Abstract: A safety rated robotic motor control system may be configured to receive sensor data from sensors positioned on a motor. The data can be received by a programmable logic device and processed to generate a fault message based on a first set of characteristics. The fault message and the data can be transmitted to a safety controller that determines a second set of characteristics and generates operating instructions based on the fault message and the second set of characteristics.

Abstract: A drive unit of a robotic vehicle including a top surface having a mounting interface to interchangeably couple with multiple different modular payload structures configured to transport items in a facility, workspace or inventory management environment. The mounting interface is configured to securely engage with a mounting portion of the variety of different payload structures to enable a versatile exchange of the payload structure for different conveyance applications. The drive unit includes an electrical interface to communicatively couple with the modular payload structures. The drive unit is configured to use data communicated via the electrical coupling and interface to identify a type of modular payload structure that is mechanically coupled to the mounting interface and implement a motion profile (e.g., speed and acceleration parameters) associated with the identified modular payload structure.

Abstract: A drive unit of a robotic vehicle including a top surface having a mounting interface to interchangeably couple with multiple different modular payload structures configured to transport items in a facility, workspace or inventory management environment. The mounting interface is configured to securely engage with a mounting portion of the variety of different payload structures to enable a versatile exchange of the payload structure for different conveyance applications. The drive unit includes an electrical interface to communicatively couple with the modular payload structures. The drive unit is configured to use data communicated via the electrical coupling and interface to identify a type of modular payload structure that is mechanically coupled to the mounting interface and implement a motion profile (e.g., speed and acceleration parameters) associated with the identified modular payload structure.

Abstract: An electric charging station for a mobile drive unit includes a frame that defines an interior volume of space. The frame is configured to carry an electrical charging unit positioned above the interior volume of space. The station includes a station charge connector that is configured to be in electrical communication with the electrical charging unit and is also configured for mating with a corresponding charge connector of the mobile drive unit. The station charge connector extends forward within the interior volume of space along a longitudinal direction that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. The station charge connector is connected to the frame by at least one compliant mechanism that is configured to provide the station charge connector with positional compliance with respect to the frame.

Abstract: An adjustable housing for a light sensor includes a biasing spring and an adjustment screw or cam shaft or other rotary means to adjust the sensor against the spring biasing force. In some embodiments, a detent mechanism can retain the sensor in a desired position and provide an audible click during adjustment. The housing can have a free-floating wall such that when tightening or locking the assembly in place, the wall does not deform and therefore does not affect the sensor alignment.

Abstract: An electric charging station for a mobile drive unit includes a frame that defines an interior volume of space. The frame is configured to carry an electrical charging unit positioned above the interior volume of space. The station includes a station charge connector that is configured to be in electrical communication with the electrical charging unit and is also configured for mating with a corresponding charge connector of the mobile drive unit. The station charge connector extends forward within the interior volume of space along a longitudinal direction that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. The station charge connector is connected to the frame by at least one compliant mechanism that is configured to provide the station charge connector with positional compliance with respect to the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for wirelessly transmitting power to receivers that are freely mobile, such as power receivers for sensors attached to animal experiments. An example transmitter includes a resonator including a generator and transmitter coil, an initial drive signal generator that removes the generator from an ‘off’ state thereby causing the transmitter coil to create an alternating magnetic field that oscillates within a threshold of a resonant frequency of the generator, a phase detector that receives a signal from a receiver coil receiving power via the magnetic field, and a transition module that switches from the initial drive signal to a drive signal generated based on output from the phase detector. An example wireless power receiver has three turns of wire, one on each axis, around a ferrite plate, the outputs of which are connected in parallel to produce a combined output power signal.