Autoscrubbers are capable of being operated in a manual (e.g. walk-behind) mode and an autonomous (operator free) mode and capable of switching between such operational modes. Apparatus and methods for steering such autoscrubbers use steering torque mechanisms to apply steering torques independently to left and right drive wheels. Steering systems for autonomous operation may be retrofit onto existing walk-behind autoscrubbers to implement this functionality. The autonomous control capability may not detract appreciably from an operator's ability to use the autoscrubber in a manual (walk-behind) mode.
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
B60L 15/20 - Methods, circuits or devices for controlling the propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles, e.g. their traction-motor speed, to achieve a desired performanceAdaptation of control equipment on electrically-propelled vehicles for remote actuation from a stationary place, from alternative parts of the vehicle or from alternative vehicles of the same vehicle train for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
Methods, systems and apparatus for providing a notification of a wet floor are provided. A scrubbing robot for scrubbing a floor and having one or more liquid carrying components has a sensor coupled to it positioned for collecting data about an area of the floor proximate to the scrubbing robot and along a path over which the robot has travelled. An application is stored on the computer for determining that liquid is on the floor by analysing the data for a presence of a second set of parameters corresponding to or crossing (from above to below or from below to above) a set of threshold parameters that is indicative of the presence of liquid on the floor. A notification module coupled to the scrubbing robot issues at least one of a human detectable and a computer detectable notification in response to the application determining that liquid is on the floor.
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
A47L 11/29 - Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid
Autoscrubbers are capable of being operated in a manual (e.g. walk-behind) mode and an autonomous (operator free) mode and capable of switching between such operational modes. Apparatus and methods for steering such autoscrubbers use steering torque mechanisms to apply steering torques independently to left and right drive wheels. Steering systems for autonomous operation may be retrofit onto existing walk-behind autoscrubbers to implement this functionality. The autonomous control capability may not detract appreciably from an operator's ability to use the autoscrubber in a manual (walk-behind) mode.
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
B60L 15/20 - Methods, circuits or devices for controlling the propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles, e.g. their traction-motor speed, to achieve a desired performanceAdaptation of control equipment on electrically-propelled vehicles for remote actuation from a stationary place, from alternative parts of the vehicle or from alternative vehicles of the same vehicle train for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
Methods, systems and apparatus for providing a notification of a wet floor are provided. A scrubbing robot for scrubbing a floor and having one or more liquid carrying components has a sensor coupled to it positioned for collecting data about an area of the floor proximate to the scrubbing robot and along a path over which the robot has travelled. An application is stored on the computer for determining that liquid is on the floor by analysing the data for a presence of a second set of parameters corresponding to or crossing (from above to below or from below to above) a set of threshold parameters that is indicative of the presence of liquid on the floor. A notification module coupled to the scrubbing robot issues at least one of a human detectable and a computer detectable notification in response to the application determining that liquid is on the floor.
A47L 11/29 - Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid
A47L 11/30 - Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid by suction
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
G01N 21/84 - Systems specially adapted for particular applications
G01N 37/00 - Details not covered by any other group of this subclass
G08B 21/02 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
Methods, systems and apparatus for providing a notification of a wet floor are provided. A scrubbing robot for scrubbing a floor and having one or more liquid carrying components has a sensor coupled to it positioned for collecting data about an area of the floor proximate to the scrubbing robot and along a path over which the robot has travelled. An application is stored on the computer for determining that liquid is on the floor by analysing the data for a presence of a second set of parameters corresponding to or crossing (from above to below or from below to above) a set of threshold parameters that is indicative of the presence of liquid on the floor. A notification module coupled to the scrubbing robot issues at least one of a human detectable and a computer detectable notification in response to the application determining that liquid is on the floor.
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
A47L 11/29 - Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid
A47L 11/30 - Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid by suction
G01N 21/84 - Systems specially adapted for particular applications
G01N 37/00 - Details not covered by any other group of this subclass
G08B 21/02 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
6.
Methods and systems for dispatching assistance to robots
Methods, systems, and techniques are disclosed for selecting and dispatching a worker to assist a robot. The system may include a computer comprising a processor and a computer readable memory. The computer readable memory may include lists of worker criteria items for a plurality of workers and a list of assistance criteria items for a robot. The system may include a triggering application executable by the processor for identifying triggering data corresponding to a triggering item within sensor data from the robot. A ranking application may also be stored on the computer and may be executed in response to an identification of triggering data corresponding to the triggering item. The ranking application may be operable to cross-reference the worker criteria items on each of the first lists with the assistance criteria items on the second list and to generate a ranking of the plurality of workers based on the cross-referencing.
