Abstract: Methods, systems, and non-transitory machine-readable media encoding instructions for managing a fleet of autonomous mobile robots in a facility. In one aspect, a computer-implemented system for managing a fleet of autonomous mobile robots in a facility can include a log of characteristics of cycle times of communications between the system and the autonomous mobile robots in the fleet over time, and an analysis component configured to determine, based on the logged characteristics of the cycle times, i) a location in a facility at which or ii) a time of day during which or iii) equipment used in communications between the system and the autonomous mobile robots in the plurality that are either inadequate or deficient. Each communications cycle includes wireless transmission of test signals to a plurality of the autonomous mobile robots in the fleet and receipt of responses to the test signals transmitted wirelessly from each of the autonomous mobile robots in the plurality.

Abstract: An example autonomous device is configured to move within a space. The autonomous device includes a first system to detect a first location of the autonomous device within the space, with the first location being based on a first fixed reference; a second system to detect a second location of the autonomous device within the space, with the second location being based on a second fixed reference; and a third system to detect a third location of the autonomous device within the space based on relative movements of the autonomous device. One or more processing devices are configured to select one of the first location or the second location based on reliability of at least one of the first location or the second location, and to control movement of the autonomous device using an estimated location that is based on the third location and the selected one of the first location or the second location.

Abstract: An example autonomous device is configured to move within a space. The autonomous device includes a first system to detect a first location of the autonomous device within the space, with the first location being based on a first fixed reference; a second system to detect a second location of the autonomous device within the space, with the second location being based on a second fixed reference; and a third system to detect a third location of the autonomous device within the space based on relative movements of the autonomous device. One or more processing devices are configured to select one of the first location or the second location based on reliability of at least one of the first location or the second location, and to control movement of the autonomous device using an estimated location that is based on the third location and the selected one of the first location or the second location.

Abstract: An example system includes an autonomous device. The system includes a movement assembly to move the autonomous device, memory storing information about classes of objects and storing rules governing operation of the autonomous device based on a class of an object in a path of the autonomous device, one or more sensors to detect at least one attribute of the object, and one or more processing devices. The one or more processing devices determine the class of the object based on the at least one attribute, execute a rule to control the autonomous device based on the class, and control the movement assembly based on the rule.

Abstract: This invention relates to objects having a corrosion resistant surface improving the overall corrosion resistance of the object relative to the core material, preferably being titanium or titanium based. The surface layer preferably contains at least 80% by mass of a refractory metal such as tantalum, or an alloy based on one or more refractory metals, To ensure a good adhering of the surface to the base material an alloy layer is created between a core element and the surface layer having a thickness at least twice that of the surface layer, where the alloy layer itself has corrosion resistant properties.

Abstract: This invention introduces a method for treating a surface of an electrically conductive object with a refractory metal. In one embodiment, the refractory metal is tantalum and the object is a titanium substrate. A surface layer of mixed tantalum and titanium oxides is created by first heating the object and tantalum chloride in a reaction chamber and subsequently heat treating the object in an oxygen containing environment. The electrically conductive object can in a non-limiting way be DSA solutions (Dimensionally Stable Anodes), fuel cells or connector plates.

Abstract: This invention relates to an object having a corrosion resistant surface that is also sufficiently ductile to let the surface, or the whole object, be mechanically modified without creating cracks or other weaknesses undermining or damaging the corrosion resistance. The surface layer preferably contains at least 80% of a refractory metal, such as tantalum, and an alloy layer is created between a core element and the surface layer having the needed ductility and adhering abilities.

Abstract: This invention relates to objects having a corrosion resistant surface improving the overall corrosion resistance of the object relative to the core material, preferably being titanium or titanium based. The surface layer preferably contains at least 80% of a refractory metal such as tantalum, or an alloy based on one or more refractory metals, To ensure a good adhering of the surface to the base material an alloy layer is created between a core element and the surface layer having a thickness at least twice that of the surface layer, where the alloy layer itself has corrosion resistant properties.

Abstract: This invention introduces a method for treating a surface of an electrically conductive object with a refractory metal. In one embodiment, the refractory metal is tantalum and the object is a titanium substrate. A surface layer of mixed tantalum and titanium oxides is created by first heating the object and tantalum chloride in a reaction chamber and subsequently heat treating the object in an oxygen containing environment. The electrically conductive object can in a non-limiting way be DSA solutions (Dimensionally Stable Anodes), fuel cells or connector plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for modifying a metallic surface, which method comprises chemical vapour deposition on a substrate in a chamber adapted for CVD and involves at least the step of interrupting the chemical vapour deposition by cutting off the flow of reactant gas, and where the substrate and the metallic surface form a part of a completed member and that this member during or after the interruption is subjected to a polishing of the metallic surface after depositing at least a part of the depositing metallic compound.