Depot for refuse drones

A depot for a plurality of refuse collection robots, the depot comprising:

• a chassis anchored to a ground surface;
• a container defining a storage volume for refuse;
• and
• a collection implement and a plurality of refuse actuators configured to perform an unloading operation to empty refuse from the plurality of refuse collection robots into the storage volume of the container;
• wherein the container is configured to be emptied into or lifted onto a refuse vehicle.

A depot for a plurality of refuse collection robots, the depot comprising:

• a chassis anchored to a ground surface;
• a container defining a storage volume for refuse;
• a collection implement and a plurality of refuse actuators configured to perform an unloading operation to empty refuse from the plurality of refuse collection robots into the storage volume of the container;
• a plurality of charging interfaces, the plurality of charging interfaces connected to a power source and configured to couple wirelessly or wiredly with the plurality of refuse collection robots to charge a battery of the refuse collection robots;
• a washout system including:
• a fluid source configured to provide a cleaning fluid;
• a pump fluidly coupled with the fluid source and configured to pressurize the cleaning fluid;
• and
• a nozzle fluidly coupled with the pump and configured to discharge the cleaning fluid;
• wherein the washout system is configured to discharge the cleaning fluid into a drone storage volume of one of the plurality of refuse collection robots to clean the drone storage volume after the drone storage volume has been emptied of refuse or before deployment of the refuse collection robot when the drone storage volume is empty;
• wherein the fluid source includes cleaning fluid collected at a drain of the washout system and recirculated to the pump;
• a compactor including a pack panel that partially defines the storage volume of the container and a packing actuator configured to drive the pack panel to translate, wherein the compactor is configured to compact refuse within the container;
• a gate coupled with the chassis, the gate transitionable between a closed position to limit access to the container and an open position to allow access to the container, wherein the chassis further comprises a plurality of housing member configured to define an enclosure within which the container is positioned;
• a weight sensor configured to measure a weight of refuse within the container before and after each of a plurality of performances of the unloading operation to determine an amount of refuse unloaded from each of the plurality of refuse collection robots into the container;
• a cargo storage area separate from the storage volume of the container, the cargo storage area provided for storage of a package for delivery to a customer, wherein the plurality of refuse actuators are further configured to operate the collection implement to perform a loading operation including selectively coupling with the package and moving the package from the cargo storage area into the drone storage volume of one of the plurality of refuse collection robots for delivery to the customer;
• a camera configured to obtain image data of the container and an area proximate the container;
• and
• a controller configured to receive the image data from the camera and operate the plurality of refuse actuators to empty the refuse of the plurality of refuse collection robots into a desired zone of a plurality of zones in the container based on both (i) a location of the plurality of refuse collection robots indicated by the image data, and (ii) an indication of a buildup of refuse at each of the plurality of zones in the container indicated by the image data;
• wherein the controller is configured to use the image data of the container to identify that the container has reached a predetermined fill level and transmit a request to prompt removal or emptying of the container by a vehicle responsive to the container reaching the predetermined fill level;
• wherein the container is configured to be emptied into or lifted onto a refuse vehicle.