation system to direct the motion of the apparatus through the designated environment; and   a means for coupling a first additional accessory comprising a connector for providing power from the power source to the first additional accessory;   said navigation system comprising:   at least one sensor to detect said designated reference patterns, and   an processing system to match data related to said designated reference patterns to a pre-stored electronic map.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 the means to move through a designated environment comprises wheels.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , in which
 at least one of the wheels comprises a brushless DC hub motor.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 the designated reference patterns comprise fiducial markings placed in the designated environment.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 the designated reference patterns comprise   predetermined combinations of elements ambient in the designated environment.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 the power source provides the motive force   for moving through the designated environment.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 the power source comprises a battery selected from the group consisting of:   a lead acid battery, a deep cycle lead acid battery, a sealed lead acid battery, an AGM lead acid battery, a gel lead acid battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal-hydride battery, a lithium battery, a silicon-mediated lithium battery, a lithium ion battery, and an alkaline battery.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 the power source comprises a common power conversion system selected from the group consisting of consisting of:   a fuel cell, a hydrogen fuel cell, a hydrocarbon powered heat engine, a microwave transmission energy power source, an inductive energy source, a flywheel, a flywheel energy storage system, and a Carnot engine.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 the computing device comprises at least one microprocessor.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 the computing device directs the activity of the means to move through said designated environment.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 the navigation system utilizes the attached computing device.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 the navigation system comprises at least one LIDAR system.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 at least one sensor to detect said designated reference patterns comprises at least one camera, and   the processing system to match data comprises an image processing system.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 at least one sensor to detect said designated reference patterns comprises at least one ultrasonic detector.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a means to communicate using a wireless communication network.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 the means for coupling comprises at least one item selected from the group consisting of: clamps, bolts, screws, and pegs.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , in which
 the means for coupling comprises   at least one set of holes in a configuration that corresponds to a first accessory with a set of attachment devices.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , in which
 the attachment devices are selected from the group consisting of:   clamps, bolts, screws, and pegs.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , additionally comprising:
 a connector for communicating data between the robotic system and the first additional accessory.