Abstract: Systems and methods for flexible conveyance in an assembly-line or manufacturing process are disclosed. A fleet of self-driving vehicles and a fleet-management system can be used to convey workpieces through a sequence of workstations at which operations are performed in order to produce a finished assembly. An assembly can be transported to a first workstation using a self-driving vehicle, where an operation is performed on the assembly. Subsequently, the assembly can be transported to a second workstation using the self-driving vehicle. The operation can be performed on the assembly while it is being conveyed by the self-driving vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous lineside delivery to an assembly-line using a self-driving vehicle are disclosed, comprising receiving a part-supply schedule having a part identifier identifying a part to be supplied, an assembly-line location to be supplied with the part, and a delivery time for supplying the part to the assembly-line location. A mission is generated based on the schedule, and sent to a self-driving vehicle. The self-driving vehicle executes the mission such that the part is supplied to the assembly-line location in accordance with the part-supply schedule.

Abstract: A mobile platform for materials transport is provided. The platform includes a pair of suspension devices that in turn include a pair of rocker beams which can be rotated between two positions: a first position where central wheels attached thereto can be used to drive the platform; and a second position where the central wheels are retracted and the platform can be rolled on end wheels without the friction of the central wheels, and an associated drive system, impeding movement of the platform. Furthermore, data from sensors and/or load cells can be used to control movement of the platform; specifically shifts in load distribution and/or sensed forces at the suspension devices can indicate that a load (and/or materials) has shifted and/or is shifting and movement of the platform is adjusted accordingly, for example to prevent the platform and/or the load (and/or materials) from tipping.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous provision replenishment are disclosed. Parts used in a manufacturing process are stored in an intermediate stock queue. When the parts are consumed by the manufacturing process and the number of parts in the queue falls below a threshold, a provision-replenishment signal is generated. One or more self-driving material-transport vehicles, a fleet-management system, and a provision-notification device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flexible conveyance in an assembly-line or manufacturing process are disclosed. A fleet of self-driving vehicles and a fleet-management system can be used to convey workpieces through a sequence of workstations at which operations are performed in order to produce a finished assembly. An assembly can be transported to a first workstation using a self-driving vehicle, where an operation is performed on the assembly. Subsequently, the assembly can be transported to a second workstation using the self-driving vehicle. The operation can be performed on the assembly while it is being conveyed by the self-driving vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous provision replenishment are disclosed. Parts used in a manufacturing process are stored in an intermediate stock queue. When the parts are consumed by the manufacturing process and the number of parts in the queue falls below a threshold, a provision-replenishment signal is generated. One or more self-driving material-transport vehicles, a fleet-management system, and a provision-notification device.

Abstract: An augmentation module is described for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) deployed in a facility and including a control module for controlling a drive mechanism based on navigational data received from a navigation sensor. The module includes a inter-module communications interface connected to the control module; a memory; and a processor connected to the communications interface and the memory. The processor is configured to: obtain an operational command; generate control data to execute the operational command; convert the control data to simulated sensor data; and send the simulated sensor data to the control module.

Abstract: A mobile platform for materials transport is provided. The platform includes a pair of suspension devices that in turn include a pair of rocker beams which can be rotated between two positions: a first position where central wheels attached thereto can be used to drive the platform; and a second position where the central wheels are retracted and the platform can be rolled on end wheels without the friction of the central wheels, and an associated drive system, impeding movement of the platform. Furthermore, data from sensors and/or load cells can be used to control movement of the platform; specifically shifts in load distribution and/or sensed forces at the suspension devices can indicate that a load (and/or materials) has shifted and/or is shifting and movement of the platform is adjusted accordingly, for example to prevent the platform and/or the load (and/or materials) from tipping.

Abstract: There is provided a driver-support system for use with a human-operated material-transport vehicle, and methods for using the same. The system has at least one sensor, a human-vehicle interface, and a transceiver for communicating with a fleet-management system. The system also has a processor that is configured to provide a mapping application and a localization application based on information received from the sensor. The mapping application and localization application may be provided in a single localization-and-mapping (“SLAM”) application, which may obtain input from the sensor, for example, when the sensor is an optical sensor such as a LiDAR or video camera.

Abstract: An augmentation module is described for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) deployed in a facility and including a control module for controlling a drive mechanism based on navigational data received from a navigation sensor. The module includes a inter-module communications interface connected to the control module; a memory; and a processor connected to the communications interface and the memory. The processor is configured to: obtain an operational command; generate control data to execute the operational command; convert the control data to simulated sensor data; and send the simulated sensor data to the control module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for process tending with a robot arm are presented. The system comprises a robot arm and robot arm control system mounted on a self-driving vehicle, and a server in communication with the vehicle and/or robot arm control system. The vehicle has a vehicle control system for storing a map and receiving a waypoint based on a process location provided by the server. The robot arm control system stores at programs that is executable by the robot arm. The vehicle control system autonomously navigates the vehicle to the waypoint based on the map, and the robot arm control system selects a target program from the stored programs based on the process location and/or a process identifier.

