Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Oliver Christoph Purwin

Andrew Stubbs

Dragan Pajevic

Gabriel Hebert

Parris S Wellman

Peter K Mansfield

Robert Michael Shydo, Jr

Peter Thomas Colantonio

Charles C Linton

Kevin John Trenholme

Mark Anthony Messina

David William Guerin

Nicholas A Smith

In various examples, systems and methods for qualification of robotic firmware are described. In various examples, first firmware or first hardware may be deployed on a first set of robots and second firmware or second hardware may be deployed on a second set of robots. The first firmware may generate first log data and the second firmware may generate second log data during operation of the first and second set of robots during a first time period. A first value of a first performance metric may be determined using the first log data and a second value of the first performance metric may be determined using the second log data. The second firmware or the second hardware may be modified based at least in part on the first value and the second value.

Robot firmware and hardware performance qualification tool

Motion controls for a mobile drive unit adjust linear acceleration for laden mobile drive units to decrease the likelihood of the payload tipping or bouncing off the mobile drive unit and adjust angular acceleration to reduce the risk of the drive wheels slipping while the casters align with the direction of travel.

Acceleration controls for a mobile drive unit

An inventory system includes an inventory holder and an actively balanced mobile drive unit. A control module of the mobile drive unit can receive sensing information about the inventory holder and/or the mobile drive unit and use the sensing information to control a drive module of the mobile drive unit so as to maintain the inventory holder and/or the mobile drive unit within a predetermined deviation amount from an equilibrium state.

Actively balanced mobile drive unit

Embodiments are directed to an inventory system having one or more drive units that are used, in part, to measure traction of a surface. Traction of the surface may be one of many features that can help with the operation of drive units and may also help avoid collisions between drive units when little room is available between the drive units for navigational errors.

Autonomous traction measurement of a surface

The disclosed inventory systems and methods can be used to retrieve and transport items from one location in an inventory system to another. Specifically, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including passive buoyancy element, a thrust unit, and a retention feature, can be controlled by a management component to retrieve one or more items, transport the item or items, and deposit the item or items. For example, a UAV can be controlled to obtain an item at one location in a warehouse such as a first floor and lift said item to a second location in the warehouse such as a second floor, and deposit the item at the second location.

Collaborative unmanned aerial vehicle inventory system

The disclosed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a buoyant airbag, a drive unit, a retention feature, and an onboard control module that can be configured to cause the drive unit to displace the UAV, cause the retention feature to retain one or more items for transport, and receive instructions to transfer items from one location to another. For example, a UAV can be controlled to obtain an item at one location in a warehouse such as a first floor, lift said item to a second location in the warehouse such as a second floor, and deposit the item at the second location.

Growing community of inventors

Andover, MA, United States of America

Oliver Christoph Purwin