vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle system, and in particular, to such a vehicle that may be autonomously and / or remotely controlled that features a universal coupling bay to receive and / or couple modular functional units.

Description

[0001] VEHICLE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a vehicle system, and in particular, to such a vehicle that may be autonomously and / or remotely controlled while featuring at least one modular functional unit(s).

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Autonomously controlled vehicles, remotely controlled vehicles and robotic vehicles may be used for various purposes such as a toy, as recreational modelling and / or building hobby, as a recreational racing vehicle, or as a functional tool meant to perform a task. Such task performing vehicle may be configured to function in various conditions and / or environments for example such as in a farming environment, underground environment, aboveground environment, pipe network system environment or the like.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] There is an unmet need for, and it would be highly useful to have a vehicle and / or vehicle system that is modular in nature and is configurable to perform various tasks as is required by a user.

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle comprising an electronics circuitry module , motor module vehicle body 102 featuring at least one wheel coupling interface configured for receiving a wheel module , and wherein the body features at least one universal connector bay configured for coupling at least one auxiliary functional unit .

[0009] In embodiments the vehicle may further comprise a remote control module .

[0010] In embodiments the wheel module may comprises at least four wheels and wherein each of the wheels may be associated with an individual wheel coupling interface and individual motor of the motor module and wherein each of the motors are controlled independently of one another, the

[0011] In embodiments the wheel coupling member may be configured in the form of a floating axle. In embodiments the motor module may comprise an electrically controlled motor that may be controlled with the electronics module .

[0012] In embodiments the vehicle may further comprise a sensor module.

[0013] In embodiments the body may be configured to have a stealth geometric architecture.

[0014] In embodiments the t body may be configured to be constructed from at least one or more materials selected from the group comprising of: polymeric smart materials, shape memory alloys, shape memory polymers, KEVLAR™, carbon fiber, carbon fiber composites, graphene, graphene tubules, thermoplastics, LEXAN™, polyethylene, thermoplastic polyethylene, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), bulletproof materials, any combination thereof, or the like.

[0015] In embodiments the wheel module may be provided with wheels in optional forms selected from the group comprising: racing wheels, radial tires, treads, continuous track treads, chained tires, chained treads, rubber tracks, sand wheels, compactor wheel, spiked wheels, dune wheels, screw shaped wheels, Archimedes screw wheels, continuous track wheels, compound continuous track wheel assembly, multi-wheel tracking assembly, the like or any combination thereof.

[0016] In embodiments the vehicle may be configured to control each wheel associated with the body individually.

[0017] In embodiments the wheel may be controlled based on at least one parameter selected from the group comprising pitch, orientation, angle, spin rate, spin direction, the like or any combination thereof.

[0018] In embodiments the wheel module may be configured in the form of a polygonal multi wheel tracking configuration.

[0019] In embodiments the polygonal multi wheel tracking configuration features a geometric configuration selected from the group comprising of: symmetric configuration, asymmetric configuration, ovoid configuration, circular configuration, oval configuration, elliptical configuration, the like or any combination thereof.

[0020] In embodiments the wheel may be provided in the form of a multi wheel tracking configuration comprising: a primary drive wheel and a plurality of supportive wheel(s) such that the arrangement of the primary drive wheel relative to the supportive wheel(s) may be controlled to provide optional wheel design configurations. In embodiments the arrangement may be controlled with a wheel actuator to control the relative positioning of support wheels relative to driving wheel.

[0021] In embodiments the placement of the wheel module may be configured to be distal to an end (102a, 102b) of the vehicle body .

[0022] In embodiments the connector bay may comprise a mechanical and / or magnetic coupling bay for coupling optional auxiliary functional units to the vehicle .

[0023] In embodiments the auxiliary functional units may be selected from at least one or more of a drone ; a distributing module ; a robotic arm module ; an imaging module ; a tooling module ; a mapping module ; and / or a climbing module , or the like.

[0024] In embodiments the imaging module may comprise at least one or more imaging devices selected from the group comprising: a camera, a thermal camera, an infrared (IR) camera, a radio wave camera, radar, or LiDAR, any combination thereof or the like.

[0025] In embodiments the distributing module may be configured to facilitating laying cables and / or pipes and / or thread and / or optic fibers.

