Abstract: A method includes constructing a map of an environment based on mapping data produced by an autonomous cleaning robot in the environment during a first cleaning mission. Constructing the map includes providing a label associated with a portion of the mapping data. The method includes causing a remote computing device to present a visual representation of the environment based on the map, and a visual indicator of the label. The method includes causing the autonomous cleaning robot to initiate a behavior associated with the label during a second cleaning mission.

Abstract: A material collection system is provided. The system can include a vacuum generator having a fan to develop an airflow and draw material into a conduit. The system can also include a transmission, a power source to selectively power at least one of the vacuum generator and the transmission, a variable power divider to divide a power output from the power source to the transmission and the vacuum generator, and a control system to control the variable power divider in a first mode and a second mode.

Abstract: An autonomous mowing system comprising: a memory configured to hold a set of path data defining a set of paths, the set of paths comprising a transit path to a maintenance area and a set of mow paths to cover the maintenance area; a processor coupled to the memory; a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, the computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions executable by the processor, the set of instructions comprising instructions for: using the set of path data, determining a plurality of candidate routes that traverse the transit path and fully cover the maintenance area and a total cost for each of the plurality of candidate routes; determining a least cost route from the plurality of candidate routes; and configuring an autonomous mower to follow the least cost route to mow the maintenance area.

Abstract: A surface cleaner is provided. The surface cleaner comprises: an operating component configured to perform a function of the surface cleaner; a base moveable along a surface; an accelerometer configured to generate a signal; and a controller in communication with the accelerometer and the operating component, wherein the controller is operable to control the operating component based on the signal, and wherein the operating component is selected from a group consisting of a suction motor operable to generate an airflow, a brushroll motor operable to drive a brushroll, an actuator operable to adjust a height of a brushroll from the surface, a pump operable to deliver a cleaning fluid, an actuator operable to control an airflow or fluid valve, and an indicator operable to indicate a parameter of the surface cleaner.

Abstract: A docking station for a mobile cleaning robot can include a canister and a base configured to receive the mobile cleaning robot thereon, where the base can include a front portion and a back portion opposite the front portion. The base can include a vacuum port extending at least partially through the base. The canister can be connected to the back portion of the base and can be located at least partially above the base. The canister can include a debris bin connected to the vacuum port to receive debris therefrom and a fan compartment connected to a side wall of the debris bin and including a fan system operable to draw debris through the vacuum port and the debris bin.

Abstract: A cleaning device and a method therefor are provided. The cleaning device includes a vacuum cleaner including a dust collecting container and a docking station to which the dust collecting container is coupled. The docking station includes a suction device configured to move air from the dust collecting container to inside of the docking station, a collector configured to collect a foreign substance that is moved together with the air by driving of the suction device, a suction flow path along which air moves inside the docking station, a flow adjusting device configured to open or close the suction flow path, and at least one processor configured to control the suction device to operate based on the dust collecting container being coupled to the docking station, and control the flow adjusting device to periodically open and close the suction flow path in a state in which the suction device operates.

Abstract: A mobile robot rotates a spin mop to move a main body along a surface and clean the surface. A location change of the main body during its motion is analyzed to determine if the robot is traveling abnormally. If abnormal traveling is occurring, the location where it is occurring is stored and re-cleaning of the location is initiated. The location where abnormal traveling occurred may be considered in next cleaning to improve cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning robot including: a driving unit configured to move the cleaning robot; an obstacle sensor configured to sense an obstacle; and a controller configured to reduce, if a distance between the cleaning robot and the obstacle is shorter than or equal to a reference distance, a driving speed of the cleaning robot so that the driving speed of the cleaning robot is lower than a shock absorbing speed when the cleaning robot contacts the obstacle.

