In a traveling apparatus, multiple first detectors and multiple second detectors are arrayed in an intersectant direction intersecting a travel direction where a vehicle body travels. The second detectors are separated in the travel direction from the first detectors. The first detectors and the second detectors detect a guide extending on a road surface. A first interval between two first detectors adj acent to each other in the intersectant direction is smaller than a second interval between two second detectors adjacent to each other in the intersectant direction.

An assisted thrust system for a carriage provided with wheels that includes a base to which a first directional wheel and a second directional wheel are fixed that are connected to the base so as to be able to rotate around a respective axis perpendicular to the base; to the base a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel are further fixed that are rotated by at least one gearmotor unit, which drives the first drive wheel by a first magnetic coupling device and the second drive wheel by a second magnetic coupling device.

A hunting cart assembly includes a cart that includes a first frame which is pivotally coupled to a second frame such that the cart is positionable between a folded position for storage and an unfolded position for utilization. A pair of wheels is each rotatably disposed on the second frame to roll along a support surface. A pair of motors is each integrated into a respective one of the wheels. Each of the motors rotates the respective wheel in a first direction when the motors are turned on to urge the cart along the support surface. A lever is pivotally coupled to a respective one of the handles and the lever is in communication with the pair of motors. Each of the motors is turned on when the lever is urged into an actuating condition and each of the motors is turned off when the lever is biased into a de-actuating condition.

The improved mobile robot utilizes a cooperative wheeled support arrangement having a unique axle design that preferably cooperates with a base support module. A tri-axle is preferably used to support at least one omni-wheel on each axle section. Multiple omni-wheels on each section can be used for higher load applications. The tri-axle is of a fixed design and each wheel pivots on the individual axle section. Preferably, the axle sections are welded to each other.

A platoon of electric pallets (e-pallets) includes a follower e-pallet connected to or in wireless communication with a leader e-pallet. The platoon also includes a sensor suite, road wheels, an electric powertrain system, and a local controller. The sensor suite includes a velocity sensor configured to measure a velocity of the follower e-pallet, an angle sensor configured to measure an azimuth angle between the follower and leader e-pallets, and a length or distance sensor configured to measure a distance therebetween. The local controller executes a method to adaptively move a variable target point (VTP) on the leader pallet in response to the velocity, the azimuth angle, and the length, and to thereafter control a dynamic output state of the electric powertrain system using the VTP.

The present disclosure is directed to multi-use mobile robots that cater to both goods delivery and people mobility. These robots allow for seamless and dynamic transition between a rideable personal transport vehicle that may be driven by a user sitting in a removable robot seat, driven by the user standing onboard the vehicle, or driven by a second individual walking behind the multi-use robot. The multi-use robot may also function as an autonomous delivery vehicle, and can provide an option to allow both people and goods to be transported simultaneously. The multi-use robots can also integrate with mobile warehouses and neighborhood storage lockers and mobile warehouses, and provide last-mile handling of goods and supplies.

A cart includes a base, a pair of rear wheels supporting the base, and a pair of tines extending forward of the base. A load wheel is positioned below forward ends of each of the pair of tines for raising and lowering the tine. A handle extends upward from the base, the handle including a horizontal handle, wherein the horizontal handle is substantially aligned with the axles of the rear wheels. The tines are wider and longer so that each tine can support two small nestable pallets. Each nestable pallet includes a deck, feet supporting the deck and a peripheral lip extending upward from the deck. The pallet is sized to support single stack of containers, such as standard-size totes.

A motor-driven trailer and towbar system includes a towbar having a vehicle side end configured to connect with the vehicle and a trailer side end configured to connect with a trailer coupling. The towbar is pivotably coupled to the trailer and configured to pivot along a pivoting path (P) between a lowered position (L) and a raised position (R) with respect to the trailer. At least one first sensor element is configured to detect a position of the towbar along the pivoting path (P). A control unit (TCU) is in communication with the at least one first sensor element and is configured to switch the system between an operating mode and a parking mode. The system is switched into the parking mode when the towbar is in a raised position (R) and is switched into the operating mode when the towbar is in a lowered position (L).

Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in monitoring product placement within a shopping facility. Some embodiments provide an apparatus configured to determine product placement conditions within a shopping facility, comprising: a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive communications; a product monitoring control circuit coupled with the transceiver; a memory coupled with the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: obtain a composite three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the shopping facility and based on a series of 3D scan data; evaluate the 3D scan mapping to identify multiple product depth distances; and identify, from the evaluation of the 3D scan mapping, when one or more of the multiple product depth distances is greater than a predefined depth distance threshold from the reference offset distance of the product support structure.

A self-propelled cart comprising: a body having a generally rectangular prism shape with a top, bottom, front end, rear end, and two sides, the body further comprising: a battery compartment, and a utility platform comprising a plurality of connecting features for releasable attachment of one or more components to the platform; a rechargeable battery housed in the battery compartment; a controller; four arms having a first end and a second end, each pivotally attached at the first end to the body; four wheels, each connected to the second end of one of the four arms; four arm actuators, each configured to pivot one of the four arms such that each wheel can be moved closer to or further away from the body; and at least two motors powered by the battery, each configured to rotate one of the four wheels, each independently controlled by the controller, whereby the controller can move the cart and control the yaw of the cart by rotating one or more of the four wheels; at least one sensor for determining the pitch of the cart in communication with the controller, whereby the controller is able to adjust the height of the cart and the pitch of the cart by pivoting one or more of the four arm actuators is disclosed.