Abstract: A domestic robotic system includes a robot and data storage operable to store data defining a boundary of a working area, the robot includes a payload actuable to perform work on a portion of the working area adjacent the robot, at least one processor, a first positioning system, one or more sensors operable to sense directly the boundary of the working area and a current distance of the robot thereto, a second positioning system, which uses data from the sensors. The processor is programmed to operate in (i) an area coverage mode, wherein the processor, using the first positioning system and the stored data defining the boundary of the working area, navigates the robot around the working area, with the payload active, and (ii) a boundary proximity mode, wherein the processor, using the second positioning system, navigates the robot around the working area, in proximity to the boundary.

Abstract: A domestic robotic system including a robot, which includes a movement system for moving the robot over a surface, an image obtaining device, and a processor. The processor is programmed to detect a predetermined pattern within the images, the predetermined pattern being associated with a marker provided on a base station, respond to the detection of the predetermined pattern by determining, by a first process, an estimate of the robot's position and/or orientation, this estimate of the robot's position and orientation being relative to the base station, the processor and the image obtaining device thereby forming part of a first positioning system, determine, by a second process, an alternative estimate of the robot's position and/or orientation, the processor thereby forming part of a second positioning system, and perform at least one calibration of the second positioning system using the first positioning system.

Abstract: A domestic robotic system including a robot having a payload for carrying out a domestic task within a working area. The robot also includes a plurality of sensors, including one or more local environment sensors that are configured to receive signals from exterior sources local to the robot. The system further includes data storage, which is operable to store boundary information that defines the path of a predetermined boundary within which the robot is permitted to move. The robot is programmed to operate in at a reference trail recording mode and a navigation mode. In the reference trail recording mode, the robot moves along a reference trail while receiving sensor information from its sensors, with the path of the reference trail being calculated by the system based on the stored boundary information so as to be spaced apart from the path of the predetermined boundary.

Abstract: A window-cleaning robot that includes: a powered agitator that, when active, mechanically removes debris from a window surface; a cleaning pad, which is wetted with a cleaning fluid and contacts the window surface so as to remove debris therefrom with the aid of the cleaning fluid; and a movement system, for example including a number of wheels, which moves the robot over the window surface and has a defined forwards direction; the agitator is located forwards of the cleaning pad and the agitator and the cleaning pad are arranged such that, as the robot moves over the window surface in the forwards direction, the agitator addresses a width in a width direction, which is perpendicular to the forwards direction and parallel to the window surface, that is greater than the width addressed by the cleaning pad.

Abstract: A domestic robotic system, for example for mowing the lawn, including a robot, which includes: a movement system having wheels or the like for moving the robot over a surface; an image obtaining device, such as a camera, for obtaining images of the exterior environment of the robot; and at least one processor in electronic communication with the movement system and the image obtaining device.

Abstract: A docking station (20) and a robot (22) for docking therein, include corresponding transmission parts. These transmission parts are for the transmission of energy, such as electricity, for recharging the robot (22), and/or signals, for operating the robot (22), the energy and/or signals passing between the docking station and the robot (22). The docking station (20) and robot (22) are such that the docking of the robot (22) in the docking station (20) is at a horizontal orientation, as the transmission part on the robot (22) includes laterally protruding docking contacts that contact corresponding laterally oriented contact arms of the docking station (20).

Abstract: A domestic robotic system including a robot having a payload for carrying out a domestic task within a working area. The robot also includes a plurality of sensors, including one or more local environment sensors that are configured to receive signals from exterior sources local to the robot. The system further includes data storage, which is operable to store boundary information that defines the path of a predetermined boundary within which the robot is permitted to move. The robot is programmed to operate in at a reference trail recording mode and a navigation mode. In the reference trail recording mode, the robot moves along a reference trail while receiving sensor information from its sensors, with the path of the reference trail being calculated by the system based on the stored boundary information so as to be spaced apart from the path of the predetermined boundary.

