Patents Assigned to Nuro, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20210339704
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes determining when a vehicle has arrived at a destination and performing a first authentication process when it is determined that the vehicle has arrived at the destination. The first authentication process being arranged to authenticate a first party to enable the first party to interact with the vehicle. The method also includes determining when the first party has successfully completed the first authentication process, performing a second process when it is determined that the first party has successfully completed the first authentication process, determining whether the second process is successfully completed, and enabling the first party to interact with the vehicle when it is determined that the second process is successfully completed. Performing the second process includes determining when the first party is present within the sensing zone. The first authentication process and the second process are contactless with respect to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Bhanu RATHI, John David WEST, Joonsik MAING, Robert Irving LUAN, David K. KIM, Siyu ZHAN
  • Patent number: 11151632
    Abstract: A delivery control system includes a communication device configured to receive an image of a product from a computing device of a customer, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the delivery control system to perform an image recognition process on the image to identify at least one product based on the image, transmit the identified at least one product to the computing device via the communication device, receive from the computing device a product selected by the customer from among the identified at least one product, and instruct an robot vehicle to deliver the selected product to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: NURO, INC.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Nan Ransohoff
  • Publication number: 20210308300
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a vehicle includes a first compartment, a system, and a first sanitizing arrangement. The first compartment has a plurality of walls that define a space, and the system is configured to enable the vehicle to travel autonomously. The system includes a power system configured to provide power to the first compartment. The first sanitizing arrangement includes at least a first sanitizing component, the at least first sanitizing component being included in the first compartment, wherein the first sanitizing arrangement is configured to be activated to sanitize the plurality of walls and the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Bhanu RATHI, Kun GENG, Peter Jon KARDASSAKIS, Steven Yewen WU, Robert Jong Kon KIM
  • Publication number: 20210295242
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes propelling a vehicle to a location. The vehicle includes at least one compartment configured to contain at least one delivery item and at least one transfer mechanism, the transfer mechanism arranged to be activated to cause the delivery item to be purged from the at least one compartment. The method also includes determining when the vehicle is authorized to deliver the delivery item at the location, aligning the vehicle with respect to a target at the location, opening a door to the at least one compartment, and activating the transfer mechanism after opening the door. Activating the transfer mechanism includes causing the transfer mechanism to purge the delivery item such that the delivery item is obtained by the target. The target is arranged to receive the delivery item when the delivery item is purged from the at least one compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Bhanu RATHI, Robert Irving LUAN
  • Publication number: 20210256795
    Abstract: Provided herein is an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle fleet comprising a plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles for delivering a food or beverage item to a customer. The autonomous vehicle herein may comprise of storage units that are easily configured to effectively and efficiently carry different types of food or beverage items, including a temperature control system configured to maintain a target unit temperature for different types of food or beverage items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ian FERGUSON, Jiajun ZHU, Nan RANSOHOFF
  • Patent number: 11082622
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to image signal processor configurations. In accordance with aspects, a system includes at least one image signal processor, a first camera configured to cooperate with the image signal processor(s) to capture images of an environment around a vehicle, and a second camera configured to cooperate with the image signal processor(s) to capture images of the environment, where the second camera and the first camera are mounted to the vehicle in the same direction. The image signal processor(s) is configured to transition from capturing images of a field of view using an active image signal processor (ISP) configuration to capturing images of the field of view using a matched image signal processor (ISP) configuration which is different from the active ISP configuration. The transition includes simultaneously using the first camera and the second camera and includes simultaneously using the active ISP configuration and the matched ISP configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: NURO, INC.
    Inventors: Fei Zhu, Wei Liu, James N. Vines
  • Patent number: 11061116
    Abstract: Described are LiDAR systems including an apparatus configured to translate one or more spherical lenses, an array of light sources, an array of photodetectors, or any combination thereof of a collection optical system in the Z direction (optical axis) to move the image plane of the collection optical system and match the image size between a transmission optical system and the collection optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: Lu Gao, Wenjian Cai
  • Patent number: 11009868
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for navigating an autonomous or semi-autonomous fleet comprising a plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles within a plurality of navigable pathways within an unstructured open environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Russell Smith
  • Publication number: 20210094506
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes detecting, through a detection interface of a vehicle, an installation of a first compartment insert in a first compartment of the vehicle, wherein detecting the installation includes determining when the detection interface is in contact with a second interface of the first compartment insert. After detecting the installation of the first compartment insert, it is determined whether the first compartment insert is capable of transmitting information to the vehicle. The method also includes obtaining the information from the first compartment insert when it is determined that the first compartment insert is capable of transmitting the information to the vehicle, and identifying a type associated with the first compartment insert from the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Alan BAKER, Robert Irving LUAN, Benjamin Wade JULIAN, Riley Alexander SOWARD
  • Patent number: 10911755
    Abstract: An autonomous land vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes a land vehicle conveyance system, at least two telecommunication devices, an imaging device configured to capture image data of a surrounding environment, a video encoder configured to encode the image data, one or more processors, and at least one memory storing instructions. The telecommunication devices can perform wireless communication independently of each other and can simultaneously perform wireless communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Shen, Calvin Giroud
