Abstract: A system for automatically annotating a map includes: a robot; a server operably connected to the robot; file storage configured to store files, the file storage operably connected to the server; an annotations database operably connected to the server, the annotations database comprising map annotations; an automatic map annotation service operably connected to the server, the automatic map annotation service configured to automatically do one or more of create a map of an item of interest and annotate a map of an item of interest; a queue of annotation requests operably connected to the automatic annotation service; and a computer operably connected to the server, the computer comprising a graphic user interface (GUI) usable by a human user.

Abstract: A system includes: a cart including: four legs; at least one shelf, each shelf attached to each of the legs; the cart having a generally rectangular shape, a width of the cart being longer than a length of the robot, a length of the cart being longer than a length of the robot; four wheels, each wheel attached to a different leg at a bottom of the leg, the wheels configured to roll to facilitate movement of the cart; and a robotic dock, the robotic dock comprising four docking receptacles at ninety degree angles from adjacent docking receptacles; and a robot comprising: a sensor; and a docking module, the docking module comprising retractable docking pins, each retractable docking pin configured, when extended upward, to mate with a corresponding docking receptacle, thereby securing the robot to a bottom shelf of the cart.

Abstract: A robot management system includes: a server; a plurality of robots operably connected to the server over a network, at least one robot including a sensor; and a graphic user interface (GUI) operably connected to the server, the GUI configured to display a map of a facility comprising the plurality of robots, the map configured to receive from a user the user's instructions to manage the robot.

Abstract: A system for automatically annotating a map includes: a robot; a server operably connected to the robot; file storage configured to store files, the file storage operably connected to the server; an annotations database operably connected to the server, the annotations database comprising map annotations; an automatic map annotation service operably connected to the server, the automatic map annotation service configured to automatically do one or more of create a map of an item of interest and annotate a map of an item of interest; a queue of annotation requests operably connected to the automatic annotation service; and a computer operably connected to the server, the computer comprising a graphic user interface (GUI) usable by a human user.

Abstract: A system for automatically annotating a map includes: a robot; a server operably connected to the robot; file storage configured to store files, the file storage operably connected to the server; an annotations database operably connected to the server, the annotations database comprising map annotations; an automatic map annotation service operably connected to the server, the automatic map annotation service configured to automatically do one or more of create a map of an item of interest and annotate a map of an item of interest; a queue of annotation requests operably connected to the automatic annotation service; and a computer operably connected to the server, the computer comprising a graphic user interface (GUI) usable by a human user.

Abstract: A system includes: a cart including: four legs; at least one shelf, each shelf attached to each of the legs; the cart having a generally rectangular shape, a width of the cart being longer than a length of the robot, a length of the cart being longer than a length of the robot; four wheels, each wheel attached to a different leg at a bottom of the leg, the wheels configured to roll to facilitate movement of the cart; and a robotic dock, the robotic dock comprising four docking receptacles at ninety degree angles from adjacent docking receptacles; and a robot comprising: a sensor; and a docking module, the docking module comprising retractable docking pins, each retractable docking pin configured, when extended upward, to mate with a corresponding docking receptacle, thereby securing the robot to a bottom shelf of the cart.

Abstract: A system for semantically identifying one or more of an object of interest and a location of a mobile robot in an environment of the robot includes: a mobile robot comprising a sensor, the robot further comprising a computer, the robot operating in an environment; a server operably connected to the robot via a communication system, the server configured to manage the robot; a controller operably connected to the robot, the controller operably connected to the server, the controller configured to control the robot; and an object of interest marked with a marker at one or more of an approximate height and an approximate field of view of the sensor, the sensor generating data describing the object of interest, the computer configured to identify one or more of the object of interest and the location using one or more of a shape of the object of interest and an intensity of data describing the object of interest.

Abstract: A station uses cleaning mechanisms to clean sensors of mobile robots. The mobile robots may use data from the sensors to navigate around an environment such as an inventory warehouse. A sensor of a mobile robot can become dirty over time as dust or other debris accumulates on the sensor. Since the mobile robots can navigate to a station for automatic sensor cleaning, a human does not need to manually clean the sensors. Multiple mobile robots may share one or more stations in the environment and coordinate a schedule to have their sensors cleaned. The stations may also charge a battery of a mobile robot simultaneously while cleaning the mobile robot's sensors.

Abstract: A protective bag into which a mobile device can be placed to limit exposure of the device to unsanitary conditions or conversely to limit exposure of other surfaces to an unsanitary mobile device. The protective bags are distributed to users using a dispenser. The system improves overall hygiene associated with use of mobile devices.

