GeckoSystems to discuss the CareBot's low cost differential drive locomotion system

Oct 14 2009

GeckoSystems Intl. Corp. (PINKSHEETS: GCKO) (http://www.geckosystems.com/) announced today that during their first annual "Mobile Robots in Motion" conference November 4-5, 2009, attendees will be able to observe and discuss the CareBot's™ low cost differential drive locomotion system. GeckoSystems is a dynamic leader in the emerging mobile robotics industry, revolutionizing their development and usage with "Mobile Robot Solutions for Safety, Security and Service™."

"Once we determined the size and capacity of the battery compartment and its weight for long battery run time, we calculated the power needed from a 12VDC permanent magnet gear motor to lift the robot (the CareBot weighs, with battery, approximately 90-100 lbs, total) readily over vertical transitions up to 1.5" as are commonly found in many homes. We determined that not only was the quality of automotive accessory gear motors excellent with a low cost, but also very durable and powerful," observed Martin Spencer, President/CEO, GeckoSystems.

"The simple but versatile differential drive system used in the CareBot allows for a high degree of maneuverability and less complex control algorithms. Differential drive systems are far more manageable then four-wheeled or tracked systems when it comes to maintaining accurate positioning information and precision control," stated Mark Peele, Vice President, Research and Development, GeckoSystems.

"In our years of testing these modified, but commodity motors, even after many hours of continuous use, they seldom get warmer than room temperature. Our proprietary energy conservation paradigm further improves the efficiency of our low cost locomotion system for a greater value to our end users and increased ROI for our stockholders," concluded Spencer.

Like an automobile, mobile robots are made from steel, aluminum, plastic, and electronics, but with ten to twenty times the amount of software running. The CareBot has an aluminum frame, plastic shroud, two independently driven wheels, multiple sensor systems, microprocessors and several onboard computers connected in a local area network (LAN). The microprocessors directly interact with the sensor systems and transmit data to the onboard computers. The onboard computers each run independent, highly specialized cooperative/subsumptive artificial intelligence (AI) software programs, GeckoSavants™, which interact to complete tasks in a timely, intelligent and common sense manner. GeckoNav™, GeckoChat™ and GeckoTrak™ are primary GeckoSavants. GeckoNav is responsible for maneuvering, avoiding dynamic and/or static obstacles, seeking waypoints and patrolling. GeckoChat is responsible for interaction with the care-receiver such as answering questions, assisting with daily routines and reminders, and responding to other verbal commands. GeckoTrak, which is mostly transparent to the user, enables the CareBot to maintain proximity to the care-receiver using sensor fusion. The CareBot is an internet appliance that is accessible for remote video/audio monitoring and telepresence.

As predicted in the recent Forbes article (http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/17/robots-health-care-technology-breakthroughs-telehealth.html), due to the sufficiency and cost effective robustness of GeckoSystems' first product, the CareBot™, near term in-home evaluation trials have been recently announced. This conference will enable many industry observers to witness and determine for themselves the proximity to market and consumer acceptance their first product will enjoy.

SOURCE: GeckoSystems Intl. Corp.