Abstract: Methods and systems for providing landmarks to facilitate robot localization and visual odometry are provided herein. At least one area of a physical environment in which a robotic device resides may be determined to include surfaces that lack sufficient discernable features to determine a location of the at least one area. Instructions may responsively be provided to the robotic device for the robotic device to provide a material in respective patterns onto one or more surfaces of the at least one area. Instructions can responsively be provided for the robotic device to provide the material in respective textures as well. The respective patterns or textures may include sufficient discernable features to determine a location of the at least one area, and the material may remain on the one or more surfaces for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A mining shuttle car that trams on underground roadways includes a conveyor system and an operator's compartment adjacent to the conveyor system. The operator's compartment includes a rotatable seat and a control station. The operator's seat module is coupled to one or more joysticks that control the car, and the operator's seat module and the control station are mounted on a rotatable platform so as to be rotatable as a unit between a plurality of secured positions for operating the mining shuttle car. Forward movement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point in front of the seat, and rearward movement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point behind the seat. Forward and rearward movement of one of the joysticks steers the mining shuttle car in the same manner regardless of the rotational position of the rotational position of the seat.

Abstract: A mining shuttle car that trams on underground roadways includes a conveyor system and an operator's compartment adjacent to the conveyor system. The operator's compartment includes a rotatable seat and a control station. The operator's seat module is coupled to one or more joysticks that control the car, and the operator's seat module and the control station are mounted on a rotatable platform so as to be rotatable as a unit between a plurality of secured positions for operating the mining shuttle car. Forward movement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point in front of the seat, and rearward movement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point behind the seat. Forward and rearward movement of one of the joysticks steers the mining shuttle car in the same manner regardless of the rotational position of the rotational position of the seat.

Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring the location of a mining vehicle in a mine. The mine comprises a first and a second work area. At least one identifier (29) whose exact location is known is arranged in the first work area (18a). The location of the mining vehicle (1) is determined continuously by means of a dead reckoning. The location data, based on the dead reckoning, can be updated by means of the identifier. The location data are transmitted to a mine control system for monitoring the mining vehicle.

Abstract: An operator's compartment for a mobile machine, such as a machine used in underground mining operations, is pivotally connected to the machine frame for positioning at a preselected elevation above the ground or in contact with the ground to follow the contour of the ground in a "free floating" condition. The first overhead canopy is supported above the operator's compartment at a fixed elevation. Positioned beneath the first overhead canopy is an operator's seat securely positioned on the platform to provide an operator's station from which the machine is operated. Positioned in underlying relation with the first overhead canopy is a second overhead canopy that extends forwardly from the operator's station. The first and second canopies provide for complete overhead protection of an operator.

Abstract: An earthworking machine having a frame, a pair of front wheels carried by a front portion of the frame, and a pair of rear wheels carried by a rear portion of the frame. An operator's station is mounted to the frame at one side thereof between the front wheel and rear wheel at that side. The operator's station includes an access opening opening toward one of the wheels. The operator station may include a wall portion having a recess receiving a portion of one of the wheels. A protective canopy is mounted to a portion of the frame and includes a portion overlying the operator's station to protect the operator from falling objects. Structure is provided within the operator's station for supporting the operator in a position facing across the machine. Speed control mechanism is provided at an inner portion of the operator's station for operation by the operator so facing inwardly toward the frame. The frame includes pedestal portions for mounting the operator's station and canopy structure.

Abstract: A vehicle typified by a front-end loader is provided with a driver's cab that pivots up and down along a long pivot arm. This gives both high elevation for better visibility and low profile, e.g. for travelling or getting into low overhead places. The long pivot arm provides a lot of vertical adjustability for the cab, with relatively little tilting. The tilting that does occur may be accommodated by also adjusting the back rest of the operator. A system for pivotally attaching the cab roof is also shown. In one variation shown, the cab is mounted transversally, i.e. sideways to the normal travel direction of the vehicle; in another, the cab is oriented longitudinally. Preferably most or all of the shell of the cab is stationary and only the operator's station part thereof is vertically adjusted.

Abstract: A vehicle for use in underground mining operations is disclosed which is adapted for ready conversion between personnel and materials transportation by the provision of a movable flat panel type platform or platform element movable between a first position, corresponding to a personnel transportation mode of operation, and a second position, corresponding to a materials transportation mode of operation. A bar type member extends from a seat structure transverse to its longitudinal direction which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The bar type member provides a horizontal support surface along with the top of the seat structure for supporting the platform in its materials transportation mode of operation. The seat structure comprises a pair of seats arranged in back-to-back relationship along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and includes a space therebetween for the storage of said platform means in the personnel carriage mode of operation.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven utility vehicle comprising hydraulically operated, reversible propulsion means on each side of said vehicle, a source of hydraulic fluid contained on said vehicle, a first hydraulic flow control valve coupled between said hydraulic source and said propulsion means on one side of said vehicle, a second hydraulic flow control valve coupled between said hydraulic source and said propulsion means on the other side of said vehicle, and a control stick hydraulically coupled to said first and second flow control valves for controlling vehicle speed and direction by selectively positioning said first and second control valves whereby movement of said stick causes said flow control valves to direct hydraulic fluid from said source to said propulsion means to control speed and steering of said vehicle.