Abstract: A system for automatically annotating a map includes: a robot; a server operably connected to the robot; file storage configured to store files, the file storage operably connected to the server; an annotations database operably connected to the server, the annotations database comprising map annotations; an automatic map annotation service operably connected to the server, the automatic map annotation service configured to automatically do one or more of create a map of an item of interest and annotate a map of an item of interest; a queue of annotation requests operably connected to the automatic annotation service; and a computer operably connected to the server, the computer comprising a graphic user interface (GUI) usable by a human user.

Abstract: A system for automatically annotating a map includes: a robot; a server operably connected to the robot; file storage configured to store files, the file storage operably connected to the server; an annotations database operably connected to the server, the annotations database comprising map annotations; an automatic map annotation service operably connected to the server, the automatic map annotation service configured to automatically do one or more of create a map of an item of interest and annotate a map of an item of interest; a queue of annotation requests operably connected to the automatic annotation service; and a computer operably connected to the server, the computer comprising a graphic user interface (GUI) usable by a human user.

Abstract: A system includes: a cart including: four legs; at least one shelf, each shelf attached to each of the legs; the cart having a generally rectangular shape, a width of the cart being longer than a length of the robot, a length of the cart being longer than a length of the robot; four wheels, each wheel attached to a different leg at a bottom of the leg, the wheels configured to roll to facilitate movement of the cart; and a robotic dock, the robotic dock comprising four docking receptacles at ninety degree angles from adjacent docking receptacles; and a robot comprising: a sensor; and a docking module, the docking module comprising retractable docking pins, each retractable docking pin configured, when extended upward, to mate with a corresponding docking receptacle, thereby securing the robot to a bottom shelf of the cart.

Abstract: A system for semantically identifying one or more of an object of interest and a location of a mobile robot in an environment of the robot includes: a mobile robot comprising a sensor, the robot further comprising a computer, the robot operating in an environment; a server operably connected to the robot via a communication system, the server configured to manage the robot; a controller operably connected to the robot, the controller operably connected to the server, the controller configured to control the robot; and an object of interest marked with a marker at one or more of an approximate height and an approximate field of view of the sensor, the sensor generating data describing the object of interest, the computer configured to identify one or more of the object of interest and the location using one or more of a shape of the object of interest and an intensity of data describing the object of interest.

Abstract: A method for computing a probability that an object comprises a target includes: performing a scan of an area comprising the object, generating points; creating a segment corresponding to the object using the points as segment points, the segment extending from a first segment point to a last segment point, the segment comprising a plurality of the segment points; and applying a metric, computing the probability that the object comprises the target.

Abstract: A system using one or more robots to assist a human in order fulfillment includes: a server configured to receive an order comprising an order item; inventory storage operationally connected to the server, the inventory storage comprising inventory items; an order robot operationally connected to the server, the order robot configured to assist a human to pick an order item from the inventory items; and a human-operated device operably connected to one or more of the server, the inventory storage, and the order robot, the human-operated device configured to assist the human to pick the order item.

Abstract: A method for computing a probability that an object comprises a target includes: performing a scan of an area comprising the object, generating points; creating a segment corresponding to the object using the points as segment points, the segment extending from a first segment point to a last segment point, the segment comprising a plurality of the segment points; and applying a metric, computing the probability that the object comprises the target.

Abstract: A system using one or more robots to assist a human in order fulfillment includes: a server configured to receive an order comprising an order item; inventory storage operationally connected to the server, the inventory storage comprising inventory items; an order robot operationally connected to the server, the order robot configured to assist a human to pick an order item from the inventory items; and a human-operated device operably connected to one or more of the server, the inventory storage, and the order robot, the human-operated device configured to assist the human to pick the order item.

Abstract: A method for computing a probability that an object comprises a target includes: performing a scan of an area comprising the object, generating points; creating a segment corresponding to the object using the points as segment points, the segment extending from a first segment point to a last segment point, the segment comprising a plurality of the segment points; and applying a metric, computing the probability that the object comprises the target.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a personal robotic system, comprising: an electromechanical mobile base configured to be controllably movable upon a substantially planar surface in a global coordinate system wherein a Z axis is defined perpendicular to the substantially planar surface; a torso assembly movably coupled to the mobile base such that the torso may be controllably moved in a direction substantially parallel to the Z axis and also controllably rotated about an axis substantially perpendicular to the Z axis; a head assembly movably coupled to the torso assembly; a robotic arm operatively coupled to the torso assembly; and a controller operatively coupled to the mobile base, torso assembly, head assembly, and robotic arm, and configured to controllably manipulate nearby objects while also automatically minimizing destabilizing moments applied to the mobile base through movement of at least one of the mobile base, torso assembly, head assembly, and robotic arm.