Abstract: A cleaning device and a method therefor are provided. The cleaning device includes a vacuum cleaner including a dust collecting container and a docking station to which the dust collecting container is coupled. The docking station includes a suction device configured to move air from the dust collecting container to inside of the docking station, a collector configured to collect a foreign substance that is moved together with the air by driving of the suction device, a suction flow path along which air moves inside the docking station, a flow adjusting device configured to open or close the suction flow path, and at least one processor configured to control the suction device to operate based on the dust collecting container being coupled to the docking station, and control the flow adjusting device to periodically open and close the suction flow path in a state in which the suction device operates.

Abstract: An example of a system, consistent with the present disclosure, may include a motor-battery assembly. The motor-battery assembly may include a housing defining one or more cavities, a suction motor configured to be fluidly coupled to a debris compartment of a vacuum cleaner for generating air flow through the vacuum cleaner for entraining debris, one or more batteries at least partially disposed within at least one of the one or more cavities, and a motor/battery controller at least partially disposed within at least one of the one or more cavities, the motor/battery controller configured to control power provided to the suction motor and to regulate charging and/or discharging of the one or more batteries.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot is provided. The autonomous mobile robot includes an upper module including a cargo space provided therein, and a cover, a lower module positioned under the upper module and providing a driving force, and a driving module provided in the lower module, in which the driving module includes a plurality of pairs of wheels capable of asynchronously contacting a road surface or ground so as to overcome a step or a stair.

Abstract: A cleaner including a base defining a suction chamber, a brush roll driven by a brush roll motor, a sensor configured to sense a parameter related to a floor; and a controller having a memory and electronic processor. The controller is configured to receive the parameter, control the brush roll motor based on the parameter and a first floor coefficient, determine a second floor coefficient based on the parameter, and control the brush roll motor based on the second floor coefficient.

Abstract: A mobile cleaning robot can include a body and a cleaning assembly. The body can include a suction duct. The cleaning assembly can be operable to ingest debris from a surface of an environment. The cleaning assembly can include a dustpan engageable with the surface to direct debris toward the suction duct. The dust pan can be movable with respect to the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmental coverage oriented motion system. The system includes a rangefinder module configured to measure a distance in real time; an odometry module configured to measure a velocity or a position in real time; a powered vehicle carrying the rangefinder module and the odometry module; and a controller module carried by the powered vehicle, configured to receive one of the distance, the velocity and the position, performing an environmental coverage oriented motion scheme based on one of the distance, the velocity and the position to select a plurality of positions, and commanding the powered vehicle to move among the plurality of positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to street sweeper. According to a first aspect of the invention, different mechanisms are disclosed for controlling the movement of the brush-holder arms in a horizontal plane, while also damping side and front impacts. According to a second aspect, a sweeper is disclosed, in which the movement of the brush-holder arms (3) in a vertical plane is imparted by a set of four profile members, arranged in two pairs which each forms a deformable parallelogram, wherein the deformation of the parallelogram is actuated by a jack (25) and the own weight of the sweeping arm. The jack is configured to remain below the upper profile members (11) of the two pairs when the brush-holder arm is raised to its maximum height. According to a third aspect, the suction turbine (103) is arranged in such a way that load losses are reduced during the operation of the sweeper.

Abstract: A bag-based filtering device for collecting debris from a cleaning robot via a debris evacuation station includes a filter bag configured to separate at least the portion of the evacuated debris from a flow of air generated by the evacuation station. The filtering device includes a conduit extending inward from an opening of the filter bag into the receptacle. The conduit is configured to pneumatically connect a receptacle of the filtering device with an inlet of the filtering device to direct the flow of air generated by the evacuation station through the filter bag to separate at least the portion of the evacuated debris from the flow of air.

Abstract: A sealed airflow system suitable for use with a sample shaker assembly. The sealed airflow system includes at least one component which accommodates movement of the sample shaker assembly while maintaining an air tight assembly between components of the sealed air flow system. A compliant sliding seal compensates for movement of the sample shaker assembly with regard to an air intake side of the sealed airflow control system. Additionally, a flexible conduit provides an air tight passage between an outlet of the sealed airflow control system and an exhaust port. The flexible conduit compensates for movement of the sample shaker assembly in a manner that does not permit unwanted airflow into or out of sealed airflow control system.

