Abstract: Technologies are generally described for context sensitive display of information on a consumable delivery vehicle with en route preparation. An on-board controller may receive different sets of sensor data associated with time, location, temperature, humidity, captured images, and/or captured audio from sensors on the vehicle or at a destination location. The sensor data may be analyzed/processed at the on-board controller or by a remote control system and instructions may be generated for display of context sensitive information based on received sensor data and/or processed sensor data. One or more displays on the vehicle may display images are associated with a branding, a menu, a pricing, and/or an advertisement based on the generated instructions.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for preparation and drone based delivery of food items. In some examples, a delivery vehicle may be arranged for autonomous or semi-autonomous preparation of food items while the vehicle is en route to a delivery destination or parked at the delivery destination. Aerial and/or ground based drones, which may be stored in the vehicle, may be loaded with prepared food items and deliver their payloads to delivery locations. Preparation timing and other parameters for the food items, travel parameters for the delivery vehicle, and/or the delivery destination may be selected based on suitability of the delivery destination for launching/recovering the drones or delivery of the food items to the delivery locations. The drones may carry multiple payloads to multiple locations and may have environmentally controlled storage.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for creating porous molds using additive manufacturing processes such as three-dimensional (3D) printing. At a high level, it has been found that creating a generally porous mold, or a mold with porous regions or zones, can improve the performance of the mold and the quality of the parts created therefrom. It has further been determined that porous molds can be created using additive manufacturing techniques through manipulation of mold manufacturing parameters such as, but not limited to, layer thickness, number of perimeter layers, fill pattern, and fill density. Through variation of these manufacturing parameters, the porosity of a mold created by an additive manufacturing device, e.g., a 3D printer, can be tailored for use with molded fiber.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for preparation and drone based delivery of food items. In some examples, a delivery vehicle may be arranged for autonomous or semi-autonomous preparation of food items while the vehicle is en route to a delivery destination or parked at the delivery destination. Aerial and/or ground based drones, which may be stored in the vehicle, may be loaded with prepared food items and deliver their payloads to delivery locations. Preparation timing and other parameters for the food items, travel parameters for the delivery vehicle, and/or the delivery destination may be selected based on suitability of the delivery destination for launching/recovering the drones or delivery of the food items to the delivery locations. The drones may carry multiple payloads to multiple locations and may have environmentally controlled storage.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for context sensitive display of information on a consumable delivery vehicle with en route preparation. An on-board controller may receive different sets of sensor data associated with time, location, temperature, humidity, captured images, and/or captured audio from sensors on the vehicle or at a destination location. The sensor data may be analyzed/processed at the on-board controller or by a remote control system and instructions may be generated for display of context sensitive information based on received sensor data and/or processed sensor data. One or more displays on the vehicle may display images are associated with a branding, a menu, a pricing, and/or an advertisement based on the generated instructions.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for context sensitive display of final delivery information on a consumable delivery vehicle with enroute preparation. A controller may manage fulfillment of orders while the vehicle is enroute by controlling an operation of one or more on-board preparation equipment. The controller may also receive order status information and travel information associated with final delivery destinations. Once the vehicle is at its destination to be used as a hub for final deliveries, one or more displays on the vehicle may display final delivery information to final delivery people based on the status information and the travel information.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for delivery vehicles and containers for en route food product preparation. Modular food product preparation systems that may receive food items and supplies and prepare food product(s) en route such that the food product(s) is prepared by the time the system reaches a delivery destination may include trucks, railway cars, watercraft, and similar vehicles. Food preparation process steps and timing may be determined based on travel information (e.g., delivery destination, routes, etc.), as well as, food item and food product information. An on-board controller may determine the process steps and timing(s) and control operations of robotic devices arranged modularly in a container or vehicle to execute steps of the food preparation process. Alternatively or additionally, the on-board controller may receive instructions from a remote controller. Travel parameters of the vehicle may also be adjusted based on the food preparation process and/or travel information.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for en route food product preparation. Food product preparation process steps and timing may be determined based on travel information (e.g., starting point, intermediate waypoints, delivery destination, routes, etc.), as well as, food item and food product information. Instructions for robotic devices arranged modularly in a container or truck to execute steps of the food product preparation process and their timing may be transmitted to a controller managing the operations of the robotic devices. Instructions may be updated en route based on changing travel or other conditions.

