Keywords
Citation
Rigelsford, J. (2004), "Unmanned mobile device", Industrial Robot, Vol. 31 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2004.04931bad.007
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Unmanned mobile device
Unmanned mobile device
Keywords: Unmanned vehicle, Remote control, Robots
Applicant: Rafael Armament Development Authority, LtdPatent number: US,588,701Publication date: 8 July 2003Title: Unmanned Mobile Device
A remotely controlled unmanned mobile device (UMD) for entering and reconnoitring a disaster site on behalf of a rescue mission is presented. This robotic scout gathers information about the conditions at the site and communicates this information to the rescue mission, enabling them to decide on appropriate rescue measures.
The robot can operate in an air-mobility mode or in a ground-mobility mode, so that it is capable of fully exploring the site. In its air- mobility mode the UMD is able to vertically take off and land, to fly to the site and hover over it. In its ground-mobility mode, the robot can walk on legs over difficult terrain and through wrecked structures and ruins. The robot is provided with condition-sensitive sensors for gathering data at the site, and position-sensitive sensors for avoiding obstacles in the path of the walking robot, thereby assuring safe mobility. Other sensors govern geo-referenced navigation and flight control functions. An advantage of this invention is that potentially dangerous exploration can be carried out without risk to human life.