Abstract:
A cleaning robot system (5) includes a robot (10) and a robot maintenance station (100,1100,1200,1300,1400). The robot (10) includes a chassis (31), a drive system (45) configured to maneuver the robot (10) as directed by a controller (49), and a cleaning assembly (43) including a cleaning assembly housing (40) and a driven cleaning roller (60,65). The robot maintenance station (100,1100,1200,1300,1400) includes a station housing (120) and a docking platform (122) configured to support the robot (10) when docked. A mechanical agitator (510,520) engages the roller (60,65) of the robot (10) with the robot (10) docked. The agitator (510,520) includes an agitator comb (511) having multiple teeth (512) configured to remove accumulated debris from the roller (60,65) as the agitator comb (511) and roller (60,65) are moved relative to one another. The robot maintenance station (100,1100,1200,1300,1400) includes a collection bin (150) arranged to receive and hold debris removed by the mechanical agitator (510,520).
Abstract:
An autonomous mobile robot system for adjacent bounded areas (204;206) including a navigation beacon (150,202,203,304) and an autonomous coverage robot (100,212,302). The navigation beacon has a gateway beacon emitter (152) arranged to transmit a gateway marking emission (208,316) with the navigation beacon disposed within a gateway (210) between the first bounded area (204) and an adjacent second bounded area (206). The autonomous coverage robot includes a beacon emission sensor (104,106) responsive to the beacon emission, and a drive system (130,132) configured to maneuver the robot about the first bounded area (204) in a cleaning mode in which the robot is redirected in response to detecting the gateway marking emission (208,316). The drive system is also configured to maneuver the robot through the gateway (210) into the second bounded area (206) in a migration mode.
Abstract:
System for switching between autonomous and manual operation of a vehicle wherein a mechanical control system receives manual inputs from a mechanical operation member and an actuator mated to the mechanical control by an electrically actuated clutch receives autonomous control signals generated by a controller. An E-Stop system is further configured to remove power from the clutch for safety, while leaving power in the actuator. A method for autonomous mode starting of a vehicle comprises receiving a signal indicating autonomous mode, determining that a parking brake lever is set and the brakes are engaged, disengaging the brakes while maintaining the lever in the set position, and engaging in autonomous mode.
Abstract:
An autonomous vehicle and systems having an interface for payloads that allows integration of various payloads with relative ease. There is a vehicle control system for controlling an autonomous vehicle, receiving data, and transmitting a control signal on at least one network. A payload is adapted to detachably connect to the autonomous vehicle, the payload comprising a network interface configured to receive the control signal from the vehicle control system over the at least one network. The vehicle control system may encapsulate payload data and transmit the payload data over the at least one network, including Ethernet or CAN networks. The payload may be a laser scanner, a radio, a chemical detection system, or a Global Positioning System unit. In certain embodiments, the payload is a camera mast unit, where the camera communicates with the autonomous vehicle control system to detect and avoid obstacles. The camera mast unit may be interchangeable, and may include structures for receiving additional payload components.
Abstract:
A docking station for a mobile cleaning robot can include a base portion configured to receive the mobile cleaning robot. The docking station can include a housing connected to the base portion and a pad cleaning system. The pad cleaning system can be connected to the housing and can include a cleaning head engageable with a cleaning pad of the mobile cleaning robot to remove debris from the cleaning pad, the cleaning head can include a nozzle configured to discharge a fluid onto the cleaning pad.
Abstract:
Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for scheduling and controlling a mobile robot based on user location, user behavior, or other contextual information. In an example, a mobile cleaning robot comprises a drive system configured to move the mobile cleaning robot about an environment in a user's residence, and a controller circuit configured to receive an indication of a user entering or exiting a pre-defined geographical zone with respect to a location of the user's residence. Such indication may be detected using location and geofencing services of a mobile device. Based on the indication of the user entering or exiting the geofence, the controller circuit may generate a motion control signal to navigate the mobile cleaning robot to conduct a mission in the environment.
Abstract:
A mobile cleaning robot system can include a mobile cleaning robot and processing circuitry. The mobile cleaning robot can include a camera and can be operable to clean a floor surface of an environment. The processing circuitry can be in communication with the mobile cleaning robot and the camera, the processing circuitry configured to produce an image output based on an optical field of view of the camera. The processing circuitry can also detect a visual fiducial in the image output and can determine a behavior modification based on the visual fiducial. The processing circuitry can modify movement of the mobile cleaning robot based on the behavior modification.
Abstract:
A method includes receiving mapping data collected by an autonomous cleaning robot as the autonomous cleaning robot moves about an environment. A portion of the mapping data is indicative of a location of an object in the environment. The method includes defining a clean zone at the location of the object such that the autonomous cleaning robot initiates a clean behavior constrained to the clean zone in response to encountering the clean zone in the environment.
Abstract:
Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for maintaining a valid semantic map of an environment for a mobile robot. A mobile robot comprises a drive system, a sensor circuit to sense occupancy information, a memory, a controller circuit, and a communication system. The controller circuit can generate a first semantic map corresponding to a first robot mission using first occupancy information and first semantic annotations, transfer the first semantic annotations to a second semantic map corresponding to a subsequent second robot mission. The control circuit can generate the second semantic map that includes second semantic annotations generated based on the transferred first semantic annotations. User feedback on the first or the second semantic map can be received via a communication system. The control circuit can update first semantic map and use it to navigate the mobile robot in a future mission.
Abstract:
An autonomous mobile cleaning robot can include a robot body, a bumper, and a coupling. The robot body can include a displacement sensor. The bumper can be moveably coupled to the body. The coupling can include a displacement limiter associated with the displacement sensor. The displacement limiter can inhibit or limit sensing by the displacement sensor of displacement of the bumper from the robot body caused by forces below a threshold horizontal force value.