A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A guidance system follows a travel path to a position near the transport and then a sensor profiles a transport so that a transport path is determined for an AGV to follow into the transport to place a load and for exiting the transport upon placement of the load.

Automatic transport loading system and method

A method and apparatus for using unique landmarks to position industrial vehicles during start-up. In one embodiment, a method of using pre-positioned objects as landmarks to operate an industrial vehicle is provided. The method comprises identifying a start-up scenario from sensor data, wherein the start-up scenario comprises a unique marker start-up or a pre-positioned object start-up. in response to the identified start-up scenario, either a unique marker or pre-positioned object is identified within a physical environment, wherein the pre-positioned object or unique marker corresponds with a sub-area of the physical environment. The industrial vehicle pose is determined in response to the identity of the pre-positioned object or unique marker and the industrial vehicle is operated based on the determined industrial vehicle pose.

Method and apparatus for using unique landmarks to locate industrial vehicles at start-up

A method and apparatus for providing accurate localization for an industrial vehicle is described; including processing at least one sensor input message from a plurality of sensor devices, wherein the at least one sensor input message includes information regarding observed environmental features; determining position measurements associated with the industrial vehicle in response to at least one sensor input message, wherein the plurality of sensor devices comprises a two-dimensional laser scanner, and at least one other sensor device selected from an odometer, an ultrasonic sensor, a compass, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an inertial measurement unit, or an imaging sensor; and updating a vehicle state using the position measurements.

Method and apparatus for providing accurate localization for an industrial vehicle

An apparatus for processing a tire -wheel assembly (TW) comprising a single-cell workstation (600a, 600b, 700 and 800) including a plurality of sub-stations (612-628). The plurality of sub-stations (612-628) includes a weight application sub-station (622), and an audit balancing sub-station (624). The apparatus also includes a tire/wheel transporting device (650, 650a) positioned within reach of all of the plurality of sub-stations (612-628). A method is also disclosed.

Robotic Weight Apply Station

Systems and methods for pose development using retrieved position of a pallet or product load to be picked up

A navigational control system for, and method of controlling the operation of, a driverless vehicle. The system includes a vehicle travel path and a visual object detection system for generating data relating to the position of the vehicle relative to objects in readable proximity to the travel path. The system includes an inertial guidance system for controlling operation of steering and drive mechanisms to direct the vehicle substantially along the travel path, and for correcting deviation from said travel path based upon data generated by said visual object detection systems, and for detecting impending obstacle contact.

Timothy Ross Crumbaugh

Papers

Inertial navigational guidance system for a driverless vehicle utilizing laser obstacle sensors