Transporters and methods for transporting an object. The transporter includes a carrier comprising a plurality of coupling members; a support assembly adapted to support the carrier; and a plurality of automatic guided vehicles configured to obtain kinematic information from a leading automatic guided vehicle of the plurality of automatic guided vehicles. Each of the plurality of automatic guided vehicles includes a carrier connecting member coupled to the respective coupling member of the carrier to enable the carrier to move with the plurality of automatic guided vehicles; and a patrol assembly adapted to enable the respective automatic guided vehicle to move along the predetermined path.

A computer-implemented method to provide collaboration between a group of vehicles. The method includes linking two or more vehicles into a group, wherein each vehicle is partially automated, includes a plurality of sensors, and are performing a common task. The method further includes generating, for each vehicle, a 360 degree view of the vehicle with data from the plurality of sensors. The method includes aggregating the 360 degree view for each vehicle into a group view, that includes all the grouped vehicles. The method includes displaying the group view on an augmented reality (AR) device a, where the group view includes a relative location for each vehicle in the group. The method includes applying a set of rules to the group of vehicles, wherein the rules provide instructions to each vehicle how to operate within the group, where the set of rules is configured to complete the task.

A system of robotic cleaning devices and a method of a master robotic cleaning device of controlling at least one slave robotic cleaning device. The method performed by a master robotic cleaning device of controlling at least one slave robotic cleaning device includes detecting obstacles, deriving positional data from the detection of obstacles, positioning the master robotic cleaning device with respect to the detected obstacles from the derived positional data, controlling movement of the master robotic cleaning device based on the positional data, and submitting commands to the at least one slave robotic cleaning device to control a cleaning operation of said at least one slave robotic cleaning device, the commands being based on the derived positional data, wherein the cleaning operation of the slave robotic cleaning device is controlled as indicated by the submitted commands.

A moving body capable of autonomously traveling and having a function of leading a first vehicle that travels while following the moving body, the moving body comprises a first sensor that detects an obstacle; and a controller configured to execute sensing of a region around the first vehicle by the first sensor before the moving body starts leading the first vehicle.

The invention relates to a method for a string comprising a plurality of vehicles, including a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle, comprising the follower vehicle following, by means of vehicle-to-vehicle communication, the lead vehicle in a follower trajectory. The method comprises generating surroundings data, regarding the surroundings of at least a part of the string, generating, using the surroundings data, a backup trajectory, which is different from the follower trajectory, wherein the generated backup trajectory, or the surroundings data, is received by at least one of the at least one follower vehicle, wherein the receiving follower vehicle follows the generated backup trajectory, upon a determination of a predetermined condition for following the generated backup trajectory.

A system for autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a machine automation portal (MAP) application configured to enable a computing device to (a) display a map of a work site and (b) provide a graphical user interface that enables a user to (i) define a boundary of an autonomous operating zone on the map and (ii) define a boundary of one or more exclusion zones. The system also includes a robotics processing unit configured to (a) receive the boundary of the autonomous operating zone and the boundary of each exclusion zone from the computing device, (b) generate a planned command path that the vehicle will travel to perform a task within the autonomous operating zone while avoiding each exclusion zone, and (c) control operation of the vehicle so that the vehicle travels the planned command path to perform the task.

A system comprises an autonomous vehicle (AV) and a control device operably coupled with the AV. The control device receives, from an operation server, a command to navigate the AV to avoid an expected road condition. The control device receives, from sensors of the AV, sensor data comprising location coordinates of a plurality of objects ahead of the AV. The control device determines whether at least one object from the plurality of objects impedes performing the command. In response to determining that at least one object impedes performing the command, the control device updates the command, such that the updated command comprises one or more navigation instructions to avoid the at least one object while performing the command. The control device navigates the AV according to the updated command.

Systems and apparatuses include one or more processing circuits including one or more memory devices coupled to one or more processors. The one or more memory devices are configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive a parameter regarding operation of a first vehicle of a first platoon; compare the parameter to a first predetermined threshold; responsive to determining that the parameter satisfies the first predetermined threshold, determine an exit parameter for the first vehicle; and cause the first vehicle to exit the first platoon based on the exit parameter.

The invention relates to a method for carrying out a driving maneuver for creating a gap in the traffic flow, which is multiple lanes wide, involving a first vehicle and a plurality of second vehicles. The first vehicle, which requests the gap in the traffic flow periodically sends corresponding request signals at least to a plurality of second vehicles. The second vehicles that intend to comply with the request send out corresponding signaling signals. As soon as a sufficient minimum number of second vehicles that intend to comply with the request can be determined, the second vehicles participating in the driving maneuver for creating the gap in the traffic flow are informed. The second vehicles participating in the driving maneuver agree on the beginning of the driving maneuver and mutually coordinate their trajectories. One of the second vehicles is designated as the maneuver leader and transmits at least one characteristic of the gap in the traffic flow to the first vehicle.

A platoon driving control system of a vehicle includes a processor, a navigation, and a driving controller communicatively connected to one another. The processor is configured to estimate a charging amount of a power source that drives a driving device or an available driving distance of each vehicle included in a platoon. The navigation is configured to set a driving route based on a destination of the platoon and search for a charging station for the power source based on the set driving route. The processor is further configured to determine a charging strategy of the power source of the platoon based on the charging amount or the available driving distance of each vehicle, the driving route set by the navigation, and the searched charging station. The driving controller is configured to control driving of the platoon based on the driving route set by the navigation and the charging strategy.