Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making wireless inventory determinations are disclosed. An apparatus includes a signal generator, which generates a millimeter wave signal having an initial frequency substantially between 30 GHz and 300 GHz, and a transmitter in communication with the signal generator. The transmitter transmits the millimeter wave signal to at least one inventory item in a commercial facility. The transmitted millimeter wave signal is reflected off of the inventory item. A receiver receives a reflected millimeter wave signal from the at least one inventory item. A processor is in communication with the receiver and the signal generator. The processor determines at least one of: a location, count, orientation, and type of the at least one inventory item by using the reflected millimeter wave signal. The determination is based on a comparison of the reflected millimeter wave signal with the transmitted millimeter wave signal.

Abstract: A system for performing inventory management and cleaning within a commercial facility includes a mobile cleaning vehicle configured to clean a floor of the commercial facility. A computer is in communication with the cleaning vehicle, at least one imaging sensor, a transmitter, and a receiver. The computer is configured to capture inventory images from the at least one imaging sensor and detect inventory by comparing captured inventory images with stored inventory images. Inventory information is determined and a confidence level for the inventory information is determined. At least a portion of the inventory information having a confidence level above a threshold is communicated to the database. The cleaning vehicle may be a semi or fully autonomous cleaning vehicle having wheels and a floor cleaning system.

Abstract: An intelligent system for performing inventory management within a facility includes at least one imaging sensor, a transmitter for sending inventory information to a database, a receiver for receiving information from a database, and a computer in communication with the locomotion platform, at least one imaging sensor, the transmitter, and the receiver. The computer is configured to capture inventory images from the at least one imaging sensor, detect inventory by comparing captured inventory images with stored inventory images, determine inventory information, determine a confidence level for the inventory information, and communicate at least a portion of the inventory information to the database. In one embodiment, the system includes a robot having a locomotion platform, the at least one imaging sensor, the transmitter, the receiver, and the computer.

Abstract: A robot for providing intelligent service within a facility includes a locomotion platform, an upper sensor for detecting objects within an upper field of view of the robot, a lower sensor for detecting objects within a lower field of view of the robot, a display and a robot computer in communication with the locomotion platform, the upper sensor and the lower sensor. The robot computer is configured to inventory products within the commercial facility and provide inventory discrepancy data to a user at a computing station.

Abstract: An intelligent system for performing inventory management within a facility includes at least one imaging sensor, a transmitter for sending inventory information to a database, a receiver for receiving information from a database, and a computer in communication with the locomotion platform, at least one imaging sensor, the transmitter, and the receiver. The computer is configured to capture inventory images from the at least one imaging sensor, detect inventory by comparing captured inventory images with stored inventory images, determine inventory information, determine a confidence level for the inventory information, and communicate at least a portion of the inventory information to the database. In one embodiment, the system includes a robot having a locomotion platform, the at least one imaging sensor, the transmitter, the receiver, and the computer.

Abstract: A robot for providing intelligent service within a facility includes a locomotion platform, an upper sensor for detecting objects within an upper field of view of the robot, a lower sensor for detecting objects within a lower field of view of the robot, a display and a robot computer in communication with the locomotion platform, the upper sensor and the lower sensor. The robot computer is configured to inventory products within the commercial facility and provide inventory discrepancy data to a user at a computing station.

Abstract: A robot for providing customer service within a facility includes a locomotion platform, an upper sensor for detecting objects within an upper field of view of the robot, a lower sensor for detecting objects within a lower field of view of the robot, a display and a robot computer in communication with the locomotion platform, the upper sensor and the lower sensor. The robot computer is configured to detect the presence of a customer within the facility based on information received from at least one of the upper sensor and lower sensor, and the robot computer is further configured to access one or more databases storing information associated with products available to customers within the facility and to provide customer service to the customer based on the accessed information.

Abstract: A robot for providing customer service within a facility includes a locomotion platform, an upper sensor for detecting objects within an upper field of view of the robot, a lower sensor for detecting objects within a lower field of view of the robot, a display and a robot computer in communication with the locomotion platform, the upper sensor and the lower sensor. The robot computer is configured to detect the presence of a customer within the facility based on information received from at least one of the upper sensor and lower sensor, and the robot computer is further configured to access one or more databases storing information associated with products available to customers within the facility and to provide customer service to the customer based on the accessed information.

Abstract: A telepresence robot includes a mobile platform, a camera, and a computer in communication with the platform and the camera. The computer receives video information from a remotely located camera relating to a gesture made by a remote human operator, and the robot is configured to operate based on the gesture. The computer may further predict an emotional state of a person interacting with the robot, based on video information received from the robot camera. A telepresence robot system includes: a telepresence robot having a mobile platform, a robot camera, a robot display, and a robot computer; and a control station, located remote to the robot, having a control station camera, a control station display, and a control station computer.

Abstract: A robot for providing customer service within a facility includes a locomotion platform, an upper sensor for detecting objects within an upper field of view of the robot, a lower sensor for detecting objects within a lower field of view of the robot, a display and a robot computer in communication with the locomotion platform, the upper sensor and the lower sensor. The robot computer is configured to detect the presence of a customer within the facility based on information received from at least one of the upper sensor and lower sensor, and the robot computer is further configured to access one or more databases storing information associated with products available to customers within the facility and to provide customer service to the customer based on the accessed information.

Abstract: A robot for lifting an object, including systems and methods, are herein described. One embodiment comprises a robot is disclosed having a generally planar receiving surface for receiving and holding an object. The receiving surface is lowered and raised using a vertical movement mechanism. To move the receiving surface to an appropriate location, the receiving surface and the vertical movement mechanism are connected to a mobile platform. In some exemplary embodiments, the robot can also have a sweeping mechanism to sweep an object onto at least a portion of the receiving surface. The sweeping mechanism can take various forms but in one exemplary embodiment, the sweeping mechanism is an “L”-shaped arm pivotably connected to the robot, preferably the receiving surface.