ROBOTIC ORDERING AND DELIVERY APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A method for using a robotic device with attached cart to retrieve/deliver a good, comprising the steps of:
- accepting a final destination for the robotic device from an external source;
using an onboard map to determine a plurality of x,y coordinates to which the device will travel;
translating said x,y coordinates to velocity values for wheels on said device in order to move said device towards said final destination;
sensing with at least one onboard sensor to search for obstacles and to constantly determine the position of the device; and
updating the x,y coordinates and wheel velocities based on data gathered in said sensing step.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods and devices for the automated retrieval/delivery of goods from one location to another using a robotic device such as a tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug/cart stores a map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or continuously adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for using a robotic device with attached cart to retrieve/deliver a good, comprising the steps of:
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accepting a final destination for the robotic device from an external source; using an onboard map to determine a plurality of x,y coordinates to which the device will travel; translating said x,y coordinates to velocity values for wheels on said device in order to move said device towards said final destination; sensing with at least one onboard sensor to search for obstacles and to constantly determine the position of the device; and updating the x,y coordinates and wheel velocities based on data gathered in said sensing step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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3. The method of Clam 1, wherein said final destination is received from a web-enabled computer.
Specification