Abstract: A three-part epoxy grout composition comprises a liquid epoxy blend, a liquid hardener, and a graded particulate aggregate, wherein the dry aggregate particles are pretreated with an applied adhesion promoter in an amount of 0.01 to 5% by weight. The volume of pretreated aggregate particles, when mixed with the epoxy blend and the hardener, comprises at least 70% by volume of the cured grout. Pretreatment of the aggregate by coating with adhesion promoter allows more efficient use of chemicals along with improved strength. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method for operating a robot, including: capturing images of a workspace; capturing movement data indicative of movement of the robot; capturing LIDAR data as the robot performs work within the workspace; comparing at least one object from the captured images to objects in an object dictionary; identifying a class to which the at least one object belongs; generating a first iteration of a map of the workspace based on the LIDAR data; generating additional iterations of the map based on newly captured LIDAR data and newly captured movement data; actuating the robot to drive along a trajectory that follows along a planned path by providing pulses to one or more electric motors of wheels of the robot; and localizing the robot within an iteration of the map by estimating a position of the robot based on the movement data, slippage, and sensor errors.

Abstract: Some aspects include a method for operating a cleaning robot, including: capturing LIDAR data; generating a first iteration of a map of the environment in real time; capturing sensor data from different positions within the environment; capturing movement data indicative of movement of the cleaning robot; aligning and integrating newly captured LIDAR data with previously captured LIDAR data at overlapping points; generating additional iterations of the map based on the newly captured LIDAR data and at least some of the newly captured sensor data; localizing the cleaning robot; planning a path of the cleaning robot; and actuating the cleaning robot to drive along a trajectory that follows along the planned path by providing pulses to one or more electric motors of wheels of the cleaning robot.

Abstract: A method for pairing a robotic device with an application of a communication device, including using, with the application, unique login information to log into the application; receiving, with the application, a SSID of a first Wi-Fi network to which the communication device is connected and a password for the first Wi-Fi network; entering, with the robotic device, a pairing mode upon the user pressing a button on a user interface of the robotic device or autonomously upon powering up for a first time; transmitting, with the application, the SSID and the password of the first Wi-Fi network to the robotic device; connecting, with the robotic device, the robotic device to the first Wi-Fi network using the SSID and the password of the first Wi-Fi network; receiving, with the application, information; and transmitting, with the application, at least some of the information to the robotic device.

Abstract: Some aspects include a method for operating a wheeled device, including: capturing, by a primary sensor coupled to the wheeled device, primary sensor data indicative of a plurality of radial distances to objects; transforming, by a processor of the wheeled device, the plurality of radial distances from a perspective of the primary sensor to a perspective of the wheeled device; generating, by the processor, a partial map of visible areas in real-time at a first position of the wheeled device based on the primary sensor data and some secondary sensor data, wherein: the partial map is a bird's eye view; and the processor iteratively completes a full map of the environment based on new sensor data captured by sensors as the wheeled device performs work within the environment and new areas become visible to the sensors; and executing, by the wheeled device, a movement path to a second position.

Abstract: Provided is a method for operating a robot, including: capturing images of a workspace; capturing movement data indicative of movement of the robot; capturing LIDAR data as the robot performs work within the workspace; comparing at least one object from the captured images to objects in an object dictionary; identifying a class to which the at least one object belongs; generating a first iteration of a map of the workspace based on the LIDAR data; generating additional iterations of the map based on newly captured LIDAR data and newly captured movement data; actuating the robot to drive along a trajectory that follows along a planned path by providing pulses to one or more electric motors of wheels of the robot; and localizing the robot within an iteration of the map by estimating a position of the robot based on the movement data, slippage, and sensor errors.

Abstract: Some aspects include a method for operating a cleaning robot, including: capturing LIDAR data; generating a first iteration of a map of the environment in real time; capturing sensor data from different positions within the environment; capturing movement data indicative of movement of the cleaning robot; aligning and integrating newly captured LIDAR data with previously captured LIDAR data at overlapping points; generating additional iterations of the map based on the newly captured LIDAR data and at least some of the newly captured sensor data; localizing the cleaning robot; planning a path of the cleaning robot; and actuating the cleaning robot to drive along a trajectory that follows along the planned path by providing pulses to one or more electric motors of wheels of the cleaning robot.

Abstract: The charging of an electrical device (101) supported by an animal is disclosed. The animal is walked on leash (103) and the leash is connected to the electrical device (101). When connected in this way, the electrical device is charged such that charge is available when the animal is released from the leash such that the electrical device may be operated.

Abstract: Systems (300) and methods (1100) for providing audio output from a handheld Communication Device (“CD”). The methods comprise: receiving an audio signal at CD; and dividing the audio signal into a first audio signal with a first frequency bandwidth and a second audio signal with a second frequency bandwidth exclusive of and lower than the first frequency bandwidth. Next, a first electroacoustic transducer (402) produces directional sound in response to the first audio signal. A second electroacoustic transducer (404) produces omnidirectional sound in response to the second audio signal. The first electroacoustic transducer is located on a first side (406) of CD which comprises at least one input device (320, 340) of a user interface (330) that has a stacked arrangement with the first electroacoustic transducer. The second electroacoustic transducer is located on a second side (408) opposed from the first side of the communication device.

Abstract: A flexible foldable keyboard apparatus includes a flexible foldable keyboard (101) having a key defining plane (102), an interface device and phone supporting device (103). The phone supporting device (103) is arranged to unfold from a storage configuration, in which the phone supporting device (103) is folded onto the key defining plane (102) to allow the key defining plane (102) to be wrapped around the phone supporting device (103), to present a telephone supporting configuration, in which the phone supporting device (103) is configured to receive a mobile telephone (401). The phone supporting device (103) is configured to support a mobile telephone (401) in an orientation in which an electrical connection is provided between the interface device and the electrical connectors of the mobile telephone (401), such that the mobile telephone (401) and the flexible foldable keyboard (101) are in electrical communication.