[0026] In embodiments the distributing module may comprise an actuator in the form of an unwinding and / or de-spooling actuator.

[0027] In embodiments the vehicle may further comprise a climbing module comprises at least one or more extendable arms . More preferably, the climbing module comprises at least two or more extendable arms.

[0028] In embodiments the climbing module may be associated and / or coupled with vehicle 100 about the coupling bay .

[0029] In embodiments the climbing module may be integrated with vehicle body .

[0030] In embodiments the extendable arm member may comprise a plurality of interlinked hinged members that move relative to one another to controllably extend or contract the arm member .

[0031] In embodiments the climbing module may feature a control hub configured to be coupled with the universal connection bay and wherein the control hub features the necessary hardware and software to render the extendable arm members functional. In embodiments the control hub may comprise electronics circuitry and actuators.

[0032] In embodiments the a plurality of vehicles according to the present invention may be rendered operational in a network form and / or a network setting wherein each vehicle forms a member of a MESH communication network configured to achieve a common goal and / or task.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0034] Implementation of the method and system of the present invention involves performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof.

[0035] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in order to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

[0037] In the drawings:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary vehicle and vehicle system according to embodiments of the present invention; and

[0039] FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary vehicle network formed of a plurality of vehicles according to embodiments of the present invention; and

[0040] FIG. 2. is a schematic illustrative diagram of an exemplary vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention; and FIG. 3. is a schematic illustrative diagram of an exemplary vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention; and

[0041] FIG. 4. is a schematic illustrative diagram of an exemplary vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention; and

[0042] FIG. 5. is a schematic illustrative diagram of an exemplary vehicle body according to embodiments of the present invention; and

[0043] FIG. 6A-D. are schematic illustrative diagrams of different views of an exemplary wheel assembly module according to embodiments of the present invention; and

[0044] FIG. 7. is a schematic illustrative diagram of an exemplary vehicle loaded with an auxiliary functional module in the form of a drone according to embodiments of the present invention; and

[0045] FIG. 8. is a schematic illustrative diagram of an exemplary vehicle loaded with an auxiliary functional module in the form of side arms according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0046] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] The principles and operation of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

[0048] The following figure reference labels are used throughout the description to refer to similarly functioning components are used throughout the specification hereinbelow.

[0049] 100 Vehicle System;

[0050] 101 Network of Vehicles

[0051] 102 Vehicle Body;

[0052] 102a body end (front);

[0053] 102b body end (back);

[0054] 102w wheel coupling member ;

[0055] 104 Wheel Module ;

[0056] 105 remote control module;

[0057] 106 Motor Module;

[0058] 110 Electronics Module ;

[0059] 120 Sensor Module;

[0060] 121 camera;

[0061] 122 terrain sensor; 123 temperature sensor;

[0062] 124 pressure sensor;

[0063] 125 location sensor and / or GPS sensor;

[0064] 126 gas sensor;

[0065] 127 sound sensor and / or microphone;

[0066] 128 seismic sensor;

[0067] 129 noise cancellation sensor;

[0068] 130 optical and / or IR sensor;

[0069] 131 water sensor;

[0070] 140 universal connector bay;

[0071] 150 Universal Connector Auxiliar Device Module;

[0072] 151 tooling module;

[0073] 152 drone module;

[0074] 154 distribution module;

[0075] 155 imaging module;

[0076] 156 mapping module;

[0077] 157 climbing module;

[0078] 158 Robotic arm(s) module;

[0079] 160 Augmented Reality Module;

[0080] 162 AR camera module;

[0081] FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary vehicle system 100 according to the present invention. System 100 provides for a configurable modular vehicle that may be configured to be an autonomously controlled vehicle and / or a robotic vehicle and / or a remotely controlled vehicle that may perform various functions and / or tasks. Optionally and preferably vehicle system may be deployed in various environments for example including but not limited to farming environment, underground environment, aboveground environment, pipe network system environment, underground pipe network system, tunnel system, underwater environment, any combination thereof or the like.

[0082] In embodiments vehicle 100 may optionally function individually and / or as a member in a network 101 consisting of a plurality of vehicles 100 that function concertedly and / or in unison, as a system of vehicles, to achieve a common goal. In embodiments vehicle system 100 in a vehicle network 101 that comprises at least two or more vehicles 100 deploying a plurality of vehicles 100 that may be utilized in unison so as to work together to overcome a common obstacle and / or obj ective and / or goal. Optionally and preferably network 101 comprises a plurality of vehicles 100 that are in communication with one another, for example utilizing a circuitry module 110 and in particular communication module 116 to communicate with one another.

