Abstract: Robot charging dock includes a charge connector configured to mate with a charging port of a mobile robot. There is a charge connector frame having a front surface on which the charge connector is mounted. The front surface has a first side edge and a second side edge. There is a front cover disposed over the charge connector frame which has an aperture through which the charge connector protrudes. At least a portion of the front cover is spaced from the front surface of the charge connector frame, defining an internal region. There is an opening to the internal region formed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the aperture and there is a light source disposed in the internal region. The light source is directed toward the opening to allow the light source to illuminate charge connector.

Abstract: A mobile robot configured to drive on a surface with irregularities, comprising: a chassis having a front end facing a forward direction of travel, a back end, a first side, and a second side. There is a first drive wheel rigidly affixed to the chassis proximate the first side and interconnected to a motor to propel it. There is a second drive wheel rigidly affixed to the chassis proximate the second side and interconnected to a motor to propel it. A first caster assembly is rigidly affixed to the chassis proximate the front end and includes a first caster wheel configured to rotate about a first swivel axis. A second caster assembly is rigidly affixed to the chassis proximate the back end and includes a second caster wheel configured to rotate about a second swivel axis and it includes a compliant member to absorb the irregularities.

Abstract: A docking station for charging a robot including an electrical charger assembly affixed to the charger docking station and configured to mate with an electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is docked at the docking station for charging. There is at least one compliant member interconnecting the electrical charger assembly to a portion of the docking station to allow movement of the electrical charger assembly relative to the electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is mating with the docking station.

Abstract: A method and system for docking a robot with a charger docking station, including receiving an initial pose and receiving a mating pose associated with the robot charger docking station, performing a first navigation from a location to the initial pose, and performing a second navigation of the robot from the initial pose to the mating pose. The second navigation may proceed substantially along an arc path from the initial pose to the mating pose, thereby, upon arriving at the mating pose, an electrical charging port of the robot mates with an electrical charging assembly. The arc path may be associated with a section of a unique circle having a radius and a center equidistant from the initial pose and the mating pose. Controlling for error may include a proportional control and/or weighted control or switching between the controls to maintain an error below a threshold.

Abstract: A docking station for charging a robot including an electrical charger assembly affixed to the charger docking station and configured to mate with an electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is docked at the docking station for charging. There is at least one compliant member interconnecting the electrical charger assembly to a portion of the docking station to allow movement of the electrical charger assembly relative to the electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is mating with the docking station.

Abstract: An electrical charging station for charging an autonomous robot with first and second cameras used for docking the autonomous robot with the electrical charging station. There is a front side cover with a surface, the front side cover including a first charging member configured to receive a second charging member on the autonomous robot when the autonomous robot is docked with the charging station for charging. There is a first fiducial surface including a first fiducial marker affixed to the first surface. The first fiducial surface defines a plane disposed at a first non-zero angle relative to a plane defined by the surface of the front side cover. There is a second fiducial surface including a second fiducial marker affixed to the second surface. The second fiducial surface defines a plane disposed at a second non-zero angle relative to the plane defined by the surface of the front side cover.

Abstract: A mobile robot configured to drive on a surface with irregularities, comprising: a chassis having a front end facing a forward direction of travel, a back end, a first side, and a second side. There is a first drive wheel rigidly affixed to the chassis proximate the first side and interconnected to a motor to propel it. There is a second drive wheel rigidly affixed to the chassis proximate the second side and interconnected to a motor to propel it. A first caster assembly is rigidly affixed to the chassis proximate the front end and includes a first caster wheel configured to rotate about a first swivel axis. A second caster assembly is rigidly affixed to the chassis proximate the back end and includes a second caster wheel configured to rotate about a second swivel axis and it includes a compliant member to absorb the irregularities.

Abstract: A docking station for charging a robot including an electrical charger assembly affixed to the charger docking station and configured to mate with an electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is docked at the docking station for charging. There is at least one compliant member interconnecting the electrical charger assembly to a portion of the docking station to allow movement of the electrical charger assembly relative to the electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is mating with the docking station.

