Modular mobile robot

Abstract

A modular mobile robot for use in association with a control unit includes a chassis, a pair of drive traction modules, a pair of drive transmission modules, a self-contained head module, a self-contained power module and a self-contained core module. The drive traction modules are operably attachable to the chassis. The drive transmission modules are operably connectable to the drive traction modules. The self-contained head module includes a power and data distribution system and is operably connectable to the drive transmission modules. The self-contained power module is operably connectable to the head module. The self-contained core module includes a main processor and communication system. The self-contained core module is operably connectable to the head module and the power module whereby the core module manages the communication with the control unit. The self-contained modules are designed to facilitate the easy repair and replacement of the modules in the modular mobile robot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular mobile robot for use in association with a control unit comprising:
 a chassis;   a pair of drive traction modules operably attachable to the chassis;   a pair of drive transmission modules operably connectable to the pair of drive traction modules;   a self-contained head module including a power and data distribution system, the self-contained head module operably connectable to the drive transmission modules;   a self-contained power module operably connectable to the self-contained head module; and   a self-contained core module including a main processor and communication system, the self-contained core module operably connectable to the self-contained head module and self-contained power module whereby the self-contained core module manages the communication with the control unit.   
     
     
         2 . The modular mobile robot as claimed in  claim 1  further including flipper module operably connectable to a flipper transmission module and operably attachable to the chassis. 
     
     
         3 . The modular mobile robot as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pair of drive traction modules are one of long track traction modules, short track traction modules, or wheel traction modules. 
     
     
         4 . The modular mobile robot as claimed in  claim 1  further includes one of a large gripper arm module, a small gripper arm module and tooling arm. 
     
     
         5 . The modular mobile robot as claimed in  claim 4  further includes a PTZ arm module. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile robot as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the control unit is one of an operator controlled unit and an autonomously controlled unit.