| CPC B60W 60/0025 (2020.02) [B60K 1/02 (2013.01); B60K 17/358 (2013.01); B60L 15/20 (2013.01); G01C 21/16 (2013.01); G01M 3/04 (2013.01); G01S 19/01 (2013.01); G05D 1/0038 (2013.01); G06F 18/251 (2023.01); G06T 1/0014 (2013.01); G06T 1/20 (2013.01); G06V 20/10 (2022.01); H04N 7/183 (2013.01); H04N 23/695 (2023.01); B60W 2420/403 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
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1. A robotic vehicle for detecting a source of interest, comprising:
a vehicle frame;
electric drive motors mounted to the vehicle frame;
wheels connected to drive shafts of the drive motors;
motor controllers communicating with the drive motors to selectively control rotational movement of the wheels;
an extendable and retractable mast assembly mounted to the frame, the mast assembly including a mast base and a mast;
a source detection sensor positioned at an upper end of the mast;
a central computer secured within the vehicle for controlling autonomous operation of the vehicle, said central computer including at least one processor for executing programming tasks and at least one memory element for storing data;
a first software application integral with said central computer for receiving data and for executing commands to control the vehicle through a processor of said central computer, said controlling comprising selectively raising and lowering said mast assembly to obtain sensor readings at different heights, and said data including navigational data, sensor data obtained at the different heights, environmental data, and user defined data; and
at least one navigational camera mounted to the vehicle for providing visual images of an environment in which the vehicle operates.
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