Abstract: Kiosks, components, and methods are disclosed for preparing food to be vended to customers. The kiosk may be part of a multi-modal food distribution system in which the kiosk may operate in one or more various modes, including a kiosk vending mode, a constellation mode, and a cook en route mode to vend hot, prepared food to customers. The kiosks in the system may be configurable to change between each of the different modes depending upon information received by the system. The kiosk may be part of a kiosk-based food preparation system in which the kiosk vends prepared food items to customers. The kiosk may transmit information that may be used to provide replenishment to the kiosk. Such information may include the number of items vended, the number of items and/or supplies remaining, and/or a replenishment signal.

Abstract: Vehicles, components, and methods present information based on context, for example presenting a first list or menu of items (e.g., food) or first set of signage or color scheme when in a first location or during a first period, and presenting a second list or menu of items (e.g., food) or second set of signage or color scheme when in a second location or during a second period. For instance, a first menu of items (e.g., relatively more expensive entrees, beverages) may be displayed via one or more displays or screens at a first location during a first period, and a second menu of items (e.g., relatively less expensive entrees, beverages) may be displayed at a second location during a second period. Context (e.g., present location, destination, date, day, period of time, event, size of crowd, movement of crowd, weather) may be manually provided, or autonomously discerned, and presentation automatically.

Abstract: Kiosks, components, and methods are disclosed for preparing food to be vended to customers. The kiosk may be part of a multi-modal food distribution system in which the kiosk may operate in one or more various modes, including a kiosk vending mode, a constellation mode, and a cook en route mode to vend hot, prepared food to customers. The kiosks in the system may be configurable to change between each of the different modes depending upon information received by the system. The kiosk may be part of a kiosk-based food preparation system in which the kiosk vends prepared food items to customers. The kiosk may transmit information that may be used to provide replenishment to the kiosk. Such information may include the number of items vended, the number of items and/or supplies remaining, and/or a replenishment signal.

Abstract: Kiosks, components, and methods are disclosed for preparing food to be vended to customers. The kiosk may be part of a multi-modal food distribution system in which the kiosk may operate in one or more various modes, including a kiosk vending mode, a constellation mode, and a cook en route mode to vend hot, prepared food to customers. The kiosks in the system may be configurable to change between each of the different modes depending upon information received by the system. The kiosk may be part of a kiosk-based food preparation system in which the kiosk vends prepared food items to customers. The kiosk may transmit information that may be used to provide replenishment to the kiosk. Such information may include the number of items vended, the number of items and/or supplies remaining, and/or a replenishment signal.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for preparation and delivery of configurable meal kits with the assistance of an augmented reality (AR) system. Modular food product preparation systems may receive food items and supplies and prepare food products such as configurable meal kits en route such that the food products are prepared by the time the system reaches a delivery destination. Food preparation process steps and timing may be determined based on travel information (e.g., delivery destination, routes, etc.), as well as, food item and food product information. An on-board AR system may provide a user with an augmented vision of the re-configurable preparation and storage environment in the delivery vehicle through a wearable AR device. The user may be provided with information and/or instructions to assist the autonomous or semi-autonomous (robotic) systems in the environment and to control preparation, packaging, and storage of the food products.

