Abstract: A method of gathering at least one item from an area is provided. The method includes providing at least one grasping mechanism for capturing at least one item, gathering information regarding a first item, including information regarding the first item's orientation in the area, and determining whether the grasping mechanism is able to capture the first item from the area based on the information regarding the first item's orientation. The method further includes manipulating, via the grasping mechanism, the first item if necessary based on the information regarding the first item's orientation to ensure the first item is in an orientation in which the grasping mechanism is able to capture the first item from the area, and capturing the first item with the grasping mechanism and moving the first item to another area.

Abstract: A readily reconfigurable self-contained self-service user input/output including an input/output assembly accessible by a user, the assembly being readily configurable to be used in more than one type of user configuration or application and at least one peripheral device removably secured in a desired position about the periphery of the assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing services to an individual at a transportation terminal. In one method, an item is received with a mobile robot from an individual at a first location at the transportation terminal. The item is autonomously secured with the mobile robot using a component of the mobile robot to thereby prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing the secured item. The secured item is autonomously transported with the mobile robot from the first location to a second location at the transportation terminal. The mobile robot is capable of independent navigation without need for physical or electromechanical guidance devices in an environment within which the mobile robot operates.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided related to controlled interaction between a mobile robot and another entity in an operating environment. In one method, for example, performance of a task for a time is signaled for, wherein the performance of the task involves the entity. The mobile robot is operated to interact with the entity at the time.

Abstract: A fluid power device, method and system, the device including a passive, latent, integrally formed fluid reservoir member designed for operable communication with a transmission system, the reservoir member capable of at least absorbing any pressure increases in the transmission system and providing fluid back into the transmission system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating at least one entity are provided. In one method, at least one entity is provided for operation in at least one area, where the area includes at least one human. Information is gathered regarding the human, where the information includes a location of at least one body portion of the human. It is determined whether or not the entity will contact the body portion of the human. The method also includes operating the entity to avoid contacting the body portion of the human so that the human is at least more likely to be safe from contact with the entity.

Abstract: A device and method are provided, the method including providing a device capable of at least semi-autonomous operation and enabling the device to autonomously gather at least one item and secure that item against unauthorized access while providing selective authorized access to the item while the item is in possession of the device.

Abstract: A method of loading at least one item onto a vehicle is provided. The method includes providing at least one vehicle for operation in a desired environment, providing at least one mechanism operably connected to a portion of the vehicle, and gathering at least one item as the vehicle travels in the desired environment. The method further includes arranging the items on the vehicle via the mechanism based on at least one criterion, such as the weight of the items, so that the items can be loaded onto the vehicle without needing the vehicle to travel to the items in a specific order to thereby enable the vehicle to operate more quickly in the desired environment and conserve power.

Abstract: A device and method are provided, the method including providing a device capable of at least semi-autonomous operation and enabling the device to autonomously gather at least one item and secure that item against unauthorized access while providing selective authorized access to the item while the item is in possession of the device.

Abstract: An actuator has a plurality of artificial muscle style hydraulic actuator elements forming a bundle with a bundle force density. Each artificial muscle style hydraulic actuator element has a first diameter. The bundle force density is at least two times greater than the force density of any single one of the artificial muscle style hydraulic elements if that single one artificial muscle style hydraulic actuator element had a second diameter. In illustrative embodiments, the second diameter is at least five times greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: An in-line hydraulic accumulator system has a substantially rigid elongated accumulator member that at least in part forms a longitudinal liquid channel having first and second liquid interfaces. The first liquid interface is longitudinally spaced from the second liquid interface to transport liquid therebetween. The accumulator system also has a compressible member that longitudinally extends within elongated member and at least in part forms the longitudinal liquid channel. The compressible member is configured to compress, expand, or both expand and compress in response to varying liquid pressures within the longitudinal liquid channel.

Abstract: Mobile robots and methods for operating mobile robots are provided. One of these mobile robots autonomously transports a pharmaceutical item from a first location to a second location. The mobile robot autonomously delivers the pharmaceutical item at the second location.

Abstract: A method and system for operating at least one vehicle are provided. The method comprises providing a multi-mode vehicle having at least two modes of operation, the first mode of operation being fully autonomous and the second mode of operation relying on one or more markers positioned within the environment at least in order to enable the vehicle to navigate within an environment. The method further comprises enabling the multi-mode vehicle to operate in either the first mode of operation, the second mode of operation or both modes of operation simultaneously depending on the particular environment desired to reduce manufacturing variability while accommodating a wider variety of environments.

Abstract: Mobile robots and methods involving mobile robots are provided. In one method, one or more items are manually loaded with one or more mobile robots. Operation of the mobile robots is coordinated, by a remote computer system and/or by one or more of the mobile robots, to sort and transport the items. The coordinated operation includes autonomously moving the mobile robots within their operating environment between respective locations.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses (e.g., mobile robots) including sensor systems, and methods involving sensor systems are provided. In one method, a region of an environment is surveyed using a sensor system to provide survey data. This survey data may be indicative of one or more items located within the surveyed region of the environment. One of more of the items located within the surveyed region may be inventoried based on the survey data.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a member has at least one artificial muscle style activation element, and a primary movable connector secured to the at least one artificial muscle style activation element. The primary movable connector is configured to be movable from a first connected location on the member to a second connected location on the member.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first member and a second member that is movable relative to the first member. The apparatus also has an activation element connected to the first member. The activation element also is wrapped about at least a portion of the second member.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus including a mechanism capable of performing a variety of operations, each operation having a respective power requirement and a power source capable of providing power to the mechanism at a variety of different levels corresponding to the operations being undertaken by the mechanism where the power source is regulated to at least provide a first lower power level sufficient for one or more operations requiring a lower power level and is increased to provide a higher power level as needed for one or more alternative operations requiring a higher power level.

Abstract: A device and method are provided, the method including providing a device capable of at least semi-autonomous operation and enabling the device to autonomously gather at least one item and secure that item against unauthorized access while providing selective authorized access to the item while the item is in possession of the device.

Abstract: A camera system having at least one self-contained, universally mountable camera module having a housing and a plurality of cameras disposed within the confines of the housing, each camera having a predetermined field of view to the exterior of the housing that when combined provide at least a 180 degree view about the housing. The system also includes communication elements within the housing to provide electrical communication between the plurality of cameras and a position external to the module and at least one receiver that receives the camera views from the module that is operable by a user to view one or more camera views at a time as individual views as well as a composite view of at least two or more camera views.