ROBOTS for RESEARCHERS & UNIVERSITIES

Robots that KNOW where they're going!

Since 1995
Robots
Accessories
Software
ARCS Controls
Robot News
Site Index
Pricing & Orders
 
 
THE PREMIER RESEARCH ROBOT
Research PatrolBot ®


PatrolBot Base with Twin Lasers & Stereocam (Vertical laser visible, horizontal laser is under sonar ring)
PatrolBot robot base with twin lasers & stereocam 
Please note: Software and systems available from this website are for researchers and developers programming additional behaviors for the robot.
  VARs and end-users of PatrolBot's pre-programmed delivery, security and monitoring applications should look
here.
  • Description
  • Components
  • PatrolBot Options
  • Technical Specifications
  • RESEARCH PATROLBOT is our highest quality indoor robot, with smooth, high-speed drive and brush-less motors, operable 24X7 autonomously. With good payload capabilities, Research PatrolBot is the best platform for work requiring multiple lasers or other moderate payload, up to 40kg flat or 25kg on an 8:1 ramp. Designed for 24X7 use, the ARCS-based PatrolBot implements ARNL navigation from the hidden laser-rangefinder. Developer software is included.

    The Research PatrolBot base can: Monitoring robot

    • WANDER randomly, avoiding obstacles
    • DRIVE controlled by keys or joystick
    • COMMUNICATE SENSOR & CONTROL INFORMATION including sonar, motor encoder, motor controls, user I/O, and battery charge data
    • RUN C/C++ PROGRAMS created with or without ARIA or our other software development environments
    • SIMULATE BEHAVIORS OFFLINE with the simulator that accompanies each development environment
    The  Research 2D Mapping PatrolBot includes PC, wireless ethernet, embedded laser, dock/charge station and software. It can:
    • CREATE 2D MAPS of rooms, labs or buildings in minutes
    • PLAN PATHS to goals
    • AVOID OBSTACLES along the way
    • NAVIGATE TIGHT SPACES for delivery or docking
    Other configurations for 3D mapping, VSLAM and perception research can be configured with Research PatrolBot options such as stereovision and additional laser.

     
    RESEARCH PATROLBOT 2D MAPPING SYSTEM COMPONENTS

    The 2D Mapping System upgrade is for research in path planning, SLAM and localization, with autonomous patrol and automated re-charging, it includes:
    • All Research PatrolBot Base Components, below
    • ARNL Laser Mapping and Navigation with Mapper upgrade
    • 1.6 mHz shock-mounted PentiumM-based PC with hard drive
    • Onboard software installation
    • Voice synthesis, audio, speaker and microphone and AR Audio, AR Video softwarePatrolBot Dock/Charge Station
    • Auto-docking recharge station and onboard charging electronics
    • Wireless 802.11b/g Ethernet communications
    Other Research PatrolBot options, such as a second laser for 3D mapping or a camera or stereocam system for VSLAM and perceptions may be added.
    We recommend communications with a 2GHz, or better, Intel-compatible PC, via wireless 80211b/g Ethernet access point.


    RESEARCH PATROLBOT
    BASE COMPONENTS

    PatrolBot is a smooth, high-speed, ready-to-use 24X7 premium robot system including the following components:
    • PatrolBot  ARCSinside differential-drive mobile robotic base with caster
    • MobileRobots Inc standard research software (ARIA, ARNetworking, MobileEyes, MobileSim, Mapper Basic, SonARNL, GUI Server and Demo)
    • 4 rear sonar
    • 10 bumper panels
    • Twin motor encoders
    • Gyroscopic encoder correction
    • Batteries
    • Users guide
    • 1 year warranty
    • Requires serial Ethernet or laptop connector (not included)

    RESEARCH PATROLBOT OPTIONS

    The Research PatrolBot with 2D Mapping System offers the following options:PatrolBot with Tall Extension
    • Additional laser for 3D mapping and path planning, integrated in ARIA
    • Tall extension for human interaction research, teleconferencing robots and guides
    • Touch screen, also for human interface
    • Red and green IR proximity sensors, for simple yes/no interface
    • Choice of our BW Superior or Color Digital Stereovision Systems
    • Remote-control pan-tilt-zoom camera, tightly integrated, located on the robot or on the tall extension
    • Additional auto-docking recharge stations
    • Optional 3-year warranty
    The Research PatrolBot Base offers the following options:
    • Remote-control pan-tilt-zoom camera, tightly integrated
    • Optional 3-year warranty

    TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

    PatrolBot has a 59cm x 48cm x 38cm, CNC aluminum body. Its 19cm dia tires handle nearly any indoor surface. The two motor shafts hold 1000-tick encoders. This differential drive platform is holonomic so it can turn in place. Moving wheels on one side only, it forms a circle of 29cm radius.

    PatrolBot can climb an 20% grade and sills of 2.5cm. On flat surfaces, PatrolBot  can move at speeds of 2mps. It can carry payloads of 25kg on an 8:1 ramp, 40kg on flat floors; payloads must be balanced appropriately for effective operation of this or any robot. PatrolBots can travel through shallow puddles.

    PatrolrBot with PC and a single laser can operate approximately 3.5 hours on a fully charged battery. Recharge to run-time is less than 1:1.

    PatrolBot is a closed system, not designed for user access. Inside are an Hitachi SH-based 32-bit  RISC microcontroller, sonar boards and other electronics. Each robot has 16 sonar and two 1000-tick motor encoders. Digital I/O, A/D, RS232, USB and firewire interfaces are all possible within the system and may be integrated through ARIA.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION: Cross-Platform Specifications Table


    SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS


    A small proprietary µARCS transfers sonar readings, motor encoder information and other I/O via packets from the microcontroller server to the PC client and returns control commands. Users can run the robot from the client or design their own programs under Linux or under WIN32 using their favorite C/C++ compiler.

    Our ARIA and ARNL software supply library functions to handle navigation, path planning, obstacle avoidance and many other robotic tasks.
    .

    FOR MORE INFORMATION:Software

    Copyright 2008, MobileRobots Inc. All rights reserved