Abstract: A mobile robot that includes a control system, a task execution system and a drive system, the control system configured to monitor the task execution system and drive system, wherein the control system comprises an error detection unit, the error detection unit configured to detect a first error in the task execution system and a second error in the drive system, and further configured to determine that a third error has occurred if it detects the first error and the second error at the same time.

Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile robot capable of carrying out an operation within an environment, the method including: storing an environment map in a memory, the environment map including data to enable the robot to navigate the environment; further storing in the memory data corresponding to one or more hazard areas encountered by the mobile robot during previous operations; and reducing a tilt threshold of the robot when the mobile robot is navigating within an area of the environment that corresponds to a previously encountered hazard area.

Abstract: A tinting machine (1) comprising one or more dispenser heads for dispensing colorant into a paint container (3), the one or more dispenser heads comprising a fluid outlet (16) for discharging the colorant into the paint container (3), an internal chamber (19) opening in the fluid outlet, and a piston (25) that is longitudinally and movably arranged inside the internal chamber. An outer side surface of the piston and the inner surface of the internal chamber define an annular space (29) and the piston comprises a circumventional protrusion (26) defining a constriction (28) in the annular space. By supplying cleaning fluid to the internal chamber and moving the piston between a first and a second position, the internal chamber can be cleaned from residual colorant with a small amount of cleaning fluid. The invention further relates to a method for dispensing one or more colorants into a paint container using such tinting machine.

Abstract: A tinting machine (1) comprising one or more dispenser heads for dispensing colorant into a paint container (3), the one or more dispenser heads comprising a fluid outlet (16) for discharging the colorant into the paint container (3), an internal chamber (19) opening in the fluid outlet, and a piston (25) that is longitudinally and movably arranged inside the internal chamber. An outer side surface of the piston and the inner surface of the internal chamber define an annular space (29) and the piston comprises a circumventional protrusion (26) defining a constriction (28) in the annular space. By supplying cleaning fluid to the internal chamber and moving the piston between a first and a second position, the internal chamber can be cleaned from residual colorant with a small amount of cleaning fluid. The invention further relates to a method for dispensing one or more colorants into a paint container using such tinting machine.

Abstract: A mobile robot that includes a control system, a task execution system and a drive system, the control system configured to monitor the task execution system and drive system, wherein the control system comprises an error detection unit, the error detection unit configured to detect a first error in the task execution system and a second error in the drive system, and further configured to determine that a third error has occurred if it detects the first error and the second error at the same time.

Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile robot, the method including monitoring a first system of the mobile robot to detect a first error associated with the first system, monitoring a second system of the mobile robot to detect a second error associated with the second system, and when the first error and the second error are detected at the same time, determining that a third error has occurred.

Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile robot, the method including monitoring a first system of the mobile robot to detect a first error associated with the first system, monitoring a second system of the mobile robot to detect a second error associated with the second system, and when the first error and the second error are detected at the same time, determining that a third error has occurred.

Abstract: A painting apparatus comprising a paint module, an applicator assembly, and a dip-tube assembly containing a pump, the paint module having a container receiving section which is closeable by a releasably attachable lid, the applicator assembly being fluidly connectable to liquid in the container receiving section via the dip-tube assembly, in which the lid includes an aperture to allow the dip-tube assembly to pass therethrough and submerge the pump in the liquid (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A painting apparatus comprising a paint module, an applicator assembly having an applicator surface, and a pump, the paint module having a container receiving section, the applicator assembly being fluidly connectable to the container receiving section such that the pump can supply liquid contained in the container receiving section to the applicator assembly, in which the apparatus can operate in a painting cycle where the container receiving section receives a paint container with a supply of paint such that the paint can be supplied to the applicator assembly, and in a cleaning cycle where the container receiving section receives a liquid in the form of a cleaning fluid, such that the cleaning fluid can be supplied to the applicator assembly (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A paint roller assembly comprising a primary roller (69) and a secondary roller (67), the secondary roller being positioned relative to the primary roller such that paint supplied to the roller assembly passes over part of the secondary roller before being fed onto an exterior surface of the primary roller.

Abstract: A painting apparatus comprising a paint container and a closure module, the paint container having a screw threaded rim, the closure module having a main housing and an outer ring, the outer ring having a screw thread, in which the outer ring is rotatable relative to the main housing such that the screw thread cooperates with the threaded rim of the paint container to secure the closure module onto the paint container without having to rotate the main housing relative to the paint container.

Abstract: A paint roller assembly comprising a primary roller (69) and a secondary roller (67), the secondary roller being positioned relative to the primary roller such that paint supplied to the roller assembly passes over part of the secondary roller before being fed onto an exterior surface of the primary roller.

Abstract: A paint container including a main body and a neck portion having a rim with an internal web projecting radially inwardly from the rim, in which the internal web includes an aperture (216) dimensioned such that it can receive an associated dip-tube and remove excess paint from the dip-tube when it is removed from the paint container.

Abstract: A painting apparatus comprising a paint module able to receive a paint container containing paint, an applicator, a conduit fluidly connecting the paint to the applicator, and a pump assembly to supply a flow of paint to the applicator via the conduit, in which the painting apparatus includes a control unit to prevent the flow of paint to the applicator until the applicator is applying paint to the surface to be painted (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A painting apparatus comprising a paint module, an applicator assembly, and a dip-tube assembly containing a pump, the paint module having a container receiving section which is closeable by a releasably attachable lid, the applicator assembly being fluidly connectable to liquid in the container receiving section via the dip-tube assembly, in which the lid includes an aperture to allow the dip-tube assembly to pass therethrough and submerge the pump in the liquid (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A painting apparatus comprising a paint module, an applicator assembly having an applicator surface, and a pump, the paint module having a container receiving section, the applicator assembly being fluidly connectable to the container receiving section such that the pump can supply liquid contained in the container receiving section to the applicator assembly, in which the apparatus can operate in a painting cycle where the container receiving section receives a paint container with a supply of paint such that the paint can be supplied to the applicator assembly, and in a cleaning cycle where the container receiving section receives a liquid in the form of a cleaning fluid, such that the cleaning fluid can be supplied to the applicator assembly (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A painting apparatus (10) comprising a paint module (20), an applicator assembly (50), and a dip-tube assembly (20) containing a pump (86), the applicator assembly being fluidly connectable to liquid in the paint module via the dip-tube assembly, in which the pump is arranged within the dip-tube such that the pump is submerged in the liquid to substantially drive liquid away from the pump when supplying liquid to the applicator assembly.