US 12,233,541 B2
Autonomous modular robots and methods of use
Raj Sohmshetty, Canton, MI (US); Yifan Chen, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Kurt Lundeen, Novi, MI (US); Sanghyun Hong, Ann Arbor, MI (US); and Smruti Panigrahi, Farmington Hills, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/540,997.
Prior Publication US 2023/0173694 A1, Jun. 8, 2023
Int. Cl. B25J 18/02 (2006.01); B25J 9/00 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B25J 11/00 (2006.01); B25J 5/00 (2006.01); B25J 9/08 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 18/025 (2013.01) [B25J 9/0009 (2013.01); B25J 9/1679 (2013.01); B25J 11/008 (2013.01); B25J 5/007 (2013.01); B25J 9/08 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a first assembly comprising (i) a frame, (ii) a first conveyance member allowing the first assembly to translate, the first conveyance member being associated with the frame, (iii) a first sensor platform, (iv) a first assembly support that can be translated along a first axis (v) and a first controller comprising a processor that executes instructions stored in memory to:
provide autonomous navigation of the first assembly by controlling the first conveyance member in response to signals from the first sensor platform; and
cause the first assembly support to translate, allowing a second assembly placed on the first assembly support to be selectively positioned along the first axis;
the second assembly comprising (i) a container that receives an object, (ii) a second sensor platform, and (iii) a second controller comprising a second processor that executes instructions stored in memory to obtain signals from the second sensor platform that can be utilizes by the first controller;
a first securement assembly associated with the first assembly support;
a second securement assembly associated with a second end of the second assembly; and
a third securement assembly associated with a first end of the second assembly,
wherein the second controller is configured to cause a second conveyance member of the second assembly to extend when the second securement assembly has detached from the first securement assembly.