Abstract: Devices, methods and software for automated electrical connector positioning for electric vehicle (EV) charging are provided. Using, for example, the disclosed automatic charging device, a method for charging an EV includes determining receipt of an EV-side electrical connector to a charging zone of an EV charging environment. The method includes actuating a charger-side electrical connector from an initial position outside of the charging zone to a final position inside of the charging zone. The final position corresponds to the charger-side electrical connector matingly engaged with the EV-side electrical connector.

Abstract: A protective arrangement for an electric vehicle charging system includes a floor unit forming a recess and a linkage disposed in the recess. The linkage is extendable from the recess from a stowed position to an extended position. A cleaning device is disposed to discourage accumulation of debris into the recess and on the linkage when the linkage is in the stowed position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic restocking different items in retail store environments having POS locations for the items are disclosed. The method includes, for a first item of the different items, storing at least one first item parameter uniquely identifying the first item. The method includes determining, based on the at least one first item parameter, a first autonomous movement control scheme for manipulation of the first item by a robotic arm. The method includes executing, by the robotic arm, the first control scheme, the executing including shelving the first item on the shelf. The method includes evaluating, by a processor or a user of the robotic arm, the executing for the first item according to at least one predetermined first performance criteria. The method includes determining and storing, based on the evaluating, an updated first control scheme for subsequent executing by the robotic arm for the first item.

Abstract: A tether control system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The tether system includes a tether connected between the inspection vehicle and an electronic controller. A controllable buoyancy system associated with the tether is operable for moving the tether in a desired location. The controllable buoyancy system includes one or more floating bodies having a propulsion system and one or more buoyant elements having variable buoyancy capabilities.

Abstract: For training an object picking robot with real and simulated grasp performance data, grasp locations on an object are assigned based on object physical properties. A simulation experiment for robot grasping is performed using a first set of assigned locations. Based on simulation data from the simulation, a simulated object grasp quality of the robot is evaluated for each of the assigned locations. A first set of candidate grasp locations on the object is determined based on data representative of simulated grasp quality from the evaluation. Based on sensor data from an actual experiment for the robot grasping using each of the candidate grasp locations, an actual object grasp quality is evaluated for each of the candidate locations.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system allows for automated storage and retrieval of products at, for example, a retail facility. The automated storage and retrieval system may include a storage and retrieval machine having a retrieval tool adapted to engage a container and a storage unit having a shelf on which are disposed a plurality of containers. The containers, the retrieval tool, and/or the shelf are configured to facilitate access by the retrieval tool to an individual container of the plurality of containers by, for example, altering the container layout on the shelfs, altering the container geometry, or a combination of such features.

Abstract: A grasping system includes a robotic arm having a gripper. A fixed sensor monitors a grasp area and an onboard sensor moves with the gripper also monitors the area. A controller receives information indicative of a position of an object to be grasped and operates the robotic arm to bring the gripper into a grasp position adjacent the object based on information provided by the fixed sensor. The controller is also programmed to operate the gripper to grasp the object in response to information provided by the first onboard sensor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software are provided for automated item restocking using gantry robots and establishing safety barriers for retail work operation spaces in retail store environments. Robot controllers in communication with the gantry robots and barrier robots direct the autonomous movements thereof for transferring items between customer-accessible point of sale locations and customer-inaccessible storage, and for alternately restricting and enabling access to work operation spaces, respectively.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and software for controlling object picking and placement by a robot system are disclosed. The method includes assigning machine learning training data of a machine learning model for an object. The machine learning training data includes a plurality of known grasp location labels assigned to the object positioned in a plurality of different object poses. The method includes providing the object in a work space of the robot system. For the object in the work space in a first pose of the plurality of different object poses, the method includes: mapping a first candidate grasp location on the object; executing robotic movements for the first candidate grasp location on the object; and evaluating a result of the executing for the first candidate grasp location according to at least one predetermined performance criteria.

Abstract: A product manipulation tool for interacting with products and containers at, for example, a retail facility can include a securing mechanism to secure an exposed portion of the container with respect to a horizontal surface such as a shelf. The product manipulation tool can also include a stabilizing device to stabilize the container with respect to the horizontal surface prior to securing the container. The product manipulation tool can also include a support structure for insertion underneath the container to support the load. The stabilizing mechanism may lift or tilt the container prior to insertion of the support structure. In an example, the product manipulation tool may be disposed on a mobile unit configured for locomotion about the retail facility.

