Abstract: According to one aspect, a vehicle includes hardware systems configured to support the autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of the vehicle. Hardware systems may include a main compute, a brain stem computer (BSC), and an aggregator/compute arrangement or redundant autonomy compute. Such hardware systems may cooperate to allow the vehicle to operate autonomously, and typically provide capabilities, e.g., redundant and/or backup capabilities, configured to enable the vehicle to continue to operate in the event that a primary system is not functioning as expected. The aggregator/compute arrangement may further be comprised of two substantially identical modules or computing assemblies, each configured to process sensor data and perform backup autonomy functionalities and/or teleoperations functionalities.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an apparatus includes a first system that generates heat, and a cooling arrangement. The cooling arrangement cools the first system, and includes a coolant source and a distribution arrangement. The coolant source provides a coolant in a first state that is distributed by the distribution arrangement to absorb the heat. The cooling arrangement includes a control arrangement and a heating arrangement. The control arrangement maintains the coolant in the first state at least a set point, the set point being a temperature that is above a dew point, by determining when to activate the heating arrangement to warm the coolant in the first state and, when it is determined by the control arrangement that the heating arrangement is to be activated, activating the heating arrangement to warm the coolant in the first state to maintain the temperature of the coolant at the set point.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a vehicle includes hardware systems configured to support the autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of the vehicle. Hardware systems may include a main compute, a brain stem computer (BSC), and an aggregator/compute arrangement or redundant autonomy compute. Such hardware systems may cooperate to allow the vehicle to operate autonomously, and typically provide capabilities, e.g., redundant and/or backup capabilities, configured to enable the vehicle to continue to operate in the event that a primary system is not functioning as expected. The aggregator/compute arrangement may further be comprised of two substantially identical modules or computing assemblies, each configured to process sensor data and perform backup autonomy functionalities and/or teleoperations functionalities.

Abstract: An example modular reconfigurable workcell for quick connection of peripherals is described. In one example, a modular reconfigurable workcell comprises modular docking bays on a surface of the workcell that support attachment of docking modules in a fixed geometric configuration, and respective modular docking bays include electrical connections for a variety of power and communication busses of the docking modules to be attached. The workcell also includes an electrical subsystem for coupling the communication busses between the modular docking bays and providing power circuitry to the modular docking bays, and structural features in the modular docking bays to enable insertion of the docking modules in the fixed geometric configuration. The workcell also includes a processor for determining a geometric calibration of attached peripherals based on a location and the orientation of corresponding docking modules attached to the modular docking bays and based on an identification of the attached peripherals.

Abstract: A method operable by a computing device is provided. The method may include receiving a request for a given task to be performed by a modular reconfigurable workcell. The method may also include determining one or more peripherals required to perform the given task. The method may also include determining an optimal placement of the one or more peripherals based on the given task, wherein the one or more peripherals are coupled to the workcell in a fixed geometric configuration based on the determined optimal placement. The method may also include determining a first calibration of the one or more peripherals based on the orientation of the one or more peripherals relative to the workcell, and determining a second calibration of the one or more peripherals based on the optimal placement of the one or more peripherals with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method operable by a computing device is provided. The method may include receiving a request for a given task to be performed by a modular reconfigurable workcell. The method may also include determining one or more peripherals required to perform the given task. The method may also include determining an optimal placement of the one or more peripherals based on the given task, wherein the one or more peripherals are coupled to the workcell in a fixed geometric configuration based on the determined optimal placement. The method may also include determining a first calibration of the one or more peripherals based on the orientation of the one or more peripherals relative to the workcell, and determining a second calibration of the one or more peripherals based on the optimal placement of the one or more peripherals with respect to each other.

Abstract: Examples for precision assembly of robotic components are described herein. A robotic manipulator may require the assembly and disassembly of its components. To enable efficient assembly of the robotic manipulator, an example assembly may include connection links between robotic components that enable functional and precise assembly. In one embodiment, an example assembly may include connection links having various structural features positioned incrementally at respective positions proximal to outside edges of the connection links for securing the connection links together in a fixed, immovable geometric configuration. In some instances, the connection links may further include electrical components or slots for electrical components of components for establishing electrical connections between the connection links within the assembly. Further, an example assembly may include a clamping component for providing axial force to secure the connection links in the precise configuration.

Abstract: An example modular reconfigurable workcell for quick connection of peripherals is described. In one example, a modular reconfigurable workcell comprises modular docking bays on a surface of the workcell that support attachment of docking modules in a fixed geometric configuration, and respective modular docking bays include electrical connections for a variety of power and communication busses of the docking modules to be attached. The workcell also includes an electrical subsystem for coupling the communication busses between the modular docking bays and providing power circuitry to the modular docking bays, and structural features in the modular docking bays to enable insertion of the docking modules in the fixed geometric configuration. The workcell also includes a processor for determining a geometric calibration of attached peripherals based on a location and the orientation of corresponding docking modules attached to the modular docking bays and based on an identification of the attached peripherals.

Abstract: An example modular reconfigurable workcell for quick connection of peripherals is described. In one example, a modular reconfigurable workcell comprises modular docking bays on a surface of the workcell that support attachment of docking modules in a fixed geometric configuration, and respective modular docking bays include electrical connections for a variety of power and communication busses of the docking modules to be attached. The workcell also includes an electrical subsystem for coupling the communication busses between the modular docking bays and providing power circuitry to the modular docking bays, and structural features in the modular docking bays to enable insertion of the docking modules in the fixed geometric configuration. The workcell also includes a processor for determining a geometric calibration of attached peripherals based on a location and the orientation of corresponding docking modules attached to the modular docking bays and based on an identification of the attached peripherals.

Abstract: An example modular reconfigurable workcell for quick connection of peripherals is described. In one example, a modular reconfigurable workcell comprises modular docking bays on a surface of the workcell that support attachment of docking modules in a fixed geometric configuration, and respective modular docking bays include electrical connections for a variety of power and communication busses of the docking modules to be attached. The workcell also includes an electrical subsystem for coupling the communication busses between the modular docking bays and providing power circuitry to the modular docking bays, and structural features in the modular docking bays to enable insertion of the docking modules in the fixed geometric configuration. The workcell also includes a processor for determining a geometric calibration of attached peripherals based on a location and the orientation of corresponding docking modules attached to the modular docking bays and based on an identification of the attached peripherals.