Abstract: A method is disclosed for using robots to move items from one container to another. The method includes positioning a source container under a suction robot having two degrees of freedom only, the suction robot having a flexible suction end having a variable suction component that can cause suction to occur within the suction end upon contact with an item in the source container. The contact can be non-orthogonal of an end of the flexible suction and a surface of the item. The robot retrieves the item from the source container with the flexible suction end by lowering the flexible suction end into the source container to retrieve the item and lifts the retrieved item from the source container. The robot then moves the retrieved item horizontally from the source container to a destination container.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for fully automated order fulfillment. A method includes identifying a shelf tote having an item contained therein for transfer to an order tote; dispatching a first carrier to pick up the shelf tote and a second carrier to pick an order tote; causing the picker to pick the item from the shelf tote while the shelf tote is moving through the transfer station; and transferring the item to the order tote by the picker.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a robot being in communication with a control center communication module of a control center, an instruction to relocate a cart to a location where a set of items are stored. The method further includes moving, by the robot, to a second location where the cart is positioned; (2) activating, by the robot, a motor of a latch fastening system to cause movement of a latch arm resulting in a latch being exposed; (3) removably engaging, by the robot and using the latch, the cart via a latching feature of the cart; (4) moving, by the robot, the cart from the second location to the location where the set of items are stored; and (5) transitioning, by the robot, a subset of the set of items to the cart in accordance with the instruction.

Abstract: A fully autonomous mobile robot is provided that transports items from one area to another. The mobile robot includes a variety of mechanisms that capture an item from a first surface and moves the item within the confines of the mobile robot. The item can then be transported to another surface either within the confines of the mobile robot or to another location.

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 includes arranging, on a robot, a set of suctions cups on an actuator of the robot to allow for removable engagement of the set of suction cups to a container surface. The method further includes initiating movement of the actuator to cause the robot to (1) engage the set of suction cups to the container surface, generating a pressure within at least a subset of the set of suction cups; (2) detect the pressure within the subset of the set of suction cups; (3) connect the subset of the set of suction cups to a set of vacuum pumps to generate a vacuum, resulting in a grip on the container; and (4) move the container on to a platform of the robot to prepare the container for delivery.

Abstract: A fully autonomous mobile robot is provided that transports items from one area to another. The mobile robot includes a variety of mechanisms that capture an item from a first surface and moves the item within the confines of the mobile robot. The item can then be transported to another surface either within the confines of the mobile robot or to another location.

Abstract: Mobile robots and methods involving mobile robots are provided. In one method, a mobile robot performs a hospitality service for a guest of a hospitality business. The mobile robot is operated at the hospitality business.

Abstract: A mobile robot is provided for use in an operating environment. The mobile robot may include a mobile robot base, a conveyor system and a drive system. The conveyor system may be supported by the mobile robot base. The conveyor system may include a conveyor belt configured to receive an item with the mobile robot and/or provide the item from the mobile robot. The conveyor system may be configured to support the item during movement of the mobile robot within the operating environment. The drive system may be arranged with the mobile robot base. The drive system may be configured to move the mobile robot within the operating environment and position the conveyor system such that the conveyor belt is operable to receive the item with the mobile robot and/or provide the item from the mobile robot.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for managing movement of items from one container to another. The method includes receiving an identification, from a user, of a source container, the identification indicating that one or more items in the source container will be moved from the source container to a destination container on a first robot, the first robot being at a first position on a floor under the shelf. A second robot is also positioned on the floor under the shelf. Based on the identification, a system causes the first robot to move at least partially from the first position on the floor under the shelf to a second position which causes the destination container to be accessible to the user and receive a confirmation that the user has transferred a product from the source container to the destination container.

