Adaptive mobile robot behavior based on payload
Embodiments relate to a robotic system having a plurality of sensors attached to a robot. The system includes an identifier attached to a receiver hitch of a cart. The identifier includes information related to a cart with which the identifier is attached. At least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the identifier and transmit sensor data to a computing unit of the robot. The computing unit of the robot operates the robot and/or the plurality of sensors based on the cart information. Some embodiments include a facility sensor attached to a facility. The facility sensor is configured to detect presence or absence of a cart.
1 . A robotic system, comprising:
a plurality of robot sensors attached to a robot; and
an identifier attached to a receiver hitch of a cart;
wherein the identifier includes information related to a cart with which the identifier is attached;
wherein at least one robot sensor of the plurality of robot sensors is configured to detect the identifier and transmit sensor data to a computing unit of the robot;
wherein the computing unit of the robot operates the robot and the plurality of robot sensors based on the cart information;
wherein the computing unit includes instructions stored on memory that cause a processor of the computing unit to feed cart information to a navigation engine to generate and modify autonomous or semi-autonomous operation protocols based on the cart information including a dimension of the cart,
wherein the processor of the computing unit converts the autonomous or semi-autonomous operation protocols into a command signal to operate the robot, and
wherein the command signal includes which path to follow, which path to not follow, a speed limit for the robot, and a limit on turning radius for the robot.
2 . The robotic system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a facility sensor attached to a facility; and
wherein the facility sensor is configured to detect presence or absence of a cart.
3 . The robotic system of claim 1 , further comprising the robot.
4 . The robotic system of claim 1 , further comprising the receiver hitch.
5 . The robotic system of claim 3 , further comprising the cart.
6 . The robotic system of claim 1 , further comprising the computing unit of the robot.
7 . The robotic system of claim 2 , wherein the facility sensor is attached to a structure at a predetermined location of the facility.
8 . The robotic system of claim 7 , wherein the location is a delivery location or a pick-up location for the cart.
9 . The robotic system of claim 8 , wherein:
the facility sensor is configured to transmit sensor data to a computer of a computer system.
10 . The robotic system of claim 1 , wherein:
at least one robot sensor of the plurality of robot sensors is an antenna; and
the identifier is a RFID tag.
11 . The robotic system of claim 1 , wherein:
at least one robot sensor of the plurality of robot sensors is a scanner; and
the identifier is a barcode.
12 . The robotic system of claim 1 , wherein:
the operation protocols are based on the cart type, and a weight restriction for the cart.
13 . The robotic system of claim 1 , wherein:
the computing unit of the robot includes instructions stored on memory that cause the processor of the computing unit to adjust a physical orientation and an operational parameter of at least one robot sensor of the plurality of robot sensors.
14 . The robotic system of claim 13 , wherein:
the adjustment the physical orientation and the operational parameter of the at least one robot sensor of the plurality of robot sensors is based on a dimension of the cart, the cart type, and a weight restriction for the cart.
15 . The robotic system of claim 9 , further comprising the computer of the computer system, wherein:
the computer includes instructions stored on memory that cause a processor of the computer to determine presence or absence of the cart at the predetermined location.
16 . The robotic system of claim 15 , wherein:
the instructions cause the processor of the computer to transmit a command signal to the computing unit of the robot based on the determined presence or absence of the cart at the predetermined location.
17 . The robotic system of claim 16 , wherein:
the instructions cause the processor of the computer to transmit a command signal to the computing unit of the robot to cause the robot to travel to the predetermined location at which the presence of the cart is determined.
18 . A robotic system, comprising:
a computing unit for a robot, the computing unit including a navigation engine configured to generate and/or modify autonomous or semi-autonomous operation protocols for the robot;
an identifier attached to a receiver hitch of a cart; and
a plurality of sensors attached to a robot, at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors configured to detect the identifier;
wherein the operation protocols include rules causing the robot to travel to a location to retrieve the cart; and
wherein:
the computing unit is configured to receive sensor data and determine the presence or absence of the cart at the location;
when the absence of the cart at the location is determined, the computing unit causes the robot to remain at the location; and
when the presence of the cart at the location is determined, the computing unit causes the robot to engage the receiver hitch with a tow arm of the robot.
19 . The robotic system of claim 18 , comprising:
a user interface for the robot, the user interface in communication with the computing unit;
wherein when the absence of the cart at the location is determined, the computing unit causes the user interface to generate a message indicating that the robot is remaining at the location.
20 . A robotic system, comprising:
a plurality of robot sensors attached to a robot; and
an identifier attached to a receiver hitch of a cart;
wherein the identifier includes information related to a cart with which the identifier is attached;
wherein at least one robot sensor of the plurality of robot sensors is configured to detect the identifier and transmit sensor data to a computing unit of the robot;
wherein the computing unit of the robot operates the robot and the plurality of robot sensors based on the cart information;
wherein the computing unit includes instructions stored on memory that cause a processor of the computing unit to feed cart information to a navigation engine to generate and modify autonomous or semi-autonomous operation protocols based on the cart information including a dimension of the cart;
wherein the computing unit of the robot includes instructions stored on memory that cause the processor of the computing unit to adjust a physical orientation and an operational parameter of at least one robot sensor of the plurality of robot sensors; and
wherein the adjustment the physical orientation and the operational parameter of the at least one robot sensor of the plurality of robot sensors is based on a dimension of the cart, the cart type, and a weight restriction for the cart.