Abstract: Systems and methods of improving a stability of an unmanned vehicle having a moveable mass. The method involves operating a processor to: determine an initial center of gravity for the unmanned vehicle, the moveable mass being at an initial position; monitor an operating state of the unmanned vehicle for an instability condition; in response to detecting an instability condition, determine a corrective response at the moveable mass for maintaining the stability at the unmanned vehicle; and apply the corrective response to the moveable mass to maintain the stability of the unmanned vehicle by moving the moveable mass from the initial position.

Abstract: Systems and method of adapting operating characteristics of a self-driving vehicle to a terrain change within a vehicle path characterized by a base plane. The method involves operating a processor at the self-driving vehicle to: detect the terrain change from sensor data collected by one or more sensors coupled to the self-driving vehicle and in communication with the processor; determine, from the sensor data, an absence of navigable terrain along the base plane of the vehicle path; in response to identifying the absence of navigable terrain: continue operation while monitoring for a transition from the base plane at a downward slope; and collect slope data related to the downward slope for characterizing the terrain change; adapt the operating characteristics of the self-driving vehicle in response to the terrain change to facilitate navigation of the self-driving vehicle when entering a terrain characterized with the downward slope.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a self-driving material-transport vehicle under various safety modes is disclosed. Each of the safety modes is determined autonomously based at least on one or more payload characteristics. The method involves operating a processor to: initiate a mission involving a payload; receive an initial set of payload characteristics prior to engaging the payload; defining an initial safety mode based on the initial set of payload characteristics; monitor the payload to detect one or more characteristic variations from the initial set of payload characteristics; and in response to determining one or more characteristic variations, automatically adapting the initial safety mode into an active safety mode to align an operation of the self-driving vehicle with the payload. In the absence of a payload, the self-driving vehicle can enter a basic safety mode.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for improving operation of a self-driving vehicle based on continuous behavioural observations.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for improving operation of a self-driving vehicle based on continuous behavioural observations. An example method involves generating a vehicle dynamic model for the self-driving vehicle to represent an expected individual behaviour of the self-driving vehicle, and operating a processor of the self-driving vehicle to, during operation: collect operation data associated with the operation of the self-driving vehicle; determine whether the operation data indicates an unexpected behaviour in relation to the expected individual behaviour; and in response to determining the operation data indicates the unexpected behaviour, determine an operational response to the unexpected behaviour. The vehicle dynamic model may include a plurality of subsystem models each adapted to represent an expected individual behaviour of a corresponding subsystem of the self-driving vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a self-driving material-transport vehicle under various safety modes is disclosed. Each of the safety modes is determined autonomously based at least on one or more payload characteristics. The method involves operating a processor to: initiate a mission involving a payload; receive an initial set of payload characteristics prior to engaging the payload; defining an initial safety mode based on the initial set of payload characteristics; monitor the payload to detect one or more characteristic variations from the initial set of payload characteristics; and in response to determining one or more characteristic variations, automatically adapting the initial safety mode into an active safety mode to align an operation of the self-driving vehicle with the payload. In the absence of a payload, the self-driving vehicle can enter a basic safety mode.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for characterizing a vehicle motion of an autonomous mobile robot in response to a triggering event. The method and system involve an autonomous mobile robot and a vehicle processor operable to navigate the autonomous mobile robot. The system further includes a motion characterization system coupled to the autonomous mobile robot, the motion characterization system comprising an odometry system operable to collect vehicle motion data associated with the vehicle motion; a triggering component; a storage component for storing an event start time, an event end time and the vehicle motion data between the event start time and the event end time; and a motion characterization processor operable to: receive an initialization input to initiate the triggering event; generate a trigger signal to cause the triggering component to cause the triggering event; and identify the event start time and an event end time.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for characterizing a vehicle motion of an autonomous mobile robot in response to a triggering event. The method and system involve an autonomous mobile robot and a vehicle processor operable to navigate the autonomous mobile robot. The system further includes a motion characterization system coupled to the autonomous mobile robot, the motion characterization system comprising an odometry system operable to collect vehicle motion data associated with the vehicle motion; a triggering component; a storage component for storing an event start time, an event end time and the vehicle motion data between the event start time and the event end time; and a motion characterization processor operable to: receive an initialization input to initiate the triggering event; generate a trigger signal to cause the triggering component to cause the triggering event; and identify the event start time and an event end time.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for characterizing a vehicle motion of an autonomous mobile robot in response to a triggering event. The method and system involve an autonomous mobile robot and a vehicle processor operable to navigate the autonomous mobile robot. The system further includes a motion characterization system coupled to the autonomous mobile robot, the motion characterization system comprising an odometry system operable to collect vehicle motion data associated with the vehicle motion; a triggering component; a storage component for storing an event start time, an event end time and the vehicle motion data between the event start time and the event end time; and a motion characterization processor operable to: receive an initialization input to initiate the triggering event; generate a trigger signal to cause the triggering component to cause the triggering event; and identify the event start time and an event end time.

