A New Robotic System Concept for Automating Highway Maintenance Operations

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present the Tethered Mobile Robot (TMR) concept, a new robotic system for automating highway maintenance operations. The operational requirements of this system have resulted in a differentially steered, wheeled mobile robot which is tethered to the support vehicle via a mechanical linkage for accurate relative positioning and connectivity. The support vehicle provides the primary sensing as well as power and other necessary supplies. This paper discusses the unique system configuration.