Abstract:
An augmentation module is described for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) deployed in a facility and including a control module for controlling a drive mechanism based on navigational data received from a navigation sensor. The module includes a inter-module communications interface connected to the control module; a memory; and a processor connected to the communications interface and the memory. The processor is configured to: obtain an operational command; generate control data to execute the operational command; convert the control data to simulated sensor data; and send the simulated sensor data to the control module.
Abstract:
A method of controlling an illumination system for an autonomous vehicle is provided. The method includes: storing, in a memory, a plurality of lighting pattern definitions for controlling the illumination system; receiving, at a processor connected to the memory and the illumination system, state data defining a current state of the autonomous vehicle; at the processor, determining whether each of a plurality of ranked sub-states is active in the autonomous vehicle, based on the state data; at the processor, selecting one of the lighting pattern definitions corresponding to the highest ranked sub-state determined to be active in the autonomous vehicle; and controlling the illumination system according to the selected lighting pattern definition.
Abstract:
A system, method and apparatus for implementation of variable references frames in unmanned vehicles is provided, which includes an unmanned vehicle comprising: a chassis; a propulsion system configured to move the chassis; sensor(s) configured to sense features around the chassis; a memory storing a global reference frame associated with an environment within which the chassis is to move; a communication interface; and a processor configured to: receive, using the interface, a command to move to a given coordinate in the global reference frame; control the propulsion system to move the chassis to the given coordinate; when the chassis is at the given coordinate, determine, using the sensor(s), that a given feature is detected; and, when so: automatically cease controlling the propulsion system according to the global reference frame; automatically move the chassis according to a local reference frame defined with reference to a point associated with the given feature.
Abstract:
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for handling operational constraints for unmanned vehicles. The system includes: a plurality of mobile unmanned vehicles for deployment in an environment; a computing device connected to the plurality of unmanned vehicles via a network, the computing device storing, in a memory, a plurality of operational constraints; each operational constraint including (i) a type identifier, (ii) an indication of a region of the environment, and (iii) a property defining a constraint on the operation of the unmanned vehicles within the region. The computing device is configured to: receive a request from one of the mobile unmanned vehicles, the request identifying an operational constraint; responsive to receiving the request, retrieve an operational constraint from the memory based on the request; and send the retrieved operational constraint to the one of the mobile unmanned vehicles.
Abstract:
An apparatus, method, and system of self-calibrating sensors and actuators for unmanned vehicles is provided, which includes an unmanned vehicle comprising: a chassis; a propulsion system; one or more sensors configured to sense features around the chassis; a memory; a communication interface; and a processor configured to: operate the propulsion system in a guided calibration mode; automatically switch operation of the propulsion system to an autonomous calibration mode when a degree of certainty on a calibration of one or more of sensor data and a position of the chassis is above a first threshold value associated with safe operation of the propulsion system in the autonomous calibration mode; thereafter, operate the propulsion system in the autonomous calibration mode; and, automatically switch operation of the propulsion system to an operational mode when the degree of certainty is above a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value.
Abstract:
A water vessel having variable geometry is described. The water vessel comprises: a frame; a plurality of hulls coupled to the frame, each one of the plurality of hulls coupled to the frame by a folding mechanism and configured to move, relative to the frame, between a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration in which at least one dimension of the water vessel is reduced in respect of the deployed configuration; a plurality of thruster assemblies configured to provide thrust to the water vessel, each one of the plurality of thruster assemblies being coupled to a respective one of the plurality of hulls; and a protective device coupled to a respective one of the plurality of thruster assemblies, the protective device for preventing intake of foreign objects into the respective one of the plurality of thruster assemblies.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for autonomous lineside delivery to an assembly-line using a self-driving vehicle are disclosed, comprising receiving a part-supply schedule having a part identifier identifying a part to be supplied, an assembly-line location to be supplied with the part, and a delivery time for supplying the part to the assembly-line location. A mission is generated based on the schedule, and sent to a self-driving vehicle. The self-driving vehicle executes the mission such that the part is supplied to the assembly-line location in accordance with the part-supply schedule.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for autonomous lineside delivery to an assembly-line using a self-driving vehicle are disclosed, comprising receiving a part-supply schedule having a part identifier identifying a part to be supplied, an assembly-line location to be supplied with the part, and a delivery time for supplying the part to the assembly-line location. A mission is generated based on the schedule, and sent to a self-driving vehicle. The self-driving vehicle executes the mission such that the part is supplied to the assembly-line location in accordance with the part-supply schedule.
Abstract:
The various embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for operating one or more self-driving vehicles. In some embodiments, the self-driving vehicles may include a vehicle processor being operable to: control the vehicle to navigate an operating environment in an initial vehicle navigation mode; monitor for one or more trigger conditions indicating a possible change for the vehicle navigation mode; detect a trigger condition; determine a prospective vehicle navigation mode associated with the detected trigger condition; determine whether to change from the initial vehicle navigation mode to the prospective vehicle navigation mode; and in response to determining to change from the initial vehicle navigation mode to the prospective vehicle navigation mode, adjust one or more vehicle attributes corresponding to the prospective vehicle navigation mode, otherwise continue to operate the vehicle in the initial vehicle navigation mode.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for monitoring a fleet of self-driving vehicles are disclosed. The system comprises one or more self-driving vehicles having at least one sensor for collecting current state information, a fleet-management system, and computer-readable media for storing reference data. The method comprises autonomously navigating a self-driving vehicle in an environment, collecting current state information using the vehicle's sensor, comparing the current state information with the reference data, identifying outlier data in the current state information, and generating an alert based on the outlier data. A notification based on the alert may be sent to one or more monitoring devices according to the type and severity of the outlier.