Abstract: A cleaner is provided. The cleaner includes a body, a first rotating plate, a second rotating plate, a first mop, a second mop, a support wheel, and an auxiliary wheel. The lowest parts of the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate are higher than a virtual reference line connecting the lowest part of the support wheel to the lowest part of the auxiliary wheel, and the lowest parts of the first mop and the second mop are lower than the reference line. The cleaner can prevent the first rotating plate, the second rotating plate, and the floor from being damaged while mopping of the floor is performed by the first mop and the second mop.

Abstract: A material collection system includes a conduit, a vacuum generator coupled to the conduit, an engine powering the vacuum generator, and a container mounted to a chassis of a vehicle. The vacuum generator generates airflow for drawing material into a material inlet of the conduit. The container receives collected material from the conduit. The material collection container can receive collected material from the conduit. The control system can include a load sensor and a controller in electrical communication with the load sensor. The load sensor can detect a load applied by the collected material received in the material collection container and transmit an output signal indicating the load applied by the collected material. The controller can determine a weight of the collected material received in the material collection container based on the output signal and determine an aggregate weight of the vehicle using the determined weight of the collected material.

Abstract: A base station for connecting a cleaning device and a method for operating a cleaning system with a cleaning device and such a base station are proposed, wherein the room air is conditioned by means of the base station and/or the quality of the room air is measured by means of the base station.

Abstract: A vacuum collection vehicle may include a chassis, a vacuum container supported by the chassis, a vacuum source separated from the vacuum container by an intermediate wall and a filter. The vacuum source is in pneumatic connection with the filter through the intermediate wall. A plurality of discharge conduits extend through the intermediate wall, extend over and above the filter, along the roof of the vacuum container. The plurality of discharge conduits have a plurality of respective outlets at different locations within the interior of the vacuum container for discharging collected material into different collection receptacles. The filter is sandwiched between the intermediate wall and the plurality of discharge conduits.

Abstract: Provided is a charging station of a mobile robotic device including a main housing with an opening; a signal receiver coupled to the main housing for receiving signals from a transmitter of the mobile robotic device; an electrical plug coupled to the main housing to connect to a power supply; and one or more electrical elements electrically coupling the electrical plug to the charging cable; wherein the charging station detects the mobile robotic device approaching for charging when the mobile robotic device is within a range of the signal receiver of the charging station and the signal receiver of the charging station receives signals transmitted from the transmitter of the mobile robotic device.

Abstract: Provided is a bumper apparatus of a robot, including: a bumper elastically coupled with a chassis of the robot; and at least one elastic element coupled to or interfacing with both the chassis and the bumper; wherein: the at least one elastic element facilitates movement of the bumper relative to the chassis upon impact with an object and disengagement from the object after impact; the at least one elastic element facilitates a return of the bumper to a neutral position upon disengaging from the object after impact; and the bumper covers at least a portion of the chassis.

Abstract: An evacuation station for a mobile floor cleaning robot comprises a housing and an air treatment assembly removably mountable to the housing. The air treatment assembly is provided on a first lateral housing end. The first lateral housing end is provided with a housing air inlet that is downstream of the air treatment assembly air outlet whereby the air treatment assembly air outlet faces the housing air inlet.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile device (AMD) may move around while performing tasks. If the AMD is lifted, the AMD responds to ensure safety of the user, modify ongoing operation, and so forth. For example, the AMD may stop the wheels, retract a mast, or suspend navigation tasks. To accurately determine whether or not the AMD has been lifted, the AMD uses one or more sensors to determine a vertical lift distance and rotation of the AMD with respect to one or more axes. For example, while the AMD is stationary, the sensors used may include an accelerometer or a gyrometer. While the AMD is moving, data from time-of-flight sensors or one or more cameras may also be used. If the AMD is stationary low-level sensor thresholds are used. If the AMD is moving steadily, medium-level sensor thresholds are used. If the AMD is suddenly decelerating, high-level sensor thresholds are used.

