Platform apparatuses

An automated platform comprising:

• a chassis having a front edge, a rear edge, and a top surface;
• a processor configured to control movement of the automated platform;
• two front omnidirectional wheels coupled to the chassis in proximity to the front edge, the two front omnidirectional wheels being located at a first distance from the front edge of the chassis;
• and
• two rear omnidirectional wheels coupled to the chassis in proximity to the rear edge, the two rear omnidirectional wheels having a second distance from the front edge of the chasses, the second distance different from the first distance;
• wherein a first guide line is a first imaginary line intersecting (i) a lowermost portion of the automated platform within a portion of the automated platform located between the front edge and a frontmost portion of the two front omnidirectional wheels and (ii) a lowermost portion of the two front omnidirectional wheels;
• wherein a second guide line is a second imaginary line intersecting (i) the lowermost portion of the two front omnidirectional wheels and (ii) a lowermost portion of the automated platform positioned between the two front omnidirectional wheels and a middle location positioned at half the distance between the two front omnidirectional wheels and the two rear omnidirectional wheels,
• wherein a third guide line is a third imaginary line intersecting (i) the middle location and (ii) a lowermost portion of the two rear omnidirectional wheels;
• wherein the automated platform has an approach angle of less than approximately 9 degrees, the approach angle being defined as an angle formed at an intersection between the first guide line and a ground line tangential to the lowermost portion of the two front omnidirectional wheels;
• and
• wherein the automated platform has a breakover angle less than approximately 9 degrees, the breakover angle being defined as an angle formed at an intersection between the second guide line and the third guide line.

An automated platform, comprising:

• a chassis having a front edge, a rear edge, and a top surface;
• a controller configured to control movement of the automated platform;
• and
• one or more edge extensions disposed along an edge of the top surface,
• wherein:
• each of the one or more edge extensions being configured to selectively move between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the automated platform has a first width when the one or more edge extensions are in the retracted position and the automated platform has a second width when the one or more edge extensions are in the extended position, the second width being greater than the first width, and
• each of the one or more edge extensions includes a chamfer at a front outer corner of the corresponding edge extension, wherein each of the one or more edge extensions includes a lip extending upwardly and being configured to prevent an object from overhanging the automated platform.

An automated platform, comprising:

• a chassis having a front edge, a rear edge, and a top surface;
• a controller configured to control movement of the automated platform;
• and
• one or more edge extensions disposed along an edge of the top surface,
• wherein:
• each of the one or more edge extensions being configured to selectively move between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the automated platform has a first width when the one or more edge extensions are in the retracted position and the automated platform has a second width when the one or more edge extensions are in the extended position, the second width being greater than the first width, and
• each of the one or more edge extensions includes a chamfer at a front outer corner of the corresponding edge extension, wherein the controller is configured to:
• receive data indicative of one or more dimensions of an object to be loaded onto the automated platform;
• and
• output instructions for the one or more edge extensions to move to a new position to accommodate the one or more dimensions of the object.