Abstract: A system using one or more robots to assist a human in order fulfillment includes: a server configured to receive an order comprising an order item; inventory storage operationally connected to the server, the inventory storage comprising inventory items; an order robot operationally connected to the server, the order robot configured to assist a human to pick an order item from the inventory items; and a human-operated device operably connected to one or more of the server, the inventory storage, and the order robot, the human-operated device configured to assist the human to pick the order item.

Abstract: A method for computing a probability that an object comprises a target includes: performing a scan of an area comprising the object, generating points; creating a segment corresponding to the object using the points as segment points, the segment extending from a first segment point to a last segment point, the segment comprising a plurality of the segment points; and applying a metric, computing the probability that the object comprises the target.

Abstract: A system for order fulfillment using one or more robots includes: a server configured to receive an order comprising an order item; inventory storage operably connected to the server, the inventory storage comprising order items; an actor robot operably connected to and selected by the server, the actor robot configured to perform one or more of picking the order item from inventory storage, moving the order item, and positioning the order item; and an order robot operably connected to the server, the order robot configured to collect the order item, wherein the order item is positioned by the actor robot so as to be accessible to the order robot, so as to perform order fulfillment using one or more robots.

Abstract: A method for load balancing of robots includes: receiving, by a first task server configured to manage a first spatial region, a task to be performed by a robot; determining, by the first task server, that the task cannot efficiently be performed within the first spatial region; finding, by the first task server, a second task server configured to manage a second spatial region to which the task can be assigned; and sending, by the first task server, the task to the second task server.

Abstract: A method includes: providing to a robot, by a system, a predetermined behavior configured to help an emergency responder; directing the robot, by the system, to a designated location; instructing the robot, by the system, to gather emergency data; receiving, by the system, from the robot, the gathered emergency data; and transmitting the emergency data, by the system, to the emergency responder. A method for responding to emergencies using robotic assistance includes: receiving, by a robot, from a system for responding to emergencies using robotic assistance, a predetermined behavior configured to help an emergency responder; instituting, by the robot, the predetermined behavior; receiving, by the robot, a direction to a designated location; proceeding, by the robot, to the designated location; receiving, by the robot, an instruction to gather emergency data; gathering, by the robot, the emergency data; and transmitting, by the robot to the system, the gathered emergency data.

Abstract: A method includes: providing to a robot, by a system, a predetermined behavior configured to help an emergency responder; directing the robot, by the system, to a designated location; instructing the robot, by the system, to gather emergency data; receiving, by the system, from the robot, the gathered emergency data; and transmitting the emergency data, by the system, to the emergency responder. A method for responding to emergencies using robotic assistance includes: receiving, by a robot, from a system for responding to emergencies using robotic assistance, a predetermined behavior configured to help an emergency responder; instituting, by the robot, the predetermined behavior; receiving, by the robot, a direction to a designated location; proceeding, by the robot, to the designated location; receiving, by the robot, an instruction to gather emergency data; gathering, by the robot, the emergency data; and transmitting, by the robot to the system, the gathered emergency data.

Abstract: A method for computing a probability that an object comprises a target includes: performing a scan of an area comprising the object, generating points; creating a segment corresponding to the object using the points as segment points, the segment extending from a first segment point to a last segment point, the segment comprising a plurality of the segment points; and applying a metric, computing the probability that the object comprises the target.

Abstract: A system for determining and promoting safety of a robotic payload, including: a controller; and a robot controllable by the controller, the robot comprising: at least one payload region configured to carry a payload; a sensor configured to detect at least one of a payload mass and a payload distribution, the sensor further configured to alert the controller regarding the one or more of a payload mass and a payload distribution, the controller further configured to perform, in response to the alert, one or more of determining safety of the payload and promoting the safety of the payload.

Abstract: A method for localization of robots in a territory of interest includes: providing a mobile robot comprising a processor configured to compute an estimated pose of the mobile robot in a map of a territory of interest using a particle filter comprising a particle; updating, by the processor, a pose in the map of the particle; deciding, by the processor, whether to retain the particle for the next cycle of the particle filter or to eliminate the particle for the next cycle of the particle filter; and sampling the particle filter, by the processor, so as to achieve localization of robots in a territory of interest.

Abstract: A robotic torso sensing system and method includes: a robotic torso comprising a mobile torso, the robotic torso further comprising a fixed torso; a motor configured to move the mobile torso; a torso encoder configured to provide information to the motor; a master controller operably connected to the motor, the master controller configured to control the motor, the master controller operably connected to the torso encoder, the master controller further configured to control the mobile torso; and a sensor configured to measure a position of the mobile torso, the sensor further configured to transmit the measurement to the master controller.