In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to forming chains of autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) for delivering merchandise. In some embodiments, there is provided a system including: a plurality of AGVs with each AGV having a motorized locomotion system, a storage area, first and second magnetic connectors at ends of a vehicle body, a transceiver, an optical sensor, and a control circuit that activates and deactivates the magnetic connectors; a subset of the AGVs defining a chain; an unlinked AGV; a database containing images of the vehicle body; and a master control circuit that receives an authentication code from the unlinked AGV, determines that the authentication code is authorized, determines position, speed, and direction of the chain of AGVs and the unlinked AGV, compares images to determine proximity and orientation of the unlinked AGV, and activates a magnetic connector to link the unlinked AGV to the chain.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COUPLING AUTONOMOUS GROUND VEHICLES DELIVERING MERCHANDISE
2018-12-06
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | G05D SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES , Systeme zum Steuern oder Regeln nichtelektrischer veränderlicher Größen / B60D Fahrzeugverbindungen , VEHICLE CONNECTIONS / G01C Messen von Entfernungen, Höhen, Neigungen oder Richtungen , MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS / G06Q Datenverarbeitungssysteme oder -verfahren, besonders angepasst an verwaltungstechnische, geschäftliche, finanzielle oder betriebswirtschaftliche Zwecke, sowie an geschäftsbezogene Überwachungs- oder Voraussagezwecke , DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS OR METHODS, SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORY OR FORECASTING PURPOSES |
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