An automated package retrieval system is provided. The automated package retrieval system includes a hub apparatus that includes multiple docking stations for multiple delivery devices, a power supply unit coupled to the hub apparatus, and a controller. The controller is configured to instruct at least one of the delivery devices to travel to a location to deliver an item ordered by a user. Once it is determined that the user has not retrieved the item from the delivery device, the delivery device is instructed to return to the hub apparatus. In response to detecting the user in proximity to the hub apparatus after the delivery device has returned to the hub apparatus, the user is provided with access to a storage compartment of the delivery device.

A work management system for managing work to be performed on a work subject. The work management system includes multiple work robots, a storage unit, a generator, and an instruction unit. The work robots each include movement means capable of moving to any location. The storage unit stores target information on a target state of the work subject and current state information on a current state of the work subject. The generator generates work procedure information indicating a work procedure to be performed by the work robots so that the work subject is brought close to the target state, on the basis of the target information and the current state information. The work procedure information includes work instruction information for instructing the work robots to perform one or more types of work to be performed on the work subject.

A method, a system, and non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling an autonomous vehicle are provided. The method includes identifying a trend for an autonomous vehicle based on autonomous vehicle profiles associated with one or more vehicles within a network, identifying optimal driving conditions for the autonomous vehicle based on the trend; and controlling one or more subsystems of the autonomous vehicle based on the identified optimal driving conditions.

Systems and methods for dynamically reprioritizing pick jobs in a fulfillment center are described herein. The example systems can be configured to periodically classify pick jobs in order to optimize throughput of the fulfillment center. The classifying can include determining an estimated completion time for pick jobs and identifying at-risk jobs that may complete after their associated due dates. The at-risk jobs can be assigned to autonomous vehicles based primarily on their associated due dates. Other pick jobs that are not at-risk can be assigned to autonomous vehicles based primarily on efficiency. The at-risk pick jobs can be assigned to autonomous vehicles before the other pick jobs.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for operating automated vehicles to accomplish an agricultural mission according to a hierarchically computed mission plan, comprising receiving a plurality of mission parameters defining an agricultural related mission, computing a generic plan for executing the mission by one or more of a plurality of vehicle classes grouping automated vehicles sharing common vehicle parameters coupled with one or more of a plurality of payload classes grouping payloads sharing common payload parameters, computing a plurality of specific plans for executing the mission by one or more automated vehicles of the selected vehicle class(s) coupled with one or more payloads of the selected payload class(s), selecting one of the plurality of specific plans which reduces one or more mission attributes of the mission and outputting instructions for operating the selected automated vehicle(s) and the selected payload(s) to execute the mission according to the selected specific plan.

A multi-robot collaboration method in a flexible hardware production workshop is provided, by which allocation of workpiece machining tasks and transfer of workpieces in different workstations can be achieved and meanwhile relatively high calculation cost is avoided. According to the method, a distributed collaboration method is fully used, and in allusion to the current technical condition, the allocation of the workpiece machining tasks and the transfer of the workpieces in different workstations can be achieved and meanwhile the relatively high calculation cost is avoided. A multi-AGV path conflict eliminating method is used for avoiding possible collision of AGVs during movement. A centralized intervention and adjustment method is used for discovering and predicting system conflicts and failure problems and making timely dispatching and adjustment so as to improve the automation level and the flexibility level of a hardware workshop.

A transfer operation control unit changes, according to an operating state index indicating a level of an operating state of a plurality of transport vehicles (1) present on a travel path, a setting of a transfer operation such that a required transfer time (Tr) from start to completion of the transfer operation is increased as the level of the operating state is reduced, while maintaining at least one setting of a traveling speed of the transport vehicles (1).

A charge control system includes a lithium battery configured to provide lithium battery power to a set of electrical loads, a user signaling device, and control circuitry coupled with the lithium battery and the user signaling device. The control circuitry is operative to: (A) detect availability of charge from an external charger, (B) in response to detection of the availability of charge from the external charger and prior to controlling the external charger to adjust the amount of charge stored by the lithium battery, perform a set of pre-charging assessment operations, and (C) based on the set of pre-charging assessment operations, provide a user notification via the user signaling device, the user notification indicating whether the lithium battery is properly setup for charge adjustment. When the user signaling device generates the user notification, the user is informed that the utility vehicle is properly connected to the external charger.

A vehicle traveling from a first area to a second area includes a traveling mechanism having a plurality of wheels and a traveling function, and a control unit configured to cause the traveling mechanism to perform a wheel cleaning operation and then cause the vehicle to enter the second area.

Provided are methods for travel time estimations, which can include obtaining a profile. In one or more embodiments, the profile comprises a driving profile. The methods can include determining a travel time parameter for each of a plurality of edges in a road network based on the driving profile. The methods can include determining a travel time estimate to reach a location in the road network based on the travel time parameter. The methods can include outputting the travel time estimate. Systems and computer program products are also provided.