Abstract: There is provided an electrically-powered material-transport vehicle having a vehicle-charging contact on one side of the vehicle, and a second vehicle-charging contact on the opposite side of the vehicle. The vehicle has a load-bearing cap that covers the top of the vehicle, and a cap elevator for raising and lowering the cap. The cap can be raised and lowered to a transit position, a payload-engagement position, a charging position, and a maintenance position. In the transit position and payload-engagement position, the cap covers the vehicle-charging contacts so that they are not exposed. In the charging position, the cap is raised so that the vehicle-charging contacts are exposed. The vehicle can enter a charging-dock with the cap in the charging position in order to recharge the vehicle's battery.

Abstract: An augmentation module is described for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) deployed in a facility and including a control module for controlling a drive mechanism based on navigational data received from a navigation sensor. The module includes a inter-module communications interface connected to the control module; a memory; and a processor connected to the communications interface and the memory. The processor is configured to: obtain an operational command; generate control data to execute the operational command; convert the control data to simulated sensor data; and send the simulated sensor data to the control module.

Abstract: An augmentation module is described for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) deployed in a facility and including a control module for controlling a drive mechanism based on navigational data received from a navigation sensor. The module includes a inter-module communications interface connected to the control module; a memory; and a processor connected to the communications interface and the memory. The processor is configured to: obtain an operational command; generate control data to execute the operational command; convert the control data to simulated sensor data; and send the simulated sensor data to the control module.

Abstract: An augmentation module is described for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) deployed in a facility and including a control module for controlling a drive mechanism based on navigational data received from a navigation sensor. The module includes a inter-module communications interface connected to the control module; a memory; and a processor connected to the communications interface and the memory. The processor is configured to: obtain an operational command; generate control data to execute the operational command; convert the control data to simulated sensor data; and send the simulated sensor data to the control module.

Abstract: An augmentation module is described for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) deployed in a facility and including a control module for controlling a drive mechanism based on navigational data received from a navigation sensor. The module includes a inter-module communications interface connected to the control module; a memory; and a processor connected to the communications interface and the memory. The processor is configured to: obtain an operational command; generate control data to execute the operational command; convert the control data to simulated sensor data; and send the simulated sensor data to the control module.

Abstract: A thermally actuated lock for an appliance incorporates a fusible material that holds a spring-loaded bolt in retraction. Temperatures that would indicate an appliance fire allow the bolt to extend between the housing and appliance door to lock the appliance door in a closed position.

Abstract: There is provided an electrically-powered material-transport vehicle having a vehicle-charging contact on one side of the vehicle, and a second vehicle-charging contact on the opposite side of the vehicle. The vehicle has a load-bearing cap that covers the top of the vehicle, and a cap elevator for raising and lowering the cap. The cap can be raised and lowered to a transit position, a payload-engagement position, a charging position, and a maintenance position. In the transit position and payload-engagement position, the cap covers the vehicle-charging contacts so that they are not exposed. In the charging position, the cap is raised so that the vehicle-charging contacts are exposed. The vehicle can enter a charging-dock with the cap in the charging position in order to recharge the vehicle's battery.

Abstract: An augmentation module is described for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) deployed in a facility and including a control module for controlling a drive mechanism based on navigational data received from a navigation sensor. The module includes a inter-module communications interface connected to the control module; a memory; and a processor connected to the communications interface and the memory. The processor is configured to: obtain an operational command; generate control data to execute the operational command; convert the control data to simulated sensor data; and send the simulated sensor data to the control module.

Abstract: A thermally actuated lock for an appliance incorporates a fusible material that holds a spring-loaded bolt in retraction. Temperatures that would indicate an appliance fire allow the bolt to extend between the housing and appliance door to lock the appliance door in a closed position.

Abstract: An inductive lighting assembly for an appliance is provided. The appliance includes a cabinet, a liner installed in the cabinet, and at least one shelf mounted in the cabinet. The inductive lighting assembly includes a coil locator channel recessed into the cabinet, a primary coil mounted proximate to the coil locator channel, a shelf having a projection coupled thereto; the projection configured to be at least partially inserted into the coil locator channel to separate a metallic object placed on the shelf from the primary coil by a predetermined distance, and a secondary coil mounted in the projection, the primary coil transferring power to the secondary coil through inductive power transfer, the secondary coil being electrically connected to a light assembly installed in the appliance. A refrigerator including an inductive lighting system is also provided herein.

Abstract: A dual function switch assembly includes a switch housing part containing multiple switches at different elevations and a rotor having cam surfaces aligned with the switches for operating the switches. A mounting part is connected to the switch housing part and provides mounting features for attachment in a desired installation.