Patent ID: 6999849

Claim:
A robotic apparatus capable of moving over a surface, comprising: a trunk comprising one or more segments pivotably connected; at least one first leg having a first proximal end adjacent to and supporting said trunk and an opposing first distal end, said at least one first leg comprising a first contact element connected to said first distal end by a first mounting assembly; at least one second leg having a second proximal end adjacent to and supporting said trunk and an opposite second distal end, said at least one second leg comprising a second contact element connected to said second distal end by a second mounting assembly; at least one lateral stabilizer having a fixed end and an opposing free end, said at least one lateral stabilizer comprising a lateral contact element connected to said free end by a lateral mounting assembly; at least one motorized assembly connected to drive one of said contact elements of a member selected from the group consisting of said at least one first leg, said at least one second leg, and said at least one lateral stabilizer; and means for disengaging said at least one motorized assembly such that said one of said contact elements moves freely, wherein said legs and said stabilizer are foldable with respect to said trunk from at least one open position in which said robotic apparatus is substantially balanced with respect to said surface, to at least one closed position in which said legs and said stabilizer are substantially parallel to one another and define a closed carriage plane, wherein one of said at least one closed positions is further characterized by a portion of said member being positioned within a reach envelope of a person, said reach envelope approximating a space above said surface in which an object may be grasped, and wherein said portion within said reach envelope comprises a pull for grasping by said person.