Abstract: A method of controlling a robot, receives a first message from an unattended robot relating to movement of the robot. Receipt of the first message indicates that movement of the robot is impeded by an environmental condition. The method then determines how to correct the impeded movement caused by the environmental condition, and forwards a second message toward the robot having correction information, which enables the robot to move without impediment by the environmental condition.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that involve or include a transmission. During one of the methods, a motor is operated based on speed data to synchronize a first rotor of the transmission with a second rotor of the transmission, where the speed data is indicative of speeds of the first and the second rotors. The synchronized first and second rotors are engaged with one another to transfer torque from the motor to the output.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a mobile device in an environment with a wireless energy transmitter, where the mobile device includes a drive system and a wireless energy receiver. The mobile device moves along a path using the drive system. Energy is wirelessly received from the energy transmitter using the energy receiver as the mobile device moves and/or is parked along at least a portion of the path.

Abstract: A vehicle and method of operating a vehicle are provided. The method includes providing a vehicle and at least one drive element in operable communication with the vehicle for providing movement to the vehicle. A plurality of power sources are also provided for providing power to the drive element along with at least one power source securing member for releasably securing a desired number of power sources to the vehicle. The method further includes connecting a desired number of power sources to the vehicle via the securing member to provide power to the drive element, each power source being readily removable from the vehicle so that only the desired number of power sources are used for a particular vehicle use to minimize the weight and therefore power consumption of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus having a self-contained hydraulic power module in operable communication with the apparatus, the module capable of being readily connected and disconnected to the apparatus for ready installation and/or replacement of the module as desired.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided involving a rotatable power transfer device configured with a first brake system and a second brake system. During a first of the methods, rotation of the power transfer device is braked using the first brake system. The first brake system may be actuatable by a first user interface; e.g., a brake pedal. The second brake system may be actuatable by a second user interface; e.g., a brake pedal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting a payload carrying device is disclosed. The method comprises providing at least one payload carrying device, a vehicle for transporting the at least one payload carrying device, a connection device for connecting the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device, at least one sensor device for capturing information regarding the vehicle's surrounding environment, and a control unit for operating the connection device autonomously to connect the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device where, once connected, the weight of the at least one payload carrying device rests directly on the floor and the vehicle autonomously transports the at least one payload carrying device to a desired location, and operating the connection device autonomously to disconnect the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device at the desired location where the at least one payload carrying device is immobilized.

Abstract: An actuator including a housing and a force sensing mechanism positioned within an interior of the housing and in operable communication with the actuator, the force sensing mechanism capable of measuring the various forces exerted by or on the actuator without losing any of the energy being transmitted by the actuator. A high precision position sensing mechanism can also be included with the actuator.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for loading articles on one or more support surfaces. One of the methods includes autonomously modeling at least some of the articles in a stable article arrangement on a first of the support surfaces using a controller. The articles in the modeled article arrangement are autonomously gathered using one or more manipulators. The gathered articles are autonomously arranged on the first of the support surfaces according to the modeled article arrangement using the one or more manipulators.

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: A guy wire control method provides a plurality of activation elements, and enables the plurality of activation elements to be coupled with at least a portion of a guy wire. The method activates at least one of the plurality of activation elements to assist the guy wire in at least one capacity.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for enabling the release of pressure in a supply line including an electronic control member for controlling and enabling the release of pressure in the supply line at a desired pressure whether or not power is maintained to the electronic control member.

Abstract: A method of flexibly controlling a system including determining control policies for a system having at least one qualitative state goal for the system to achieve, determining a first current qualitative state of the system and generating a qualitative control and state trajectory, provided the current system state is capable of achieving the at least one goal, that enables the system to proceed from the current state to the goal state in the most cost effective and energy efficient manner to conserve power while maintaining any necessary operational constraints on the system.

Abstract: A valve and method of controlling a valve, the method including providing a valve member having at least first and second positions and a source of power to the valve member that when activated enables the valve to toggle between the at least first and second positions. The valve is maintained in the at least first and second positions when the power source is deactivated without the need for providing additional power to the valve.

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 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.

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: A method of providing an omnidirectional view about an object by providing at least two camera modules, each module having a plurality of cameras disposed about the periphery of each module with each camera having a predetermined field of view. The modules are directly attached to a respective predetermined position on a surface of the object to provide up to a 360 degree view about the object when the fields of view of each camera are combined from each module. Electrical communication is enabled between the plurality of cameras and at least one position external to the modules to enable viewing about the object from the external position.

Abstract: A mobile robot along with a method and system for a mobile robot where the robot is reconfigurable between at least two form factors.

Abstract: A mobile robot along with a method and system for a mobile robot including a hydraulic powered mechanism operably connected to the mobile robot for movement of the hydraulic powered mechanism with respect to the mobile robot.