[0083] Optionally, electronics module 110 may be configured to so as to coordinate the coordinated and / or united function of the network 101, for example as shown in FIG. 1 A, comprising a plurality of vehicles 100 or any portion thereof. For example, a robotic arm or the like auxiliary tool described herein, so as to overcome and / or achieve a common objective and / or goal and / or overcome an obstacle.

[0084] In embodiments vehicle 100 comprises a body 102, a wheel module 104, a motor module 106, an electronics circuitry and control module 110, a sensor module 120 and at least one or more universal connector bay 140.

[0085] In embodiments the motor module 106 comprises at least one or more motors. Optionally and preferably motor module 106 comprises an electrically controllable motor that is controllable with electronics module 110. In embodiments motor module 106 may comprise at least four or more motors that are individually and / or independently controlled. In embodiments motor module 106 is configured to feature at least as many motors as wheels 104w as featured in wheel module 104.

[0086] In embodiments universal connector bay 140 provides for and facilitates coupling and / or functionally coupling at least one or more optional auxiliary functional units 150 with vehicle 100 so as to allow for configuring the vehicle as is desired by a user and / or owner (not shown). For example, connector bay 140 may comprise a mechanical and / or magnetic coupling bay for example in the form of a male to female connector to allow for coupling of vehicle 100 with additional optional auxiliary functional units and / or modules 150. In embodiments auxiliary functional units and / or module 150 may for example include but is not limited to at least one or more selected from the groups consisting of a drone 152; a distributing module 154 configured for facilitating laying cables and / or pipes and / or thread and / or optic fibers or the like; a robotic arm module 158 for example comprising at least one or more controllable robotic arm; an imaging module 155 for example including but not limited to a camera, a thermal camera, an IR camera, radio wave camera, radar, LiDAR or the like imaging device; a tooling module 151 for example in the form of a tool such as a screwdriver, drill, sanding belt, saw or the like tool; and / or a mapping module 156 preferably provided for mapping a given area, volume and / or space; and / or a climbing module 157 comprising extendable arms and / or members to facilitate climbing and / or bridging gaps, a non-limiting example of which is depicted in FIG. 8.

[0087] In embodiments vehicle 100 comprises a vehicle body 102 that is configured to have at least one and most preferably at least four wheel coupling 102w members, as best seen in FIG. 5. In embodiments wheel coupling member 102w may be configured in the form of a floating axle. Optionally and preferably coupling member 102w in the form of a floating axle may be configured to receive an optional wheel module 104 as will be described hereinbelow.

[0088] In embodiments vehicle body 102 further comprises at least one or more universal connector bay(s) 140, for example as best seen in FIG. 5. Optionally universal connector bay 140 may be disposed along any surface of body 102. Most preferably connector bay 140 is disposed about an upper surface of body 102, a non limiting example of which is shown in FIG. 5.

[0089] In embodiments vehicle body 102 may take any geometric form and / or shape for example in the form of a vehicle body, race car body, or the like motorized vehicle.

[0090] In embodiments vehicle body 102 may be configured to have a stealth geometric architecture.

[0091] In embodiments vehicle body 102 may be configured to be from smart materials. For example, such smart material may for example include but not is limited to shape memory materials, shape memory plastics, shape memory alloys, shape memory composites, nitinol, shape memory polymers, any combination thereof or the like.

[0092] In embodiments vehicle body 102 or any portion thereof may be configured to be from or optionally configured to incorporate optional functional materials for example including but not limited to KEVLAR™, carbon fiber, carbon fiber composites, graphene, graphene tubules, thermoplastics, LEXAN™, polyethylene, thermoplastic polyethylene, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (also referred to as “UHMWPE”), the like or any combination thereof.

[0093] In embodiments vehicle body 102 may be configured to be bullet proof.