Abstract: A shelf is positioned at a shelf level and above a floor level. A ramp starts at the floor level and transitions to a first level. A robot having a drawer can travel from the floor level up the ramp to the first level without touching the shelf. A drawer handler robot has a drawer transitioning lower level which is between the floor level and the shelf level. A first instruction is provided to the robot to travel up the ramp to the first level. The robot moves up the ramp and to the first level according to the first instruction. The system provides a second instruction for the drawer handler robot to retrieve the drawer configured on the robot. The drawer handler robot is positioned near the robot and on the first level and retrieves the drawer from the robot on the first level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting a payload carrying device is disclosed. The method comprises providing at least one payload carrying device, a vehicle for transporting the at least one payload carrying device, a connection device for connecting the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device, at least one sensor device for capturing information regarding the vehicle's surrounding environment, and a control unit for operating the connection device autonomously to connect the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device where, once connected, the weight of the at least one payload carrying device rests directly on the floor and the vehicle autonomously transports the at least one payload carrying device to a desired location, and operating the connection device autonomously to disconnect the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device at the desired location where the at least one payload carrying device is immobilized.

Abstract: A system and method of instructing a device is disclosed. The system includes a signal source for providing at least one visual signal where the at least one visual signal is substantially indicative of at least one activity to be performed by the device. A visual signal capturing element captures the at least one visual signal and communicates the at least one visual signal to the device where the device interprets the at least one visual signal and performs the activity autonomously and without requiring any additional signals or other information from the signal source.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of autonomously operating a vehicle. The method provides at least two cameras in operable communication with the vehicle for providing substantially similar views relative to the vehicle. The at least two cameras receive information relating to the views. The method also provides a laser in operable communication with the vehicle for selectively shining a single discrete mark on at least a portion of the views provided by the at least two cameras. Further, the method determines whether the information received by the at least two cameras is ambiguous regarding the views. The method activates the laser on at least a portion of the views based on whether the information received by the at least two cameras is ambiguous.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for fully automated order fulfillment. A method includes identifying a shelf tote having an item contained therein for transfer to an order tote; dispatching a first carrier to pick up the shelf tote and a second carrier to pick an order tote; causing the picker to pick the item from the shelf tote while the shelf tote is moving through the transfer station; and transferring the item to the order tote by the picker.

Abstract: A method includes operating, at an initial stage, a fully automated warehouse in which robots handle in an automated way the transfer of items from container to container on an automated basis and receiving an indication of a change in needed throughput through the warehouse. When a spike exceeds a completely automated system threshold, the method implements a hybrid operation for the warehouse, such that (1) the movement of containers in the warehouse anticipates human interaction and a robot having a removable cart is used in the process. The system can schedule humans at particular times to take their turn in manually managing the movement of containers and so remove the cart having containers thereon from the robot for manual delivery of containers to locations. The method includes causing a pre-staging event to occur such that source containers and destination containers can be pre-staged for the characteristics of the worker.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides a body worn apparatus having a plurality of activation elements arranged in at least one bundle, and a substrate supporting the plurality of activation elements. The method also places the body worn apparatus onto the body of a person, and activates the at least one bundle.

Abstract: A mobile robot is provided having a support surface for supporting a plurality of articles and securing material secured to and positioned for operable communication with the robot for securing the plurality of articles on the support surface. A robotic arm member also is provided that is secured to the robot and configured to autonomously gather the articles from a location remote from the mobile robot, place the articles in desired positions on the support surface and autonomously secure, via the securing material, the plurality of articles on the support surface to substantially restrict movement of the articles on the support surface and without requiring any outside intervention or human input to secure the articles.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for picking at least one item is provided. The method includes providing at least one container, the container at least containing a plurality of substantially the same items randomly arranged within the container, providing at least one mechanism for collecting at least one item from the container, enabling the mechanism to roughly determine the position of the mechanism with respect to the items in the container utilizing the least amount of power, moving the mechanism so that it is at least in close proximity to the items in the container, collecting at least one item in the container with the mechanism, moving the mechanism and the collected at least one item at least a predetermined distance away from the remaining non-collected items in the container and determining the number of items collected by the mechanism utilizing the least amount of power.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for controlling at least one fluid actuated device; e.g., an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder. A method is provided, for example, involving an actuatable component and an actuation system, which includes an actuation system component and an actuator. During a mode of operation, the actuation system component is fluidly coupled with a first chamber and a second chamber of the actuator using the actuation system. The actuator is operable to move the actuatable component.