Abstract: A refuse collection system includes a refuse collection drone, a depot, and an unloader. The refuse collection drone includes a chassis and a bin selectably coupled with the chassis. The depot includes a container. The unloader includes an implement and a lift assembly. The implement is configured to removably couple with the bin of the refuse collection drone. The lift assembly is configured to raise and lower the implement to empty contents of the bin into the container.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refuse collection system. The refuse collection system includes a sensor positioned at a customer home, where the sensor is configured to measure an amount of refuse at the customer home. The refuse collection system further includes a refuse collection drone configured to pick up refuse at the customer home. The refuse collection system further includes processing circuitry communicably coupled to the sensor and the refuse collection drone. The processing circuitry is configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicating the amount of refuse at the customer home, compare the amount of refuse to a threshold refuse limit for the customer home, and send a signal to the refuse collection drone to drive to the customer home and pick up the refuse based on comparing the amount of refuse at the customer home to the threshold refuse limit.

Abstract: A refuse depot for a plurality of refuse collection robots includes a chassis, a container defining a storage volume for refuse, a refuse actuator configured to perform an unloading operation to empty refuse from a refuse collection robot into the storage volume of the container, and a depot awareness system. The depot awareness system includes a plurality of sensors positioned around a perimeter of the refuse depot, where the plurality of sensors is configured to detect a presence of an intruder at the refuse depot. The depot awareness system further includes processing circuitry communicably coupled to the plurality of sensors, where the processing circuitry is configured to control an operation of the refuse depot in response to detecting the presence of the intruder at the refuse depot.

Abstract: A refuse collection robot includes a chassis, a tractive element coupled to the chassis, and a motor coupled to the chassis and the tractive element configured to drive the tractive element to propel the refuse collection robot. The refuse collection robot includes a refuse container coupled to the chassis defining a storage volume. The refuse collection robot includes an implement assembly coupled to the chassis. The implement assembly is configured to grasp and load a garbage bag into the storage volume of the refuse container without piercing the garbage bag. The refuse collection robot includes a controller operatively coupled to the motor and the implement assembly. The controller is configured to operate the motor and the implement assembly to transport to, grasp, and load the garbage bag into the storage volume.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for a vehicle, in particular a heavy goods vehicle, includes a drive axle having a transmission gear, such as a differential, around which an amount of oil for lubrication is variable. The brake apparatus further includes at least one friction brake and at least one retarder that is capable of operating to slow the vehicle through the transmission gear. The braking apparatus comprises a brake operating device for operating the at least one friction brake and the least one retarder, and a determining feature to determine an oil level around the transmission gear. The brake operating device, on operation by a user, is arranged to apply the retarder when the oil level around the transmission gear is above a threshold level, and, if the oil level is below the threshold level, the brake operating device is arranged to initiate an increase in the oil level around the transmission gear.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for a vehicle, in particular a heavy goods vehicle, includes a drive axle having a transmission gear, such as a differential, around which an amount of oil for lubrication is variable. The brake apparatus further includes at least one friction brake and at least one retarder that is capable of operating to slow the vehicle through the transmission gear. The braking apparatus comprises a brake operating device for operating the at least one friction brake and the least one retarder, and a determining feature to determine an oil level around the transmission gear. The brake operating device, on operation by a user, is arranged to apply the retarder when the oil level around the transmission gear is above a threshold level, and, if the oil level is below the threshold level, the brake operating device is arranged to initiate an increase in the oil level around the transmission gear.