A method for managing an office using a network of robotic elements. The method includes transmitting a first signal corresponding to a request to at least one robotic element within the network of robotic elements, wherein the request comprises a first location and a first task to be completed at the first location. The robotic element then navigates to the first location associated with the request and performs the first task that is associated with the request. The robotic element then transmits a second signal which corresponds to the request by the at least one robotic element to the network of robotic elements, wherein the second signal corresponding to the request comprises a notification that the first task has been performed. The robotic element may be an airborne drone or a wheeled robot. Each robotic element may perform several tasks associated with office management.

A graphical user interface for a remote controlled robot system that includes a robot view field that displays information provided by a robot and an observer view field that display observer information about one or more observers that can receive the robot information. The interface has various features that allow a master user to control the observation and participation of the observers.

A modular cargo storage system (CSS) is described for use on a base platform of a modular autonomous bot apparatus that transports an item being shipped. The modular CSS includes a set of folding structural walls, an interlocking alignment interface on at least one of the walls, and a modular component power and data transport bus. The walls at least partially enclose a payload area above the base platform. The interlocking alignment interface has a set of latches and a locking handle coupled to the set of latches that actuates the latches to interlock with the base platform. The power and data transport bus have top and bottom side modular component electronics interfaces where each interface has a power conduit outlet and a command and data communication interface.

Collision-free movement of a mobile medical device, such as a mobile medical imaging device, in a room is controlled via a man-machine interface. A model of the room environment is created and displayed, together an actual position of the medical device. The room model and the actual position are based at least in part on real-time sensor data. A destination position for the medical device is entered, the entered destination position is displayed and a collision-free movement path is generated from the actual position to the destination position. The movement path is displayed in the room model. A movement command relating to the displayed movement path is entered and the medical device is driven along the entered movement path from the actual position to the destination position.

A robot system with a robot that has a camera and a remote control station that can connect to the robot. The connection can include a plurality of privileges. The system further includes a server that controls which privileges are provided to the remote control station. The privileges may include the ability to control the robot, joint in a multi-cast session and the reception of audio/video from the robot. The privileges can be established and edited through a manager control station. The server may contain a database that defines groups of remote control station that can be connected to groups of robots. The database can be edited to vary the stations and robots within a group. The system may also allow for connectivity between a remote control station at a user programmable time window.

A robot assembly operable to couple to one or more accessories including a housing coupled with two wheels and at least one electric motor operably coupled with the plurality of wheels. A navigation system can have one or more sensors operably disposed within the housing and the navigation system can be operable to receive data from the one or more sensors and communicatively couple with the at least one electric motor.

A telepresence robot may include a drive system, a control system, an imaging system, and a mapping module. The mapping module may access a plan view map of an area and tags associated with the area. In various embodiments, each tag may include tag coordinates and tag information, which may include a tag annotation. A tag identification system may identify tags within a predetermined range of the current position and the control system may execute an action based on an identified tag whose tag information comprises a telepresence robot action modifier. The telepresence robot may rotate an upper portion independent from a lower portion. A remote terminal may allow an operator to control the telepresence robot using any combination of control methods, including by selecting a destination in a live video feed, by selecting a destination on a plan view map, or by using a joystick or other peripheral device.

Methods are described that perform a dispatched consumer-to-store return or swap logistics operation for an item being replaced using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server. The method begins with receiving a return operation dispatch command that includes identifier information, transport parameters, and designated pickup information for the item being replaced/returned, along with authentication information related to an authorized supplier of the item being replaced. Modular components of the bot apparatus are verified to be compatible with the dispatched logistics operation. The MAM then autonomously causes the bot apparatus to move to the designated pickup location, notifies the authorized supplier of an approaching pickup, receives supplier authorization input to permissively allow access to a payload area within the bot apparatus, monitors loading as the item being replaced is received along with return documentation, and then autonomously causes movement of the bot apparatus back to the origin location.

A lift device includes two vertical extendible tower members, each of the two vertical extendible tower members including, at a first lower distal end, an omnidirectional wheel assembly, and a vertical extension assembly configured to simultaneously raise and lower the two vertical extendible tower members in a vertical direction. The lift device further includes a horizontal extendible transverse member connected between second opposing distal upper ends of the two vertical extendible tower members. The horizontal extendible transverse member further including a horizontal extension assembly configured to extend and retract the horizontal extendible transverse member in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, a traveler carriage configured to move in the horizontal direction upon the horizontal extension assembly between the second opposing distal upper ends of the two vertical extendible tower members, and a payload lifting device configured to raise and lower a payload in the vertical direction with respect to the traveler carriage on the horizontal extension assembly.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for selective robot deployment. In various implementations, a context of a user may be determined based at least in part on a record of one or more computing interactions associated with the user. In various implementations, a robot-performable task of the user may be identified based at least in part on the context. In various implementations, a measure of potential or actual interest of the user in deploying a robot to perform the robot-performable task may be determined. In various embodiments, the robot may be selectively deployed based on the measure of potential or actual interest.