Abstract: A mobile robot has a body having at least one item space; a lid constructed and adapted to assume at least an open position and a closed position, wherein the lid is to fit on top of the body in the closed position, so as to cover the item space, and the lid is to be lifted to the open position, so as to allow access to the item space; at least four wheels; and a plurality of light sources arranged as at least one row of lights.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a road crossing method for a mobile robot. The road crossing method comprises the mobile robot approaching a road crossing. Further, the road crossing method comprises estimating, with a data processing unit, a location and time of collision with at least one dynamic object on the road crossing. Further still, the road crossing method comprises generating, with the data processing unit, control commands for the mobile robot to avoid collision with the at least one dynamic object based on the estimated location and time of collision with the at least one dynamic object. In addition, the present invention relates to a mobile robot comprising the data processing unit and configured to carry out the road crossing method.

Abstract: A method for operating a robot traveling in an environment includes the robot sensing the environment and thereby creating sensor data; generating at least one probabilistic finding based on the sensor data, wherein the probabilistic finding is expressed as an object score and wherein the object score indicates a probability of detection of an object; setting at least one detection threshold; and, based on the at least one detection threshold, transforming the at least one probabilistic finding based on the sensor data to at least one discrete finding. The method is for operating a robot crossing a road. The robot is configured to be controlled by at least one human operator when crossing the road. Setting the at least one detection threshold is based on a level of supervision by the at least one human operator when crossing the road.

Abstract: A mobile robot adapted to traverse vertical obstacles. The robot comprises a frame and at least one wheel positioned in a front section of the robot, at least one middle wheel positioned in a middle section of the robot, at least one back wheel positioned in a back section of the robot, and at least one further wheel in the front, middle or back of the robot. The robot also comprises at least one motor-driven device for exerting a downward and/or upward force on the middle wheel and at least two motors for driving the wheels and the motor-driven device. Also disclosed is a method of climbing using a mobile robot as disclosed.

Abstract: A method for localization using at least one time-of-flight (ToF) sensor, map data and a processing unit. The method can comprise capturing at least one ToF sensor image comprising at least one feature with the at least one ToF sensor. The method can further comprise the processing unit extracting at least one feature from the at least one ToF sensor image and the processing unit comparing the at least one extracted feature with the map data. A location hypothesis based on the comparison step can be generated and output. The present invention also relates to a localization system comprising a ToF sensor configured to capture a at least one ToF sensor image, a memory unit, comprising stored therein map data and a processing unit. The processing unit can be configured to extract at least one feature from the at least one ToF sensor image. The processing unit can further be configured to access the memory unit comprising the map data and compare the at least one extracted feature with the map data.

Abstract: A mobile robot is configured to navigate on a sidewalk and deliver a delivery to a predetermined location. The robot has a body and an enclosed space within the body for storing the delivery during transit. At least two cameras are mounted on the robot body and are adapted to take visual images of an operating area. A processing component is adapted to extract straight lines from the visual images taken by the cameras and generate map data based at least partially on the images. A communication component is adapted to send and receive image and/or map data. A mapping system includes at least two such mobile robots, with the communication component of each robot adapted to send and receive image data and/or map data to the other robot. A method involves operating such a mobile robot in an area of interest in which deliveries are to be made.

Abstract: A mobile robot adapted to traverse vertical obstacles. The robot comprises a frame and at least one wheel positioned in a front section of the robot, at least one middle wheel positioned in a middle section of the robot, at least one back wheel positioned in a back section of the robot, and at least one further wheel in the front, middle or back of the robot. The robot also comprises at least one motor-driven device for exerting a downward and/or upward force on the middle wheel and at least two motors for driving the wheels and the motor-driven device. Also disclosed is a method of climbing using a mobile robot as disclosed.

Abstract: A method for delivering restricted items to users includes detecting a restricted item selected by a user for delivery; accessing a user profile associated with the user; verifying presence of an authorization for delivery of the restricted item associated with the user profile; and, upon detecting a first authorization associated with the user profile, authorizing dispatch of the restricted item to the user at a delivery location.

Abstract: A mobile robot is configured to navigate on a sidewalk and deliver a delivery to a predetermined location. The robot has a body and an enclosed space within the body for storing the delivery during transit. At least two cameras are mounted on the robot body and are adapted to take visual images of an operating area. A processing component is adapted to extract straight lines from the visual images taken by the cameras and generate map data based at least partially on the images. A communication component is adapted to send and receive image and/or map data. A mapping system includes at least two such mobile robots, with the communication component of each robot adapted to send and receive image data and/or map data to the other robot. A method involves operating such a mobile robot in an area of interest in which deliveries are to be made.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering packages to multiple recipients uses a mobile robot having a delivery package space suitable for accommodating at least two packages, at least one package sensor configured to output first data reflective of the presence or absence of packages within with package space, at least one processing component configured to receive and process the package sensor's first data and at least one communication component configured to at least send and receive second data. The mobile robot travels to a first delivery location, permits a first recipient to access the package space, and identifies the first recipient's package to the first recipient. The system and method use data from the package sensor to verify that the first recipient removed only his or her package, if other package(s) are also present. The mobile robot then travels to a second delivery location associated with a second recipient.

