Device, method and system for swapping and/or charging a battery of a mobile robot

Abstract

A battery station, for use by at least one mobile robot, includes a battery charging unit configured to perform at least one of: holding at least one battery, and charging at least one battery. A battery load/unload position is configured to facilitate loading and unloading of a battery to and from a mobile robot. A battery handling mechanism is configured to operate on a reaching range, comprising at least one of the following: (i) the battery of the mobile robot positioned in the battery load/unload position, and (ii) the battery charging unit. A localization element is configured to at least one of detect and locate at least one of: at least one battery of the mobile robot, wherein the mobile robot is positioned in the battery load/unload position, and/or at least one battery positioned in the battery charging unit.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A battery station, for use by at least one mobile robot, the battery station comprising:
 (a) a battery charging unit configured to perform at least one of:
 (i) holding at least one battery, and/or 
 (ii) charging at least one battery; and 
   (b) a battery load/unload position configured to facilitate loading and unloading of a battery to and from a mobile robot; and   (c) a battery handling mechanism configured to operate on a reaching range, said reaching range comprising at least one of the following:   (i) the battery of the mobile robot positioned in the battery load/unload position, and/or
 (ii) the battery charging unit; and 
   (d) a localization element configured to at least one of detect and locate at least one of the following:
 (i) at least one battery of the mobile robot, wherein the mobile robot is positioned in the battery load/unload position, and/or 
 (ii) at least one battery positioned in the battery charging unit.