Abstract: A system and method for adjusting behavior of an autonomous wet surface cleaner to avoid, reduce, or remedy situations where too much cleaning fluid is left on the surface. During certain autonomous floor cleaner events excess cleaning fluid can pool beneath the cleaner. For example, a cleaning fluid pool can form as the cleaner slows or stops approaching an obstacle, becomes stuck in a location, or executes certain navigation routines, such as certain turning maneuvers or cleaning patterns. The cleaning fluid pooling can be mitigated by executing a cleaning fluid pooling mitigation strategy that prevents the cleaning fluid from pooling, reduces the amount of cleaning fluid that pools, or addresses the cleaning fluid pooling. The cleaning fluid pool mitigation strategies can include various adjustments to the drive system, dispenser system, recovery system, and other autonomous wet surface cleaner systems, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning system includes an autonomous floor cleaner with a docking station. The docking station is configured to performing maintenance for the autonomous floor cleaner, such as refilling the autonomous floor cleaner, emptying the autonomous floor cleaner, washing mopping pads, and/or recharging the autonomous floor cleaner. The docking system can supply heated cleaning fluid to the autonomous floor cleaner. Methods for servicing or performing maintenance on an autonomous floor cleaner by a docking station are disclosed.

Abstract: A docking station for removing wet and dry debris from a floor cleaner. The docking station includes a dry debris conduit for evacuating a debris from the floor cleaner and a wet debris conduit for evacuating liquid and wet debris from the floor cleaner. The liquid and wet debris may be collected from a pad cleaning cycle performed at the docking station. Methods for servicing or performing maintenance on a floor cleaner by a docking station are disclosed.

Abstract: A robot such as a floor cleaning robot includes a body, a motorized drive system connected to the body and operable for moving the robot relative to a floor surface, at least one deformation sensor, and a controller. Each deformation sensor is connected to the body and configured to measure a deformation thereof, and to output an electronic signal indicative of the deformation. The controller detects a threshold deformation of the body indicative of contact with an obstacle by processing the electronic signal, and thereafter modifies a dynamic state of the robot via regulation of the motorized drive system in response to the threshold deformation.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting behavior of an autonomous wet surface cleaner to avoid, reduce, or remedy situations where too much cleaning fluid is left on the surface. During certain autonomous floor cleaner events excess cleaning fluid can pool beneath the cleaner. For example, a cleaning fluid pool can form as the cleaner slows or stops approaching an obstacle, becomes stuck in a location, or executes certain navigation routines, such as certain turning maneuvers or cleaning patterns. The cleaning fluid pooling can be mitigated by executing a cleaning fluid pooling mitigation strategy that prevents the cleaning fluid from pooling, reduces the amount of cleaning fluid that pools, or addresses the cleaning fluid pooling. The cleaning fluid pool mitigation strategies can include various adjustments to the drive system, dispenser system, recovery system, and other autonomous wet surface cleaner systems, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system providing a barrier for an autonomous floor cleaner includes an artificial barrier generator that radiates one or more infrared signals. An autonomous floor cleaner can be configured to detect the infrared signals, and can react by altering course. Methods for containing an autonomous floor cleaner within a user-determined boundary are disclosed.

Abstract: A system providing a barrier for an autonomous floor cleaner includes an artificial barrier generator that radiates one or more infrared signals. An autonomous floor cleaner can be configured to detect the infrared signals, and can react by altering course. Methods for containing an autonomous floor cleaner within a user-determined boundary are disclosed.

Abstract: A system providing a barrier for an autonomous floor cleaner includes an artificial barrier generator that radiates one or more infrared emission patterns. An autonomous floor cleaner can be configured to detect an overlapping emission pattern made of partially overlapping encoded infrared emissions. Methods for containing an autonomous floor cleaner within a user-determined boundary are disclosed.

Abstract: A system providing a barrier for an autonomous floor cleaner includes an artificial barrier generator that radiates one or more infrared emission patterns. An autonomous floor cleaner can be configured to detect an overlapping emission pattern made of partially overlapping encoded infrared emissions. Methods for containing an autonomous floor cleaner within a user-determined boundary are disclosed.