[0094] In embodiments vehicle 100 may be configured to receive optional wheel module(s) 104. Preferably the wheel module 104 allows for configuring the functionality of vehicle 100 by fitting body 102 with optional wheel types as selected from a variety of wheel module(s). For example, a wheel type, of module 104 may be provide in optional forms for example including but not limited to racing wheels, radial tires, treads, continuous track treads, chained tires, chained treads, rubber tracks, sand wheels, compactor wheel, spiked wheels, dune wheels, screw shaped wheels, Archimedes screw wheels, continuous track wheels, compound continuous track wheel assembly, multi wheel tracking assembly, the like or any combination thereof.

[0095] In embodiments, vehicle 100 preferably may be configured to control each wheel 104 that is associated with body 102 individually, such that any one or more associated parameters for example including but not limited to the spin rate, spin direction, pitch, orientation, angle, may be individually controllable for each wheel 104 disposed with vehicle 100.

[0096] In embodiments as best seen in FIG. 6A-D, showing an optional wheel module 104 in the optional form of an endless track design wheel wherein a central drive wheel 104a, is configured to be coupled to body 102 via wheel coupling m ember 102w such that wheel 104a drives the endless track 104t and the plurality of road and / or support wheels 104b.

[0097] FIG. 6A-D shows an optional configuration of wheel module 104, having a multi wheel tracking design in a polygonal configuration as shown, however the present invention is not limited to such a polygonal track configuration. In embodiment wheel module 104 may be a multi -wheel configuration having optional geometric configurations that may be symmetric and / or asymmetric for example including but not limited to an ovoid design, circular design, oval design, elliptical design, any combination thereof or the like.

[0098] In embodiments the orientation and / or arrangement of the primary drive wheel 104a relative to the supportive wheel(s) 104b may be controlled so as to provide optional design configurations. For example, a wheel actuator, for example in the form of a solenoid or the like may be configured to control the relative positioning of support wheels 104b relative to driving wheel 104a so as to control the shape and of wheel assembly 104 to assume different shapes and is therefore not limited to the polygonal configuration tack configuration as shown. For example, an ovoid track configuration may be configured by arranging the relative position of secondary wheels 104b with respect to primary wheel 104a. In embodiments, the type of wheel module 104 utilized may be configured based on the intended utility and / or function of vehicle 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 2-3, vehicle 100 having an optional exemplary endless track wheel 104, for example as shown, may be configured for maneuvering about different surfaces and / or inclinations. For example, vehicle 100 having four individually controllable tracked wheels 104, for example as shown, is capable of maneuvering a steep slope of up to about 90 degrees , such that it may be configured to climb walls, and / or stairs. Optionally, vehicle 100 may be configured to climb any positive and / or negative slope.

[0099] In embodiments vehicle 100 may configured to include climbing tool in the form of a climbing module 157, that may be disposed about any portion of body 102. Optionally climbing tool and / or module may be integrated with body 102 and / or an auxiliary tool that may be functionally associated with body 102 about at least one or more universal coupling bay 140. For example, a climbing tool and / or module 157, for example as part of auxiliary device module 150, may be extended from two opposing edges and / or sides of body 102 so as to engage a wall and / or sidewall allowing vehicle 100 to climb along the surface of the wall, a non-limiting example of which is depicted in FIG. 8.. A non-limiting example is the ability of vehicle 100 to climb along a tube like and / or tunnel like environment wherein a climbing tool and / or module 157 may be extended from opposing the edges and / or sides of body 102 to engage a wall and so as to crawl or climb along the wall, an example of which is shown in FIG. 8. A non-limiting example of such an optional climbing tool is schematically depicted in FIG. 6A-D wherein the configuration of the toothed belt 104t may be used to facilitate climbing along opposing walls and wherein two opposing climbing tool, a non limiting example of which is shown in FIG. 8, may be positioned opposing one another so as to allow for vertical climb along an opposing surfaces. In embodiments, optionally climbing tool may be configured as a robotic arm featuring a toothed belt 104t. Optionally climbing tool and / or module 157 may be utilized to traverse and / or bridge a gap of a given space, my maneuvering its functional arm in any direction.

[0100] In embodiment, wheel module 104 is preferably configured to always be in front of and / or precede vehicle body 102, for example as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows vehicle 100 having wheels 104 in varying orientations relative to body 102, however each of the wheel 104, irrespective of its orientation is configured to always be in front of the front end 102a or back end 102b of body 102. This configuration allows vehicle 100 to maneuver any terrain and / or slope including climbing up stairs.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle 100 comprises an electronics circuitry module 110 configured to render vehicle 100 operational. Preferably electronics circuitry modulel 10 may comprise a plurality of optional sub-modules for example including but not limited to a power supply module 112, controller and / or processor module 114, user interface module 111, and memory module 118, a communication module 116.

