Abstract: An autonomous vehicle apparatus and method for performing pruning operations on a plant being cultivated in a container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wheeled chassis operably configured to autonomously navigate to a location of the container within a workspace. The apparatus also includes a plant support operable to receive and secure the container in an upright condition with respect to a vertical axis extending generally vertically through the container and the plant. The apparatus further includes a manipulator mounted to the vehicle and operable to grasp and load the container onto the plant support, and a pruning tool mounted on the vehicle and disposed to prune the plant while causing rotational movement of at least one of the pruning tool and the container about the vertical axis.

Abstract: A motorized rehabilitation device includes a mobile base bound by a lower surface and an upper surface. A first motorized wheel assembly is supported on the upper surface of the mobile base. The mobile base also includes a second motorized wheel assembly at least partially extending below the lower surface of the base. A dome is bound by an exterior convex surface and an interior concave surface. The dome is biased for friction contact of the interior concave surface with the first motorized wheel assembly. An end-effector is positioned above the exterior concave surface. The end-effector is configured to engage an animal body part.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle apparatus and method for performing pruning operations on a plant being cultivated in a container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wheeled chassis operably configured to autonomously navigate to a location of the container within a workspace. The apparatus also includes a plant support operable to receive and secure the container in an upright condition with respect to a vertical axis extending generally vertically through the container and the plant. The apparatus further includes a manipulator mounted to the vehicle and operable to grasp and load the container onto the plant support, and a pruning tool mounted on the vehicle and disposed to prune the plant while causing rotational movement of at least one of the pruning tool and the container about the vertical axis.

Abstract: A manipulator apparatus for manipulating an article is disclosed. The apparatus includes an arm including a connecting end and a working end, an arm actuator coupled with the connecting end by an arm linkage, a lift actuator coupled with the connecting end, an end effector coupled with the working end by a rotatable connection, the end effector having an engagement orientation relative to the working end, and at least one cable coupled between the connecting end of the arm and the rotatable connection. The arm actuator is operable to cause the arm linkage to move the working end until the end effector engages an article in the engagement orientation; the lift actuator is operable to cause the connecting end to lift the working end, the end effector, and the article; and the cable is coupled to transmit movement of the connecting end to the rotatable connection to maintain the engagement orientation of the end effector.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle apparatus and method for performing pruning operations on a plant being cultivated in a container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wheeled chassis operably configured to autonomously navigate to a location of the container within a workspace. The apparatus also includes a plant support operable to receive and secure the container in an upright condition for rotation about a vertical axis extending generally vertically through the container and the plant. The apparatus further includes a manipulator mounted to the vehicle and operable to grasp and load the container onto the plant support, and a pruning tool mounted on the vehicle and disposed to prune the plant while the container is rotated on the plant support.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle apparatus and method for performing pruning operations on a plant being cultivated in a container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wheeled chassis operably configured to autonomously navigate to a location of the container within a workspace. The apparatus also includes a plant support operable to receive and secure the container in an upright condition for rotation about a vertical axis extending generally vertically through the container and the plant. The apparatus further includes a manipulator mounted to the vehicle and operable to grasp and load the container onto the plant support, and a pruning tool mounted on the vehicle and disposed to prune the plant while the container is rotated on the plant support.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an article during transport is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support surface oriented to support an underside of an article to be transported. The apparatus also includes a plurality of pins distributed over at least a portion of the support surface and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the plurality of pins being urged into the extended position such that a lateral retaining portion of each pin protrudes above the support surface. The underside of the article, when received on the support surface, causes a first portion of the plurality of pins underlying the article to be depressed into the retracted position while a second portion of the plurality of pins remain in the extended position such that the lateral retaining portions of pins disposed adjacent to the article constrain the article to prevent movement of the article on the support surface while being transported.

Abstract: A manipulator apparatus for manipulating an article is disclosed. The apparatus includes an arm including a connecting end and a working end, an arm actuator coupled with the connecting end by an arm linkage, a lift actuator coupled with the connecting end, an end effector coupled with the working end by a rotatable connection, the end effector having an engagement orientation relative to the working end, and at least one cable coupled between the connecting end of the arm and the rotatable connection. The arm actuator is operable to cause the arm linkage to move the working end until the end effector engages an article in the engagement orientation; the lift actuator is operable to cause the connecting end to lift the working end, the end effector, and the article; and the cable is coupled to transmit movement of the connecting end to the rotatable connection to maintain the engagement orientation of the end effector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an article during transport is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support surface oriented to support an underside of an article to be transported. The apparatus also includes a plurality of pins distributed over at least a portion of the support surface and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the plurality of pins being urged into the extended position such that a lateral retaining portion of each pin protrudes above the support surface. The underside of the article, when received on the support surface, causes a first portion of the plurality of pins underlying the article to be depressed into the retracted position while a second portion of the plurality of pins remain in the extended position such that the lateral retaining portions of pins disposed adjacent to the article constrain the article to prevent movement of the article on the support surface while being transported.