Abstract: A domestic robotic system that includes a robot, which is programmed to move within a working area defined by a boundary and has boundary distance sensors that enable it to estimate the current distance from the boundary; the robot is programmed to move across the working area and, secondly, so that when the boundary distance sensors indicate that the robot is a distance X away from the boundary and is approaching the boundary, the robot begins performing a gradual turn; this gradual turn is such that: the robot progressively changes direction while continuing to move across said working area; and the robot transitions from approaching the boundary to receding from the boundary; the robot is also programmed to calculate a path for the gradual turn such that, during the gradual turn, the robot approaches the boundary to a predetermined closest distance before receding from the boundary.

Abstract: A robot designed for scanning within a work area, wherein the robot travels inside the work area in successive paths. The robot operates to scan the work area using a first scanning mode and monitors the length of each of the paths traveled by the robot. The robot than switches from the first scanning mode to a second scanning mode when an obstacle is encountered on a minimum number of consecutive said paths each having a length between a first threshold distance and a longer, second threshold distance. The robot switches back to the first scanning mode when the length of one of the paths has increased to more than the second threshold distance.

Abstract: A charging and control system for a robotic lawnmower, having a circuit loop that includes several wire segments, of which one or more are boundary wire segments that may define or demarcate the boundary of an area within which the lawnmower is permitted to move; a charging voltage signal, for charging the lawnmower's internal battery, and a positioning voltage signal for assisting the lawnmower in determining its current position, are produced respectively by a power supply and a signal generator, which are both provided within the same housing; the two signals are both communicated from this housing over the same wire segments of the circuit loop; a charging station may then be electrically connected to the circuit loop by an end-user so that the charging voltage signal may in use of the system be communicated to the lawnmower when it is docked at the charging station, thus charging the internal battery of the lawnmower.

Abstract: A domestic robotic system that includes a robot, which is programmed to move within a working area defined by a boundary and has boundary distance sensors that enable it to estimate the current distance from the boundary; the robot is programmed to move across the working area and, secondly, so that when the boundary distance sensors indicate that the robot is a distance X away from the boundary and is approaching the boundary, the robot begins performing a gradual turn; this gradual turn is such that: the robot progressively changes direction while continuing to move across said working area; and the robot transitions from approaching the boundary to receding from the boundary; the robot is also programmed to calculate a path for the gradual turn such that, during the gradual turn, the robot approaches the boundary to a predetermined closest distance before receding from the boundary.

Abstract: A robotic system comprises a transmitter emitting a plurality of angularly-spaced beams of radiation in an area; and a robot moving within said area and able to detect when it is in the path of one of said beams. On moving through a measured distance across the paths of two or more of the beams, the robot can determine the relative position of the transmitter and the robot by using the distance and the angular spacing of the beams.

Abstract: A system is employed for defining a position (location) of a receiving element inside an area surrounded by a wire loop, along the perimeter (a perimeter wire loop), of a work area or other bounded area. In particular, the system can determine whether the receiver is inside or outside the loop, and evaluate its distance from the perimeter wire.

Abstract: An Autonomous robot, that is for example, suitable for operations such as vacuuming and surface cleaning includes a payload configured for vacuum cleaning, a drive system including a steering system, a navigation system, and a control system for integrating operations of the aforementioned systems.

Abstract: A method for communication between a charging station and a robot, via a pair of power lines coupled between a power supply in the charging station and a battery in the robot. In operation, the power supply is sequentially switched between a first voltage level and a second voltage level in accordance with a predetermined signal pattern. The voltage level on the power lines in the robot is monitored and correlated with a specific command to be executed by the robot.

Abstract: A method for communication between a charging station and a robot, via a pair of power lines coupled between a power supply in the charging station and a battery in the robot. In operation, the power supply is sequentially switched between a first voltage level and a second voltage level in accordance with a predetermined signal pattern. The voltage level on the power lines in the robot is monitored and correlated with a specific command to be executed by the robot.

Abstract: A cutting system for a lawnmower or the like includes multiple blade assemblies driven by a motor, each motor independently operable with respect to each other motor. The blade assemblies are arranged into a cutting system with a length less than that of the combined length of the blades of the blade assemblies. Blade assemblies include components that align so as to balance the blade upon rotation. These components allow for a single user to attach and disengage the blade from the motor, or portion rotated thereby, with hands alone, absent tools.