Abstract: A process of piloting an omnidirectional autonomous vehicle on a virtual pathway, the omnidirectional autonomous vehicle including at least one reference line, and steering wheels configurable to drive the omnidirectional autonomous vehicle on the virtual pathway independently of its orientation.

Abstract: A mobile drive apparatus (1001) for item handling. The drive apparatus comprises at least one platform for supporting an item; a drive means; and a movable door (5003, 5001) coupled to the at least one platform and configured to move between an open position in which the platform is accessible to a user and a closed position in which the platform is enclosed. The apparatus further comprises control means coupled to the drive means. The control means are configured to control the drive means to move the drive apparatus from a current location associated with an item pickup point to a second different location for processing by an item handling hub, in response to receiving an indication that a token presented by the user is a valid token.

Abstract: A method for displacing a mobile robot on a virtual path within a workspace, comprising the generation of a synthetic offset, indicative of a lateral displacement between the instantaneous position of the mobile robot and the virtual path. The method may also include the generation of virtual tags and may be used in the retrofit or upgrade of autonomous vehicles of the line-following type.

Abstract: A mobile drive apparatus (1001) for item handling. The drive apparatus comprises at least one platform for supporting an item; a drive means; and a movable door (5003, 5001) coupled to the at least one platform and configured to move between an open position in which the platform is accessible to a user and a closed position in which the platform is enclosed. The apparatus further comprises control means coupled to the drive means. The control means are configured to control the drive means to move the drive apparatus from a current location associated with an item pickup point to a second different location for processing by an item handling hub, in response to receiving an indication that a token presented by the user is a valid token.

Abstract: A method for displacing a mobile robot on a virtual path within a workspace, comprising the generation of a synthetic offset, indicative of a lateral displacement between the instantaneous position of the mobile robot and the virtual path. The method may also include the generation of virtual tags and may be used in the retrofit or upgrade of autonomous vehicles of the line-following type.

Abstract: A floor treatment machine is disclosed for treating floor surfaces and includes a housing, two drive wheels, at least one support wheel, a drive device, a controller, at least one scan sensor configured to ensure that distance measurements can be carried out in a substantially horizontal plane via a predetermined angular area, and a floor treatment device configured to ensure that the floor can be treated. In at least one embodiment, the controller encompasses a treatment mode, which guarantees a simple and reliable selection of a successful route by way of few driving and storing steps. The boundary of the floor surface is treated as an obstacle. To record the treated surface, starting and end points of route segments, which have been followed, and one of the states “completely treated” or “incompletely treated” for the end points as well as direction information is stored.

Abstract: Mobile robot comprising a body (30), a first locomotion unit (43) and a second locomotion unit (53) pivotally connected to two lateral opposite sides of the body (30) and arranged to rotate passively relative to the body about an axis (31) transverse to the body, the mobile robot further comprising a transmission system (91) connecting said first and second locomotion units (43, 53) and the body (30), characterized in that the mechanical transmission is arranged to limit the relative rotation of the locomotion units (43, 53) relative to the body (30) such that the first and second locomotion units (43, 53) rotate in opposite directions and such that the rotation angle (?) of the first locomotion unit (43) relative to the body (39) equates in absolute value the rotation angle (?) of the second locomotion (53) unit relative to the body (30).

Abstract: A floor treatment machine is disclosed for treating floor surfaces and includes a housing, two drive wheels, at least one support wheel, a drive device, a controller, at least one scan sensor configured to ensure that distance measurements can be carried out in a substantially horizontal plane via a predetermined angular area, and a floor treatment device configured to ensure that the floor can be treated. In at least one embodiment, the controller encompasses a treatment mode, which guarantees a simple and reliable selection of a successful route by way of few driving and storing steps. The boundary of the floor surface is treated as an obstacle. To record the treated surface, starting and end points of route segments, which have been followed, and one of the states “completely treated” or “incompletely treated” for the end points as well as direction information is stored.

