Abstract: A method for navigating a robot within an environment based on a planned route includes providing the planned route to the robot, where the planned route is based on a destination of the robot and an origin of the robot. The method includes determining whether an object obstructs the robot as the robot travels along the planned route, where the environment includes the object. The method includes moving the object from the planned route in response to the robot obstructing the object.

Abstract: A system includes a robotic system including a robot disposable at a mobile workstation, where the robot is configured to perform an automated operation on a workpiece. The system includes one or more transfer robots configured to transfer the robotic system to or from the mobile workstation. The system includes a control system configured to command the transfer robot to perform a transfer operation of the robotic system, where the transfer operation includes at least one of disposing the robotic system at the mobile workstation or retrieving the robotic system from the mobile workstation. The control system is configured to control the mobile workstation and the robotic system based on image data from the one or more infrastructure sensors, position data from the one or more on-board position sensors, the automated operation to be performed by the robot, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a position of a blank entering a furnace includes measuring a position of a heated blank exiting the furnace, recording one or more offset values from a nominal value of the heated blank exiting the furnace, calculating a revised position of a subsequent blank entering the furnace as a function of the one or more offset values, and adjusting a position of the subsequent blank entering the furnace as a function of the one or more offset values. The position of the heated blank exiting the furnace can be measured with an electronic vision system, a robot can adjust the position of the subsequent blank, and offset value(s) can be an elapsed furnace operation time, a number of heated blanks that have exited the furnace, and a physical dimension between an actual position of the heated blank and the nominal value of the heated blank.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for tracking a smart container. The methods use sensors of the smart container to detect tampering with the smart container after the container leaves a sender and before the container arrives at a receiver. In particular, the sensors detect when the smart container has been opened by someone other than the receiver (i.e., tampered with) and write the detection of tampering (e.g., the sensor measurement) to a blockchain. Delivery agents use scanners to write their possession or agency over the smart container to the blockchain. Accordingly, the agency of the smart container can be determined if tampering occurs.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robotic arm, a robotic end-effector detachably coupled to the robotic arm, and a control system. The robotic end-effector includes a locomotion device to move the robotic end-effector independent of the robotic arm, and the control system configured to control the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector to detach and attach the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector.

Abstract: Zone-based unmanned aerial vehicle landing systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes establishing a plurality of operational zones, each of the plurality of operational zones being associated with a range of altitudes, guiding an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) through each of a plurality of operational zones to land the UAV on a target location using sensors, wherein the sensors are configured to sense a distance between the UAV to the target location, further wherein portions of the sensors are configured for use at different altitudes, and determining an error for the UAV during landing, wherein the UAV retreats to a higher altitude operational zone when the error is determined.

Abstract: A hot stamping system includes a controller programmed to alter a coolant flow rate, without altering cycle time, in an active cooling system of a die arrangement, configured to hot stamp metal into components, based on an amount of heat transferred from the components to the active cooling system such that a grain structure of the components transitions from an austenitic state to a martensitic state while the die arrangement is closed.

Abstract: A battery expansion cradle is attachable to an electric scooter (eScooter) handlebar. The battery expansion cradle includes a battery connection terminal disposed on a face of the battery expansion cradle, where the battery connection terminal electrically connects with a power bus of the electric scooter. A battery module is removably attachable to the face of the battery expansion cradle and the back terminal of another battery. The battery module includes a connector electrically coupling the first rechargeable battery to the eScooter power bus, and includes a mobile device holder disposed on a face of the first battery module with holding means for securing a mobile device to the face of the battery module, which may be offset from the center of the external battery to allow for a clear forward view of the scooter using the smartphone's front camera, and the user's face using the rear camera.

Abstract: Stackable battery assemblies and methods of use are disclosed herein. An example battery assembly includes an energy storage device, a housing having a locking unit, a receiver unit, and a sidewall that are interconnected to form an enclosure that retains the energy storage device. The locking unit can include a plate that is spaced apart from the sidewall of the housing by a second sidewall, the plate supporting a first electrical connector that is electrically coupled to the energy storage device via a locking member. The receiver unit can include a third sidewall that defines a cavity that is shaped to correspond with the locking unit, the third sidewall having a lock notch and a second electrical connector that is electrically coupled to the energy storage device.

Abstract: A die apparatus including a first die element, a plurality of second die elements, a plurality of actuators, and a controller is provided. Each of the plurality of actuators is mounted to one of the plurality of second die elements. The controller is programmed to activate the actuators to contact and compress portions of a blank disposed between the die elements at separate pressures to influence microstructure forming for one of a geometry transition region, a deformation region, and a joining region. One of the separate pressures applied to one of the portions of the blank may be approximately 5 N/mm2 or less to form a soft strength zone. The pressure of approximately 5 N/mm2 or less may be applied to the one of the portions of the blank for approximately one to two seconds.

