Abstract: An uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) configured and operable for controllable flight, including autonomous flight. A generally planar body defining opposing front and back planar surfaces includes a plurality of circular duct openings provided in the planar body extending between the opposing front and back surfaces. A plurality of rotor guard assemblies are provided wherein each respective rotor guard assembly is configured for detachable engagement with a respective duct opening. A rotor is respectively rotatably mounted in each respective duct opening of the plurality of duct openings whereby each rotor is configured for providing propulsion of the UAV planar body. An electronic controller is operatively coupled to each rotor for controlling rotation of each rotor wherein the electronic controller is configured to enable flight of the UAV via a single hand-throw from a user operator of the UAV.

Abstract: A robot alert system includes a robot server that receives contextualized sensor data from one or more mobile robots and generates alerts to one or more individuals according to a set of configured alert rules. The contextualized sensor data includes location data indicating a location of the mobile robot and sensor data obtained by the mobile robot representing sensed conditions of an environment associated with the location. The robot server accesses staff member data associated with each of a plurality of staff members from a staff member database and accesses a set of stored alert rules specifying alert criteria for triggering the alert. Responsive to determining that the contextualized sensor data meets the alert criteria for s target staff member, the robot server generates and transmits an alert to a client device associated with the target staff member.

Abstract: A robotic vacuum cleaner equipped with a holonomic drive that can drive in a given direction, e.g., north (assigned orientation), and move in a different direction, while maintaining its assigned orientation or that of any desired portion of the robot, such as an intake, or any other portion of the robot that is needed for a particular maneuver. The robotic vacuum cleaner includes a removable, chargeable battery system including a battery pack having batteries and a battery management system extending across all the batteries of the battery pack. A housing, including a top cover, surrounds the battery pack and the battery management system (BMS). The top cover extends over the BMS and includes a circuit board therein. A connector is at least partially connected to the BMS and extends through the housing. The connector is configured to transmit signals between the battery management system and the robotic vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A quick release mechanism for a wheel includes a hub and a clip, which interact with a wheel or roller that may or may not be part of the invention per se. The hub is disposable on a drive shaft such that it will rotate with the drive shaft. An optional hub cap is disposable on the wheel and has an opening that is complimentary to the geometry of the hub to allow engagement thereof such that the hub the hub cap rotate together. The clip is disposable on the hub in a closed or an open position so that the hub cap cannot or can be removed from the hub.

Abstract: A robot alert system includes a robot server that receives contextualized sensor data from one or more mobile robots and generates alerts to one or more individuals according to a set of configured alert rules. The contextualized sensor data includes location data indicating a location of the mobile robot and sensor data obtained by the mobile robot representing sensed conditions of an environment associated with the location. The robot server accesses staff member data associated with each of a plurality of staff members from a staff member database and accesses a set of stored alert rules specifying alert criteria for triggering the alert. Responsive to determining that the contextualized sensor data meets the alert criteria for s target staff member, the robot server generates and transmits an alert to a client device associated with the target staff member.

Abstract: A robotic vacuum cleaner equipped with a holonomic drive that can drive in a given direction, e.g., north (with its assigned orientation being north) and move in a different direction, e.g., east, north-east, or any direction) while maintaining its assigned orientation or that of any desired portion of the robot such as an intake, bank of sensors, or any other portion of the robot that is needed for a particular maneuver.

Abstract: A robot alert system includes a robot server that receives contextualized sensor data from one or more mobile robots and generates alerts to one or more individuals according to a set of configured alert rules. The contextualized sensor data includes location data indicating a location of the mobile robot and sensor data obtained by the mobile robot representing sensed conditions of an environment associated with the location. The robot server accesses staff member data associated with each of a plurality of staff members from a staff member database and accesses a set of stored alert rules specifying alert criteria for triggering the alert. Responsive to determining that the contextualized sensor data meets the alert criteria for s target staff member, the robot server generates and transmits an alert to a client device associated with the target staff member.

Abstract: A robotic vacuum cleaner equipped with a holonomic drive that can drive in a given direction, e.g., north (with its assigned orientation being north) and move in a different direction, e.g., east, north-east, or any direction) while maintaining its assigned orientation or that of any desired portion of the robot such as an intake, bank of sensors, or any other portion of the robot that is needed for a particular maneuver.

