{
  "patent_number": "US 9409292",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How a Snake Robot Uses Two Arms to Work Together",
  "original_title": "Serpentine robotic crawler for performing dexterous operations",
  "summary": "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.",
  "what_it_does": "The patent describes a \"serpentine robotic crawler\" (Claim 1) made of at least two connected \"frames\" (Claim 1). These frames are joined by an \"articulating linkage\" (Claim 1), which acts like a flexible spine with joints. Each frame supports a \"dexterous manipulator\" (Claim 1), essentially a robotic arm with a \"jointed member\" and an \"end effecter\" (Claim 1), like a gripper or tool. The key is that these manipulators can move in at least two directions and perform \"individual dexterous operations that are coordinated with one another\" (Claim 1). For example, one arm might hold a heavy pipe (Claim 2, 3) while the other arm uses a tool to fix it, guided by an \"optical sensor\" (Claim 8) for precise, two-handed work. The robot can move using tracks or wheels (Claim 13).",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Robots with only one dexterous manipulator, as the claims specifically require at least two manipulators.",
    "Robots where multiple manipulators operate independently without any coordination between their actions.",
    "Robots that are not designed with a flexible, multi-segment 'serpentine' body structure.",
    "Robots whose manipulators cannot exert a force greater than the robot's own weight, as specified in claims 2 and 3.",
    "Robots where the manipulators are not capable of movement in at least two distinct degrees of freedom."
  ],
  "filed": "2013-09-13",
  "granted": "2016-08-09",
  "expires": "2033-09-13",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Sarcos LC",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/sarcos-lc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Marc Olivier",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/marc-olivier"
    },
    {
      "name": "Fraser M. Smith",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/fraser-m-smith"
    },
    {
      "name": "John McCullough",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/john-mccullough"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 27,
  "tags": [
    "robotics",
    "mechanical",
    "aerospace",
    "energy",
    "telecommunications",
    "automotive"
  ],
  "abstract": "A serpentine robotic crawler having multiple dexterous manipulators supported about multiple frame units. The frame units are connected via an articulating linkage at proximal ends wherein the articulating linkage is capable of positioning the frames into various configurations. Dexterous manipulators are coupled to distal ends of the frame units and are positionable via the articulating linkage and articulating joints therein into various positions about the frame ends. The configurations and positioning of the dexterous manipulators allows the robotic crawler to perform coordinated dexterous operations.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9409292/serpentine-robotic-crawler-for-performing-dexterous-operations",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9409292/serpentine-robotic-crawler-for-performing-dexterous-operations/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US9409292",
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}