Abstract:
In one embodiment there is a toy skateboard having two configurations. In the first configuration, a pair of non-motorized truck assemblies are attached to the deck, and the upper surface of the deck has a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the skateboard. In the second configuration, the rear non-motorized truck assembly is replaced with a motorized rear truck assembly, wherein the movement of the skateboard is controlled by the processor in response to remote signals. In addition, the processor may detect a back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of a motor caused by a manual manipulation of a wheel controlled by the motor. The processor would have sleep and wake states and would transition between the two when the detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, a vibrating mechanism, and a plurality of appendages each having an appendage base proximal to the housing and an appendage tip distal from the housing. One or more of the appendages are adapted to cause the apparatus to move across a surface in a forward direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip, and the appendages include two or more appendages disposed such that the appendage tips of the two or more appendages are adapted to contact opposing surfaces to produce a net force in a direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip of the two or more appendages as the vibrating mechanism causes the apparatus to vibrate. The net force can allow the apparatus to climb when the opposing surfaces are inclined.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes an appendage rotatably coupled to a body of a device adapted to move based on internally induced vibration of the device. The appendage can be attached directly to the body of the device or to a frame that is adapted to releasably attach to the device. The appendage is adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation as vibration induces motion of the device. The device can include a body, an eccentric load, a rotational motor coupled to the body and adapted to rotate the eccentric load, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. At least one driving leg configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
Abstract:
A vehicle, in particular a toy robot 100 has a plurality of legs 104 and a vibration drive 202, 210. The legs are arranged in two rows of legs. There is a space 404, in particular, a V shaped recess, between the body 122 of the vehicle and the legs of the vehicle, so that the legs can bend inward during a righting rotation and/ or the rows of legs are located at the side of the axis of rotation of the vibration drive.
Abstract:
In one embodiment there is a toy skateboard having two configurations. In the first configuration, a pair of non-motorized truck assemblies are attached to the deck, and the upper surface of the deck has a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the skateboard. In the second configuration, the rear non-motorized truck assembly is replaced with a motorized rear truck assembly, wherein the movement of the skateboard is controlled by the processor in response to remote signals. In addition, the processor may detect a back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of a motor caused by a manual manipulation of a wheel controlled by the motor. The processor would have sleep and wake states and would transition between the two when the detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
Abstract:
A playset system for autonomous devices includes a communal area including a substantially horizontal and substantially planar area bounded by a plurality of side walls, a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of ports. Each port is disposed in a side wall, each port is situated adjacent to one of the connectors, and each port includes a gate adapted to open and close, to impede movement of the autonomous devices when closed, and to allow passage of the autonomous devices when open.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for managing communications with robots. In some implementations, a computer network, where operators interface with the network to control movement of robots on a wireless computer network includes a network arena controller (102) and a plurality of robot controllers (120a-d). The network arena controller (102) is configured to provide firewall policies to substantially secure communication between robot controllers (120a-d) and the associated robots (110-113). Each controller (120) is included in a different robot and configured to wirelessly communicate with the network arena controller (102). Each robot controller (120) executes firewall policies to substantially secure wireless communication.
Abstract:
In one embodiment there is a toy skateboard having two configurations. In the first configuration, a pair of non-motorized truck assemblies are attached to the deck, and the upper surface of the deck has a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the skateboard. In the second configuration, the rear non-motorized truck assembly is replaced with a motorized rear truck assembly, wherein the movement of the skateboard is controlled by the processor in response to remote signals. In addition, the processor may detect a back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of a motor caused by a manual manipulation of a wheel controlled by the motor. The processor would have sleep and wake states and would transition between the two when the detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes modular track sections adapted to be assembled into a track for autonomous vehicles. The track is configured such that the vehicles tend to stay on the track and that allows the autonomous vehicles to enter and exit the track from at least one side of the track.