Abstract: An independent suspension system for a robot vacuum cleaner with a hinge component attached to an L-shaped bracket having a horizontal flange portion and a vertical flange portion. The vertical flange portion is attached to a wheel assembly of the robot vacuum cleaner and a spring is coupled to the horizontal flange portion. A pin is attached to and extends from the vertical flange portion. A holding component is within a wheel well of the robot vacuum cleaner and is movable between an engaged configuration with the pin and a disengaged configuration with the pin.

Abstract: A quick release mechanism for a wheel includes a hub and a clip, which interact with a wheel or roller that may or may not be part of the invention per se. The hub is disposable on a drive shaft such that it will rotate with the drive shaft. An optional hub cap is disposable on the wheel and has an opening that is complimentary to the geometry of the hub to allow engagement thereof such that the hub the hub cap rotate together. The clip is disposable on the hub in a closed or an open position so that the hub cap cannot or can be removed from the hub.

Abstract: A quick release mechanism for a wheel includes a hub and a clip, which interact with a wheel or roller that may or may not be part of the invention per se. The hub is disposable on a drive shaft such that it will rotate with the drive shaft. An optional hub cap is disposable on the wheel and has an opening that is complimentary to the geometry of the hub to allow engagement thereof such that the hub the hub cap rotate together. The clip is disposable on the hub in a closed or an open position so that the hub cap cannot or can be removed from the hub.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to inventive embodiments of a vacuum cleaner apparatus having a brush assembly which provides effective cleaning with reduced suction and intake area. The brush assembly has a brush core with an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity. The brush core is rotatably suspended within an intake area defined by a housing. A bearing within the cavity allows the brush core to rotate via the bearing with respect to the housing. A plurality of agitators extends radially from the outer surface of the brush core to agitate dirt and other debris. Finally, a motor is disposed within the cavity defined by the inner surface of the brush core. The motor is mounted to the housing such that the brush core may rotate relative to the motor and the motor is configured to rotationally drive the brush core about the motor.

Abstract: A mobile robot can navigate within an area using a keepout map. The keepout map identifies portions of the area through which the robot can safely navigate, and likewise identifies portions of the area through which the robot is unable to navigate. The keepout map can be generated based on external data (such as blueprints or local area maps) or based on data from sensors included on or within the robot (such as cameras or LIDAR sensors). The keepout map can also be updated as the robot navigates within the area, for instance to identify new obstacles within the area. The robot navigates through the area by selecting a route that avoids the portions of the area that the robot is unable to navigate identified by the keepout map. The updated keepout map can be provided to a central server, for storage or distribution to one or more other robots.

Abstract: A robot alert system includes a robot server that receives contextualized sensor data from one or more mobile robots and generates alerts to one or more individuals according to a set of configured alert rules. The contextualized sensor data includes location data indicating a location of the mobile robot and sensor data obtained by the mobile robot representing sensed conditions of an environment associated with the location. The robot server accesses staff member data associated with each of a plurality of staff members from a staff member database and accesses a set of stored alert rules specifying alert criteria for triggering the alert. Responsive to determining that the contextualized sensor data meets the alert criteria for s target staff member, the robot server generates and transmits an alert to a client device associated with the target staff member.

Abstract: A robotic vacuum cleaner equipped with a holonomic drive that can drive in a given direction, e.g., north (assigned orientation), and move in a different direction, while maintaining its assigned orientation or that of any desired portion of the robot, such as an intake, or any other portion of the robot that is needed for a particular maneuver. The robotic vacuum cleaner includes a removable, chargeable battery system including a battery pack having batteries and a battery management system extending across all the batteries of the battery pack. A housing, including a top cover, surrounds the battery pack and the battery management system (BMS). The top cover extends over the BMS and includes a circuit board therein. A connector is at least partially connected to the BMS and extends through the housing. The connector is configured to transmit signals between the battery management system and the robotic vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: An independent suspension system for a robot vacuum cleaner with a hinge component attached to an L-shaped bracket having a horizontal flange portion and a vertical flange portion. The vertical flange portion is attached to a wheel assembly of the robot vacuum cleaner and a spring is coupled to the horizontal flange portion. A pin is attached to and extends from the vertical flange portion. A holding component is within a wheel well of the robot vacuum cleaner and is movable between an engaged configuration with the pin and a disengaged configuration with the pin.