Charging systems and methods for autonomous carts

A method of charging an autonomous robot with a charger, the method comprising:

• initiating a continuous imaging process that comprises acquiring an image of a physical visual target on or in proximity to the charger;
• guiding the autonomous robot to the charger based on the image of the physical visual target;
• sensing that the autonomous robot is positioned to be charged by the charger;
• in response to sensing that the autonomous robot is positioned to be charged by the charger, (i) charging the autonomous robot with the charger, and (ii) ending the continuous imaging process;
• and
• modulating a current supplied to the autonomous robot by the charger based on a selected initial low current output level so as to transmit information from the charger to the autonomous robot.

A method of charging an autonomous robot with a charger, the method comprising:

• sensing that a state-of-charge of a battery of the autonomous robot is within a predetermined range;
• in response to determining that the state-of-charge is within the predetermined range, guiding the autonomous robot to within visual range of the charger;
• initiating a continuous imaging process that comprises acquiring an image of a physical visual target on or in proximity to the charger;
• guiding the autonomous robot to the charger based on the image of the physical visual target;
• sensing that the autonomous robot is positioned to be charged by the charger;
• in response to sensing that the autonomous robot is positioned to be charged by the charger, (i) supply a current to the autonomous robot from the charger, and (ii) ending the continuous imaging process;
• and
• modulating the current supplied by the charger based on a selected initial low current output level so as to transmit information from the charger to the autonomous robot.