Abstract: Garments may adjust appearance based on various input. For example, an appearance (e.g., color scheme, logo, name, branding, insignia, graphic, and, or text) of a garment, for example a uniform or portion(s) thereof may change based on various conditions or contexts. Appearance may be responsive to type of item being delivered or vended or service to be performed. Appearance may be updated in response to detecting an item in proximity, a vehicle in proximity, proximity to a location or geo-fenced area, a seller of an item or service, a buyer of an item or service, a courier service, etc. The appearance may be updated autonomously.

Abstract: A fulfillment system presents attribute information (e.g., images, physical attributes) for food items in an inventory, allowing consumers to select individual instances of food items physical attributes, determined classifications, and predicted times of change of classification, for delivery or pickup. The fulfillment system may automatically capture images of the instance of a food item, and sense or determine physical characteristics, for example weight, size or spatial dimensions, density, color, non-visible wavelengths luster, amount of marbling, color, texture, scent (e.g., chemical compounds experiences as scent), tactile, sound and/or resistance to pressure or force, etc. The fulfillment system may identify a set of instances of food items of a selected type that possess specified physical characteristics, and present the set to the consumer for selection.

Abstract: Systems and networks are disclosed in which node addresses are requested by and/or assigned to components communicatively coupled to a communications network. The node addresses may be used by the components to transmit and receive data and other information with other components communicatively coupled to the communications network. Additional information regarding such components, such as, for example, location information for each communicatively coupled component may be maintained. Such information may be used to maintain the status of the communications network and may include physical location information, which may be determined based on data obtained from sensing components (e.g., imagers).

Abstract: A piece of equipment for on-demand food preparation, for instance on an assembly line, that can use an end-of-arm tool to retrieve and deposit food items on a horizontal surface, such as the surface of a conveyor. The end-of-arm tool may include a peel, in which the peel can be translated from a retracted position to an extended position to transfer food items. The piece of equipment may translate the peel quickly into the extended position to facilitate the retrieval of food items from the horizontal surface. The piece of equipment may be rotated to position the robotic appendage and the peel in a desired direction. The peel may include a push bar that may be movable between a withdrawn position and a push position to selectively push items off of the peel.

Abstract: An oven to facilitate heating a food item is disclosed that includes an oven box one or more upper heating elements, and one or more lower heating elements. The oven box has a floor, a ceiling spaced across a height of the oven box from the floor, and at least one side wall that extends between the floor and the ceiling to at least partially delineate an interior of the oven box from an exterior thereof. The one or more upper heating elements are spaced proximate the ceiling relative to the one or more lower heating elements. The one or more lower heating elements are spaced proximate the floor relative to the one or more upper heating elements. The one or more lower heating elements are arranged in a first pattern and the one or more upper heating elements arranged in a second pattern. The first pattern is different than the second pattern.

Abstract: Vehicles, components, and methods are disclosed for preparing hot food during delivery or at a remote location. A multi-modal food distribution system may operate in one or more various modes, including a constellation mode, a cook enroute mode, and a pop-up kitchen mode, to deliver hot, prepared food to customers. The vehicles in the system may be configurable to change between each of the different modes depending upon information received by the system. The system may in the constellation mode include additional delivery vehicles that retrieve food from a vehicle that serves as a hub. The additional delivery vehicles may deliver the food to the delivery destination. In the cook enroute mode, the vehicle may prepare and cook food enroute to a delivery destination. In a pop-up kitchen mode, the vehicle may prepare food for pick up by customers.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for preparation and drone based delivery of food items. In some examples, a delivery vehicle may be arranged for autonomous or semi-autonomous preparation of food items while the vehicle is en route to a delivery destination or parked at the delivery destination. Aerial and/or ground based drones, which may be stored in the vehicle, may be loaded with prepared food items and deliver their payloads to delivery locations. Preparation timing and other parameters for the food items, travel parameters for the delivery vehicle, and/or the delivery destination may be selected based on suitability of the delivery destination for launching/recovering the drones or delivery of the food items to the delivery locations. The drones may carry multiple payloads to multiple locations and may have environmentally controlled storage.