WO2020089935A1

WO2020089935A1 - System and method for battery exchange using autonomous mobile robots

Info

Publication number: WO2020089935A1
Application number: PCT/IN2019/050799
Authority: WO
Inventors: Janakiram ANNAM; Anusha KRISHNAMURTHY; Jayashankar RAVISHANKAR; Ramanathan Venkataraman
Original assignee: Annam Janakiram; Krishnamurthy Anusha; Ravishankar Jayashankar; Ramanathan Venkataraman
Priority date: 2018-10-30
Filing date: 2019-10-30
Publication date: 2020-05-07

Abstract

A battery exchange station including battery rack systems (BRSs), a battery exchange server (BES), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and a battery collection and delivery system (BCDS) for battery exchange in multiple electric vehicles (EVs) simultaneously is provided. Battery charging, storage and exchange operations are decoupled in the battery exchange station. The BRSs store spent and charged batteries. The BES simultaneously communicates with multiple EVs, the AMRs, and the BRSs. A central server, in communication with the BES, determines a demand for charged batteries, delivers charged batteries to the BRSs, sends the BRSs to the battery exchange station based on the demand, and determines and resolves a malfunction of any of the components of the battery exchange station. Each AMR, via the BCDS, carries the charged battery and in communication with the BES, aligns and positions the charged battery into an EV parked in any position at any battery replacement bay.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BATTERY EXCHANGE USING AUTONOMOUS

MOBILE ROBOTS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority of the Provisional Patent Application with serial number 201841028628, filed in the Indian Patent Office on July 30, 2018, with the title “A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR PERFORMING BATTERY EXCHANGE USING AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOT”, and subsequently post-dated by 3 months to October 30, 2018. The content of the Provisional Patent Application is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments herein are generally related to electric vehicles. The embodiments herein are particularly related to a system and a method for battery exchange in electric vehicles. The embodiments herein are more particularly related to a system and a method for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using multiple autonomous mobile robots that communicate with multiple components in a battery exchange station.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] Electric vehicles typically require either charging or replacement/exchange of batteries at regular intervals. A battery exchange process involves physical swapping of the fully or partially discharged or spent battery with a fully charged battery. Conventional systems developed for the process of battery swapping rely on a fixed infrastructure to guide and position the electric vehicles for battery exchange. These systems are typically installed at battery exchange stations and use conveyor belts and/or lifts and additional fixed infrastructure to position an electric vehicle accurately. In the battery exchange process using the fixed infrastructure, spent batteries are removed from the electric vehicle and moved out using a conveyor system and fully charged batteries are brought in using the conveyor system and fitted into the electric vehicle. However, costs involved in building the fixed infrastructure required for the battery exchange process are typically very high. Moreover, the fixed infrastructure is typically designed to serve one electric vehicle at a time. Servicing of several electric vehicles at a time requires duplication of the fixed infrastructure and hence, substantially increases the costs. Furthermore, in case of any malfunction in the fixed infrastructure, the battery exchange station becomes fully or partially unavailable and non- operational until serviced. Moreover, temporary installation of the fixed infrastructure in the battery exchange station is not possible, until a permanent infrastructure is serviced, due to the space required for the fixed infrastructure and the difficulty of moving the fixed infrastructure from one place to another. Moreover, in these fixed infrastructures, the location where a battery is exchanged is closely coupled with the location where batteries are charged and stored using conveyors or rollers.

[0004] Furthermore, some conventional systems for battery exchange require a driver of an electric vehicle to park the electric vehicle accurately. Accuracy of parking is typically in the range of few centimetres or less when an automated battery exchange is intended. However, achieving such precision in parking of the electric vehicle is difficult for drivers and takes a long time. Even with positioning systems installed in the electric vehicles, the weight of the electric vehicles makes it difficult for drivers to position the electric vehicles accurately for battery exchange in conventional systems.

[0005] Moreover, it is difficult to meet the demand for performing multiple battery exchanges simultaneously in conventional battery exchange stations without having to install multiple fixed infrastructures permanently. These battery exchange stations also do not account for malfunctions of equipment used for performing the battery exchanges and hence are rendered non-operational during high demand, resulting in significant losses in revenues of the battery exchange stations. Furthermore, the conventional battery exchange stations are not equipped for dynamic and intelligent positioning, movement, and operations of functional components therewithin for ensuring optimal and simultaneous battery exchange processes within the battery exchange stations.

[0006] Hence, there is a long-felt need for a system and a method for performing battery exchanges in manually and autonomously driven electric vehicles of any type using multiple autonomous mobile robots simultaneously. Moreover, there is a need for a cost- effective system and method for performing a battery exchange without a need for any expensive infrastructure. Furthermore, there is a need for a system and a method for battery exchange without a need for parking electric vehicles with utmost precision. Still furthermore, there is a need for decoupling a battery charging location from a battery exchange location. Yet furthermore, there is a need for a system and a method for determining and resolving malfunctions of equipment used for the battery exchanges in a battery exchange station. Yet there is a need for a system and a method for dynamic and intelligent positioning, movement, and operations of functional components within the battery exchange station for ensuring optimal and simultaneous battery exchange processes.

[0007] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages, and problems are addressed herein and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

OBJECTS OF THE EMBODIMENTS HEREIN

[0008] A primary object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for exchanging battery in manually and autonomously driven electric vehicles of any type using autonomous mobile robots.

[0009] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a cost-effective, flexible and dynamically scalable system and method for battery exchanges without requiring any expensive infrastructure/installation.

[0010] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for battery exchange without a need for parking electric vehicles with utmost precision.

