Abstract: The methods of the invention provide a variety of processes that may be performed by a mobile retail system or a mobile robot system. In accordance with one process, the invention provides a method of facilitating a retail environment, comprising the steps of providing a mobile system for operation in the retail environment, the mobile system including a processor portion, a memory portion storing retail data relating to retail activity, the processor portion storing data in the memory portion and retrieving data from the memory portion, an interaction portion, and a transport portion. The method further includes traveling from at least a first location to a second location by the mobile system; monitoring the retail environment by the mobile system; and accepting input from a customer in the retail environment by the mobile system. Various other operations may be performed by the mobile system in accordance with the system and method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a robot system is provided comprising the steps of commanding the robot system to perform a function in an area, the area having an area layout including at least one area segment. The method further includes accessing by the robot system a stored map of the area layout, the stored map having at least one function task associated with the at least one area segment, localizing a first position of the robot system in the area, determining a function path from the first position of the robot system for navigation of the area and completion of the at least one function task, repeatedly continuously localizing a current position of the robot system while navigating the robot system along the function path, and completing the at least one function task that is associated with the current position of the robot system.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides a system, and in particular a robot system, and a variety of processes that may be performed by the robot system in a retail environment. The robot system, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a processor portion, a memory portion, an interaction portion and a transport portion. The processor portion of the robot system processes a wide variety of data in operation of the robot system based on a variety of inputs from the retail environment and information in the memory stores. The memory portion stores a variety of data including retail data relating to retail activity and information relating to customer interaction with the robot system. The processor portion both stores data in the memory portion and retrieves data from the memory portion in operation. The interaction portion interfaces with a customer in various ways.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a robot system is provided comprising the steps of commanding the robot system to perform a function in an area, the area having an area layout including at least one area segment. The method further includes accessing by the robot system a stored map of the area layout, the stored map having at least one function task associated with the at least one area segment, localizing a first position of the robot system in the area, determining a function path from the first position of the robot system for navigation of the area and completion of the at least one function task, repeatedly continuously localizing a current position of the robot system while navigating the robot system along the function path, and completing the at least one function task that is associated with the current position of the robot system.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides a system, and in particular a robot system, and a variety of processes that may be performed by the robot system in a retail environment. The robot system, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a processor portion, a memory portion, an interaction portion and a transport portion. The processor portion of the robot system processes a wide variety of data in operation of the robot system based on a variety of inputs from the retail environment and information in the memory stores. The memory portion stores a variety of data including retail data relating to retail activity and information relating to customer interaction with the robot system. The processor portion both stores data in the memory portion and retrieves data from the memory portion in operation. The interaction portion interfaces with a customer in various ways.

Abstract: The methods of the invention provide a variety of processes that may be performed by a mobile retail system or a mobile robot system. In accordance with one process, the invention provides a method of facilitating a retail environment, comprising the steps of providing a mobile system for operation in the retail environment, the mobile system including a processor portion, a memory portion storing retail data relating to retail activity, the processor portion storing data in the memory portion and retrieving data from the memory portion, an interaction portion, and a transport portion. The method further includes traveling from at least a first location to a second location by the mobile system; monitoring the retail environment by the mobile system; and accepting input from a customer in the retail environment by the mobile system. Various other operations may be performed by the mobile system in accordance with the system and method of the invention.