Operating a mobile robot

摘要

A robot system that includes an operator control unit, mission robot, and a repeater. The operator control unit has a display. The robot includes a robot body, a drive system supporting the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot over a work surface, and a controller in communication with the drive system and the operator control unit. The repeater receives a communication signal between the operator control unit and the robot and retransmits the signal.

主权项

1. A method of operating a mobile mission robot, the method comprising:
driving the mobile mission robot according to a drive command issued by a remote operator control unit in communication with the mobile mission robot, the mobile mission robot having a gripper thereon for retaining and transporting a repeater robot in communication with the operator control unit and the mobile mission robot, the repeater robot comprising:
a robot body;a drive system supporting the robot body and configured to maneuver the repeater robot over a work surface;a sensor system disposed on the robot body; anda controller in communication with the drive system, the sensor system, and the operator control unit, the controller configured to execute a control arbitration system and a behavior system in communication with each other, the behavior system executing at least one behavior that influences execution of commands by the control arbitration system based on sensor signals received from the sensor system, the controller having a communication system configured to:
receive a first communication signal from the operator control unit and retransmit the first communication signal to the mobile mission robot; and/orreceive a second communication signal from the mobile mission robot and retransmit the second communication signal to the operator control unit; deploying the repeater robot by releasing the repeater robot from the gripper at a first distance from the operator control unit; and driving the mobile mission robot to a second distance from the operator control unit, the second distance being greater than the first distance.