Systems and methods for a computer-based process that optimizes vehicle fleet charging systems. Failed chargers are detected and optimal paths are determined between these failed chargers and available chargers. Upon determining the optimal path, instructions to route the vehicle from the failed chargers to available chargers via these shortest paths are then communicated.

In one or more embodiments described herein, devices, systems, methods and/or apparatuses are described that can facilitate locational awareness and/or guidance of an inductive charging element relative to a target charging station. A device can comprise an inductive charging element, a signal component located relative to the inductive charging element for common movement with the inducting charging element, wherein the signal component transmits or receives a signal from a target position, and a controller that determines a distance between the inductive charging element and the target position based on a time measurement of the signal. The time measurement can include a time of arrival measurement and/or a time of flight measurement. The signal component can be an ultrawideband antenna, laser doppler device, acoustic device, electromagnetic device and/or other transmitter and/or receiver.

An autonomous vehicle may determine that it has an amount of power remaining projected to be needed to reach a recharging point by autonomously traveling with predefined systems disabled. The vehicle may disable the predefined systems and travel towards the recharging point. Subsequent to the disabling, the autonomous vehicle may determine that it no longer has the amount of power remaining projected to be needed to reach the recharging point. The vehicle may then communicate with a server and request assistance. The vehicle may then travel to an instructed rendezvous point with a second autonomous vehicle, the rendezvous received from the server. The two vehicles may then communicate to allow the first vehicle to leverage a capability of the second autonomous vehicle, responsive to the first and second autonomous vehicles being within communication range, allowing the first vehicle to reach the recharging point via the leveraging.

An autonomous vehicle may determine that it has an amount of power remaining projected to be needed to reach a recharging point by autonomously traveling with predefined systems disabled. The vehicle may disable the predefined systems and travel towards the recharging point. Subsequent to the disabling, the autonomous vehicle may determine that it no longer has the amount of power remaining projected to be needed to reach the recharging point. The vehicle may then communicate with a server and request assistance. The vehicle may then travel to an instructed rendezvous point with a second autonomous vehicle, the rendezvous received from the server. The two vehicles may then communicate to allow the first vehicle to leverage a capability of the second autonomous vehicle, responsive to the first and second autonomous vehicles being within communication range, allowing the first vehicle to reach the recharging point via the leveraging.

A storage system includes a bin storing grid for storing storage bins in columns of the grid, a base with rails provided on top of the grid, and a vehicle configured to move vertically along the rails in a vehicle operating space. The system includes a charging station assembly for charging the rechargeable power sources of the vehicle. The charging station assembly includes a plurality of charging stations located above each other. Each charging station includes a power source carrier for carrying one of the respective power sources. A charging station support is supporting the charging stations in relation to the base. A transportation device is connected to the base for vertical displacement of the charging stations in relation to the base. A holding device is configured to selectively hold one of the charging stations at an exchange location in which the power source carrier of the one charging station is a predetermined height above the base. The transportation device is configured to vertically displace other charging stations to an upper location above the vehicle operating space or to a lower location below the vehicle operating space.

A storage system includes a bin storing grid for storing storage bins in columns of the grid, a base with rails provided on top of the grid, and a vehicle configured to move vertically along the rails in a vehicle operating space. The system includes a charging station assembly for charging the rechargeable power sources of the vehicle. The charging station assembly includes a plurality of charging stations located above each other. Each charging station includes a power source carrier for carrying one of the respective power sources. A charging station support is supporting the charging stations in relation to the base. A transportation device is connected to the base for vertical displacement of the charging stations in relation to the base. A holding device is configured to selectively hold one of the charging stations at an exchange location in which the power source carrier of the one charging station is a predetermined height above the base. The transportation device is configured to vertically displace other charging stations to an upper location above the vehicle operating space or to a lower location below the vehicle operating space.

Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control, routing, and automatic feature adjustment are disclosed. Sensors associated with autonomous operation features may be utilized to search an area for missing persons, stolen vehicles, or similar persons or items of interest. Sensor data associated with the features may be automatically collected and analyzed to passively search for missing persons or vehicles without vehicle operator involvement. Search criteria may be determined by a remote server and communicated to a plurality of vehicles within a search area. In response to which, sensor data may be collected and analyzed by the vehicles. When sensor data generated by a vehicle matches the search criteria, the vehicle may communicate the information to the remote server.

Various arrangements for recharging an energy source are provided herein. In response to a device having a state of charge below a first threshold, a mobile device, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be provided location information for the device. The mobile device may travel to within a certain proximity from the device. The mobile device may then a connection with the device. A charging sequence may then be initiated to recharge the energy source of the device.

Various arrangements for recharging an energy source are provided herein. In response to a device having a state of charge below a first threshold, a mobile device, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be provided location information for the device. The mobile device may travel to within a certain proximity from the device. The mobile device may then a connection with the device. A charging sequence may then be initiated to recharge the energy source of the device.

Disclosed herein is a compliant joint that is movable in three degrees of freedom (DOF), as well as systems including the compliant joint, and a process for assembling the compliant joint. The compliant joint may comprise an elongate arm, a ball joint, and a carrier. The ball joint is configured to couple to the carrier, and the elongate arm is configured to couple to the ball joint. The ball joint may have a cross section that is ellipsoidal, an outer surface that is convex, and a first hole. The carrier may comprise a second hole that is ellipsoidal, and an inner surface that is concave. The elongate arm, when disposed within the first hole, is movable axially through the first hole, and the ball joint, when disposed within the second hole, is movable with at least one of pitch rotation or yaw rotation.