Abstract: A multi-functional robotic end-effector, the method comprising a support platform, a gripper assembly supported from the support platform, and a negative pressure system to be supported, at least in part, from the support platform. The gripper assembly can comprise an opposable gripper arrangement having first and second grippers, at least one of the first or second grippers being actuatable in at least one degree of freedom. The negative pressure system can comprise a suction asset having an object interfacing component comprising an interfacing surface that defines a suction plane, the negative pressure system facilitating a negative pressure within the suction asset. The suction asset can be supported by one of the support platform or the gripper assembly, and can be positioned within a gripping region of the gripper assembly, or alternatively, the suction asset can be positioned outside of the gripping region of the gripper assembly.

Abstract: A solar panel installation system comprising a support clamp installation vehicle capable of being placed on a torque tube of a solar panel support assembly, and operating on the torque tube to install one or more torque tube clamps onto the torque tube from an overhead position. The solar panel installation system comprises a hopper, a drive system operable to engage a torque tube and to facilitate locomotion of the installation vehicle on the torque tube, and a clamp dispensing system comprising a clamp feed system and a clamp placement system. The solar panel installation system further comprises a control system in communication with the support clamp installation vehicle, and operable to control operation of the drive system and the clamp dispensing system. The solar panel installation system further comprises a solar panel installation vehicle that can be operated in a coordinated manner with the support clamp installation vehicle.

Abstract: A robotic solar panel presentation system, as part of a solar panel installation system, for facilitating installation of solar panels into a panel retention system of a panel support assembly, the solar panel presentation system comprising a solar panel dispensing hopper comprising a hopper enclosure operable to receive and support one or more solar panels, and a panel acquisition and placement system comprising at least one moveable installation arm, wherein the panel acquisition and placement system is operable to acquire and manipulate a lead solar panel into an overhead installation position relative to the panel retention system, and to facilitate placement of the lead solar panel into an installed position within the panel retention system. The presentation system can further comprise a control system associated with the solar panel dispensing hopper, and comprising one or more processors and memory operable to control and operate the panel acquisition and placement system.

Abstract: A solar panel installation system comprising a solar panel presentation system comprising a solar panel dispensing hopper having a hopper enclosure; and a solar panel installation vehicle operable with the solar panel presentation system, and operable to support the solar panel dispensing hopper, and to maneuver about a solar panel support assembly comprising one or more solar panel retention systems which can be oriented transverse to a torque tube of the solar panel support assembly, wherein the installation vehicle is operable to position the solar panel dispensing hopper in an overhead position relative to the one or more solar panel retention systems, and to facilitate installation of a lead solar panel in an installed position in one of the one or more panel retention systems from the overhead position.

Abstract: A solar panel installation system comprising a solar panel presentation system comprising a solar panel dispensing hopper having a hopper enclosure; and a solar panel installation vehicle operable with the solar panel presentation system, and operable to support the solar panel dispensing hopper, and to maneuver about a solar panel support assembly comprising one or more solar panel retention systems which can be oriented transverse to a torque tube of the solar panel support assembly, wherein the installation vehicle is operable to position the solar panel dispensing hopper in an overhead position relative to the one or more solar panel retention systems, and to facilitate installation of a lead solar panel in an installed position in one of the one or more panel retention systems from the overhead position.

Abstract: A solar panel installation system comprising a support clamp installation vehicle capable of being placed on a torque tube of a solar panel support assembly, and operating on the torque tube to install one or more torque tube clamps onto the torque tube from an overhead position. The solar panel installation system comprises a hopper, a drive system operable to engage a torque tube and to facilitate locomotion of the installation vehicle on the torque tube, and a clamp dispensing system comprising a clamp feed system and a clamp placement system. The solar panel installation system further comprises a control system in communication with the support clamp installation vehicle, and operable to control operation of the drive system and the clamp dispensing system. The solar panel installation system further comprises a solar panel installation vehicle that can be operated in a coordinated manner with the support clamp installation vehicle.

Abstract: A walk-about human augmentation system, comprising an upper-body robotic human augmentation system having a first robotic arm, a walk-about platform in support of the upper-body robotic human augmentation system, the walk-about platform comprising a walk-about base, and a mast in the form of a carrier support assembly supported by the walk-about base, the carrier support assembly comprising a framework and an actuator assembly having an actuator and a guide member, the first robotic arm being moveably supported by the carrier support assembly, and the first robotic arm undergoing inclined displacement in a sloped vertical degree of freedom within a given range of motion along the guide member, and relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a torque tube clamp can include a clamp support, a torque tube collar having an open torque tube-receiving position and a closed torque tube-locking position, and a pivotable locking assembly. The pivotable locking assembly may include a ground link with a ground bar coupled to the clamp support by a ground pivot, and an engagement link including an engagement bar directly or indirectly coupled to the ground bar by an engagement pivot. The engagement bar can be part of the torque tube collar and can be movable from the open torque tube-receiving position to the closed torque tube-locking position.

