Systems and methods include a high dump hopper system wherein a debris hopper can be split into two hoppers for positioning adjacent a wheel of the floor cleaning machine. The hoppers, split or not, can be located near the front of the machine such that the overall length of the floor cleaning machine need not be extended. A splitter can be positioned proximate the floor cleaning mechanism to drive debris into the split hoppers. The hoppers, split or not, can be coupled to a common lifting system that can pull the hoppers out from under a chassis of the floor cleaning machine and then upwards for positioning relative to a refuse container. Furthermore, the orientation of the hoppers can be controlled to position openings for the hoppers in a desired location to prevent spilling and facilitate emptying.

Provided is a method for controlling a robot cleaner including a first operation of identifying that a manual cleaner and the robot cleaner are turned on, a second operation of identifying, by the robot cleaner, a location of the manual cleaner, a third operation of separating cleaning regions for performing cleaning therein from each other, and a fourth operation of starting, by the robot cleaner, cleaning of a corresponding region after the manual cleaner completes cleaning of the corresponding region.

Provided is a method for controlling a robot cleaner including a first operation of identifying that a manual cleaner and the robot cleaner are turned on, a second operation of identifying, by the robot cleaner, a location of the manual cleaner, a third operation of separating cleaning regions for performing cleaning therein from each other, and a fourth operation of starting, by the robot cleaner, cleaning of a corresponding region after the manual cleaner completes cleaning of the corresponding region.

The present invention is a mobile robot with an attached cleaning element and capable of autonomously seeking areas with low overhead clearance. In the preferred embodiment is a mobile robot using an array of upward facing distance sensors in communication with a controller to detect the presence of obstructions or surfaces above the apparatus. The controller directs the movements of the mobile robot through the use of a drive system, using pattern recognition to avoid becoming stuck and using random movements to increase floor coverage.

A system of robotic cleaning devices and a method of a master robotic cleaning device of controlling at least one slave robotic cleaning device. The method performed by a master robotic cleaning device of controlling at least one slave robotic cleaning device includes detecting obstacles, deriving positional data from the detection of obstacles, positioning the master robotic cleaning device with respect to the detected obstacles from the derived positional data, controlling movement of the master robotic cleaning device based on the positional data, and submitting commands to the at least one slave robotic cleaning device to control a cleaning operation of said at least one slave robotic cleaning device, the commands being based on the derived positional data, wherein the cleaning operation of the slave robotic cleaning device is controlled as indicated by the submitted commands.

A system of robotic cleaning devices and a method of a master robotic cleaning device of controlling at least one slave robotic cleaning device. The method performed by a master robotic cleaning device of controlling at least one slave robotic cleaning device includes detecting obstacles, deriving positional data from the detection of obstacles, positioning the master robotic cleaning device with respect to the detected obstacles from the derived positional data, controlling movement of the master robotic cleaning device based on the positional data, and submitting commands to the at least one slave robotic cleaning device to control a cleaning operation of said at least one slave robotic cleaning device, the commands being based on the derived positional data, wherein the cleaning operation of the slave robotic cleaning device is controlled as indicated by the submitted commands.

In one aspect, an autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive configured to propel the robot along the floor surface and a tank assembly. The tank assembly includes a reservoir, left and right receptacles, and a handle extending across a cover of the tank assembly, the handle being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the handle is in the second position, the tank assembly is locked in position. The tank assembly also includes left and right latch assemblies receivable by the left and right receptacles, respectively. Each latch assembly includes a moveable assembly configured to lock the tank assembly in position when the handle is in the second position.

In one aspect, an autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive configured to propel the robot along the floor surface and a tank assembly. The tank assembly includes a reservoir, left and right receptacles, and a handle extending across a cover of the tank assembly, the handle being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the handle is in the second position, the tank assembly is locked in position. The tank assembly also includes left and right latch assemblies receivable by the left and right receptacles, respectively. Each latch assembly includes a moveable assembly configured to lock the tank assembly in position when the handle is in the second position.

The present disclosure relates to the field of smart home technology and proposes a base station and a cleaning robot system. A base station applicable to clean a cleaning mechanism of a cleaning robot includes a cleaning tank, configured to accommodate at least part of the cleaning mechanism and clean the at least part of the cleaning mechanism, the cleaning tank includes a first end face and a second end face, a direction of a connection line between the first end face and the second end face is substantially parallel to an extension direction of the cleaning mechanism. A cleaning robot system is further provided.

The present disclosure relates to the field of smart home technology and proposes a base station and a cleaning robot system. A base station applicable to clean a cleaning mechanism of a cleaning robot includes a cleaning tank, configured to accommodate at least part of the cleaning mechanism and clean the at least part of the cleaning mechanism, the cleaning tank includes a first end face and a second end face, a direction of a connection line between the first end face and the second end face is substantially parallel to an extension direction of the cleaning mechanism. A cleaning robot system is further provided.