Abstract: A mobile platform for materials transport is provided. The platform includes a pair of suspension devices that in turn include a pair of rocker beams which can be rotated between two positions: a first position where central wheels attached thereto can be used to drive the platform; and a second position where the central wheels are retracted and the platform can be rolled on end wheels without the friction of the central wheels, and an associated drive system, impeding movement of the platform. Furthermore, data from sensors and/or load cells can be used to control movement of the platform; specifically shifts in load distribution and/or sensed forces at the suspension devices can indicate that a load (and/or materials) has shifted and/or is shifting and movement of the platform is adjusted accordingly, for example to prevent the platform and/or the load (and/or materials) from tipping.

Abstract: There is provided a driver-support system for use with a human-operated material-transport vehicle, and methods for using the same. The system has at least one sensor, a human-vehicle interface, and a transceiver for communicating with a fleet-management system. The system also has a processor that is configured to provide a mapping application and a localization application based on information received from the sensor. The mapping application and localization application may be provided in a single localization-and-mapping (“SLAM”) application, which may obtain input from the sensor, for example, when the sensor is an optical sensor such as a LiDAR or video camera.

Abstract: A mobile platform for materials transport is provided. The platform includes a pair of suspension devices that in turn include a pair of rocker beams which can be rotated between two positions: a first position where central wheels attached thereto can be used to drive the platform; and a second position where the central wheels are retracted and the platform can be rolled on end wheels without the friction of the central wheels, and an associated drive system, impeding movement of the platform. Furthermore, data from sensors and/or load cells can be used to control movement of the platform; specifically shifts in load distribution and/or sensed forces at the suspension devices can indicate that a load (and/or materials) has shifted and/or is shifting and movement of the platform is adjusted accordingly, for example to prevent the platform and/or the load (and/or materials) from tipping.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a fleet of self-driving vehicles are disclosed. The system comprises one or more self-driving vehicles, non-transitory computer-readable media in communication with the vehicles, a fleet-management system in communication with the media and vehicles, and a server in communication with the media. The fleet-management system is configured to store vehicle status records comprising a vehicle status pertaining to each of the one or more vehicles, and a timestamp in a vehicle status log on the media. The server has a processor that is configured to generate a fleet-performance report based on the vehicle status log.

Abstract: A mobile platform for materials transport is provided. The platform includes a pair of suspension devices that in turn include a pair of rocker beams which can be rotated between two positions: a first position where central wheels attached thereto can be used to drive the platform; and a second position where the central wheels are retracted and the platform can be rolled on end wheels without the friction of the central wheels, and an associated drive system, impeding movement of the platform. Furthermore, data from sensors and/or load cells can be used to control movement of the platform; specifically, shifts in load distribution and/or sensed forces at the suspension devices can indicate that a load (and/or materials) has shifted and/or is shifting and movement of the platform is adjusted accordingly, for example to prevent the platform and/or the load (and/or materials) from tipping.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flexible conveyance in an assembly-line or manufacturing process are disclosed. A fleet of self-driving vehicles and a fleet-management system can be used to convey workpieces through a sequence of workstations at which operations are performed in order to produce a finished assembly. An assembly can be transported to a first workstation using a self-driving vehicle, where an operation is performed on the assembly. Subsequently, the assembly can be transported to a second workstation using the self-driving vehicle. The operation can be performed on the assembly while it is being conveyed by the self-driving vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous lineside delivery to an assembly-line using a self-driving vehicle are disclosed, comprising receiving a part-supply schedule having a part identifier identifying a part to be supplied, an assembly-line location to be supplied with the part, and a delivery time for supplying the part to the assembly-line location. A mission is generated based on the schedule, and sent to a self-driving vehicle. The self-driving vehicle executes the mission such that the part is supplied to the assembly-line location in accordance with the part-supply schedule.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous provision replenishment are disclosed. Parts used in a manufacturing process are stored in an intermediate stock queue. When the parts are consumed by the manufacturing process and the number of parts in the queue falls below a threshold, a provision-replenishment signal is generated. One or more self-driving material-transport vehicles, a fleet-management system, and a provision-notification device.

Abstract: An augmentation module is described for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) deployed in a facility and including a control module for controlling a drive mechanism based on navigational data received from a navigation sensor. The module includes a inter-module communications interface connected to the control module; a memory; and a processor connected to the communications interface and the memory. The processor is configured to: obtain an operational command; generate control data to execute the operational command; convert the control data to simulated sensor data; and send the simulated sensor data to the control module.