Patents Assigned to Fetch Robotics, Inc.
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Publication number: 20200290814Abstract: A roller conveyor system configured for installation on top of a mobile robot to provide robotic transport of a payload includes: a roller conveyor, the roller conveyor comprising: a roller assembly, the roller assembly comprising a plurality of rollers, the rollers configured to move a payload, each of the rollers being configured to rotate, the roller assembly comprising a motorized roller and one or more auxiliary rollers, the motorized roller comprising a motor configured to cause the motorized roller to rotate; and a hybrid power transmission configured to drive the rollers, the hybrid power transmission coupling the motorized roller to at least one of the one or more auxiliary rollers, the hybrid power transmission using at least two power transmission methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Applicant: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Eric Diehr, Andrew Zeller
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Patent number: 10752157Abstract: A compact payload stopper includes: an interface assembly that serves as a main structural member of the payload stopper, the payload stopper configured to stop the payload from moving off a mobile robot; a stopper blade assembly connected to the interface assembly so as to allow the stopper blade assembly to pivot about an axis of the interface assembly, the stopper blade assembly configured to have a disengaged position that allows for a payload to be moved onto or off the robot, the stopper blade assembly further configured to have an engaged position that stops the payload from moving off the robot; and a motor assembly comprising a motor, the motor assembly connected to the interface assembly, the motor assembly configured to apply a force to the stopper blade assembly, causing the stopper blade assembly to rotate into a desired position of the engaged position and the disengaged position.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Andrew John Zeller, Eric Diehr, Michael Janov, Paelle Powell
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Patent number: 10754346Abstract: A system to prevent depletion of a robotic energy source includes: a mobile robot; a server operably connected to the robot via a communication system, the server configured to manage the robot; a robotic energy source configured to provide energy to the robot; a controller operably connected to the robot, the controller operably connected to the server, the controller configured to control the robot, the controller further configured to monitor an energy level of the robot; and a charging station configured to operably connect to the energy source, the charging station further configured to replenish the energy source.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ferguson, Edward S. King
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Publication number: 20200211217Abstract: A system includes a mobile robot, the robot comprising a sensor; and a server operably connected to the robot over a network, the robot being configured to detect an object by processing sensor data using a convolutional neural network. A pipeline for robotic object detection using a convolutional neural network includes: a system comprising a mobile robot, the robot comprising a sensor, the system further comprising a server operably connected to the robot over a network, the robot being configured to detect an object by processing sensor data using a pipeline, the pipeline comprising a convolutional neural network, the pipeline configured to perform a data collection step, the pipeline further configured to perform a data transformation step, the pipeline further configured to perform a convolutional neural network step, the pipeline further configured to perform a network output transformation step, the pipeline further configured to perform a results output step.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 1, 2020Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventor: Brian Cairl
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Patent number: 10699219Abstract: A method for computing a probability that an object comprises a target includes: performing a scan of an area comprising the object, generating points; creating a segment corresponding to the object using the points as segment points, the segment extending from a first segment point to a last segment point, the segment comprising a plurality of the segment points; and applying a metric, computing the probability that the object comprises the target.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Alex Henning, Michael Ferguson, Melonee Wise
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Patent number: 10691109Abstract: A system using one or more robots to assist a human in order fulfillment includes: a server configured to receive an order comprising an order item; inventory storage operationally connected to the server, the inventory storage comprising inventory items; an order robot operationally connected to the server, the order robot configured to assist a human to pick an order item from the inventory items; and a human-operated device operably connected to one or more of the server, the inventory storage, and the order robot, the human-operated device configured to assist the human to pick the order item.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2019Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
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Patent number: 10688669Abstract: A quick change end effector system for use with a robot includes: a quick change end effector configured for application to a task to be completed by a robot, the quick change end effector further comprising an end effector magnet; and a robotic manipulator configured to lock to the end effector, the robotic manipulator further configured to use the end effector to complete the task, the robotic manipulator comprising a manipulator magnet, the manipulator magnet being configured to magnetically attract the end effector magnet, thereby locking the manipulator in a mechanically strong connection to the quick change end effector, wherein upon disengagement of the magnetic attraction locking the manipulator to the quick change end effector, the quick change end effector can be quickly removed from the manipulator.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ferguson, Mark Medonis
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Patent number: 10642277Abstract: A station uses cleaning mechanisms to clean sensors of mobile robots. The mobile robots may use data from the sensors to navigate around an environment such as an inventory warehouse. A sensor of a mobile robot can become dirty over time as dust or other debris accumulates on the sensor. Since the mobile robots can navigate to a station for automatic sensor cleaning, a human does not need to manually clean the sensors. Multiple mobile robots may share one or more stations in the environment and coordinate a schedule to have their sensors cleaned. The stations may also charge a battery of a mobile robot simultaneously while cleaning the mobile robot's sensors.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: FETCH ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Eric Peter Diehr, Michael Ferguson, Derek King
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Patent number: 10562707Abstract: A system using one or more robots to assist a human in order fulfillment includes: a server configured to receive an order comprising an order item; inventory storage operationally connected to the server, the inventory storage comprising inventory items; an order robot operationally connected to the server, the order robot configured to assist a human to pick an order item from the inventory items; and a human-operated device operably connected to one or more of the server, the inventory storage, and the order robot, the human-operated device configured to assist the human to pick the order item.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
