Patent ID: 7853373

Claim:
A mobile object for manipulating turf comprising: a chassis comprising a drive section coupled to a steering section, said steering section having a central axis parallel to its intended direction of movement; a ground engaging traction drum having a rotational axis and a length greater than its radius coupled to said drive section; a first motor operatively coupled to said ground engaging traction drum such that said first motor is operable to drive said ground engaging traction drum by rotating it about said rotational axis; a ground engaging roller having a second rotational axis and a length greater than its radius coupled to said steering section, wherein said second rotational axis is perpendicular to said central axis and said roller is mounted in front of said traction drum with relative to the intended direction of movement; a second motor operably connected to said steering section such that said second motor is operable to rotate said drive section with respect to said steering section such that the rotational axis of said traction drum is rotated to an offset position within an angular range relative to the central axis of said steering section, wherein said drive section is pivotally coupled to said steering section such that said steering section may roll side to side about a horizontal axis perpendicular to said rotational axis of said traction drum at any offset position within said angular range; and an onboard electronic controller having a localization system, said onboard electronic controller being operable to autonomously control said first motor and said second motor so as to navigate said mobile object across a defined area of terrain absent human interaction.