Abstract: A modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is described for transporting an item being shipped. The assembly includes a modular mobility base having propulsion, steering, sensors for collision avoidance, and suspension actuators; a modular auxiliary power module with a power source and cargo door; a modular cargo storage system with folding structural walls and a latching system; and a modular mobile autonomy module that covers the cargo storage system and provides human interaction interfaces, externals sensors, a wireless interface, and an autonomous controller with interfacing circuitry coupled to the human interaction interfaces and sensors on the mobile autonomy module. The assembly has a power and data transport bus that provides a communication and power conduit across the different modular components. A method for on-demand assembly of such a bot apparatus is further described with steps for authenticating the different modular components during assembly.

Abstract: Methods perform one or more dispatched medical logistics operations using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server where the operations are related to a diagnosis kit for treating a patient. The MAM of the bot receives a dispatch command, verifies compatibility of the bot assembly with the dispatched operation(s), receives a diagnosis kit in the CSS, has the MAM autonomously causing the MB to move to a destination location while notifying the authorized delivery recipient for the diagnosis kit of the approaching delivery. With appropriate authentication input received, the MAM coordinates with the CSS to provide access to the kit, monitor unloading of the kit, provide instructional information on use of the kit, and autonomously cause the MB to return to the original location with a return item related to the diagnosis kit with notification to personnel at the medical entity about the return item.

Abstract: A modular cargo storage system (CSS) is described for use on a base platform of a modular autonomous bot apparatus that transports an item being shipped. The modular CSS includes a set of folding structural walls, an interlocking alignment interface on at least one of the walls, and a modular component power and data transport bus. The walls at least partially enclose a payload area above the base platform. The interlocking alignment interface has a set of latches and a locking handle coupled to the set of latches that actuates the latches to interlock with the base platform. The power and data transport bus have top and bottom side modular component electronics interfaces where each interface has a power conduit outlet and a command and data communication interface.

Abstract: Methods are described that perform a dispatched inventory operation related to an inventory item within a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server. modular mobile autonomy control module (MAM) receives an inventory dispatch command from the dispatch server and a modular cargo storage system (CSS) receives the inventory item at an inventory hub location. The MAM autonomously causes the assembly to then move to a remote business facility as a destination location, receive authentication input from an authorized delivery recipient, coordinates with the CSS to provide selective access to the inventory item, detects when the inventory item has been removed from within the CSS, and autonomously causes the assembly to move on a return route back to the inventory hub location after removal of the inventory item.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that use multiple node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles on a single logistics operation having multiple legs performed by different transport vehicles with enhanced transfer of the item being shipped between such vehicles. A first or primary master node on a first node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle detects a signal from the second master node on a second transport vehicle, navigates to the second transport vehicle based on the detected signal and its direction, and may dock in a transfer configuration. At least one item (or a container with an item) is transferred as payload from the first to the second vehicle using one or more object manipulation systems on respective ones of the first and second transport vehicles. The second vehicle then detects a signal from another node, and navigates to that node as another leg in the multi-leg operation.

Abstract: Methods are described that perform dispatched store-to-consumer logistics operations for an ordered item using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server. A dispatch command is received from the dispatch server. The different modular components of the bot assembly are verified to be compatible with the dispatched operation and the ordered item is received in a payload area of a modular cargo storage system. The bot assembly autonomously moves from an origin location to a destination location and notifies the delivery recipient of the approach delivery. When delivery recipient authentication input is received that correlates to the authentication information, selective access is provided to the ordered item within the cargo storage system at the destination location. The bot apparatus monitors unloading, and autonomously moves back to the origin location after the ordered item is detected as removed from the cargo storage system.

Abstract: A modular autonomous cart assembly for transporting an item being shipped is described with a sensor-equipped mobility base that carries the item(s), a modular cart handle, a sensor-equipped modular mobile cart autonomy control module detachably attached to the modular handle, all sharing a modular common power and data transport bus. The autonomous controller of the modular control module is programmatically adapted operative to establish a secure connection to a wireless mobile courier node, locate the courier node and the cart assembly, receive sensor data from the base and control module sensors, generate steering and propulsion control commands using the locations and sensor data and send them to a controller on the mobility base so that the assembly can autonomously track and follow the current location of the courier node as the courier node moves and while maintaining a predetermined follow distance from the current location of the courier node.

Abstract: An exemplary bulkhead (104A) connector assembly (100) includes a housing (106) having a first opening (138) and a second opening (130). The assembly (100) may further include a collar (108) that has a portion received within one of the first and second openings. The collar (108) may be rotatable to a latched position to hold a conduit (104B) within the housing (106). Further, the assembly (100) may have a detent (118) holding the collar (108) in the latched position when the detent (118) is moved to a locked position. The detent (118) in the locked position may have an indicator surface (112) providing tactile feedback indicative of the detent (118) holding the collar (108) in the latched position.

Abstract: An annular seal for use in a fluid conveyance system that is subject to a high voltage event includes a center core having a generally tubular shape, the core having a circumferentially projected cross-section that is defined by inner and outer core radial surfaces, and core axial surfaces that are opposite one another. The sidewalls each have a generally tubular shape and a circumferentially projected cross-section that is defined by inner and outer sidewall radial surfaces, and first and second sidewall axial surfaces that are opposite one another. The first sidewall is attached along one of its axial surfaces to one of the core axial surfaces, and the second sidewall is attached along one of its axial surfaces to the other of the core axial surfaces. The center core has an electrical resistance that is less than an electrical resistance of each of the first and second sidewalls.

Abstract: An exemplary bulkhead (104A) connector assembly (100) includes a housing (106) having a first opening (138) and a second opening (130). The assembly (100) may further include a collar (108) that has a portion received within one of the first and second openings. The collar (108) may be rotatable to a latched position to hold a conduit (104B) within the housing (106). Further, the assembly (100) may have a detent (118) holding the collar (108) in the latched position when the detent (118) is moved to a locked position. The detent (118) in the locked position may have an indicator surface (112) providing tactile feedback indicative of the detent (118) holding the collar (108) in the latched position.

Abstract: An exemplary bulkhead connector assembly may include a housing that has an inner diameter surface, a first opening and a second opening. The assembly may further have a retainer attached to the housing and one or more feet extending radially inward from the inner diameter surface of the housing. The assembly can also include a collar that has a portion received within the first opening or the second opening. The collar may have an outer surface that cooperates with the feet of the retainer to hold a conduit within the housing.

Abstract: An annular seal for use in a fluid conveyance system that is subject to a high voltage event includes a center core having a generally tubular shape, the core having a circumferentially projected cross-section that is defined by inner and outer core radial surfaces, and core axial surfaces that are opposite one another. The sidewalls each have a generally tubular shape and a circumferentially projected cross-section that is defined by inner and outer sidewall radial surfaces, and first and second sidewall axial surfaces that are opposite one another. The first sidewall is attached along one of its axial surfaces to one of the core axial surfaces, and the second sidewall is attached along one of its axial surfaces to the other of the core axial surfaces. The center core has an electrical resistance that is less than an electrical resistance of each of the first and second sidewalls.