Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

John Randolf Vincent

Yifan Chen

Pietro Buttolo

Shan Chy Chueh

Timothy Mark Feldkamp

Kurt Michael Lundeen

David Melcher

Kangning Chen

Abhishek Sharma

James McBride

Prashant Rao

Hao Howard Yang

Jiaqi Ma

Jason Snow

Girish Yadav

Steven Stark

Robert Collard

Shuai Wang

Girish Kumar Yadav

Sarah Garrow

Justen Fry

A method for delivering a plurality of packages is described. The method includes obtaining, via a processor, information associated with a delivery plan of the plurality of packages from at least one memory. Based on the information, the method includes determining, via the processor, a current location, and a destination location of a target container. In response to the determination, the method includes determining, via the processor, a movement plan to move the target container to the destination location. Based on the movement plan, the method includes activating, via the processor, a first set of motorized tiles to move the target container to the destination location. The method further includes receiving, via the processor, an updated movement plan from a server plan when a preset condition is met. Based on the updated movement plan, the method includes activating, via the processor, a second set of motorized tiles.

System and method for delivering packages

The disclosure describes systems and methods including for monitoring and remotely controlling a fleet of autonomous vehicles. The remote vehicle control system includes a horizontal display with vehicle graphics on a map and determines a control input to control a vehicle based on a device input from an input device.

Systems and methods for remote control of vehicles

The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for a reconfigurable on-board package sorting system for a delivery vehicle including an enclosed storage compartment with a horizontal plane, a plurality of bins for holding packages, each bin including a computer readable identifier, a set of correlated conveyor belts on each horizontal plane, the correlated conveyors belts sized as a function of the bins, including at conveyor belts linearly oriented on the horizontal plane, mixing conveyors, each oriented adjacent to each convey belt to provide directional transition to a next conveyor belt, wherein the correlated conveyor belts provide directional movement of the bins in a loop on the horizontal plane by selective rotation of each conveyor belt, and a computer including a processor and memory to receive data from each identifier, the processor including instructions to: identify a location of bin and direct the operation of the correlated conveyor belts.

Systems and methods for delivery vehicle reconfigurable on-board package sorting

Systems and methods interacting with tabletop models are provided herein. A display system includes a tabletop model, including a horizontal display that is configured to display a two-dimensional digital map and a three-dimensional physical model that is configured to overlay the two-dimensional digital map. The display system includes a mobile device including a camera configured to generate a camera image. The mobile renders a model image of the three-dimensional digital and overlays a camera image of the tabletop model with the model image. The mobile device determines a selection of an object based on a touch position on the model image.

Systems and methods of using a digital twin for interacting with a city model

Systems and methods interacting with tabletop models using a handheld device are provided herein. A display system includes a tabletop model, including a horizontal display that is configured to display a two-dimensional digital map and a three-dimensional physical model that is configured to overlay the two-dimensional digital map. The display system includes a mobile device including a touchscreen display. The display system transforms a movement on the touchscreen display to a movement of a cursor on the two-dimensional digital map.

Systems and methods for interacting with a tabletop model using a mobile device

A method for controlling a package delivery sorting system onboard a vehicle includes loading, onboard a package sorting platform, a first package comprising a first fiducial marker, the package sorting platform disposed in a cargo hold of the package delivery vehicle, determining, via a processor, a package identity based on the first fiducial marker, determining, via the processor and based on the fiducial marker, a first package pose comprising a first package position and a first package orientation with respect to the package sorting platform, defining, via the processor, a first package geometry associated with the first package, and causing the sorting platform to position the first package, via the processor, to a second first package pose.

Package sorting platform sensory system

The disclosure describes systems and methods including for monitoring and remotely controlling a fleet of autonomous vehicles. The remote vehicle control system determines a control input to control a vehicle based on an action performed on or with a controller bot. The controller bot is configured for use on a horizontal display that displays a map and a vehicle graphic at a location on the map.

Systems and methods remote control of vehicles

Systems and methods navigating a digital map are provided herein. A method includes displaying a plurality of clusters. Each cluster includes a plurality of page icons and each page icon linking to a page. The method includes receiving a control input to move a page icon from a first one of the clusters to a second one of the clusters.

Systems and methods for navigating pages of a digital map

A package lift assembly for a delivery vehicle includes a plurality of rods that define at least one shelf. The package lift assembly further includes upper and lower rails. An alteration assembly is operably coupled to the upper and lower rails. Vertical guides are operably coupled to the alteration assembly. A platform is operably coupled to the vertical guides and include a central receiving member. At least a portion of the plurality of rods are selectively disposed within the central receiving member. A motor assembly is operably coupled to the central receiving member and the vertical guides. The motor assembly and the alteration assembly cooperate to translate the platform along the vertical guides and translate the central receiving member between a retrieval position and a holding position.

Lift assembly for a delivery vehicle

Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure generally pertain to vehicle inventory management systems. In one exemplary embodiment, a bed of rollers includes a first section located in an enclosed cargo area of a delivery vehicle and a second section located in an alcove that is accessible from outside the delivery vehicle. Various items for delivery are placed upon the bed of rollers in the enclosed cargo area. The rollers, which are coupled to servomotors, can be rotated in various directions under control of a computer. The computer activates the rollers for moving items around inside the delivery vehicle. Upon reaching a delivery destination, an item can be moved into the alcove for pickup by a person outside the delivery vehicle. The alcove is configured to allow access to the item by the person outside the delivery vehicle, but prevents access to other items located in the enclosed cargo area.

Vehicle inventory management systems and methods

Pointing and interaction control devices for large scale tabletop models are provided herein. An example method includes determining a frame of reference for a first display, where the first display provides a multi-dimensional representation. The method includes determining a location and a direction of a laser beam emitted by a mobile device having a laser pointing apparatus using motion signals obtained from the mobile device, and the frame of reference. The first display can include a two-dimensional display surface and a physical three-dimensional representation placed onto the two-dimensional display surface. The method can include determining an intersection of a laser beam of the laser pointing apparatus with either the physical three-dimensional representation or the two-dimensional display surface based on the location and the direction of the mobile device relative to the frame of reference.

Growing community of inventors

Livonia, MI, United States of America

John Randolf Vincent