Robot of the Week: Forager

Forager Omni-Chassis Autonomous Robot

The Forager Omni-Chassis is an autonomous robotic vehicle which means it's controlled via remote control or can be programmed to perform a task on its own. The Forager's design allows for the remote to serve multiple purposes as it can be fitted with a wide variety of tools from just carrying payloads to remote controlled appendages etc. Its movement is calculated internally as its position is constantly recorded along with any environmental and/or collision data. The Forager's tough build consists of tracks comprised of aluminum for strength and light weight versatility which are angled at 22° granting the ability to climb over objects and even operate in less-than-ideal terrain. The track pads are bolted on with urethane bolts which can also be swapped out for a sturdier or "more aggressive" metal if need be.

What I like so much about the Forager is the dynamic nature of the bot. It's frame is relatively simple and apparently so is the design. It seems today a lot of people strive for the flashy and more complex designs to show off or whatever the case may be but Forager shows that sometimes, simple gets the job done (and done well). This dynamic yet simple body allows the bot to have so many capabilities are far as who can use it and what it could possibly be used for. Just looking at it now, I can think of a few things off the top of my head like medical supply transport throughout a hospital or on the battlefield, or even a futuristic descendant of the baby carriage.

Forager fitted with 6 wheels as opposed to two aluminum tracks

Another neat thing about the Forage is the Omni-Chassis which offers different options as to how your robot would get around. In the picture above, Forager is fitted with aluminum tracks but It is also available with wheeled movement (shown left). A small idea I get while reading this over would be perhaps the potential for operation in water.. perhaps with lighter air-filled wheels which also contain paddles that are able to maintain the Forager above water while also propelling it through the surf. This is assuming that the wheels are able to be turned independently of each other to grant the most maneuverability possible.

For more on the Forager, like mechanical specifications and other highlights, be sure to check out botmag.com's article here and for a potential buyer its creator c-link systems official site here.