Abstract: One variation of a food production station includes: a manual assembly zone; an autonomous assembly zone; and a controller. The manual assembly zone includes: a prep surface; and a receptacle configured to receive a sequence of food hoppers configured to store ingredients for manual preparation of food products on the prep surface. The autonomous assembly zone includes: a sequence of module housings supporting the prep surface and configured to house a sequence of food dispensing modules configured to dispense ingredients into food containers; and a conveyor located within the sequence of module housings and configured to transfer food containers along the sequence of food dispensing modules for dispensation of ingredients into food containers. The controller is configured to: receive food orders; and coordinate motion of the conveyor and trigger the sequence of food dispensing modules to dispense ingredients into food containers to assemble food products according to food orders.

Abstract: A modular system for autonomous food assembly includes: a skid operable in a first configuration configured to transiently install on a vehicle and in a second configuration configured to transiently install in a kiosk; a set of food dispensing modules configured to transiently install on the skid and store and dispense food based on food orders; and a fixed infrastructure configured to distribute power from a first power source in the truck to the set of food dispensing modules in the first configuration, from a second power source in the fixed kiosk to the set of food dispensing modules in the second configuration, and to the set of food dispensing modules; a controller installed on the skid and configured to receive food orders and control the set of food dispensing modules to dispense food orders from the truck in the first configuration and from the kiosk in the second configuration.

Abstract: One variation of a food production station includes: a manual assembly zone; an autonomous assembly zone; and a controller. The manual assembly zone includes: a prep surface; and a receptacle configured to receive a sequence of food hoppers configured to store ingredients for manual preparation of food products on the prep surface. The autonomous assembly zone includes: a sequence of module housings supporting the prep surface and configured to house a sequence of food dispensing modules configured to dispense ingredients into food containers; and a conveyor located within the sequence of module housings and configured to transfer food containers along the sequence of food dispensing modules for dispensation of ingredients into food containers. The controller is configured to: receive food orders; and coordinate motion of the conveyor and trigger the sequence of food dispensing modules to dispense ingredients into food containers to assemble food products according to food orders.

Abstract: A modular system for autonomous food assembly includes: a skid operable in a first configuration configured to transiently install on a vehicle and in a second configuration configured to transiently install in a kiosk; a set of food dispensing modules configured to transiently install on the skid and store and dispense food based on food orders; and a fixed infrastructure configured to distribute power from a first power source in the truck to the set of food dispensing modules in the first configuration, from a second power source in the fixed kiosk to the set of food dispensing modules in the second configuration, and to the set of food dispensing modules; a controller installed on the skid and configured to receive food orders and control the set of food dispensing modules to dispense food orders from the truck in the first configuration and from the kiosk in the second configuration.

Abstract: One variation a food production system includes: a module housing; a preparation surface arranged above the module housing; a food-dispensing module installed within the module housing and configured to dispense units of an ingredient toward a conveyor module arranged within the module housing; an alert panel integrated within the preparation surface; a set of sensors integrated within the module housing and configured to output timeseries control data representing status of operations at the module housing; and a controller. The controller can: coordinate motion of the conveyor module and selectively trigger the food-dispensing module to dispense the ingredient into a food container, on the conveyor module, to assemble a food product according to a food order; and, in response to interpreting a trigger event based on timeseries control data, trigger the alert panel to output a detectable signal configured to alert an operator of the trigger event at the module housing.

Abstract: One variation of a food production station includes: a manual assembly zone; an autonomous assembly zone; and a controller. The manual assembly zone includes: a prep surface; and a receptacle configured to receive a sequence of food hoppers configured to store ingredients for manual preparation of food products on the prep surface. The autonomous assembly zone includes: a sequence of module housings supporting the prep surface and configured to house a sequence of food dispensing modules configured to dispense ingredients into food containers; and a conveyor located within the sequence of module housings and configured to transfer food containers along the sequence of food dispensing modules for dispensation of ingredients into food containers. The controller is configured to: receive food orders; and coordinate motion of the conveyor and trigger the sequence of food dispensing modules to dispense ingredients into food containers to assemble food products according to food orders.