Abstract: A protective arrangement for an electric vehicle charging system includes a floor unit forming a recess and a linkage disposed in the recess. The linkage is extendable from the recess from a stowed position to an extended position. A cleaning device is disposed to discourage accumulation of debris into the recess and on the linkage when the linkage is in the stowed position.

Abstract: An automatic charging device and method is described that is positionable to access an underside of an electrical vehicle that facilitates hands-free connection of a vehicle-side electrical connector with a floor unit electrical connector. The automatic charging device includes a floor unit, a first slidable carriage disposed in the floor unit, a second slidable carriage disposed in the floor unit, a pivotal link coupled to the floor unit electrical connector, and a lift mechanism connected to the second slidable carriage and the pivotal link. The floor unit electrical connector is arranged to rise away from the floor unit in a direction of the vehicle-side electrical connector to facilitate a mating of the vehicle-side electrical connector and the floor unit electrical connector. The first and the second slidable carriages are configured to move in a linear xy-direction, respectively, and the lift mechanism is configured to move in a linear z-direction.

Abstract: An automatic charging device and method is described that is positionable to access an underside of an electrical vehicle that facilitates hands-free connection of a vehicle-side electrical connector with a floor unit electrical connector. The automatic charging device includes a floor unit, a first slidable carriage disposed in the floor unit, a second slidable carriage disposed in the floor unit, a pivotal link coupled to the floor unit electrical connector, and a lift mechanism connected to the second slidable carriage and the pivotal link. The floor unit electrical connector is arranged to rise away from the floor unit in a direction of the vehicle-side electrical connector to facilitate a mating of the vehicle-side electrical connector and the floor unit electrical connector. The first and the second slidable carriages are configured to move in a linear xy-direction, respectively, and the lift mechanism is configured to move in a linear z-direction.

Abstract: Devices, methods and software for automated electrical connector positioning for electric vehicle (EV) charging are provided. Using, for example, the disclosed automatic charging device, a method for charging an EV includes determining receipt of an EV-side electrical connector to a charging zone of an EV charging environment. The method includes actuating a charger-side electrical connector from an initial position outside of the charging zone to a final position inside of the charging zone. The final position corresponds to the charger-side electrical connector matingly engaged with the EV-side electrical connector.

Abstract: A protective arrangement for an electric vehicle charging system includes a floor unit forming a recess and a linkage disposed in the recess. The linkage is extendable from the recess from a stowed position to an extended position. A cleaning device is disposed to discourage accumulation of debris into the recess and on the linkage when the linkage is in the stowed position.

Abstract: Systems and method for underside charging of electric vehicles (EVs) are provided. With the EV positioned in a charging environment having a ground surface, a floor unit device actuates an electrical connector toward a charge receptacle of an EV vehicle unit, and the vehicle unit actuates the charge receptacle toward the electrical connector. The actuation facilitates coupling between the connector and the charge receptacle. A flow of electrical current is initiated through the coupled connector and charge receptacle to charge the EV power storage device. Upon completion of the EV charging process, the electrical connector and the charge receptacle are actuated away from one another to facilitate decoupling therebetween.

Abstract: A connector arrangement for charging an electric vehicle includes a first connector disposed adjacent a slide surface and having a pin extending from the first connector. A second connector has a second connector body and is moveable along the slide surface by a linkage mechanism. A socket extends through the second connector body between two opposed openings, and at least one sensor is associated with the second connector body. The at least one sensor provides information indicative of a location of the second connector body on the slide surface to the linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A deployment system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The deployment system includes a mount connectable to the housing through an aperture formed in a wall thereof. An extendable arm is connected to the mount and positioned within the housing. A tether is slidably coupled to the extendable arm and adapted to connect with the inspection vehicle. A control mechanism is operable to control deployment of the tether and the position of the extendable arm.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for charging an electric vehicle are disclosed. The system includes a floor unit and a vehicle unit, each having an electrical connector. The method includes positioning the floor unit electrical connector with reference to the mating vehicle unit electrical connector. The method includes inserting the floor unit electrical connector into the mating vehicle unit electrical connector. The method includes initiating an electric vehicle charging process by selectively enabling a flow of electric current from an electric power supply through the matingly coupled vehicle unit and floor unit electrical connectors.

Abstract: A grasping system includes a robotic arm having a gripper. A fixed sensor monitors a grasp area and an onboard sensor moves with the gripper also monitors the area. A controller receives information indicative of a position of an object to be grasped and operates the robotic arm to bring the gripper into a grasp position adjacent the object based on information provided by the fixed sensor. The controller is also programmed to operate the gripper to grasp the object in response to information provided by the first onboard sensor.