Abstract: A method of quenching a press hardenable steel is provided. The method includes an initial step of die quenching a part stamped within a stamping die followed by a partial quenching after the initial step of die quenching. In various methods, the press hardenable steel is a 36MnB5 grade steel and/or the initial step of die quenching is performed at a temperature of approximately 200° C.±10° C. in a die configured for 36MnB5 grade steel. At least one method further includes opening the die followed by the partial quenching, the partial quenching comprising spraying a cooling liquid onto the part to reduce a temperature of the part below approximately 130° C.±10° C., with the option of spraying to reduce the temperature of the part below approximately 100° C.±10° C.

Abstract: A method of forming a hot stamped, die quenched, and die trimmed part is provided. The method includes hot stamping and die quenching a blank with a quench die and forming a die quenched panel. The quench die includes at least one slow-cooling channel. The die quenched panel is die trimmed along the at least one localized soft zone that is adjacent a hard zone. The blank may be formed from a press hardenable steel (PHS), and the at least one soft zone may have a ferritic microstructure and the at least one hard zone may have a martensitic microstructure. The at least one localized soft zone may have a microhardness between about 200 HV and about 250 HV and the hard zone may have a microhardness between about 400 HV and about 500 HV.

Abstract: A process for pre-conditioning a hot stamped part is provided. The process includes continuously annealing a boron steel material having an aluminum coating for a predetermined time and at a predetermined temperature such that less than 10 weight % Iron (Fe) is in the aluminum coating and AlSi pockets are formed in the aluminum coating prior to a subsequent hot stamping process, wherein the predetermined time and temperature are a function of a thickness of the boron steel material.

Abstract: A die apparatus including a first die element, a plurality of second die elements, a plurality of actuators, and a controller is provided. Each of the plurality of actuators is mounted to one of the plurality of second die elements. The controller is programmed to activate the actuators to contact and compress portions of a blank disposed between the die elements at separate pressures to influence microstructure forming for one of a geometry transition region, a deformation region, and a joining region. One of the separate pressures applied to one of the portions of the blank may be approximately 5 N/mm2 or less to form a soft strength zone. The pressure of approximately 5 N/mm2 or less may be applied to the one of the portions of the blank for approximately one to two seconds.

Abstract: A portable case for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a system including a portable case for UAV and an adapter for coupling the portable case to a vehicle are disclosed. An example system may include an exterior attachment disposed on an exterior of a vehicle, an adapter configured to couple a portable case for an UAV to the exterior attachment, and a moveable cover connected to the vehicle and configured to cover the portable case when the portable case is coupled to the vehicle. An example portable case may comprise a landing pad for the UAV, a bottom portion having the landing pad and configured to connect to the exterior attachment via the adapter, and a removable upper portion configured to be connected to the bottom portion when the bottom portion is disconnected from the at least one exterior attachment.

Abstract: Landing apparatuses for unmanned aerial vehicles are provided herein. An example UAV includes a frame; a propeller rotatably coupled to the frame; and a landing guard armature extending from the frame. A terminal end of the landing guard armature extends beyond a propeller radius of the propeller. The landing guard armature has a surface area that is sized to promote airflow around the landing guard armature.

Abstract: Zone-based unmanned aerial vehicle landing systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes establishing a plurality of operational zones, each of the plurality of operational zones being associated with a range of altitudes, guiding an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) through each of a plurality of operational zones to land the UAV on a target location using sensors, wherein the sensors are configured to sense a distance between the UAV to the target location, further wherein portions of the sensors are configured for use at different altitudes, and determining an error for the UAV during landing, wherein the UAV retreats to a higher altitude operational zone when the error is determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for swapping mobile robot batteries on battery charging stations are disclosed herein. An example system may comprise at least one mobile robot, wherein the mobile robot may be optionally coupled to a modular component, and wherein the mobile robot and the modular component may each have robot batteries configured to be detachably removed from the mobile robot and the modular component. An example system may also comprise at least one battery charging station for receiving robot or modular component batteries for charging, and also for providing charged batteries to mobile robots or modular components. Finally, the system may comprise a service provider and a network that may be used to manage data and handle interactions between the mobile robots and the battery charging stations.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a robotic system that includes a robotic arm, a robotic end-effector, a lock, and a control system. The robotic end-effector is detachably coupled to the robotic arm and includes a locomotion device to move the robotic end-effector independent of the robotic arm. The lock is disposed with the robotic arm and robotic end-effector, and is operable to detach and attach the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector. The control system is configured to control the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector, and to operate the lock to detach and attach the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to multi-use mobile robots that cater to both goods delivery and people mobility. These robots allow for seamless and dynamic transition between a rideable personal transport vehicle that may be driven by a user sitting in a removable robot seat, driven by the user standing onboard the vehicle, or driven by a second individual walking behind the multi-use robot. The multi-use robot may also function as an autonomous delivery vehicle, and can provide an option to allow both people and goods to be transported simultaneously. The multi-use robots can also integrate with mobile warehouses and neighborhood storage lockers and mobile warehouses, and provide last-mile handling of goods and supplies.