Abstract: One variation a food production system includes: a food preparation surface; a module housing; and a controller. The food preparation surface is located on top of the module housing and defines a receptable configured to receive a food hopper configured to store ingredients for preparation of units of the food product type. The module housing includes: a first food dispensing module configured to dispense a first ingredient; and a second food dispensing module configured to dispense a second ingredient. The module housing further includes a conveyor module to support the rim of a food container beneath the first and second food dispensing modules and transport the food container. The controller can receive a food order; trigger the conveyor module to advance by a distance; and trigger the food dispensing modules to dispense ingredients into the food container.

Abstract: A modular system for autonomous food assembly includes: a skid operable in a first configuration configured to transiently install on a vehicle and in a second configuration configured to transiently install in a kiosk; a set of food dispensing modules configured to transiently install on the skid and store and dispense food based on food orders; and a fixed infrastructure configured to distribute power from a first power source in the truck to the set of food dispensing modules in the first configuration, from a second power source in the fixed kiosk to the set of food dispensing modules in the second configuration, and to the set of food dispensing modules; a controller installed on the skid and configured to receive food orders and control the set of food dispensing modules to dispense food orders from the truck in the first configuration and from the kiosk in the second configuration.

Abstract: A modular system for autonomous food assembly includes: a skid operable in a first configuration configured to transiently install on a vehicle and in a second configuration configured to transiently install in a kiosk; a set of food dispensing modules configured to transiently install on the skid and store and dispense food based on food orders; and a fixed infrastructure configured to distribute power from a first power source in the truck to the set of food dispensing modules in the first configuration, from a second power source in the fixed kiosk to the set of food dispensing modules in the second configuration, and to the set of food dispensing modules; a controller installed on the skid and configured to receive food orders and control the set of food dispensing modules to dispense food orders from the truck in the first configuration and from the kiosk in the second configuration.

Abstract: A disclosed system provides protection to a window or windshield and includes a high-strength, high-toughness, transparent covering material, and attachment members. The covering material may be removably secured over the window or windshield via the attachment members. The covering material includes a handle, attached to covering material, which is configured to transmit an applied force from the handle to the covering material. The covering material is configured to bend or break in response to a force applied to the handle. A barrier material having a raised profile extending from a surface of the covering material is also provided. The barrier material is configured to divert liquid, incident on the covering material, to edges of the covering material. An embodiment covering material includes a polycarbonate material having a thickness of between 1 mm and 6 mm. The covering material includes coating materials that provide scratch resistance and protection from ultra-violet radiation.

Abstract: A track filler may include an elongated body. The body may include a first sidewall having a first top end and a first bottom end, and formed along a first side of the body, a second sidewall having a second top end and a second bottom end, and formed along a second side of the body, opposite the first sidewall, and a topwall joining the first top end and the second top end. The body may form at least a partially hollow interior portion, and may also include a plurality of periodic notches along the first bottom end of the first sidewall and the second bottom end of the second sidewall and extending toward the first top end and the second top end, respectively. The body may also include a plurality of periodic grooves extending partially through the topwall, wherein each of the grooves extend from a notch at the first top end to a corresponding notch at the second top end.

Abstract: One variation of a food production station includes: a manual assembly zone; an autonomous assembly zone; and a controller. The manual assembly zone includes: a prep surface; and a receptacle configured to receive a sequence of food hoppers configured to store ingredients for manual preparation of food products on the prep surface. The autonomous assembly zone includes: a sequence of module housings supporting the prep surface and configured to house a sequence of food dispensing modules configured to dispense ingredients into food containers; and a conveyor located within the sequence of module housings and configured to transfer food containers along the sequence of food dispensing modules for dispensation of ingredients into food containers. The controller is configured to: receive food orders; and coordinate motion of the conveyor and trigger the sequence of food dispensing modules to dispense ingredients into food containers to assemble food products according to food orders.

Abstract: One variation of a food production station includes: a manual assembly zone; an autonomous assembly zone; and a controller. The manual assembly zone includes: a prep surface; and a receptacle configured to receive a sequence of food hoppers configured to store ingredients for manual preparation of food products on the prep surface. The autonomous assembly zone includes: a sequence of module housings supporting the prep surface and configured to house a sequence of food dispensing modules configured to dispense ingredients into food containers; and a conveyor located within the sequence of module housings and configured to transfer food containers along the sequence of food dispensing modules for dispensation of ingredients into food containers. The controller is configured to: receive food orders; and coordinate motion of the conveyor and trigger the sequence of food dispensing modules to dispense ingredients into food containers to assemble food products according to food orders.

