In one embodiment, a plurality of obstacles is sensed in an environment of an automated driving vehicle (ADV). One or more representations are formed to represent corresponding groupings of the plurality of obstacles. A vehicle route is determined in view of the one or more representations, rather than each and every one of the obstacles individually.

A hybrid modular storage fetching system is described. In an example implementation, an automated guided vehicle of the hybrid modular storage fetching system includes a drive unit that provides motive force to propel the automated guided vehicle within an operating environment. The automated guided vehicle may also include a container handling mechanism including an extender and a carrying surface, the container handling mechanism having three or more degrees of freedom to move the carrying surface along three or more axes. The container handling mechanism may retrieve an item from a first target shelving unit using the carrying surface and the three or more degrees of freedom and place the item on a second target shelving unit. The automated guided vehicle may also include a power source coupled to provide power to the drive unit and the container handling mechanism.

A sensor assembly can include a housing that includes a view pane and a mounting feature configured to replace a trailer light of a cargo trailer of a semi-trailer truck. The sensor assembly can also include a lighting element mounted within the housing to selectively generate light, and a sensor mounted within the housing and having a field of view through the view pane. The sensor assembly can also include a communication interface configured to transmit sensor data from the sensor to a control system of the self-driving tractor.

An automated parking system and a method enable a driverless vehicle to autonomously travel and park in a vacant parking slot through communication with a parking infrastructure. The automated parking system and method also control the driverless vehicle to autonomously travel from a parking slot to a pickup area through communication with the parking infrastructure.

A outdoor power equipment system includes a removable rechargeable battery module, a robotic lawn mower, and a portable power equipment. The robotic lawn mower includes a receptacle configured to receive the battery module, and an electric motor electrically coupled to the receptacle to receive electricity to drive at least one of a wheel and a cutting implement. The portable power equipment includes a receptacle configured to receive the battery module, and at least one of an electric motor, a light source, and an amplification circuit coupled to the receptacle to receive electricity.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for calibrating a lawnmower, including: collecting a preset number of position data of the lawnmower moving relative to a charging station; performing straight line fitting using the preset number of position data; and determining, if the preset number of position data fits a straight line, an orientation of the charging station based on a slope of the fitted straight line. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure may accurately determine the orientation of the charging station and has the advantages of high calibration accuracy and low calibration cost.

A hybrid modular storage fetching system with a robot execution system (REX) is described. In an example implementation, a REX may induct, into the hybrid modular storage fetching system, an order identifying items to be fulfilled by automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at an order fulfillment facility. The REX may generate at task list including tasks for a first and second AGV, instruct the first AGV to retrieve a first item in the order from a first storage area based on the task list and deliver the first item to a pick-cell station. The REX may also instruct the second AGV to retrieve a second item of the order from a second storage area and deliver the second item to the pick-cell station. The REX may communicate with other components of the hybrid modular storage fetching system to coordinate the paths of the AGVs to fulfill the order.

A modular mobility base for a modular autonomous bot apparatus transporting an item being shipped including a mobile base platform, a component alignment interface, a mobility controller, a propulsion and steering system, and sensors. The component alignment interface provides an alignment channel into which another modular component can be placed and secured on the platform. The mobility controller generates propulsion control signals for controlling speed of the modular mobility base and steering control signals for navigation of the modular mobility base. The propulsion system is connected to the platform and responsive to the propulsion control signal. The steering system is connected to the mobile base platform and is responsive to the steering control signal to cause changes to directional movement of the modular mobility base. The sensors are disposed on the platform provide feedback sensor data to the mobility controller about a condition of the modular mobility base.

A mobile robot charger can have one or more charger electrical contacts. A shroud can be movable between a closed position and an open position, and can be configured to cover the charger electrical contact(s) in the closed position and to expose the charger electrical contact(s) in the open position. The shroud can be configured to move from the closed position to the open position when the mobile robot engages the charger. A switch, such as a momentary switch, can be movable between an off position and an on position, and can be moved from the off position to the on position when the mobile robot engages the charger. One or more electromagnetic switches (e.g., reed switches) can have an on configuration and an off configuration, and can be turned to the on configuration by one or more magnets on the mobile robot when the mobile robot engages the charger.

A recharge control method includes: providing a robot comprising a body and four infrared carrier receivers, wherein a second and a third of the four infrared carrier receivers are mounted on a front of the body, and a first and a fourth of four infrared carrier receivers are mounted on left side and on a right side of the body; receiving, by one or more of the four infrared carrier receivers, infrared carrier emitted by a charging dock; determining an area where the robot is located, wherein the area is one of at least five areas around the charging dock that are determined based on receiving of the infrared carrier by different combinations of the four infrared carriers and based on not receiving of the infrared carrier by the infrared carriers; and controlling the robot to move to the charging dock according to a movement mode corresponding to the area.