Abstract: A fan with airfoil blades is provided for a regenerative air vacuum street sweeper. The blades are formed using cut and pressed upper and lower panels which are welded at a forward edge to a rod to form the airfoil leading edge and welded at the rear edges to form the airfoil trailing edge. Pins extend laterally outwardly from the rod for mounting each blade in corresponding holes in the front and rear plates of the fan housing. The side edges of the blade are welded to the plates at a 9-11° angle of attack. The airfoil blades allow for reduced size, horse power, noise, and manufacturing and shipping costs.

Abstract: A method, performed by a robot vacuum cleaner, of planning a cleaning route includes: dividing an indoor space into at least one cleanable region based on an indoor space map generated using at least one sensor included in the robot vacuum cleaner; dividing the at least one cleanable region into a plurality of partial regions based on a cleaning mode of the robot vacuum cleaner; and planning a first cleaning route to control a number of direction changes of the robot vacuum cleaner with respect to each of the plurality of partial regions based on the cleaning mode being a first mode.

Abstract: A mobile robot includes a processor connected to a memory and a wireless network circuit, for executing routines stored in the memory and commands generated by the routines and received via the wireless network circuit. The processor drives the mobile robot to a multiplicity of accessible two dimensional locations within a household, and commands an end effector, including at least one motorized actuator, to perform mechanical work in the household. A plurality of routines include a first routine which monitors a wireless local network and detects a presence of a network entity on the wireless local network, a second routine which receives a signal from a sensor detecting an action state of one of the network entities, the action state changeable between waiting and active, and a third routine which commands the end effector to change state of performing mechanical work based on the presence and on the action state.

Abstract: Provided is a mobile robot that moves autonomously over a floor covered by a carpet, the mobile robot including an acceleration sensor that measures a translational acceleration of the mobile robot, an estimation unit that estimates an inclination of a pile of the carpet on a basis of the translational acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor while the mobile robot is accelerating or decelerating, and a movement control unit that controls a movement velocity and a movement direction of the mobile robot on a basis of the inclination of the pile estimated by the estimation unit.

Abstract: A mobile robot includes a body and a rotating plate rotatably installed on the body. A mop portion is attached to a lower surface of the rotating plate. And, a rotating ball that is vertically aligned with a rotating shaft of the rotating plate is rotatably installed on the rotating plate.

Abstract: A robotic dust collector includes: a cover plate that closes an opening of a housing; a first hinge member connected to the cover plate and having an insertion space; an elastic member disposed in the insertion space; and a second hinge member. The second hinge member includes a shaft part that is inserted in the insertion space and supports the elastic member. The second hinge member further includes a fixture part fixed to at least a part of the housing. The second hinge member supports the first hinge member in a manner that allows the first hinge member to rotate about a rotation axis.

Abstract: A vacuum collection vehicle may include a chassis, a vacuum container, a filter unit, a first discharge conduit and a second discharge conduit. The filter unit may include a filter housing that supports a filter independent of opposing interior walls. The vehicle may include a storage container supported by the chassis and containing a vacuum source or hose reel. The vehicle may include inner and outer collection receptacle supports for supporting collection receptacles within the vacuum container.

Abstract: A method for adaptively operating a cleaning robot based on height difference between floors and the cleaning robot are provided, and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cleaning robot that adaptively operates based on the height difference between the floors includes a central controller that controls a height adjuster that controls a height of a floor cleaner based on height information related to a space stored in a map storage and height information sensed by a sensor.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus and a method of executing a cleaning operation are provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a sensor including a plurality of sensors, a memory configured to store at least one instruction, and a processor configured to execute the at least one instruction to control the cleaning apparatus. The processor is further configured to determine properties of a pollutant on a movement path of the cleaning apparatus by using the sensor, determine a cleaning operation of removing the pollutant, based on the determined properties of the pollutant, and execute the determined cleaning operation.