Abstract: A track filler may include an elongated body. The body may include a first sidewall having a first top end and a first bottom end, and formed along a first side of the body, a second sidewall having a second top end and a second bottom end, and formed along a second side of the body, opposite the first sidewall, and a topwall joining the first top end and the second top end. The body may form at least a partially hollow interior portion, and may also include a plurality of periodic notches along the first bottom end of the first sidewall and the second bottom end of the second sidewall and extending toward the first top end and the second top end, respectively. The body may also include a plurality of periodic grooves extending partially through the topwall, wherein each of the grooves extend from a notch at the first top end to a corresponding notch at the second top end.

Abstract: One variation of a method for blending food products includes: receiving a cup containing food products; locating a lip of the cup on a lower seat of a cup plate; rotating a blend plate about a pivot axis from a blend position to a closed position to locate an upper seat of the blend plate against the lip of the cup; driving the cup plate, about the pivot axis, toward the blend position; driving the blend plate against the cup plate to seal the upper seat against the lip of the cup; activating a blender blade of the blend plate to blend food products in the cup; driving the cup plate against the blend plate to seal the upper seat against the lip of the cup; driving the blend plate toward the closed position; rotating the blend plate toward the blend position; and delivering the cup.

Abstract: A disclosed system provides protection to a window or windshield and includes a high-strength, high-toughness, transparent covering material, and attachment members. The covering material may be removably secured over the window or windshield via the attachment members. The covering material includes a handle, attached to covering material, which is configured to transmit an applied force from the handle to the covering material. The covering material is configured to bend or break in response to a force applied to the handle. A barrier material having a raised profile extending from a surface of the covering material is also provided. The barrier material is configured to divert liquid, incident on the covering material, to edges of the covering material. An embodiment covering material includes a polycarbonate material having a thickness of between 1 mm and 6 mm. The covering material includes coating materials that provide scratch resistance and protection from ultra-violet radiation.

Abstract: A modular system for autonomous food assembly includes: a skid operable in a first configuration configured to transiently install on a vehicle and in a second configuration configured to transiently install in a kiosk; a set of food dispensing modules configured to transiently install on the skid and store and dispense food based on food orders; and a fixed infrastructure configured to distribute power from a first power source in the truck to the set of food dispensing modules in the first configuration, from a second power source in the fixed kiosk to the set of food dispensing modules in the second configuration, and to the set of food dispensing modules; a controller installed on the skid and configured to receive food orders and control the set of food dispensing modules to dispense food orders from the truck in the first configuration and from the kiosk in the second configuration.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus, such as a lighting fixture, includes a substrate, an electronic device such as a chip-on-board light emitting diode and a thermal interface located between the substrate and the electronic device. The thermal interface includes at least two distinct materials, including a dielectric material and a thermally conductive material. The dielectric material includes a cutout into which the thermally conductive material is located. The dielectric material can completely surround the perimeter of the electronic device or can be located proximate portions of the electronic device that are prone to arcing in order to protect the substrate from arcing. The electronic apparatus operates at a reduced temperature as compared to an electronic apparatus that does not include the thermal interface. Methods for making an electronic apparatus having a thermal interface with a discrete dielectric material and thermally conductive material are also described.

Abstract: The value of a target variable is predicted by obtaining historical values for the target variable at each of several time points and obtaining previously predicted values and currently predicted values for each of several predictor variables, the predictor variables being different from the target variable. Values are assigned to parameters of a forecasting model to obtain the best fit of the previously predicted values for the predictor variables to the historical values for the target variable. Finally, a value of the target variable is predicted from the currently predicted values for at least a subset of the predictor variables using the forecasting model and the values assigned to the parameters of the forecasting model.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for forecasting information. One representative embodiment involves obtaining data that has been provided by each of a number of individual people; dividing the people into clusters by utilizing a statistical clustering technique; calculating statistics of the data in each of at least some of the clusters; and combining the statistics for such clusters so as to obtain a combination forecast.