[0102] In embodiments electronics module 110 may further be functionally associated with a sensor module 120, to further allow vehicle 100 to be operational and controllable.

[0103] In embodiments processor module 114 provides the necessary processing hardware and / or software necessary to render vehicle 100 functional. In embodiments controller and / or processor module 114 may provide for controlling any portion of vehicle 100. For example, processor 114 may be utilized to determine vehicular parameters and analysis based on a sensed event in the vicinity of vehicle 100.

[0104] In some embodiments vehicle 100 may be configured to be an autonomously controlled vehicle wherein the autonomous control functions may be provided by processing module 114.

[0105] In embodiments power module 112 provides the necessary hardware and / or software to power vehicle 100 rendering vehicle 100 operational. Power supply 112 may for example be provided in optional forms for example including but not limited to battery, rechargeable induction battery, induction coil, capacitors, super capacitors, the like power source or any combination thereof.

[0106] In embodiments communication module 116 provides the necessary hardware and / or software to facilitate communication to and from vehicle 100.

[0107] In embodiments communication module 116 provides the necessary hardware and / or software to facilitate communication to and from vehicle 100 and between vehicles 100 forming part of a network 101 comprising at least two or more vehicles 100 and more preferably a plurality of vehicles 100. Preferably communications module 116 provides for allows for communication between a plurality of vehicles 100 forming network 101 allowing them to function concertedly to achieve their common goal. In some embodiments communications module 116 may be utilized to provide vehicle 100 with communication capabilities. For example, communication sub-module 116 may provide for communication with devices and or systems by utilizing various communication protocols for example including but not limited to wireless communication protocols, cellular communication, wired communication, near field communication, RF communication, Bluetooth, optical communication, network communication, MESH network communication, the like and / or any combination thereof.

[0108] In embodiments, communication module 116 may provide for communicating with an optional remote control module 105 that may be operated remotely by a user and / or individual to control and / or operate vehicle 100.

[0109] In embodiments memory module 118 provides the necessary hardware and / or software to facilitate operations of vehicle 100 by enabling storing and / or retrieving stored data and / or the like as is known in the art by way of interfacing with other sub-modules of vehicle 100 for example including but not limited to controller module 114.

[0110] Preferably vehicle 100 further comprises a sensor module 120 that may be rendered operational with electronics circuitry module 110. In some embodiments vehicle sensor module 120 may provide the necessary hardware and / or software to facilitate operations of at least one or more sensor(s) associated with any portion of vehicle 100. Preferably sensor module 120 enables sensing various events in and around user vehicle 100.

[0111] In embodiments sensor module 120 may comprise at least one or more sensor for example including but not limited to: antenna, camera 121, terrain sensor and / or haptic sensor 122, temperature sensor 123, pressure and / or barometric sensor 124, location sensor and / or GPS 125, gas sensor 126, sound sensor and / or microphone 127, seismic sensor 128, noise cancellation sensor 129, optic and / or infrared sensors 130, water sensor 131, the like or any combination thereof.

[0112] In some optional embodiments, as shown in the dashed line in FIG. 1, vehicle 100 may further be in communication and / or functionally associated with an augmented reality module 160 that allows for interfacing with and / or controlling and / or driving vehicle 100. Optionally such AR module 160 may comprise a camera 162. In embodiments, the augmented reality (AR) module 160 may be provided in the form of a wearable device for example including but not limited to a visual display, glasses or the like. In embodiments, the AR module 160 may optionally be integrated with the remote control module 105. In embodiments, the AR module 160 may be configured to display to a user guiding information related to operational performance of vehicle 100 in real time.

