Abstract: An elevation change detection system is provided for a robot having an operating system. The elevation change detection system includes a sensor, a processor electrically connected to the sensor, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including detect an edge of a structure with the sensor, classify an elevation change associated with the edge, and adjust the operating system based on the elevation change.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to a robotic vehicle. An example robotic vehicle has a base platform that includes at least a chassis, an actuator, a sensor, and a controller. The chassis includes a first wheel that is attached to a first section of the chassis and further includes a second wheel attached to a second section of the chassis. The actuator has a proximal end attached to the first section of the chassis and a distal end attached to the second section of the chassis. The sensor is configured to obtain information associated with a stair structure located on a traversal path of the robotic vehicle. The controller evaluates the information obtained by the sensor and operates the actuator to vary a separation distance between the first section of the chassis and the second section of the chassis so as to enable the robotic vehicle to traverse the stair structure.

Abstract: A system for charging electric vehicles that includes a rail structure, a mobile base unit, a battery charge station and a battery. The mobile base unit is supported by the rail structure. The mobile base unit includes a movable base connected to the rail structure and a drive motor configured to move the movable base along the rail structure. The movable base defines a first battery compartment. The battery charge station defines a second battery compartment. The battery is movable by the movable base between a first position in which the battery is received in the first battery compartment and electrically coupled to the mobile base unit to provide power to the drive motor, and a second position in which the battery is received in the second battery compartment and electrically coupled to the battery charge station to charge the battery.

Abstract: A system for charging a plurality of electric vehicles includes a rail structure, a mobile base unit, at least one battery and a controller. The mobile base unit is supported by the rail structure and is configured to move along the rail structure between respective vehicle charging stations. The battery is configured to provide power to the mobile base unit to move along the rail structure. The controller is configured to obtain a charge request from one or more electric vehicles, determine a charging sequence of the electric vehicles based on vehicle parameters and charge parameters of the battery, and move the mobile base unit along the rail structure based on the charging sequence.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining parking lot data associated with the parking lot, where the parking lot data indicates an availability of a plurality of parking spaces of the parking lot and obtaining vehicle data associated with the plurality of vehicles, where the vehicle data includes one or more physical characteristics of each of the plurality of vehicles, one or more electrical charging characteristics of each of the plurality of vehicles, or a combination thereof. The method includes dynamically defining one or more parking characteristics of the parking lot based on the vehicle data and the parking lot data and controlling a movement of the plurality of vehicles via the exit lane, the entry lane, and the one or more charging lanes based on the vehicle data and the one or more parking characteristics of the parking lot.

Abstract: A tool for a robotic arm is configured to move an electric charger to an electric vehicle. The tool includes a base configured to be secured to the robotic arm, a vision sensor disposed on the base, a hook including a proximal end fixed to the base, a distal end having an arcuate shape, and a void defined between the proximal end and the distal end, and a gripper extending below the base. The gripper includes a track, two opposing fingers configured to move along the track, and an actuator configured to retract the two opposing fingers along the track.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining vehicle data associated with the plurality of vehicles, obtaining charging station data associated with the plurality of charging stations, and obtaining robot data associated with the one or more robots. The method includes determining, based on the vehicle data, whether a given vehicle has a given amount of electrical energy that is less than a threshold amount of electrical energy. The method includes, in response to determining that the given amount of electrical energy is less than the threshold amount of electrical energy: selecting a given charging station based on the charging station data and a given robot based on the robot data, instructing the given vehicle and the given robot to navigate to the given charging station, and instructing the given robot to initiate a charging routine when the given vehicle and the given robot are proximate to the given charging station.

Abstract: A system for charging electric vehicles includes a robot, an electric charger, a vehicle localization structure, and a control system. The vehicle localization structure defines a charge zone located at a fixed position. The control system is configured to determine that a corresponding electric vehicle of the electric vehicles is in the charge zone, determine a position of a charge port of the corresponding electric vehicle based on the fixed position of the vehicle localization structure and vehicle parameters of the corresponding electric vehicle, and instruct the robot to move a charger of the electric charger from the electric charger to the charge port of the corresponding electric vehicle such that the charger is electrically coupled to the corresponding electric vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an end-to-end delivery system that uses standard containers designed for autonomous vehicle (AV) goods delivery, a purpose-built AV cargo management system, a purpose-built robot to load and unload packages, and software to coordinate the various tasks involved. The standard containers may include a hardware locking interface for locking to a carrying robot. The cargo management system may include a programmable conveyor system installed on each floor of a multi-floor cargo space within the AV. For example, the floor may include a roller surface to allow omnidirectional routing of packages. An elevator shaft may be used for receiving and off-loading containers. The software may identify a target container anywhere within the multi-floor cargo space, and determine how to rearrange the containers within a grid in the AV so that the target container may be moved to the elevator shaft for unloading.

