Patent ID: 7559385
Filing Date: 2009-07-14
Classification: B60K,B60L,B62D

Abstract:
1. A robotic vehicle comprising: an elongate body defining a body axis, the body comprising two ends; a tire coupled and axially fixed to each end of the body, the tires configured to elastically deform and dissipate impact loads over substantially any angle of impact of the vehicle on a landing surface; one or more motors for rotating the tires; a flexible tail member coupled to the body and extending outwardly therefrom; a video camera positioned within the body, the video camera configured to transmit data; and a switch assembly including a switch enclosed within the body, the switch operable to selectively activate electrical circuits within the robotic vehicle, wherein the switch assembly comprises a user-removable pin comprising a cylindrical pin body and a head, the head defining an aperture for connecting the pin to foreign objects, and wherein the body of the vehicle defines an opening for receiving the pin body, the opening extending in a direction transverse to the body axis, whereby when the pin is inserted into the opening of the body, the head of the pin protrudes out of the body of the vehicle.