INTEGRATION OF AN AUTONOMOUS INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE INTO AN ASSET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Examiner Abstract A method for controlling an industrial vehicle at a facility, wherein the industrial vehicle includes a propulsion drive system, a guidance and navigation system, and a wireless communicator for bidirectional communication with an asset management computer located remotely from the industrial vehicle, said method comprising: (a) operating the industrial vehicle in an unmanned, autonomous mode that comprises: the guidance and navigation system sensing environmental conditions outside the vehicle and in response thereto controlling the propulsion drive system to direct the industrial vehicle to travel along a first path, gathering operational data regarding the industrial vehicle, and transmitting the operational data, from a wireless communicator onboard the industrial vehicle to an asset management computer located remotely from the industrial vehicle; (b) operating the industrial vehicle in manual mode that comprises: the industrial vehicle receiving control signals from operator controls that are manipulated by human operator onboard the industrial vehicle, and controlling the propulsion drive system in response to the control signals to direct the industrial vehicle to travel along a second path; and (c) operating the industrial vehicle in remote control mode that comprises: the industrial vehicle receiving commands from the asset management computer, and controlling operation of the industrial vehicle in response to the commands.