Abstract: An automatically moving robotic vacuum cleaner has a housing and a filter chamber for receiving suction material. The housing has a housing opening that is formed on the upper side of the housing and has a displaceable sealing element, which can be displaced from a closed position that closes the housing opening into a released position that releases the housing opening, so as to enable access to the filter chamber. The closure element can be mounted on the housing in a linearly movable manner. There is a detection device that is set up to detect the presence of an external vacuum cleaning apparatus to be connected with the housing opening in the area of the housing opening of the robotic vacuum cleaner. The robotic vacuum cleaner also has a control device that is set up to control an opening of the housing opening upon detection of the external vacuum cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A suction material collecting station for regenerating a filter chamber of a suction cleaner has an interface for connecting to the suction cleaner, a suction material collection container, a fan for generating a negative pressure in the suction material collection container, and an electric motor for driving the fan so that suction material contained in the filter chamber may be conveyed into the suction material collection container. The suction material collecting station has a control and evaluation unit that calculates a surroundings disturbance parameter and controls the operation of the electric motor automatically, depending on the surroundings disturbance parameter and a device parameter of the suction cleaner.

Abstract: A microtrenching system having a vacuum hose supported between a vacuum truck and a microtrencher so that the vacuum hose does not contact the roadway surface while cutting the microtrench. A method of using the microtrenching system to cut a microtrench in a roadway and vacuuming spoil from the roadway and microtrench through the supported vacuum hose into a spoil container on the vacuum truck.

Abstract: A robotic cleaning device and a method at the robotic cleaning device of performing cliff detection along a surface over which the robotic cleaning device moves. The method includes illuminating the surface with at least one light source, capturing an image of the surface, detecting at least one illuminated section in the captured image, and determining distance to objects in the at least one illuminated section of the captured image. The method further comprises comparing at least two of the determined distances and detecting an object in the captured image as a cliff when cliff when a relation between the at least two compared determined distances complies with a predetermined increase criterion.

Abstract: A wall surface suction-type travel device includes a main body, a cushion, a plurality of support wheels, a crawler, and a drive source. The main body includes a wall-surface facing section and a draw-in port. The cushion is disposed on the wall-surface facing section of the main body and surrounding an edge of the draw-in port. The cushion is elastically deformable and has a slide surface sliding on the wall surface when the wall surface suction-type travel device travels on the wall surface. The plurality of support wheels are disposed on the main body. The crawler is an endless belt suspended on the plurality of the support wheels. The crawler has a grip surface put into contact with the wall surface when the wall surface suction-type travel device travels on the wall surface. The drive source is to rotate the crawler.

Abstract: A robot cleaner comprising: a cleaner body including a controller, the cleaner body having a dust container accommodation part formed therein; a wheel unit mounted in the cleaner body, the wheel unit of which driving is controlled by the controller; and a dust container detachably coupled to the dust container accommodation part, wherein a first opening and a second opening are disposed at the same height in an inner wall of the dust container accommodation part, wherein the dust container includes: an entrance and an exit, disposed side by side along the circumference of the dust container, the entrance and the exit, respectively communicating with the first opening and the second opening when the dust container is accommodated in the dust container accommodation part; and a flow separating part extending downwardly inclined along the inner circumference of the dust container, the flow separating part separating the flow of air introduced into the entrance from the flow of air discharged toward the exit to b

Abstract: A surface maintenance machine comprising two front wheels, at least one rear wheel, a motive source for providing motive force to at least one front wheel to drive the machine on a surface. Embodiments also include an operator platform allowing an operator to stand thereon extending at least partly around the rear wheel, for supporting an operator in a standing position with the operator's feet on either side of the rear wheel.

Abstract: A door sealing system for a container having a container door is provided. The container can be part of a vacuum system, for example as mounted on a trailer. The sealing system is hydraulically actuated and includes a mechanical lock. A corresponding vacuum system and method of operation are also provided.