[0113] Now referring to FIG. 7 showing an optional configuration of vehicle 100 that features an optional auxiliary drone module 152 that is functionally associated with vehicle via universal connector bay 140. In embodiments, drone 152 may be operated while coupled to vehicle 100 or while de-coupled and / or independent of vehicle 100 after it has detached and / or de-coupled and or is deployed away from vehicle 100. Accordingly, in embodiments universal connector bay 140 provides functionality both to vehicle 100 and to the respectively associated auxiliary device and / or tool as part of module 150. Optionally vehicle 100 and resources available to vehicle 100 may be utilized to control any member of an auxiliary module 150 that is associated with vehicle 100 via at least one or more universal connector bay 140. In embodiments drone 152 module may be in continuous communication with vehicle 100 both when coupled to vehicle 100 and / or deployed (de-coupled) from vehicle 100 and / or disassociated from vehicle 100.

[0114] In embodiments, optionally distributing module 154, FIG.l, may be configured to facilitating laying cables and / or pipes and / or thread and / or optic fibers or the like, while associated with vehicle 100. Such that while vehicle 100 is driven and / or operated in optional terrain and / or environments a distributing module 154 may be utilized to lay and / or delivery a network of optic fibers and / or pipe and / or the like infrastructure to a remotely accessible area, that may be readily accessed with vehicle 100. For example, vehicle 100 featuring a distributing module 154 may be utilized to facilitate laying a MESH network of fiber optic cables for forming a communications channel. In embodiments, distributing module 154 may be further configured to lay a preconfigured and / or predefined MESH network comprising a communication cables and processing nodes. In some embodiments, distributing module 154 may be configured to form and / or lay an “ad-hoc” MESH network that is configured and defined substantially in real-time provided by delivering a communication channels for example including but not limited to fiber optic cables, wired cables, galvanic cables, or the like communication capable cables and / or means, and a plurality of communication and processing devices therein providing a plurality of MESH network communication nodes each node comprising the necessary circuitry and processing capabilities to form a MESH network communication node. For example, distributing module 154, may be configured to deliver a processing and communication node at any interval, for example from 1 meter and up to 1km (kilometer), mor preferably notes are placed at intervals of less than 100 meters, or up to about 50 meters, and optionally every about 10-40 meters, further optionally every about 10 meters, 25 meters, 30 meters or the like. In this manner an ad-hoc MESH network may be configured such that any two nodes may be at variable distances from one another. Optionally the MESH network may be defined and configured according to the terrain in which the MESH network is established.

[0115] In embodiments distributing module 154 may be configured according to the terrain and environment in which it is utilized for example the terrain may vary based on where the MESH network is deployed and vehicle 100 is deployed for example including but not limited to farming environment, underground environment, aboveground environment, pipe network system environment, underground pipe network system, tunnel system, underwater environment, any combination thereof or the like.

[0116] For example, in some embodiments distributing module 154 may be provided in the form of an unwinding and / or de-spooling actuator and / or unit.

[0117] In embodiments, robotic arm module 158 may comprise at least one or more controllable robotic arm wherein at least one of which is functionally associated with and / or coupled to vehicle body 102 most preferably via universal connector bay 140. In some embodiments at least two or more robotic arm may be associated and / or coupled to a single connector bay 140 wherein the robotic arms may be coupled to one another so as to form a concatenated robotic arm comprising at least two or more individual robotic arms. For example, such a concatenated robotic arm configuration may be configured to have a longer reach, and / or be able to lift heavier materials, or the like functionality and / or capability. In some embodiments some robotic arms may be configured to have at least one end featuring a coupler configured to associate with the universal connector bay 140. In some embodiments a robotic arm may be configured to have at least two coupling members and / or zones a first coupling member / zone disposed at an end of the robotic arm and a second coupling member / zone disposed at any portion along the length of the body of the robotic arm. In embodiments robotic arm module 158 may form a concatenated robotic arm comprising a plurality of individual robotic arms that work in unison.

[0118] In embodiments, a robotic arm of robotic arm module 158 may comprise a proximal end having a coupling member configured to couple with universal connector bay 140 and a distal end having a functional grasping and / or clamping unit having at least two or more and optionally and more preferably at least three or more functional gripping members. In embodiments robotic arm distal end may feature at least one or more, tools, multipurpose clamps, a clamping unit featuring a tool, a multipurpose clamp unit having an internal surface that features a cutting tool, a clamping unit featuring a tool along its external surface, a clamping unit featuring a tool along its internal surface. In embodiments robotic arm may feature optional tools for example including but not limited to drivers, screw drivers, jackhammer, drill, drill bit, soldering iron, Brenner torch, gas torch, blow torch, burner torch, plasma torch, welding torch, piezoelectric ignitor, any combination thereof, or the like.