Abstract: Mobile robot comprising a body (30), a first locomotion unit (43) and a second locomotion unit (53) pivotally connected to two lateral opposite sides of the body (30) and arranged to rotate passively relative to the body about an axis (31) transverse to the body, the mobile robot further comprising a transmission system (91) connecting said first and second locomotion units (43, 53) and the body (30), characterized in that the mechanical transmission is arranged to limit the relative rotation of the locomotion units (43, 53) relative to the body (30) such that the first and second locomotion units (43, 53) rotate in opposite directions and such that the rotation angle (?) of the first locomotion unit (43) relative to the body (39) equates in absolute value the rotation angle (?) of the second locomotion (53) unit relative to the body (30).

Abstract: A steerable head for guiding a pusher rod through ducting. The pusher rod is then used for drawing cables, wires, lines or pipes through the ducting. The steerable head includes remotely operable mechanisms for steering the rod through junctions or around obstacles in the ducting. In a further refinement, the steerable head includes a coupling mechanism adapted to co-operate with a corresponding coupling mechanism mounted on a second rod, thereby allowing the pushing of rods through longer or more obstructed ducts.

Abstract: A device for controlling the filling of a receptacle with liquid by a drink vending machine. The device includes visual marking device for marking the liquid fill level in the receptacle, a device for emitting a signal towards the receptacle, a device for receiving an incident signal and which receives the incident signal returning from the receptacle and a controlling device configured for commanding the stoppage of filling on the basis of a variation of the incident signal. The receiving device includes a series of photoelectric receivers and at least one variable which is a displacement of a light incident signal measured by the receivers. The visual marking, emitter and receiver are displaceable en masse so as to make it possible to modify the marking of the level of fill in the receptacle.

Abstract: A device for controlling the filling of a receptacle with liquid by a drink vending machine. The device includes visual marking device for marking the liquid fill level in the receptacle, a device for emitting a signal towards the receptacle, a device for receiving an incident signal and which receives the incident signal returning from the receptacle and a controlling device configured for commanding the stoppage of filling on the basis of a variation of the incident signal. The receiving device includes a series of photoelectric receivers and at least one variable which is a displacement of a light incident signal measured by the receivers. The visual marking, emitter and receiver are displaceable en masse so as to make it possible to modify the marking of the level of fill in the receptacle.

Abstract: A device for controlling the filling of a receptacle with liquid by a drink vending machine. The device includes visual marking device for marking the liquid fill level in the receptacle, a device for emitting a signal towards the receptacle, a device for receiving an incident signal and which receives the incident signal returning from the receptacle and a controlling device configured for commanding the stoppage of filling on the basis of a variation of the incident signal. The receiving device includes a series of photoelectric receivers and at least one variable which is a displacement of a light incident signal measured by the receivers.

Abstract: A device for controlling the filling of a receptacle with liquid by a drink vending machine. The device includes visual marking device for marking the liquid fill level in the receptacle, a device for emitting a signal towards the receptacle, a device for receiving an incident signal and which receives the incident signal returning from the receptacle and a controlling device configured for commanding the stoppage of filling on the basis of a variation of the incident signal. The receiving device includes a series of photoelectric receivers and at least one variable which is a displacement of a light incident signal measured by the receivers.

Abstract: A device for controlling the filling of a receptacle with liquid by a drink vending machine. The device includes visual marking device for marking the liquid fill level in the receptacle, a device for emitting a signal towards the receptacle, a device for receiving an incident signal and which receives the incident signal returning from the receptacle and a controlling device configured for commanding the stoppage of filling on the basis of a variation of the incident signal.

Abstract: A device for controlling the filling of a receptacle with liquid by a drink vending machine. The device includes visual marking device for marking the liquid fill level in the receptacle, a device for emitting a signal towards the receptacle, a device for receiving an incident signal and which receives the incident signal returning from the receptacle and a controlling device configured for commanding the stoppage of filling on the basis of a variation of the incident signal.