Abstract: A method and system for docking a robot with a charger docking station, including receiving an initial pose and receiving a mating pose associated with the robot charger docking station, performing a first navigation from a location to the initial pose, and performing a second navigation of the robot from the initial pose to the mating pose. The second navigation may proceed substantially along an arc path from the initial pose to the mating pose, thereby, upon arriving at the mating pose, an electrical charging port of the robot mates with an electrical charging assembly. The arc path may be associated with a section of a unique circle having a radius and a center equidistant from the initial pose and the mating pose. Controlling for error may include a proportional control and/or weighted control or switching between the controls to maintain an error below a threshold.

Abstract: An electrical charging station for charging an autonomous robot includes a charging station frame having a frame base with a plurality of interconnected frame elements configured to be secured to a floor. One of the frame elements is a front side frame element. There is a charging station cover mounted on the charging station frame and the charging station cover includes a front side cover having a front surface with a charging member. There is a protective member extending across and having a front surface projecting outwardly from the front surface of the front side cover. The protective member is interconnected to the front side frame element through a plurality of apertures in the front side cover and the front side frame element is located adjacent to a back surface of the front side cover, opposite the front surface.

Abstract: An electrical charging station for charging an autonomous robot includes a charging station frame having a frame base with a plurality of interconnected frame elements configured to be secured to a floor. One of the frame elements is a front side frame element. There is a charging station cover mounted on the charging station frame and the charging station cover includes a front side cover having a front surface with a charging member. There is a protective member extending across and having a front surface projecting outwardly from the front surface of the front side cover. The protective member is interconnected to the front side frame element through a plurality of apertures in the front side cover and the front side frame element is located adjacent to a back surface of the front side cover, opposite the front surface.

Abstract: An electrical charging system including an electrical charger assembly with a charger base coupled to an electrical power source. There is a first male terminal member terminating in a first electrical contact with at least two curved external surfaces and one flat surface. There is a second male terminal member terminating in a second electrical contact with at least two curved external surfaces and one flat surface. There is a cavity formed between the first male terminal member and the second male terminal member having an opening between the first and second electrical contacts. The cavity is defined by the flat surface of the first male terminal member and the flat surface of the second male terminal member. The flat surface of the second male terminal member has a flared surface portion proximate the opening of the cavity and angled relative to the second axis.

Abstract: An electrical charging system including an electrical charger assembly with a charger base coupled to an electrical power source. There is a first male terminal member terminating in a first electrical contact with at least two curved external surfaces and one flat surface. There is a second male terminal member terminating in a second electrical contact with at least two curved external surfaces and one flat surface. There is a cavity formed between the first male terminal member and the second male terminal member having an opening between the first and second electrical contacts. The cavity is defined by the flat surface of the first male terminal member and the flat surface of the second male terminal member. The flat surface of the second male terminal member has a flared surface portion proximate the opening of the cavity and angled relative to the second axis.

Abstract: An electrical charging system including an electrical charger assembly with a charger base coupled to an electrical power source. There is a first male terminal member terminating in a first electrical contact with at least two curved external surfaces and one flat surface. There is a second male terminal member terminating in a second electrical contact with at least two curved external surfaces and one flat surface. There is a cavity formed between the first male terminal member and the second male terminal member having an opening between the first and second electrical contacts. The cavity is defined by the flat surface of the first male terminal member and the flat surface of the second male terminal member. The flat surface of the second male terminal member has a flared surface portion proximate the opening of the cavity and angled relative to the second axis.

Abstract: An electrical charging system including an electrical charger assembly with a charger base coupled to an electrical power source. There is a first male terminal member terminating in a first electrical contact with at least two curved external surfaces and one flat surface. There is a second male terminal member terminating in a second electrical contact with at least two curved external surfaces and one flat surface. There is a cavity formed between the first male terminal member and the second male terminal member having an opening between the first and second electrical contacts. The cavity is defined by the flat surface of the first male terminal member and the flat surface of the second male terminal member. The flat surface of the second male terminal member has a flared surface portion proximate the opening of the cavity and angled relative to the second axis.