Patent attributes
An autonomous mobile device has a main body and an extensible mast to raise and lower a payload, such as a camera, relative to the main body. The mast may comprise a set of telescoping sections, with each section comprising two or more pieces that are joined during assembly. A motor moves a flexible rack between a first spool and the mast to raise or lower the mast. For example, during extension a motor-driven pinion engages teeth on the flexible rack, pulling the rack from the first spool and pushing up the mast. A cable stored on a second spool may be extended and retracted with the flexible rack. The cable transfers one or more of data or power between the main body and the payload. A sensor may be used to detect features on the flexible rack to provide data about how far the flexible rack has been extended.