Abstract: A mobile robot configured for delivering consumable items to delivery recipients. The mobile robot comprises an item compartment with a top section, a separator, and a bottom section. The mobile robot also comprises a temperature control component. A method for delivering consumable items to delivery recipients using the mobile robot.

Abstract: A collision avoidance method and system for a mobile robot crossing a road. When a mobile robot approaches a road, it senses road conditions via at least one first sensor, and initiates road crossing if the road conditions are deemed suitable for crossing. As it crosses the road, the mobile robot senses, via at least one second sensor, a change in the road conditions indicating the presence of at least one hazardous moving object. In response to determining that at least one hazardous object in present, the mobile robot initiates a collision avoidance maneuver. A mobile robot configured to avoid collisions while crossing a road includes: at least one first sensor configured to sense road conditions, at least one second sensor configured to sense road conditions, and a processing component configured to carry out one or more collision avoidance maneuvers.

Abstract: A method for delivering restricted items to users includes detecting that a user has selected a restricted item for delivery. A user profile is accessed, and authorization for delivery of the restricted item associated with the user profile is verified. Upon detecting a first authorization associated with the user profile, authorizing the dispatch of the restricted item to the user at a delivery location. The restricted item is transported to the delivery location by the mobile robot. The mobile robot has an item space with a lid and an electronic lock, which is locked during transit. A second authorization to confirm a user's identity before the user receives the restricted item. If the second authorization fails, communication is established between the user and a remote operator terminal via the mobile robot, and the remote operator terminal performs the second authorization and/or repeats the first authorization.

Abstract: A method for interactions during encounters between a mobile robot and an actor, a mobile robot configured for execution of delivery tasks in an outdoor environment, and a use of the mobile robot. The method comprises the mobile robot traveling on a pedestrian pathway; detecting an actor by the mobile robot via a sensor system; identifying a situation associated with the detected actor; in response to the identified situation, determining an action to execute by the mobile robot, and executing the determined action by the mobile robot. The mobile robot comprises a navigation component configured for at least partially autonomous navigation in an outdoor environment; a sensor system configured for collecting sensor data during an encounter between the mobile robot and an actor; a processing component configured to process the sensor data and output actions for the mobile robot to perform; and an output component configured for executing actions determined by the processing component.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for distributing, delivering and collecting freight, with a number I of mobile freight stations, with I?1, each having a first interface for automatically loading freight into freight vehicles from a freight storage of the mobile freight station and for automatically unloading freight from freight vehicles into the freight storage, wherein the freight vehicles are arranged and executed for automatically loading/unloading freight via the first interface and for automatically securing/fixing freight in a storage space of the freight vehicles, the mobile freight stations each have a number ni?Ni, with i=1, . . .

Abstract: A mobile delivery robot has at least one memory component containing at least map data; at least two cameras adapted to take visual images; and at least one processing component. The at least one processing component is adapted to at least extract straight lines from the visual images taken by the at least two cameras and compare them to the map data to at least localize the robot. The mobile robot employs a localization method which involves taking visual images with at least two cameras; extracting straight lines from the individual visual images with at least one processing component; comparing the extracted features with existing map data; and outputting a location hypothesis based on said comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and methods for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. One method comprises travelling in an outdoor setting, capturing data related to the outdoor setting, processing captured data and identifying occlusion present in the preprocessed data. The system comprises an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle configured to travel in outdoor settings and comprising at least one first sensor and at least one processing component. The processing component is configured to process data captured by the first sensor and identify occlusion present in the preprocessed data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for operating a mobile robot. Firstly, a mobile robot can be equipped with at least one time-of-flight (ToF) sensor and the mobile robot can travel in an outdoor setting. At least one ToF sensor image related to the outdoor setting can be captured via the at least one ToF sensor. A data processing unit can process the at least one ToF sensor image to identify at least one cluster of pixels on the at least one ToF sensor image based on at least one pixel-clustering parameter. It can be determined whether at least one cluster of pixels corresponds to a hazardous object in the outdoor setting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of a robot (30) responding to a transition (40) between height levels, the method comprising a robot (30) travelling, sensing information of the surroundings of the robot (30) and generating a three dimensional data set corresponding to a heightmap of the surroundings of the robot (30) based on the information, detecting a transition (40) between different height levels (10, 20) in the three dimensional data set, categorizing the transition (40) between the different height levels (10, 20) by means of at least one characteristic, the robot (30) performing a response action, which response action depends on the categorization of the transition (40). The present invention also relates to a corresponding system.

Abstract: A method comprises generating a map comprising day-time features and night-time features, wherein the position of night-time features relative to the day-time features is determined by at least one image captured during twilight. The invention also relates to a corresponding processing unit configured to execute such a method.