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Publication number: 20200042900Abstract: A method for computing a probability that an object comprises a target includes: performing a scan of an area comprising the object, generating points; creating a segment corresponding to the object using the points as segment points, the segment extending from a first segment point to a last segment point, the segment comprising a plurality of the segment points; and applying a metric, computing the probability that the object comprises the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Alex Henning, Michael Ferguson, Melonee Wise
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Patent number: 10515319Abstract: A method for computing a probability that an object comprises a target includes: performing a scan of an area comprising the object, generating points; creating a segment corresponding to the object using the points as segment points, the segment extending from a first segment point to a last segment point, the segment comprising a plurality of the segment points; and applying a metric, computing the probability that the object comprises the target.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Alex Henning, Michael Ferguson, Melonee Wise
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Patent number: 10423150Abstract: A system for order fulfillment using one or more robots includes: a server configured to receive an order comprising an order item; inventory storage operably connected to the server, the inventory storage comprising order items; an actor robot operably connected to and selected by the server, the actor robot configured to perform one or more of picking the order item from inventory storage, moving the order item, and positioning the order item; and an order robot operably connected to the server, the order robot configured to collect the order item, wherein the order item is positioned by the actor robot so as to be accessible to the order robot, so as to perform order fulfillment using one or more robots.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
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Publication number: 20190270198Abstract: A system to prevent depletion of a robotic energy source includes: a mobile robot; a server operably connected to the robot via a communication system, the server configured to manage the robot; a robotic energy source configured to provide energy to the robot; a controller operably connected to the robot, the controller operably connected to the server, the controller configured to control the robot, the controller further configured to monitor an energy level of the robot; and a charging station configured to operably connect to the energy source, the charging station further configured to replenish the energy source.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2018Publication date: September 5, 2019Applicant: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ferguson, Edward S. King
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Patent number: 10363659Abstract: A method for load balancing of robots includes: receiving, by a first task server configured to manage a first spatial region, a task to be performed by a robot; determining, by the first task server, that the task cannot efficiently be performed within the first spatial region; finding, by the first task server, a second task server configured to manage a second spatial region to which the task can be assigned; and sending, by the first task server, the task to the second task server.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
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Patent number: 10356590Abstract: A method includes: providing to a robot, by a system, a predetermined behavior configured to help an emergency responder; directing the robot, by the system, to a designated location; instructing the robot, by the system, to gather emergency data; receiving, by the system, from the robot, the gathered emergency data; and transmitting the emergency data, by the system, to the emergency responder. A method for responding to emergencies using robotic assistance includes: receiving, by a robot, from a system for responding to emergencies using robotic assistance, a predetermined behavior configured to help an emergency responder; instituting, by the robot, the predetermined behavior; receiving, by the robot, a direction to a designated location; proceeding, by the robot, to the designated location; receiving, by the robot, an instruction to gather emergency data; gathering, by the robot, the emergency data; and transmitting, by the robot to the system, the gathered emergency data.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventor: Melonee Wise
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Patent number: 10056776Abstract: A system includes: a robotic charging connector including: a temperature sensor configured to measure temperature data; a processor operably connected to the temperature sensor, the processor configured to use the temperature data to determine an appropriate charging current, wherein the processor is further configured to send an alert upon occurrence of a triggering condition; and a computer operably connected to the processor, the computer configured to control the robotic charging connector, the computer further configured to receive the alert.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Derek King, Michael Ferguson
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Patent number: 9943963Abstract: A system for determining and promoting safety of a robotic payload, including: a controller; and a robot controllable by the controller, the robot comprising: at least one payload region configured to carry a payload; a sensor configured to detect at least one of a payload mass and a payload distribution, the sensor further configured to alert the controller regarding the one or more of a payload mass and a payload distribution, the controller further configured to perform, in response to the alert, one or more of determining safety of the payload and promoting the safety of the payload.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventor: Melonee Wise
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Patent number: 9927814Abstract: A method for localization of robots in a territory of interest includes: providing a mobile robot comprising a processor configured to compute an estimated pose of the mobile robot in a map of a territory of interest using a particle filter comprising a particle; updating, by the processor, a pose in the map of the particle; deciding, by the processor, whether to retain the particle for the next cycle of the particle filter or to eliminate the particle for the next cycle of the particle filter; and sampling the particle filter, by the processor, so as to achieve localization of robots in a territory of interest.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
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Patent number: 9827669Abstract: A robotic torso sensing system and method includes: a robotic torso comprising a mobile torso, the robotic torso further comprising a fixed torso; a motor configured to move the mobile torso; a torso encoder configured to provide information to the motor; a master controller operably connected to the motor, the master controller configured to control the motor, the master controller operably connected to the torso encoder, the master controller further configured to control the mobile torso; and a sensor configured to measure a position of the mobile torso, the sensor further configured to transmit the measurement to the master controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ferguson, Melonee Wise, Derek King
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Patent number: 9827668Abstract: A joint includes: a motor coupled to the joint, the motor configured to move the joint; a joint side sensor configured to measure a parameter of interest of a joint side target; a motor side sensor configured to measure the parameter of interest of the motor; and a controller configured to control the motor, the controller operably connected to the joint side sensor, the controller operably connected to the motor side sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Derek King, Eric Diehr