Abstract: A floor cleaning machine includes a set of obstacle sensors that detect when the machine is approaching an obstacle. If the obstacle is less than a threshold distance away from the machine, the machine may output an alert and override the operator's command with a command to reduce the speed of the machine. If the obstacle is less than a minimum threshold distance away from the machine, the machine may come to a complete stop to prevent the collision.

Abstract: A floor cleaning machine includes a set of obstacle sensors that detect when the machine is approaching an obstacle. If the obstacle is less than a threshold distance away from the machine, the machine may output an alert and override the operator's command with a command to reduce the speed of the machine. If the obstacle is less than a minimum threshold distance away from the machine, the machine may come to a complete stop to prevent the collision.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an area using an automatic cleaning device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by an automatic cleaning device, a position of the automatic cleaning device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the automatic cleaning device from the determined position along a path so that the automatic cleaning device cleans the surface along the path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and the edge may be located a distance from a reference point on the automatic cleaning device during movement of the automatic cleaning device.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an area using an automatic cleaning device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by an automatic cleaning device, a position of the automatic cleaning device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the automatic cleaning device from the determined position along a path so that the automatic cleaning device cleans the surface along the path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and the edge may be located a distance from a reference point on the automatic cleaning device during movement of the automatic cleaning device.

Abstract: A method of navigating a mobile robotic device may include receiving, by a mobile robotic device, a wireless transmission from a transponder associated with an object, where the object is within a range of the mobile robotic device and in response to receiving the notification, altering a navigation course by the mobile robotic device to allow the object to pass the mobile robotic device. The mobile robotic device may be preprogrammed with at least a portion of the navigation course. The method may include resuming the navigation course by the mobile robotic device.

Abstract: A long-range sonar assembly for detecting objects approximately 2.5-9.5 meters from a robotic device. The assembly includes a printed circuit board including a local controller operably connected to a processing device and configured to receive instructions from the processing device, a transmit potentiometer operably connected to the local controller and configured to produce a first transmit frequency, and a receive potentiometer operably connected to the local controller and configured to produce a first receive sensitivity; a transducer operably connected to the receive potentiometer; and a flared bell configured to house the transducer and the printed circuit board, the flared bell comprising at least a first enclosure for receiving a sub-assembly comprising the printed circuit board and the transducer.

Abstract: A short-range sonar assembly. The assembly includes a local controller operably connected to a processing device and configured to receive instructions from the processing device, a first transducer operably connected to the local controller, a second transducer operably connected to the local controller; and a flared bell configured to house the local controller, first transducer, and second transducer. The flared bell includes a first enclosure configured to receive and house the first transducer and a second enclosure configured to receive and house the second transducer. The first transducer is configured to transmit one or more pulses and the second transducer is configured to receive echoed pulses.

Abstract: A method of navigating an area using a mobile robotic device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by a mobile robotic device, a position of the mobile robotic device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the mobile robotic device from the determined position along a path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and may be located a distance from a reference point on the mobile robotic device during movement of the mobile robotic device.

Abstract: A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The solution tank may include an inlet and an outlet. The cleaning device may include at least one discharge line filter in fluid communication with the solution tank and a pump having a pump intake and a pump discharge. The pump may be configured to direct cleaning solution from the solution tank outlet through the at least one discharge line filter. The cleaning device may include a cleaning head in fluid communication with the pump discharge and a bypass line in fluid communication with the pump discharge and the inlet. The bypass line may be configured to divert cleaning solution received from the pump discharge away from the cleaning head and toward the solution tank.

Abstract: A method of navigating a mobile robotic device may include receiving, by a mobile robotic device, a wireless transmission from a transponder associated with an object, where the object is within a range of the mobile robotic device and in response to receiving the notification, altering a navigation course by the mobile robotic device to allow the object to pass the mobile robotic device. The mobile robotic device may be preprogrammed with at least a portion of the navigation course. The method may include resuming the navigation course by the mobile robotic device.

Abstract: A method of navigating an area using a mobile robotic device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by a mobile robotic device, a position of the mobile robotic device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the mobile robotic device from the determined position along a path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and may be located a distance from a reference point on the mobile robotic device during movement of the mobile robotic device.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an area using an automatic cleaning device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by an automatic cleaning device, a position of the automatic cleaning device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the automatic cleaning device from the determined position along a path so that the automatic cleaning device cleans the surface along the path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and the edge may be located a distance from a reference point on the automatic cleaning device during movement of the automatic cleaning device.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a surface using an automatic cleaning device may include learning, by an automatic cleaning device, one or more cleaning methods. Each cleaning method may be associated with a code corresponding to a radio frequency identification tag positioned in a vicinity of a surface to be cleaned. The method may also include receiving, by the automatic cleaning device, a target code from a target radio frequency identification tag positioned in a vicinity of a target surface to be cleaned, determining the cleaning method associated with the target code and applying the associated cleaning method to the target surface when the target radio frequency identification tag is detected.