Abstract: One variation a food production system includes: a food preparation surface; a module housing; and a controller. The food preparation surface is located on top of the module housing and defines a receptable configured to receive a food hopper configured to store ingredients for preparation of units of the food product type. The module housing includes: a first food dispensing module configured to dispense a first ingredient; and a second food dispensing module configured to dispense a second ingredient. The module housing further includes a conveyor module to support the rim of a food container beneath the first and second food dispensing modules and transport the food container. The controller can receive a food order; trigger the conveyor module to advance by a distance; and trigger the food dispensing modules to dispense ingredients into the food container.

Abstract: A modular system for autonomous food assembly includes: a skid operable in a first configuration configured to transiently install on a vehicle and in a second configuration configured to transiently install in a kiosk; a set of food dispensing modules configured to transiently install on the skid and store and dispense food based on food orders; and a fixed infrastructure configured to distribute power from a first power source in the truck to the set of food dispensing modules in the first configuration, from a second power source in the fixed kiosk to the set of food dispensing modules in the second configuration, and to the set of food dispensing modules; a controller installed on the skid and configured to receive food orders and control the set of food dispensing modules to dispense food orders from the truck in the first configuration and from the kiosk in the second configuration.

Abstract: A modular system for autonomous food assembly includes: a skid operable in a first configuration configured to transiently install on a vehicle and in a second configuration configured to transiently install in a kiosk; a set of food dispensing modules configured to transiently install on the skid and store and dispense food based on food orders; and a fixed infrastructure configured to distribute power from a first power source in the truck to the set of food dispensing modules in the first configuration, from a second power source in the fixed kiosk to the set of food dispensing modules in the second configuration, and to the set of food dispensing modules; a controller installed on the skid and configured to receive food orders and control the set of food dispensing modules to dispense food orders from the truck in the first configuration and from the kiosk in the second configuration.

Abstract: One variation of a food production station includes: a manual assembly zone; an autonomous assembly zone; and a controller. The manual assembly zone includes: a prep surface; and a receptacle configured to receive a sequence of food hoppers configured to store ingredients for manual preparation of food products on the prep surface. The autonomous assembly zone includes: a sequence of module housings supporting the prep surface and configured to house a sequence of food dispensing modules configured to dispense ingredients into food containers; and a conveyor located within the sequence of module housings and configured to transfer food containers along the sequence of food dispensing modules for dispensation of ingredients into food containers. The controller is configured to: receive food orders; and coordinate motion of the conveyor and trigger the sequence of food dispensing modules to dispense ingredients into food containers to assemble food products according to food orders.

Abstract: One variation of a food production station includes: a manual assembly zone; an autonomous assembly zone; and a controller. The manual assembly zone includes: a prep surface; and a receptacle configured to receive a sequence of food hoppers configured to store ingredients for manual preparation of food products on the prep surface. The autonomous assembly zone includes: a sequence of module housings supporting the prep surface and configured to house a sequence of food dispensing modules configured to dispense ingredients into food containers; and a conveyor located within the sequence of module housings and configured to transfer food containers along the sequence of food dispensing modules for dispensation of ingredients into food containers. The controller is configured to: receive food orders; and coordinate motion of the conveyor and trigger the sequence of food dispensing modules to dispense ingredients into food containers to assemble food products according to food orders.

Abstract: One variation of a method for blending food products includes: receiving a cup containing food products; locating a lip of the cup on a lower seat of a cup plate; rotating a blend plate about a pivot axis from a blend position to a closed position to locate an upper seat of the blend plate against the lip of the cup; driving the cup plate, about the pivot axis, toward the blend position; driving the blend plate against the cup plate to seal the upper seat against the lip of the cup; activating a blender blade of the blend plate to blend food products in the cup; driving the cup plate against the blend plate to seal the upper seat against the lip of the cup; driving the blend plate toward the closed position; rotating the blend plate toward the blend position; and delivering the cup.

Abstract: A modular system for autonomous food assembly includes: a skid operable in a first configuration configured to transiently install on a vehicle and in a second configuration configured to transiently install in a kiosk; a set of food dispensing modules configured to transiently install on the skid and store and dispense food based on food orders; and a fixed infrastructure configured to distribute power from a first power source in the truck to the set of food dispensing modules in the first configuration, from a second power source in the fixed kiosk to the set of food dispensing modules in the second configuration, and to the set of food dispensing modules; a controller installed on the skid and configured to receive food orders and control the set of food dispensing modules to dispense food orders from the truck in the first configuration and from the kiosk in the second configuration.

Abstract: A robotic controller for autonomous calibration and inspection of two or more solar surfaces wherein the robotic controller includes a drive system to position itself near a solar surface such that onboard sensors may be utilized to gather information about the solar surface. An onboard communication unit relays information to a central processing network, this processor combines new information with stored historical data to calibrate a solar surface and/or to determine its instantaneous health.

Abstract: A robotic controller for autonomous calibration and inspection of two or more solar surfaces wherein the robotic controller includes a drive system to position itself near a solar surface such that onboard sensors may be utilized to gather information about the solar surface. An onboard communication unit relays information to a central processing network, this processor combines new information with stored historical data to calibrate a solar surface and/or to determine its instantaneous health.

Abstract: A robotic controller for autonomous calibration and inspection of two or more solar surfaces wherein the robotic controller includes a drive system to position itself near a solar surface such that onboard sensors may be utilized to gather information about the solar surface. An onboard communication unit relays information to a central processing network, this processor combines new information with stored historical data to calibrate a solar surface and/or to determine its instantaneous health.

Abstract: A robotic controller for autonomous calibration and inspection of two or more solar surfaces wherein the robotic controller includes a drive system to position itself near a solar surface such that onboard sensors may be utilized to gather information about the solar surface. An onboard communication unit relays information to a central processing network, this processor combines new information with stored historical data to calibrate a solar surface and/or to determine its instantaneous health.

Abstract: A robotic controller for autonomous calibration and inspection of two or more solar surfaces wherein the robotic controller includes a drive system to position itself near a solar surface such that onboard sensors may be utilized to gather information about the solar surface. An onboard communication unit relays information to a central processing network, this processor combines new information with stored historical data to calibrate a solar surface and/or to determine its instantaneous health.

Abstract: A robotic controller for autonomous calibration and inspection of two or more solar surfaces wherein the robotic controller includes a drive system to position itself near a solar surface such that onboard sensors may be utilized to gather information about the solar surface. An onboard communication unit relays information to a central processing network, this processor combines new information with stored historical data to calibrate a solar surface and/or to determine its instantaneous health.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a robotic controller to automatically position multiple solar surfaces in order to increase solar energy generation from the solar surfaces. In an embodiment the robotic controller travels in a sealed track and adjusts the solar surfaces using magnetic communication.

Abstract: Practical electric-powered propulsion systems, associated operator-control systems, and modification methods enable conventional surfboards (and similar small watercraft) to be converted for water-jet propulsion. Wireless controls are integrated with wearable marine accessories such as modified neoprene or fabric gloves, armbands, wristbands, hand straps, or gauntlets. Safely immersible, wet-swappable high-power battery packs facilitate extended use of electric propulsion in surf. Compact integrated electronic control units incorporate motor controllers, wireless receivers, and control logic. On-board power, propulsion, and control components are positioned and installed to avoid disrupting the shape of the watercraft body so as to minimize added hydrodynamic drag and perceived differences from a traditional unpowered version of the watercraft in appearance, balance, or performance.