This invention provides a system and method for reliably interconnecting a native gladhand on a trailer with an AV truck, in which the gladhand can vary in placement and type on the trailer front. A visually guided robot manipulator arm accesses the trailer front. The arm includes an end effector assembly that is arranged to visually navigate to the gladhand and engage the gladhand by latching onto a gladhand using a connection tool that includes a hinged gladhand/wedge capture assembly and a pressurized clamping connection plate that selectively engages the trailer gladhand seal. The capture assembly is arranged to accommodate different gladhand geometries in latching thereonto. The connection tool includes a hinge that is spring-loaded in both a locked and unlocked bistable state, and sensors monitor the state. The system can include passive or active compliance elements that accommodate moderate misalignment between the engaged gladhand and the robotic arm/connection tool.

A telescoping extendable boom and a foldable telescoping extendable boom for transporting an item, are disclosed. The foldable telescoping extendable boom having tubular elements (12) and (14) and (15, 17, 18, 19) and (20) each arranged with a longitudinally extending track (25, 29) inside the tubular element. Each longitudinally extending track (25, 29) supports a single shuttle (26) and (30) respectively, internally inside its tubular element (17) and (15), respectively, for movement therealong. Each shuttle (26) and (30) is equipped with a clamp (27) and (30) to selectively clamp the item (298). The longitudinally extending tracks (25, 29) of immediately connecting telescoping tubular elements (17) and (15) are located opposite each other. The inner tubular elements inside said telescoping extendable boom are arranged at their near ends to allow their shuttles to access shuttles of outer tubular elements to enable the clamps (27) and (31) thereof to transfer a said item (298) therebetween.

The invention relates to an automated device for drilling a hole in the vault and walls of a tunnel and for installing an anchoring element in said hole, characterized in that it comprises: a robot (5) comprising a base (50), a robotic arm (51) extending from the base and a multifunctional head (52) arranged at the end of the arm and movable over 360 degrees, said multifunctional head comprising a drilling means (520), a percussion means (521) suitable for inserting an anchoring element in the hole, and a vision system (522), an elevating platform (1) bearing a device (2) for guiding in translation the base of the robot, a control unit suitable for communicating with a controller of the robot and comprising a processor configured to determine in real time the position of the robot in a three-dimensional reference frame of the tunnel and a man-machine interface.

The invention relates to an automated device for drilling a hole in the vault and walls of a tunnel and for installing an anchoring element in said hole, characterized in that it comprises: a robot (5) comprising a base (50), a robotic arm (51) extending from the base and a multifunctional head (52) arranged at the end of the arm and movable over 360 degrees, said multifunctional head comprising a drilling means (520), a percussion means (521) suitable for inserting an anchoring element in the hole, and a vision system (522), an elevating platform (1) bearing a device (2) for guiding in translation the base of the robot, a control unit suitable for communicating with a controller of the robot and comprising a processor configured to determine in real time the position of the robot in a three-dimensional reference frame of the tunnel and a man-machine interface.

A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

A method and system for a mobile configurable robot for use in a large workspace including a set of base fixtures located around a perimeter of the large workspace and a moving platform. Each base fixture and the moving platform is connected via a two-arm boom system whereby the two-arm boom system is controlled by a set of actuators.

A refuse collection vehicle includes a grabber that is operable to engage a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating an angular position of the grabber, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating a relative positioning of the lift arm, a first controller for adjusting the angular position of the grabber, and a second controller adjusting the relative positioning of the lift arm. The adjustment of the angular position of the grabber is coordinated with the adjustment of the relative positioning of the lift arm.

A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

A work machine has a connecting valve which is positioned fluidly between a hoist actuator and a stick actuator to permit fluid flow between the hoist actuator and the stick actuator when the connecting valve is open. When the connecting valve is closed, fluid flow is inhibited between the hoist actuator and the stick actuator. A controller can receive information from a hoist boom position sensor and a stick boom position sensor, the controller can receive input from a user interface, and the controller can communicate signals to the hoist actuator and the stick actuator based upon the information from the hoist boom position sensor and the stick boom position sensor, and the input from the user interface.

The invention relates to an automated device for drilling a hole in the vault and walls of a tunnel and for installing an anchoring element in said hole, characterized in that it comprises: a robot (5) comprising a base (50), a robotic arm (51) extending from the base and a multifunctional head (52) arranged at the end of the arm and movable over 360 degrees, said multifunctional head comprising a drilling means (520), a percussion means (521) suitable for inserting an anchoring element in the hole, and a vision system (522), an elevating platform (1) bearing a device (2) for guiding in translation the base of the robot, a control unit suitable for communicating with a controller of the robot and comprising a processor configured to determine in real time the position of the robot in a three-dimensional reference frame of the tunnel and a man-machine interface.