  • Patent number: 10899322
    Abstract: A system for decelerating a vehicle includes a powered driver and an anchor supported by the powered driver. The powered driver configured to be movably coupled to a chassis of the vehicle. The powered driver is also configured to propel the anchor from the powered driver into a road surface to secure the vehicle to the road surface for decelerating the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Jason Ratner
  • Patent number: 10882488
    Abstract: An autonomous robot vehicle includes a front side and an energy absorbing system. The front side includes a front bumper and a front face including a frame defining a cavity. The energy absorbing system includes an energy absorbing member mounted in the cavity of the frame, and an inflatable airbag. The energy absorbing member is configured to reduce impact on an object struck by the autonomous robot vehicle. The inflatable airbag is mounted on the front side of the autonomous robot vehicle such that when the inflatable airbag is deployed, the inflatable airbag is external to the autonomous robot vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Nick Vines, Russell Smith
  • Patent number: 10864885
    Abstract: An autonomous system for loading or unloading an autonomous vehicle, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, includes one or more module(s) that include at least one of a compartment or a sub-compartment where the module(s) are located in an autonomous vehicle, a robotic movement apparatus configured to autonomously move items to or from the module(s), one or more processors, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor(s), cause the autonomous system to autonomously move an item, using the robotic movement apparatus, to or from the at least one module of the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu
  • Patent number: 10860015
    Abstract: A managing apparatus for positioning rental vehicles includes a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to cause the managing apparatus to access model information and location information for a plurality of autonomous vehicles, receive a request including a delivery location and a chosen model for renting, select an autonomous vehicle of the chosen model from among the plurality of autonomous vehicles based on the model information, the location information, and the delivery location, instruct the selected autonomous vehicle to fully-autonomously or semi-autonomously travel to the delivery location, and instruct the selected autonomous vehicle to switch to manual operation mode at the delivery location for manual operation by a vehicle rental customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Cosimo Leipold
  • Patent number: 10824862
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for implementing three-dimensional perception in an autonomous robotic system comprising an end-to-end neural network architecture that directly consumes large-scale raw sparse point cloud data and performs such tasks as object localization, boundary estimation, object classification, and segmentation of individual shapes or fused complete point cloud shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruizhongtai Qi, Wei Liu, Chenxia Wu
  • Patent number: 10732629
    Abstract: A system for fulfilling peer-to-peer transactions by autonomous robot vehicles includes processor(s) and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor(s), cause the system to: receive information on a peer-to-peer transaction between a seller and a buyer for an item, communicate instructions to an autonomous vehicle to travel to a first destination and receive the item, receive an indication that the item has been received, communicate instructions to the autonomous vehicle to travel to a second destination to deliver the item to the buyer, receive a signal indicating that buyer funds are in escrow, and receive a signal indicating that the item is accepted or rejected by the buyer. In a case where the item is accepted, the system communicates a release of the funds from the escrow to the seller. In a case the item is rejected, the system determines a handling itinerary for the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Nan Ransohoff, Pichayut Jirapinyo, Cosimo Leipold
  • Patent number: 10719078
    Abstract: An autonomous robot vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes a land vehicle conveyance system, a communication system configured to communicate with a remote human operator system, one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor(s), cause the autonomous robot vehicle to receive via the communication system control instructions from the remote human operator system for controlling the land vehicle conveyance system, control the land vehicle conveyance system in accordance with the control instructions to perform travel, and autonomously control the land vehicle conveyance system in coordination with the control instructions from the remote human operator system to semi-autonomously perform travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Yi Shen
  • Patent number: 10719805
    Abstract: A system for a mobile secure locker in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes processor(s) and memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor(s), cause the system to provide a user interface for a user to rent a mobile secure locker in an autonomous robot vehicle, receive information through the user interface from the user where the information includes a first destination, a second destination, and a time associated with the second destination, communicate instructions to the autonomous robot vehicle to travel to the first destination to receive the item, receive an indication from the autonomous robot vehicle that the item has been received, communicate instructions to the autonomous robot vehicle to travel to the second destination to deliver the item to the user at the time associated with the second destination, and receive from the autonomous robot vehicle an indication the item is retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Pichayut Jirapinyo, Nan Ransohoff
  • Publication number: 20200201345
    Abstract: Provided herein is an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle fleet comprising a plurality of electric autonomous vehicle for apportioned display of a media, operating autonomously and a fleet management module for coordination of the autonomous vehicle fleet. Each autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle comprising a screen configured to display the media. Activation, deactivation, brightness modification, in combination with specific media selection enables more efficient media display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: David FERGUSON, Jiajun ZHU, Pichayut JIRAPINYO, Cosimo LEIPOLD
  • Publication number: 20200150278
    Abstract: A system is presented in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the system includes a light source configured to emit light, an emitting lens positioned to obtain the emitted light and configured to produce a shaped beam, an optical element positioned to obtain the shaped beam and redirect the shaped beam toward a near field object to produce scattered light from the near field object, and to obtain and redirect at least a portion of the scattered light, and a collection lens configured to focus the at least the portion of the scattered light on a light detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Li, Yun Zhang