Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Seog-Chan Oh

James W Wells

Michael R Kaphengst

Alfred Manser

Barry L Farmer

Miguel Arturo Saez

Joshua L Solomon

Neil David McKay

Alfred Hildreth

Ahmad Almarkhi

Methods and systems are provided that include one or more sensors configured to obtain biometric information as to one or more individuals who are to assist with manufacturing of a vehicle; a non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store operational requirements for the manufacturing of the vehicle; and a processor that is configured to at least facilitate providing instructions for creating a swarm ramp on which the vehicle is to be placed in order to provide an ergonomic work envelope for the one or more individuals, based on the biometric information and the operational requirements.

System to use autonomous robot ergonomic swarm ramps

A partially assembled vehicle that autonomously completes its own assembly, including a chassis, wheels that are rotationally coupled to the chassis, a drive system mounted on the chassis and in operational communication with the wheels, a navigation system, a central platform controller, and a position determining system. Added thereto is a safety sensor guidance system and a controller circuit programmed to begin a temporary takeover of the central platform controller, responsive to an external fleet control. The temporary takeover including the steps of identifying a plurality of assembly stations that the partially assembled vehicle must visit to complete its own assembly; constructing a sequence in which to visit each of the plurality of assembly stations; and commanding the drive system to propel and steer the partially assembled vehicle through the sequence of the plurality of assembly stations, responsive to sensor input from the safety sensor guidance system.

Partially assembled vehicle that autonomously completes its own assembly, and methods for producing same

In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for providing electrical power for a manufacturing facility for manufacturing of a vehicle, the vehicle having a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a processor, including: positioning the vehicle at the manufacturing facility, the manufacturing facility having an electrical component; and providing electrical power from the RESS of the vehicle to the electrical component of the manufacturing facility, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor.

Use of vehicle battery to provide power to manufacturing operations

A system includes a platform to support a vehicle on a first side of the platform and a passive motion device arranged on a second side of the platform, opposite the first side, to move upon actuation. A mechanical actuator actuates the passive motion device based on movement of one or more wheels of the vehicle to change a position of the vehicle. The position of the vehicle relative to the platform is unchanged and the passive motion device is actuated by only the movement of the one or more wheels of the vehicle to change the position of the vehicle.

Vehicle-powered device to change vehicle position

An autonomous vehicle guidance system enables a partially assembled battery-electric vehicle (BEV) to be guided through an assembly process with the temporary addition of a sensor skid. The partially assembled BEV includes a vehicle body, a vehicle controller coupled to the vehicle body, a battery electrically coupled to the vehicle controller, a sensor skid configured to be coupled under the vehicle body of the BEV. The sensor skid is configured to guide the BEV through an assembly process. The sensor skid includes a skid body configured to be coupled under the vehicle body of the BEV and a plurality of sensors coupled to the skid body. The sensor skid includes a skid controller in communication with the sensors and the vehicle controller. The skid controller is coupled to the sensor skid.

Autonomous vehicle guidance system and method

Methods of forecasting and modulating energy consumption at a production facility are provided. The amounts of energy consumed during production and non-production times are used to obtain highly accurate hourly energy use rates for different energy use activities which are used to estimate the amount of energy that will be consumed during a subsequent time period. The forecasting and modulating methods provide a more tailored estimate of energy usage that prevents the unnecessary expense of using on-demand energy without the benefit of a pre-purchased or pre-reserved discount. The forecasting and modulating methods also help prevent overestimation of the amount of energy used.

Growing community of inventors

Troy, MI, United States of America

Seog-Chan Oh