[0119] In embodiments robotic arm module 158 that comprises a plurality of robotic arms may deploy the plurality of robotic arms so that they may be utilized in unison so as to work together to overcome a common obstacle and / or objective and / or goal. Optionally and preferably vehicle 100 is configured to control module 158 so as to coordinate the united functioning of robotic module 158 so as to overcome the common objective and / or goal and / or obstacle.

[0120] In embodiments mapping module 156, may comprise a multidimensional mapping function so as to map in two dimensions (2D mapping) and optionally in three dimension providing a 3D mapping functionality of a given space and / or volume. Optionally and preferably mapping module 156 may further provide for triangulation capabilities preferably to facilitate identification of objects in environment surrounding in and around vehicle 100. In embodiments mapping module may be utilized with any imaging module for example utilizing LiDAR technology. In embodiments mapping module 156 may further comprise a radio wave camera. In embodiments mapping module 156 may further comprise a RADAR capabilities.

[0121] FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration of a non-limiting example of an optional climbing module 157 comprising at least two extendable arms and / or members 157a, 157b. As shown member 157a is depicted in its extended form while member 157b is shown in its folded form. In embodiments, members 157a,b are configured to facilitate maneuverability of vehicle 100, optionally and preferably providing the ability to climb, climb walls, bridging gaps, traversing difficult terrain, traverse obstacles, so as to increase the maneuverability of vehicle 100 in various terrain and environments.

[0122] In embodiments climbing module 157 may be associated and / or coupled with vehicle 100 about coupling bay 140.

[0123] In embodiments, climbing module 157 or portions thereof may be integrated with vehicle body 102, along any surface or portion thereof.

[0124] In some embodiments, climbing module may feature at least one extendable arm and / or member 157a, more preferably module 157 comprises at least two extendable members 157a,b, optionally module 157 may feature a plurality extendable arms 157a,b including at least two or more extendable arm and / or members.

[0125] In embodiments, the extendable members 157a, b may be controlled to be extended or folded or retracted with controls of vehicle 100, for example with electronics module 110 and / or remote control module 105 and / or AR module 160.

[0126] In embodiments, extendable arm member 157a,b may be formed from a plurality of interlinked hinged members 157c, that may move relative to one another.

[0127] In some embodiments, module 157 may feature a control hub 157d configured to be coupled with universal connection bay 140. Optionally control hub 157d may feature the necessary hardware and software to render extendable arm members 157a, b functional. In embodiments, hub 157d may comprise electronics circuitry and actuators to mobilize arms 157a,b. Optionally, hub 157d may be controlled and / or powered directly by vehicle 100 via control signals received via bay 140.

[0128] As used herein the term “about” refers to + / -10 %.

[0129] The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", “having” and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to". The term “consisting of’ means “including and limited to”. The term "consisting essentially of means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and / or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and / or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

[0130] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and / or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

[0131] The word “optionally” is used herein to mean “is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments”. Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of “optional” features unless such features conflict.

[0132] As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

[0133] Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0134] Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging / ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging / ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

[0135] In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

[0136] As used herein the term "method" refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the chemical, pharmacological, biological, biochemical and medical arts.

[0137] There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. The present inventions are neither limited to any single aspect nor embodiment thereof, nor to any combinations and / or permutations of such aspects and / or embodiments. Moreover, each of the aspects of the present inventions, and / or embodiments thereof, may be employed alone or in combination with one or more of the other aspects of the present inventions and / or embodiments thereof. For the sake of brevity, many of those permutations and combinations will not be discussed separately herein.

[0138] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiment, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0139] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not described to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

[0140] It should be noted that where reference numerals appear in the claims, such numerals are included solely or the purpose of improving the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting on the scope of the claims.

[0141] Having described a specific preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention defined by the appended claims.

[0142] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

[0143] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0144] Citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the invention.