Abstract: A distributed control system for an autonomous modular robot (AMR) vehicle includes a top module processor disposed in communication with a lower module processor, and memory for storing executable instructions of the top module processor and the lower module processor. The instructions are executable to cause the top module processor and the lower module processor to navigate a bottom module, via the bottom module processor, the AMR vehicle to a target destination. The instructions are further executable to determine, via the bottom module processor, that the AMR vehicle is localized at a target destination, transmit a request for a cargo unloading instruction set, and receive, via a top module processor, a response to a cargo unloading instruction set sent from the bottom module processor. The instructions further cause the top module processor to unload the cargo to a target destination surface via an unloading mechanism associated with the top module.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to a robotic vehicle. An example robotic vehicle has a base platform that includes at least a chassis, an actuator, a sensor, and a controller. The chassis includes a first wheel that is attached to a first section of the chassis and further includes a second wheel attached to a second section of the chassis. The actuator has a proximal end attached to the first section of the chassis and a distal end attached to the second section of the chassis. The sensor is configured to obtain information associated with a stair structure located on a traversal path of the robotic vehicle. The controller evaluates the information obtained by the sensor and operates the actuator to vary a separation distance between the first section of the chassis and the second section of the chassis so as to enable the robotic vehicle to traverse the stair structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fleet inspection and maintenance using a robot are provided. The robot may detect a maintenance issue of a vehicle of a fleet of vehicles via one or more sensors, generate a navigation route to a position proximal to the maintenance issue of the vehicle, traverse along the navigation route to the position, and execute a maintenance to rectify the maintenance issue of the vehicle. The robot may include a mobile base removably coupled to a modular platform for performing a maintenance task.

Abstract: Systems and methods for administering a hazard condition warning during a package delivery operation are provided. The system includes one or more sensors, e.g., radar sensors or cameras, configured to detect a hazard condition in a vicinity of a delivery vehicle and to generate data indicative of the hazard condition. The system further includes an operator sensor configured to detect a location of an operator relative to the delivery vehicle and one or more indicators, e.g., lights, a mobile application installed on a mobile phone, or an HMI of the vehicle, configured to generate an alert corresponding to the hazard condition. A processor of the system may determine whether the hazard condition is present based on the data indicative of the hazard condition, and cause, based on a presence of the hazard condition and the detected location of the operator, the one or more indicators to generate the alert.

Abstract: A computer can be programmed to determine that an impact to a wheel of a vehicle exceeds an impact severity threshold and transmit a message describing the impact via a vehicle communications network. An electronic controller can be programmed to make an adjustment to monitoring the component based on receiving the message in the electronic controller.

Abstract: A distributed control system for an autonomous modular robot (AMR) vehicle includes a top module processor disposed in communication with a lower module processor, and memory for storing executable instructions of the top module processor and the lower module processor. The instructions are executable to cause the top module processor and the lower module processor to navigate a bottom module, via the bottom module processor, the AMR vehicle to a target destination. The instructions are further executable to determine, via the bottom module processor, that the AMR vehicle is localized at a target destination, transmit a request for a cargo unloading instruction set, and receive, via a top module processor, a response to a cargo unloading instruction set sent from the bottom module processor. The instructions further cause the top module processor to unload the cargo to a target destination surface via an unloading mechanism associated with the top module.

Abstract: Autonomous modular robots and methods of use are disclosed herein. An example system includes a first assembly includes a first controller having a first processor that causes a first assembly support to translate along a first axis and align with a container placed on the first assembly support which is connected to a third assembly. The third assembly is configured to release a lid when the container has been engaged with the lid. The lid and container form a second assembly that includes a second processor and a second sensor assembly located in the lid. A transfer assembly can transfer an object into and out of the container. The first processor can determine a position and orientation of a delivery platform, planned movement and position of the second assembly, and planned operations of the transfer assembly in order to deliver a package to the delivery platform.

Abstract: A nighttime delivery system is configured to provide delivery of packages during night hours, in low or no-light conditions using a multi-mode autonomous and remotely controllable delivery robot. The system involves the use of a baseline lighting system onboard the robot chassis, with variable light intensity from single flash and floodlighting, to thermal imaging using infrared cameras. The lighting system changes according to various environmental factors, and may utilize multi-mode lighting techniques to capture single-shot images with a flash light source to aid in the robot's perception when the vehicle is unable to navigate using infrared (IR) images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a package to a curbside receptacle are provided. A delivery window of a vehicle may be aligned with a curbside receptacle. A carousel within the vehicle may be moved, e.g., rotated, within the vehicle to align a target compartment with the delivery window. A conveyor arm slidably coupled to the delivery window is then extended and aligned with the target compartment, and a target package within the target compartment is ejected from the target compartment onto the conveyor arm, e.g., via a plunger mechanism. The conveyor arm then transfers the target package to curbside receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an end-to-end delivery system that uses standard containers designed for autonomous vehicle (AV) goods delivery, a purpose-built AV cargo management system, a purpose-built robot to load and unload packages, and software to coordinate the various tasks involved. The standard containers may include a hardware locking interface for locking to a carrying robot. The cargo management system may include a programmable conveyor system installed on each floor of a multi-floor cargo space within the AV. For example, the floor may include a roller surface to allow omnidirectional routing of packages. An elevator shaft may be used for receiving and off-loading containers. The software may identify a target container anywhere within the multi-floor cargo space, and determine how to rearrange the containers within a grid in the AV so that the target container may be moved to the elevator shaft for unloading.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for managing a transportation device fleet using teleoperation. Teleoperation may be beneficial for performing fleet management tasks such as rebalancing, relocation of devices to charging stations, and/or assisting devices operating autonomously that encounter obstacles and are unable to proceed autonomously.