Abstract: Systems and techniques for generating a set of connected segments for a device or system to traverse in order to reach every point of the region (a coverage plan). Nodes defining the region to be traversed define a polygon. The polygon is decomposed into a mesh and a graph of the mesh is generated. The graph may be used to determine a longest funneled path which, in turn, may be used to either optimize for a longest path or to divide the polygon for eroding sides. The longest path and/or erosions are used to define a set of segments. The segments are connected, which in some examples is done via an optimization to minimize an amount of time or energy to traverse all segments and connections. The resultant coverage plan is sent to a system configured to receive the plan and traverse the region.

Abstract: A modular robotic kitchen system is conveniently adaptable to perform a wide range of cooking applications. The modular robotic kitchen system can include a plurality of discrete modular units organized in a small footprint such that multiple types of cooking applications can be performed without a need to replace the modular units. Exemplary modular units include an ingredient module, robotic arm module, assembly and packaging module, and warming module. Optionally a transport unit or sled moves the modules into position. The modular kitchen system includes a central processor operable to carry out different cooking applications upon downloading software corresponding to the specific cooking application and without retooling the existing modules. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a general purpose operating system (GPROS) that shows particular usefulness in the robotics and automation fields, The operating system provides individual services and the combination and interconnections of such services using built-in service extensions, built-in completely configurable generic services, and ways to plug in additional service extensions to yield a comprehensive and cohesive framework for developing, configuring, assembling, constructing, deploying, and managing robotics and/ or automation applications, The disclosure includes GPROS extensions and features directed to use as an autonomous vehicle operating system. The vehicle controlled by appropriate versions of the GPROS can include unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) applications such as a driverless or self-driving car. The vehicle can likewise or instead include an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such as a helicopter or drone.

Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.

Abstract: A method for controlling a serving robot is provided. The method includes the steps of: acquiring situation information on at least one customer; dynamically determining a workflow for the at least one customer on the basis of the situation information on the at least one customer, using a workflow determination model for determining workflows related to services capable of being provided in a serving place; and causing a target service to be provided to the at least one customer on the basis of the determined workflow.

Abstract: A method for controlling a serving robot is provided. The method includes the steps of: generating at least one character on the basis of at least one property related to a voice, and determining a character to be applied to a serving robot from among the at least one generated character; and generating at least one piece of visual information corresponding to the determined character, and determining a piece of visual information to be applied to the serving robot from among the at least one generated piece of visual information.

Abstract: A system for ground plane cancellation, comprising an image data system configured to generate image data and associated coordinate data for pixels contained in the image data. A ground plane calculation system configured to generate ground plane coordinate data. A ground plane correction system configured to subtract pixels associated with the ground plane coordinate data from the image data.

Abstract: A robotic device for distributing designated items to designated persons, includes: a motion unit to autonomously move said robotic device; storage means including multiple compartments; an item dispenser to dispense items from said storage means; a memory module containing optical recognition scans and personal information of persons located within a premises, and substantive information of the designated items; optical recognition scanners; a control module in communication with the motion unit, the optical recognition scanners, the memory and the item dispenser. The control unit directs movement of the robotic device, directs the optical recognition scanners to scan persons, and compares images from the optical recognition scanners to optical recognitions in the memory. Upon identifying a person, the control unit searches personal information of the person and identifies designated items specified for that person, and then directs the item dispenser to dispense the designated item.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a robot for inspecting an inspection surface are disclosed. An example system may include an inspection robot having a payload coupled to at least two inspection sensors and a controller. The controller may include a route profile processing circuit to interpret route profile data for the inspection robot, a configuration determining circuit to determine one or more configurations for the inspection robot in response to the route profile data; and a configuration processing circuit to provide configuration data in response to the determined one or more configurations, the configuration data defining, at least in part, one or more inspection characteristics for the inspection robot.

Abstract: A method for providing an advertising content using a robot is provided. The method includes the steps of: determining, with reference to first situation information on a customer in a serving place and second situation information on at least one robot for providing a service in the serving place, an advertising content to be provided for at least one of the customer and the serving place and presentation property information of the advertising content; and providing the advertising content by the at least one robot with reference to the presentation property information.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for maximizing saturation of two different sets of actors performing different sets of dependent operations at different rates over different but overlapping periods of time in a non-conflicting manner. The systems and methods may include transferring a first set of ordered items from item storage to item cache locations at a first rate during a first period of time, and fulfilling orders at a faster second rate over a later second period of time by picking items from a first set of the item cache locations at the second rate, and by replacing items at a non-overlapping second set of the item cache locations at the first rate. The transferring is commenced before the picking to create a buffer that allows a first set of actors, operating at the first rate, to continually provide the dependencies needed for a second set of actors to operate at the faster second rate without conflict and with each set of actors operating at their respective maximum rates.

