# How One Person Can Control Two Robots as a Team > This patent describes a system where a single operator can control two separate robots together as one unified machine, or switch to control them individually, using a master control system. - **Patent:** US 11794345 - **Original title:** Unified robotic vehicle systems and methods of control - **Owner:** Sarcos - **Granted:** 2023 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 2 - **Field:** robotics, industrial_automation, aerospace, defense, manufacturing ## What it does The patent describes a robotic system that lets a single operator control two separate robots, referred to as a "first robotic system" and a "second robotic system," either together or individually. In a "paired control mode" (Claim 1), a master control system's "drive input device" (like a joystick or steering wheel) can jointly move both robots' "mobile platforms" (their bases that move them around) as if they were a single, larger machine (Claim 3). For example, if you push forward on the joystick, both robots move forward in sync. The system can also switch to an "unpaired control mode" (Claim 5), allowing the operator to control just one of the robots at a time using the same drive input. This switch is done with a "switch input device" on the master system. Additionally, if both robots have "manipulators" (robot arms), the master system can also control both arms together in a "paired manipulator control mode" (Claim 7). ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover systems where a single robot is controlled by a master system. - Does not cover controlling multiple robots without the ability to switch between paired and unpaired control modes. - Does not cover systems where the "unified robotic system" is physically connected or a single, monolithic machine. - Does not cover multi-robot systems where each robot is controlled by a separate human operator. - Does not cover robots that cannot autonomously move into a paired position relative to each other. ## The clever bit The novelty lies in the unified control system that makes two distinct, mobile robots behave as a single, larger machine for movement and manipulation, while also allowing seamless switching to individual control. This provides both the power of a large system and the agility of smaller units. ## Real-world examples 1. Robots used for heavy lifting in construction or logistics. 2. Robots for hazardous material handling or bomb disposal. 3. Robots for maintenance or inspection in large industrial facilities. 4. Robots for search and rescue operations in complex terrain. ## Why it matters This technology is important for tasks requiring heavy lifting, complex manipulation, or working in hazardous environments where a single, large robot might be too cumbersome or expensive. By allowing two smaller, more agile robots to work together as one, it offers flexibility and efficiency. This approach could reduce the number of human operators needed for complex tasks, improving safety and productivity in industrial or dangerous settings. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How One Person Can Control Two Robots as a Team cover? This patent describes a system where a single operator can control two separate robots together as one unified machine, or switch to control them individually, using a master control system. ### Who owns patent US 11794345? Sarcos owns this patent, granted in 2023. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on December 31, 2040, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 11794345 cited by? This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This technology is important for tasks requiring heavy lifting, complex manipulation, or working in hazardous environments where a single, large robot might be too cumbersome or expensive. By allowing two smaller, more agile robots to work together as one, it offers flexibility and efficiency. This approach could reduce the number of human operators needed for complex tasks, improving safety and productivity in industrial or dangerous settings. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover systems where a single robot is controlled by a master system. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11794345/unified-robotic-vehicle-systems-and-methods-of-control **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US11794345 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How a Snake Robot Uses Two Arms to Work Together](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9409292/serpentine-robotic-crawler-for-performing-dexterous-operations) — This patent describes a snake-like robot with at least two movable arms that work together to perform complex tasks, like inspecting pipes or lifting heavy objects. - [Robots That Don't Get Stuck: A Master-Slave Control System](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9855653/master-slave-system) — This patent describes a robot control system where a human-operated 'master' robot guides a 'slave' robot, preventing either from getting into awkward, uncontrollable positions by carefully planning the master robot's movements. - [How a Boat Guides Air and Underwater Drones for Data Collection](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10317904/underwater-leading-drone-system) — This patent describes a system where a watercraft follows a planned route, guiding an aerial drone that stays a fixed distance ahead, which in turn tows a tethered underwater drone to collect combined air and sea data. - [How Robots Figure Out What They're Carrying While Moving](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20250170731/dynamic-mass-estimation-methods-for-an-integrated-mobile-manipulator-robot) — This patent describes how a mobile robot can estimate the weight and balance of an object it's carrying *while moving it*, and then adjust its movements for better control and safety. - [How Space Taxis and Locomotives Move Satellites Between Orbits](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11492143/catching-super-heavy-booster) — A modular system using a small 'rendezvous' vehicle to collect satellites and a larger 'locomotive' vehicle to haul them to their final destination in space.