Methods, systems, and techniques are disclosed for selecting and dispatching a worker to assist a robot. The system may include a computer comprising a processor and a computer readable memory. The computer readable memory may include lists of worker criteria items for a plurality of workers and a list of assistance criteria items for a robot. The system may include a triggering application executable by the processor for identifying triggering data corresponding to a triggering item within sensor data from the robot. A ranking application may also be stored on the computer and may be executed in response to an identification of triggering data corresponding to the triggering item. The ranking application may be operable to cross-reference the worker criteria items on each of the first lists with the assistance criteria items on the second list and to generate a ranking of the plurality of workers based on the cross-referencing.
Methods and systems for billing the use of a robot, including methods and systems for reducing a robot's functionality based on a user's account information. In some embodiments, the system comprises a computer readable memory comprising a database with a user's account information, a processor operably coupled to the computer readable memory and to a robot, a checking application stored on the computer readable memory and executable by the processor for determining if the user's account is active based on the account data and a functionality reducing application stored on the computer readable memory executable by the processor for reducing the robot's functionality to a reduced state if the checking application determines the user's account is not active and limiting the robot's functionality to the reduced state until the checking application determines that the user's account is active.
G06F 9/06 - Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
B25J 11/00 - Manipulators not otherwise provided for
Methods and systems for billing the use of a robot, including methods and systems for reducing a robot's functionality based on a user's account information. In some embodiments, the system comprises a computer readable memory comprising a database with a user's account information, a processor operably coupled to the computer readable memory and to a robot, a checking application stored on the computer readable memory and executable by the processor for determining if the user's account is active based on the account data and a functionality reducing application stored on the computer readable memory executable by the processor for reducing the robot's functionality to a reduced state if the checking application determines the user's account is not active and limiting the robot's functionality to the reduced state until the checking application determines that the user's account is active.
G06F 9/06 - Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
Autoscrubbers are capable of being operated in a manual (e.g. walk-behind) mode and an autonomous (operator free) mode and capable of switching between such operational modes. Apparatus and methods for steering such autoscrubbers use steering torque mechanisms to apply steering torques independently to left and right drive wheels. Steering systems for autonomous operation may be retrofit onto existing walk-behind autoscrubbers to implement this functionality. The autonomous control capability may not detract appreciably from an operator's ability to use the autoscrubber in a manual (walk-behind) mode.
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
B25J 5/00 - Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages
B60L 15/00 - Methods, circuits or devices for controlling the propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles, e.g. their traction-motor speed, to achieve a desired performanceAdaptation of control equipment on electrically-propelled vehicles for remote actuation from a stationary place, from alternative parts of the vehicle or from alternative vehicles of the same vehicle train
B62D 11/04 - Steering non-deflectable wheelsSteering endless tracks or the like by differentially driving ground-engaging elements on opposite vehicle sides by means of separate power sources
11.
AUTOSCRUBBER CONVERTIBLE BETWEEN MANUAL AND AUTONOMOUS OPERATION
Autoscrubbers are capable of being operated in a manual (e.g. walk-behind) mode and an autonomous (operator free) mode and capable of switching between such operational modes. Apparatus and methods for steering such autoscrubbers use steering torque mechanisms to apply steering torques independently to left and right drive wheels. Steering systems for autonomous operation may be retrofit onto existing walk-behind autoscrubbers to implement this functionality. The autonomous control capability may not detract appreciably from an operator's ability to use the autoscrubber in a manual (walk-behind) mode.
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
B60L 11/18 - using power supplied from primary cells, secondary cells, or fuel cells
B60L 15/00 - Methods, circuits or devices for controlling the propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles, e.g. their traction-motor speed, to achieve a desired performanceAdaptation of control equipment on electrically-propelled vehicles for remote actuation from a stationary place, from alternative parts of the vehicle or from alternative vehicles of the same vehicle train
B62D 11/04 - Steering non-deflectable wheelsSteering endless tracks or the like by differentially driving ground-engaging elements on opposite vehicle sides by means of separate power sources
patents