Abstract: There is described a user mobile device and an enterprise gateway for providing dynamic building interfaces. The gateway receives a request for cards from the device, and the device receives the cards from the gateway in response to the request. Each card has a structure corresponding to one of multiple pre-defined templates. Each card has an assigned rank and is associated with a list of cards defined when the cards are ordered in accordance with the assigned rank. The assigned rank of each card is based at least in part on a user target profile associated with the user mobile device and the customer identification. The gateway comprises a processor that determines an assigned rank for each card based at least in part on a user target profile associated with the user mobile device and the customer identification. The device provides at least one card of the list of cards.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods by which robots predictively detect objects that may obstruct robotic tasks prior to the robots performing those tasks. For instance, a robot may receive a task, and may obtain dimensions of a task object based on a first identifier obtained with the task or with a sensor of the robot. The robot may determine a first boundary for moving the task object based on the task object dimensions and an added buffer of space that accounts for imprecise robotic operation. The robot may detect a second identifier of a neighboring object, and may obtain dimensions of the neighboring object using the second identifier. The robot may compute a second boundary of the neighboring object based on the dimensions of the neighboring object and a position of the second identifier, and may detect an obstruction based on the second boundary crossing into the first boundary.

Abstract: An example method includes gathering, via a first module of a first type, first simultaneous localization and mapping data and gathering, via a second module of a second type, second simultaneous localization and mapping data. The method includes generating, via a simultaneous localization and mapping module, a first map based on the first simultaneous localization and mapping data and the second simultaneous localization and mapping data, the first map being of a first map type and generating, via the simultaneous localization and mapping module, a second map based on the first simultaneous localization and mapping data and the second simultaneous localization and mapping data, the second map being of a second map type. The map of the first type is used by vehicles with module(s) of the first and/or second types and the map of the second type is used by vehicles with a module of the second type exclusively.

Abstract: A method for controlling a serving robot is provided. The method includes the steps of: determining a first time to request payment from a customer on the basis of identification information on the customer and information on an order of the customer acquired with respect to the customer; acquiring information on eating status of the customer at a second time associated with the first time; and adjusting at least one of the first time and the second time on the basis of at least one of the information on the eating status of the customer and information on an additional order of the customer additionally acquired with respect to the customer.

Abstract: A method for controlling a serving robot is provided. The method includes the steps of: acquiring first sensor data on at least one object placed on a support coupled to a serving robot, using at least one first sensor coupled to the serving robot; deciding whether the at least one object is a serving object on the basis of the first sensor data, and when the at least one object is decided to be a serving object, determining properties of illumination of the serving robot to be applied to the serving object on the basis of the first sensor data; and dynamically changing the properties of the illumination of the serving robot on the basis of information on surroundings acquired during travel of the serving robot.

Abstract: A method for supporting delivery using a robot is provided. The method includes the steps of: acquiring delivery information on a delivery item; determining a first location with respect to a building specified from the delivery information and causing a robot to travel to the first location; and causing the robot to travel to a second location in the building specified from the delivery information, with reference to at least one of handover information and takeover information on the delivery item.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for detecting suboptimal mowing due to impacted vegetation and/or orientation changes are discussed. In some examples, blade speeds, blade heights, torques, and/or a current required to spin the blades of a mower at a determined rate may be calibrated and associated with a lawn mower and/or map. Changes in any one or more of the blade speed, current required, torque, etc. (and/or additional data from one or more sensors on the mower) may be used as an indication for determining whether vegetation has impacted the underside of a mower, whether the blade has struck an object, whether the mower is undergoing an orientation change, whether the mower requires maintenance, and the like. Based on the indication, the mower can perform one or more functions to attempt to remediate the problem autonomously and/or send a signal to a user for additional help.

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 updating an electronic map of a facility are disclosed. The electronic map includes a set of map nodes. Each map node has a stored image data associated with a position within the facility. The method includes collecting image data at a current position of a self-driving material-transport vehicle; searching the electronic map for at least one of a map node associated with the current position and one or more neighboring map nodes within a neighbor threshold to the current position; comparing the collected image data with the stored image data of the at least one of the map node and the one or more neighboring map nodes to determine a dissimilarity level. The electronic map may be updated based at least on the collected image data and the dissimilarity level. The image data represents one or more features observable from the current position.