Abstract: Some configurations of the subject technology provide a user interface including an activity-creation display configured to create a first activity of several activities, and a single-activity display configured to display a single activity of the several activities, and information related to a list of users associated with the activity. The single-activity display includes a parameter-entry display configured to select a parameter for the single activity and to send a signal to the single activity corresponding to the selected parameter, a heads-up display configured to send a heads-up message about the single activity to a user, a location display configured to display information related to a location of the single activity, a status indicator configured to display a status based on the status parameter of the single activity, and a status-entry display configured to, upon selection, send a signal to change the status indicator of the single activity.

Abstract: A station uses cleaning mechanisms to clean sensors of mobile robots. The mobile robots may use data from the sensors to navigate around an environment such as an inventory warehouse. A sensor of a mobile robot can become dirty over time as dust or other debris accumulates on the sensor. Since the mobile robots can navigate to a station for automatic sensor cleaning, a human does not need to manually clean the sensors. Multiple mobile robots may share one or more stations in the environment and coordinate a schedule to have their sensors cleaned. The stations may also charge a battery of a mobile robot simultaneously while cleaning the mobile robot's sensors.

Abstract: A system includes: a robotic charging connector including: a temperature sensor configured to measure temperature data; a processor operably connected to the temperature sensor, the processor configured to use the temperature data to determine an appropriate charging current, wherein the processor is further configured to send an alert upon occurrence of a triggering condition; and a computer operably connected to the processor, the computer configured to control the robotic charging connector, the computer further configured to receive the alert.

Abstract: A system for predicting a robotic power disconnection includes: a controller; and a robot controllable by the controller, the robot including: a power connector configured to provide power to the robot; and a sensor operably connected to the controller, the sensor configured to detect a change in a field that varies with a changing condition of the power connector, the sensor further configured to alert the controller regarding the change in the field, the controller configured to adjust current through the power connector in response to the alert.

Abstract: A joint includes: a motor coupled to the joint, the motor configured to move the joint; a joint side sensor configured to measure a parameter of interest of a joint side target; a motor side sensor configured to measure the parameter of interest of the motor; and a controller configured to control the motor, the controller operably connected to the joint side sensor, the controller operably connected to the motor side sensor.

Abstract: A robotic torso sensing system and method includes: a robotic torso comprising a mobile torso, the robotic torso further comprising a fixed torso; a motor configured to move the mobile torso; a torso encoder configured to provide information to the motor; a master controller operably connected to the motor, the master controller configured to control the motor, the master controller operably connected to the torso encoder, the master controller further configured to control the mobile torso; and a sensor configured to measure a position of the mobile torso, the sensor further configured to transmit the measurement to the master controller.

Abstract: A robotic torso sensing system and method includes: a robotic torso comprising a mobile torso, the robotic torso further comprising a fixed torso; a motor configured to move the mobile torso; a torso encoder configured to provide information to the motor; a master controller operably connected to the motor, the master controller configured to control the motor, the master controller operably connected to the torso encoder, the master controller further configured to control the mobile torso; and a sensor configured to measure a position of the mobile torso, the sensor further configured to transmit the measurement to the master controller.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems that relate to an “activity assistant” that provides users with dynamically-selected “activities” that are intelligently tailored to the user's world. The subject technology receives the one or more global parameters of one or more selected activities. The subject technology further receives the one or more account-specific parameters of a selected user account. For the selected user account, and for each of the one or more selected activities, the subject technology: (a) determines one or more signals based at least in part on one or more of the global parameters of the selected activity and one or more of the account-specific parameters of the selected user account, and (b) uses the determined signals as a basis for determining an importance of the selected activity for the selected user.

Abstract: A joint includes: a motor coupled to the joint, the motor configured to move the joint; a joint side sensor configured to measure a parameter of interest of a joint side target; a motor side sensor configured to measure the parameter of interest of the motor; and a controller configured to control the motor, the controller operably connected to the joint side sensor, the controller operably connected to the motor side sensor.

Abstract: A system for dispensing articles provided initially in a package is disclosed that comprises a frame configured to support the package of articles and a package-opening tool associated with the frame. The frame includes longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections, and an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear end sections and below which a product display area is provided. The opening tool associated with the frame such that its open the package when the package is moved longitudinally on the upper support deck and relative to the opening tool, thereby allowing the articles to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area.

Abstract: A system for predicting a robotic power disconnection includes: a controller; and a robot controllable by the controller, the robot including: a power connector configured to provide power to the robot; and a sensor operably connected to the controller, the sensor configured to detect a change in a field that varies with a changing condition of the power connector, the sensor further configured to alert the controller regarding the change in the field, the controller configured to adjust current through the power connector in response to the alert.