[0145] Section headings are used herein to ease understanding of the specification and should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

[0146] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is currently claimed is:1) A vehicle (100) comprising an electronics circuitry module (110), motor module (106) vehicle body 102 featuring at least one wheel coupling interface (102w) configured for receiving a wheel module (104), and wherein said body features at least one universal connector bay (140) configured for coupling at least one auxiliary functional unit (150).2) The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a remote control module (105).3) The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said wheel module comprises at least four wheels and wherein each of said wheels is associated with an individual wheel coupling interface (102w) and individual motor of said motor module (106) and wherein each of said motors are controlled independently of one another.4) The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said wheel coupling member (102w) is configured in the form of a floating axle.5) The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said motor module (106) comprises an electrically controlled motor that is controlled with said electronics module (110).6) The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a sensor module (120).7) The vehicle of claim 1 of claim 1 wherein said body (102) is configured to have a stealth geometric architecture.8) The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said body (102) is configured to be constructed from at least one or more materials selected from: polymeric smart materials, shape memory alloys, shape memory polymers, KEVLAR™, carbon fiber, carbon fiber composites, graphene, graphene tubules, thermoplastics, LEXAN™, polyethylene, thermoplastic polyethylene, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (LTHMWPE), bulletproof materials, or any combination thereof.9) The vehicle of claim 1 wherein wheel module (104) is provided with wheels in optional forms selected from: racing wheels, radial tires, treads, continuous track treads, chained tires, chained treads, rubber tracks, sand wheels, compactor wheel, spiked wheels, dune wheels, screw shaped wheels, Archimedes screw wheels, continuous track wheels, compound continuous track wheel assembly, multi -wheel tracking assembly or any combination thereof.10) The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said vehicle (100) is configured to control each wheel associated with body (102) individually.11) The vehicle of claim 10 wherein control of said wheel is controlled based on at least one of: pitch, orientation, angle, spin rate, spin direction, or any combination thereof.12) The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said wheel module (104) is configured in the form of a polygonal multi wheel tracking configuration.13) The vehicle of claim 12 wherein said a polygonal multi wheel tracking configuration features a geometric configuration selected from: symmetric configuration, asymmetric configuration, ovoid configuration, circular configuration, oval configuration, elliptical configuration or any combination thereof.14) The vehicle of claim 12 wherein said wheel is provided in the form of a multi wheel tracking configuration comprising a primary drive wheel (104a) and a plurality of supportive wheel(s) (104b) such that the arrangement of the primary drive wheel relative to the supportive wheel(s) is controlled to provide optional wheel design configurations.15) The vehicle of claim 14 wherein said arrangement is controlled with a wheel actuator to control the relative positioning of support wheels relative to driving wheel.16) The vehicle of claim 1 wherein placement of said wheel module (104) is configured to be distal to an end (102a, 102b) of said vehicle body (102).17) The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said connector bay (140) comprises a mechanical and / or magnetic coupling bay for coupling auxiliary functional units (150) to said vehicle (100).18) The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary functional units (150) may be selected from at least one or more of: a drone (152); a distributing module (154); a robotic arm module (158); an imaging module (155); a tooling module (151); a mapping module (156); and / or a climbing module (157).19) The vehicle of claim 18 wherein said imaging module (155) may comprise at least one or more imaging devices selected from: a camera, a thermal camera, an infrared (IR) camera, a radio wave camera, radar, or LiDAR.20) The vehicle of claim 18 wherein said distributing module (154) is configured to facilitating laying cables and / or pipes and / or thread and / or optic fibers.21) The vehicle of claim 20 wherein said distributing module (154) is provided in the form of an unwinding and / or de-spooling actuator.22) The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a climbing module (157) comprises at least one extendable arms (157a, 157b).23) The vehicle of claim 22 wherein said climbing module (157) is associated and / or coupled with vehicle 100 about said coupling bay (140).24) The vehicle of claim 22 wherein said climbing module (157) is integrated with vehicle body (102).25) The vehicle of claim 22 wherein said extendable arm member (157a,b) comprises a plurality of interlinked hinged members (157c) that move relative to one another to controllably extend or contract said arm member (157a).26) The vehicle of claim 22 wherein said climbing module (157) feature a control hub (157d) configured to be coupled with said universal connection bay (140) and wherein said control hub features the necessary hardware and software to render the extendable arm members (157a,b) functional.27) The vehicle of claim 26 wherein said control hub (157d) comprise electronics circuitry and actuators.28) A network (101) featuring a plurality of vehicles (100) according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of vehicles are in communication with one another in a MESH network configuration.29) The network of claim 29 wherein each of said plurality of vehicles (100) forms a node of said MESH network.

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