EXPENDABLE ROBOTIC VEHICLES

PROJECTS
​developed by the ​CALIFORNIA MECHATRONICS CENTER

    XOVER REMOTE-CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
​XOVER Technology is the combination of adding actuators to any vehicle’s steering, throttle, brake and gearing controls, adding collision-mitigation sensors, adding vision, and then running our XOVER code on a pre-packaged microcontroller.  This combination allows us to quickly mount some low-cost equipment, click a few boxes and remote-control any type and size of ground-based vehicle, from anywhere in the world.  ​

Vehicle types supported:
  • Ackerman style normal front steer
  • rear-steer front and rear-both Ackerman style
  • skid steer zero-radius
  • all 4 wheels spin independently
  • tank steering one or both drive-one clutched to turn
​
XOVER "black box" remote control capability is perfect if you have a vehicle platform in mind, need somewhere between manual control and completely autonomous, and have a controlled area you intend to operate it.

    FACILITY MONITORING RADIATION-DETECTING, REMOTE-CONTROLLED ROBOT
  • exchangeable sensor lids (camera, sensor, load carrier)
  • drives over LAN, controlled WAN, or tethered
  • collision mitigation

   GROUND-BASED DRONE WITH DEAD-RECKONING NAVIGATION BACKUP
This is a 10-pound backpack-sized expendable autonomous 4x4 all-terrain vehicle (drone), capable of 20+ minutes of video surveillance (or delivering a small payload) along a field-programmed path derived from Google maps, GPS, and a few other tricks, programmed or controlled from an Android tablet or smart phone, with a delivered price of around $7000 in low quantities.

   ANY TERRAIN PRE-SCOUT/SUPPLY CARRIER
Large or small, and designed to be so inexpensive that you don't hesitate to send it out ahead to see what is the hazard.  

   REMOTE-CONTROLLED ROAD-CLEARING UTV
  • side-by-side can be either remote controlled or driven directly with the flip of a switch
  • operator console installed in Hummvee passenger compartment
  • in road clearing mode, operator drives the UTV from the first vehicle in the convoy

   COMPLEX-TERRAIN SPIRAL TUBE VEHICLE
  • ​Moves in rolling mode or auger mode
  • Can operate upside-down
  • In larger sizes, can handle heavy loads
  • Low compaction

   RADIATION-SENSING TETHERED SCOUT
Operating wirelessly in a radiation-heavy environment is tricky because the line-of-sight communication disappears after turning past the first concrete and steel reinforced wall.  We have developed a droppable repeater system, but if the tether works, it is simpler.  It operates out to about 300 feet and runs for three hours. It is is designed on an expendable 4WD hobby truck chassis with rear steer.  About $8000.  If we were to supply them today, we would obviously update some parts of it such as the camera system.  It is also designed to carry tools other then sensors, such as this extremely lightweight "crane" when the suspension is locked out.

   LINE-FOLLOWING WAREHOUSE INVENTORY CONTROL 
  • bar codes provide absolute positioning at intersections
  • with gimble, becomes an RFID tracker/finder for inventory control

   GROUND PENETRATING RADAR SENSOR

   AUTOMATED SWIM SPA COVER
  • remote control with keyless fob
  • cover lifts vertically off hot tub before lateral motion

   SIERRA NEVADA BREWERY SOLAR PANEL CLEANING SYSTEM 
An automated cleaning system developed for one of the largest private solar panel installations in the US. 

   DROPPABLE REPEATER SYSTEM (PROTOTYPE)
  • solves the problem of sending a wireless vehicle around a corner and losing signal
  • can repeat up to 5 miles line-of-sight per dropped repeater

   FEEDBACK CABLE BREAKOUT BOARD FOR GALIL 21X3 AND 41X3
This breakout board reroutes flying leads from a motor's feedback cable and sends them two places: the Halls to the amp, and the encoder to the controller. It plugs right onto the top of the controller.  The large metal plate is just a handle to set and remove the board from the Galil controller.  Jumpers allow swapping of Halls for commutation without removing wires.  With either D-subs or screw terminals.

   TELESCOPIC BOOM
Designed to retract in low-clearance situations, then telescope to bring sensors/cameras to eye-level.

   AERIAL SEARCH AND RESCUE THERMAL IMAGING DRONE
Designed for smaller law enforcement agencies & agency vehicles.  Can do daylight visual scans or nighttime with thermal imaging.  Compared to the cost of a regular Search and Rescue operation, it's expendable.  Range is about 5 miles out, then a search grid, then return. Typical search takes less than 30 minutes. With thermal imaging, large warm objects stand out on the screen. Locations are easily identified.