Abstract: Generally, a panel maintenance system including a panel maintenance assembly configured to move over a plurality of panel modules. Specifically, a panel module including a first frame including a first plurality of frame members joined to enclose a first panel. The first plurality of frame members including a first frame inner side configured to capture the first panel within the first frame and a first frame outer side configured to provide a first track axially extending between first and second ends of at least one of the first plurality of frame members. The first track configured to engage a drive element of a panel maintenance assembly which operates to move the panel maintenance assembly over the first panel. The panel maintenance assembly bears one or more components which function to maintain the first panel.

Abstract: An auxiliary waste removal system for a surface maintenance machine, having a vacuum wand for removing waste from the floor surface, a reusable bagless waste collection container removably coupled to the vacuum wand, and a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the bagless waste collection container, the vacuum source generating a vacuum flow from an inlet of the vacuum wand to a vacuum outlet, the vacuum outlet being positioned downstream of the bagless waste collection container and the vacuum source such that the waste suctioned from the floor surface by the vacuum wand travels along the vacuum flow path and is directly received in the bagless waste collection container.

Abstract: A system for controlling a consist of rail vehicles or other vehicles includes a control unit electrically coupled to a first rail vehicle in the consist, the control unit having a processor and being configured to receive signals representing a presence and position of one or more tractive effort systems on-board the first vehicle and other rail vehicles in the consist, and a set of instructions stored in a non-transient medium accessible by the processor, the instructions configured to control the processor to create a optimization schedule that manages the use of the one or more tractive effort systems based on the presence and position of the tractive effort systems within the consist.

Abstract: A sewer and/or road cleaning vehicle is provided. The cleaning vehicle includes a dirt removal container with a central longitudinal barrel axis, container walls and a container bottom. The dirt removal container has a shape of a barrel and is arranged to accommodate and transport mineral dirt residues collected during cleaning. A clearing device is provided to empty out the dirt removal container. The clearing device includes a conveying screw and is arranged on a carrier inside the dirt removal container. The carrier is pivoted around the central longitudinal barrel axis by a pivoting drive so that the conveying screw is laterally deflected in a first and in a second direction along the container walls relative to a center position associated with the container bottom. A discharge screw assembly is arranged downstream of, and transversely to, the conveying screw to discharge the mineral dirt residues outwardly.

Abstract: An operation management system for a vehicle controllable by an operator to perform various vehicle actions, the system including a processor, a memory, and a human-machine interface. The processor is configured to record sequences of operator-initiated vehicle actions into the memory, record a distance value associated with each vehicle action relative to a previous vehicle action in the sequence into the memory, and generate a new sequence in the memory beginning with each vehicle action.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module cleaning system can include a robotic cleaning device and a support system. The support system can be configured to provide a metered fill to the robotic cleaning device.

Abstract: A dual function tree pruner and fruit harvester that uses the same equipment for pruning and for harvesting. The Fruit Tree Pruner and Harvesting Machine features: a Self-Propelled-Vehicle (SPV), computer controlled robotic arms, a Digital Imaging System (DIS), a Radar Ranger System (RRS), Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Guidance System, Geographic Information System (GIS), a Power Pruner or Power Stem Cutter as appropriate, a fruit vacuum system, a fruit catcher, a fruit handling system, and a fruit bin loader. The operation is automated and the operator monitors and sets parameters. The Fruit Tree Pruner and Harvesting Machine can prune a tree to a predetermined profile. The tree can be shaped per the orchard's requirements. The Fruit Tree Pruner and Harvesting Machine utilizes data obtained during the pruning process to find the fruit, and to remove the fruit while maintaining the fruit quality suitable for the fresh market.

Abstract: Methods and systems include moving a mobile communication unit along a plurality of module units, and exchanging data with one of the plurality of module units based at least upon the mobile communication unit being in proximity to the one of the plurality of module units.