DE10066147C1 - Robot golf caddy has microprocessor control controlling movement via electrically-operated artificial legs - Google Patents

Abstract

The golf caddy has a robot body (22) acting as a golf bag for carrying golf clubs and balls etc. and provided with at least 2 artificial legs (26) fitted with spiked shoes (13), allowing simulation of a walking movement. The motion is provided via a battery coupled to electric, electrohydraulic or electropneumatic drive units for the artificial legs, with a microprocessor control coupled to balancing sensors, orientation sensors detecting an external signal source carried by the golfer and a speech recognition system for voice commands, allowing the robot golf caddy to follow the golfer while maintaining a safe distance from other golfers and any obstacles.

Description

When playing golf on a golf course, the golfer is certain Rules of conduct (golf rules and etiquette) bound. According to these rules, the Transport of golf equipment only by the golfer himself, his human Caddy, on a trolley, hand or battery operated, or with an electric car be transported.

In the winter months, however, mobile transport is not on everyone Golf courses allowed because of the grass texture of the fairways due to the wide, flat Tires could be damaged.

The present invention of a robot golf caddy with human-like abilities and spikes under the movement, should the golf players - the with their Spiked shoes are allowed to walk on the golf course almost all year round - also in the Allowing an "unencumbered" round of golf in the winter months would be an alternative a human caddy that is not always tangible. Also "would be weak Shoulders "from the often heavily loaded golf bags.

This object is achieved with a robot golf caddy with all the features of claim 1 solved.

DE 298 15 208 U1 is a golf caddy, similar to a robot with an electric one Machine drive, at least two artificial limbs for human-like Locomotion, a housing with numerous brackets and openings for transport of golf utensils, an electric drive for the artificial limbs and one Microprocessor control known. However, the characteristics do not correspond to the above. technically extensive requirements.

Also the self-driving vehicle described in WO 95/03858 A1, golf caddy with orien tion sensors, and external signal transmitter, through which the caddy to the golfer Following a freely definable minimum distance and recognizing obstacles is known, however not suitable for a human-like robotic golf caddy that the Obeying golf rules and golf etiquette, running in front of the golfer, is controlled.

Also known is DE 199 60 544 A1, controllable object and system for controlling one such object, which has a voice recognition system for recording and execution of commands, especially intended for a controllable doll. The characteristics however do not correspond to the above. Conditions.

The robot golf caddy has a body with a golf bag function and at least two artificial limbs ( 26 ) for human-like movement. It can be controlled via a battery-operated remote control, is designed to hold all golf equipment and accompanies the golfer interactively and with a definable distance across the golf course, similar to a human caddy.

The robot is moved by an electrical, electro-hydraulic and / or electropneumatic drive of the limbs (legs, arms, feet, hands) analogous to the household robots being tested by well-known robotic companies,  extended by a weight sensor system to control the limbs on uneven Floor and a coupled orientation sensor system. As an orientation element or -point serves a microchip in the remote control, carried by the golfer becomes.

The orientation sensor is at a certain minimum and maximum distance adjustable so that the robotic golf caddy keeps the golfer at a defined distance accompanied over the course until the golfer stops and the defined distance has been reached or the golfer has given an appropriate command through him triggers carried, battery operated / powered remote control.

The control such. B. "Stopping", "Following", "Turning", "Stopping"! etc. is done either by voice commands from the golfer or via the remote control.

The power supply of the robot (drive, microprocessor control, data storage and sensor system) takes place via rechargeable batteries.

The embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5.

Show it:

Figure 1 shows the front, with attached umbrella for rainy days, front pockets, umbrella holder, insertion holes for golf clubs, tees and golf balls.

Figure 2 shows the back, with scorecard and pencil holder on the "back of the head", back pocket, hook, insertion holes for golf clubs, attachment point for a possible balance foot;

Fig. 3 walking gear with spikes under the soles;

Fig. 4 balance foot for slopes;

Fig. 5 remote control.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

umbrella

2

Golf Ball Holders

3

Scorecard holder (front) with

4

transparent scorecard cover plate (back)

5

Holes for teas

6

Umbrella holder in the rain

7

14 racket brackets and a fishing bracket firmly attached to the inner body

8th

Cover plate for drive part

9

Umbrella holder, front (without rain)

10

Front pockets, foldable

11

Brackets for counting chain, towel, etc. (back)

12

flexible joints

13

Feet or shoes with removable spikes

14

unscrewable spikes on the soles of the shoes

15

Bag, hinged, back

16

Bracket for balance foot

17

Switching device, can also be used as a remote control

18

Balance foot for slopes with

19

Spikesrad

20

hook

21

Pencil holder, back

22

Body / housing - stable and weatherproof

23

Hands, agile

24

Interior for drive

25

poor

26

legs

27

remote control

FIG.

1 front

FIG.

2 back view

FIG.

3 feet or spiked shoes

FIG.

4 balance feet

FIG.

5 remote control, control

Claims (7)

1. Robot golf caddy
from a stable housing / body ( 22 ) and with at least two artificial limbs ( 26 / legs) for human-like movement, the housing
numerous holders and / or openings for receiving and transporting golf utensils (golf clubs, balls, tees, scorecard, ball hanger, towel, umbrella, rain suit, provisions, etc.);
a battery power supply, an electric, electrohydraulic and / or electropneumatic drive for the artificial limbs;
an equilibrium sensor system;
an orientation sensor system with an external signal transmitter (carried by the golfer);
a speech recognition system for recording and executing commands as well as
a microprocessor control for processing commands and signals with a storage unit, which incorporates permanent and dynamic data storage, on the one hand to replace the conventional caddy for the golfer and on the other hand to accompany the golfer at a minimum distance freely definable by the golfer and to avoid registered, unregistered and also dynamic obstacles and terrain sections on an optimally calculated route without disturbing the golfer during the preparation and execution of the golf course. 2. Robot golf caddy according to claim 1, characterized in that the robot has further limbs ( 25 ) on the upper part of the housing, which are driven and controlled analogously to the limbs described in claim 1 for locomotion, whereby he human-like movements and functions, for , For example: can grip, lift, carry, support, etc. 3. Robot golf caddy according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the robot has a weatherproof cover. 4. Robot golf caddy according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that the robot with an integrated in the robot housing Ultrasonic object recognition is equipped with the microprocessor Control is coupled. 5. Robot golf caddy according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 characterized in that the robot via an external remote control unit is controllable, the impulses by radio, ultrasound, infrared or the like to im Robot housing integrated receiver can be transmitted. 6. Robot golf caddy according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 characterized in that the robot is feeding topographical Data of the golf course in digitized form, the virtual limits for him walkable area considered. 7. Robot golf caddy according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 characterized in that the robot via a satellite-based transmission and Receiving system for location and orientation (e.g. use of the existing GPS or similar).