Abstract: A solar panel mounting system can include a first panel mount including a first retaining feature attached to or attachable to a first torque tube clamp, and a second panel mount including a second retaining feature attached to or attachable to a second torque tube clamp. When the first and second panel mounts are mounted on a torque tube via the first and second torque tube clamps, respectively, the first retaining channel faces the second retaining channel, and the first and second retaining channels are oriented transversely relative to the torque tube. Furthermore, in this example, at least one of the first panel mount or the second panel mount is configured for overhead or lateral insertion of a solar panel while the torque tube clamps are installed on the torque tube.

Abstract: A solar panel installation system comprising a solar panel presentation system comprising a solar panel dispensing hopper having a hopper enclosure; and a solar panel installation vehicle operable with the solar panel presentation system, and operable to support the solar panel dispensing hopper, and to maneuver about a solar panel support assembly comprising one or more solar panel retention systems which can be oriented transverse to a torque tube of the solar panel support assembly, wherein the installation vehicle is operable to position the solar panel dispensing hopper in an overhead position relative to the one or more solar panel retention systems, and to facilitate installation of a lead solar panel in an installed position in one of the one or more panel retention systems from the overhead position.

Abstract: A solar panel alignment system can include a plurality of bi-directional panel mounts connected to or connectable to a torque tube. The bi-directional panel mounts may each include a first retaining feature assembly to receive a first side of a first support frame or a first support rail of a first solar panel, and a second retaining feature assembly configured to receive a second side of a second support frame or second support rail of a second solar panel. In this example, one or both of the first retaining feature assembly or the second retaining feature assembly includes an alignment structure to ensure lateral edges of the first solar panel are aligned with lateral edges of the second solar panel when the first solar panel and the second solar panel are fully engaged with the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature, respectively.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a torque tube clamp can include a clamp support, a torque tube collar having an open torque tube-receiving position and a closed torque tube-locking positon, and a pivotable locking assembly. The pivotable locking assembly may include a ground link with a ground bar coupled to the clamp support by a ground pivot, and an engagement link including an engagement bar directly or indirectly coupled to the ground bar by an engagement pivot. The engagement bar can be part of the torque tube collar and can be movable from the open torque tube-receiving position to the closed torque tube-locking position.

Abstract: A robotic solar panel presentation system, as part of a solar panel installation system, for facilitating installation of solar panels into a panel retention system of a panel support assembly, the solar panel presentation system comprising a solar panel dispensing hopper comprising a hopper enclosure operable to receive and support one or more solar panels, and a panel acquisition and placement system comprising at least one moveable installation arm, wherein the panel acquisition and placement system is operable to acquire and manipulate a lead solar panel into an overhead installation position relative to the panel retention system, and to facilitate placement of the lead solar panel into an installed position within the panel retention system. The presentation system can further comprise a control system associated with the solar panel dispensing hopper, and comprising one or more processors and memory operable to control and operate the panel acquisition and placement system.

Abstract: A solar panel installation system comprising a support clamp installation vehicle capable of being placed on a torque tube of a solar panel support assembly, and operating on the torque tube to install one or more torque tube clamps onto the torque tube from an overhead position. The solar panel installation system comprises a hopper, a drive system operable to engage a torque tube and to facilitate locomotion of the installation vehicle on the torque tube, and a clamp dispensing system comprising a clamp feed system and a clamp placement system. The solar panel installation system further comprises a control system in communication with the support clamp installation vehicle, and operable to control operation of the drive system and the clamp dispensing system. The solar panel installation system further comprises a solar panel installation vehicle that can be operated in a coordinated manner with the support clamp installation vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure sets forth a robotic end effector for acquiring and managing an article, such as an item of luggage. The robotic end effector can include a support bridge and an arm extending away from the support bridge in a first direction, the arm comprising a first support member. The robotic end effector can further include a support platform extending away from the support bridge in the first direction at a position offset from the arm to define a capture volume configured to receive the article between the arm and the support platform. The robotic end effector can further include an article interface system supported by the arm, and comprising an actuatable article engagement device operable to interface with a target article to facilitate movement of the target article in a direction toward the support bridge.