[0011] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for battery exchange with an accurate/approximate positioning of a battery with respect to an electric vehicle rather than positioning the electric vehicle with utmost precision.

[0012] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for battery exchange with autonomous mobiles robots fit with a battery collection and delivery system comprising a conveyor and/or a robotic system at a predetermined location.

[0013] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for battery exchange without a need for a close coupling between a battery exchange location and a batteries storage and charging location.

[0014] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for decoupling/separating the battery charging, battery storage and battery exchange operations.

[0015] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for battery exchange with an efficient charging of batteries at a central location, such as, a central charging system, and delivering the charged batteries to the battery exchange station using one or more mobile battery rack systems and/or delivering the charged batteries to one or more fixed battery rack systems in the battery exchange station. [0016] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for battery exchange by attaching multiple battery rack systems to create a single virtual battery rack system.

[0017] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a dynamic system and a method for scaling up and/or down a number battery exchange operations simultaneously at the battery exchange station based on a supply and demand requirement.

[0018] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for scalable battery exchange operations based on a demand at a battery exchange station.

[0019] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for exchanging batteries at multiple electric vehicles simultaneously.

[0020] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for determining/identifying and resolving malfunctions of equipment’s used for the battery exchange operation in a battery exchange station.

[0021] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for quickly recovering the equipment from any malfunction in the battery exchange station, by replacing a malfunctioned/defective autonomous mobile robot, quickly by delivering a new/another autonomous mobile robot to the battery exchange station from a nearby battery exchange station or from a central repository of autonomous mobile robots, or by replacing a malfunctioning/defective battery rack system, with a replacement mobile battery rack system delivered quickly to the battery exchange station.

[0022] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to develop a system and a method for dynamic and intelligent positioning, movement, and operations of functional components within the battery exchange station for ensuring optimal and simultaneous battery exchange processes.

[0023] The objects disclosed above will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. The objects disclosed above have outlined, rather broadly, the features of the embodiments disclosed herein in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. The objects disclosed above are not intended to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter and are not to be construed as limiting of the embodiments disclosed herein. Additional objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein are disclosed below. The objects disclosed above, which are believed to be characteristic of the embodiments disclosed herein, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects, features, and advantages, will be better understood and illustrated by the technical features broadly embodied and described in the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

[0024] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the scope and spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

[0025] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0026] The embodiments herein provide a system and a method for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery in each of a plurality of electric vehicles simultaneously. The system and the method disclosed in the embodiments herein perform a battery exchange process that is cost-effective, flexible, and dynamically scalable without requiring complex and specialized infrastructure. According to an embodiment herein, the system and the method disclosed herein provide a battery exchange station comprising a plurality of components for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery in each of a plurality of electric vehicles simultaneously. The components of the battery exchange station comprise a plurality of battery rack systems, a battery exchange server, a plurality of autonomous mobile robots, a battery collection and delivery system, and a plurality of battery replacement bays. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange station is configured to communicate with a central server through a network.

[0027] According to an embodiment herein, each battery rack system comprises a plurality of slots configured to receive and store a spent battery from one of the autonomous mobile robots. The plurality of the slots is further configured to store and convey a charged battery to one autonomous mobile robot selected by the battery exchange server. Each battery rack system is configured to communicate with the battery exchange server to identify one or more of the slots stored with a charged battery. The identified one or more slots is communicated to the selected autonomous mobile robot by the battery exchange server for picking up the charged battery. Each battery rack system is further configured to communicate with the battery exchange server to identify one or more of the slots for depositing the spent battery by the selected autonomous mobile robot.

[0028] According to an embodiment herein, each battery rack system comprises one or more battery collection points and one or more battery vending points. The one or more battery collection points is configured to receive, and store spent batteries from the electric vehicles through the autonomous mobile robots. The one or more battery vending points is configured to store and convey/transfer the charged batteries to the selected autonomous mobile robots. According to an embodiment herein, each battery rack system is configured to move the spent battery and the charged battery to and from the one or more slots using conveyors and a multilevel puzzle parking mechanism.

[0029] According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack systems are connected to each other to form a single virtual battery rack system through a wired communication network, or a wireless communication network, or a combination thereof. According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack systems are selected from a group consisting of one or more of a plurality of mobile battery rack systems, fixed battery rack systems, and a combination thereof. According to an embodiment herein, the mobile battery rack systems, are configured to be in communication with the battery exchange server and/or the central server, to dynamically transport the charged batteries to the battery exchange station to meet/satisy a demand for the charged batteries.

[0030] According to an embodiment herein, the one or more battery rack systems are positioned above a ground surface. According to another embodiment herein, the one or more battery rack systems are positioned below the ground surface. According to an embodiment herein, each battery rack system is configured to charge spent batteries to transform the spent batteries into the charged batteries.

[0031] According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server, is configured to be in operable communication with the central server, to simultaneously communicate with the electric vehicles, the autonomous mobile robots, and the battery rack systems. According to an embodiment herein, the central server is configured to be in communication with the battery exchange server to determine/estimate a demand for charged batteries to deliver supplementary charged batteries to the battery rack systems and to send the battery rack systems to the battery exchange station. According to an embodiment herein, the central server is configured to be in communication with the battery exchange server to determine/identify and resolve a malfunctioning of a component in the battery exchange station. The battery exchange server is configured to receive and communicate a battery information and a position information from the electric vehicles to the autonomous mobile robots.

[0032] According to an embodiment herein, the central server is configured to store the electric vehicle information, the battery information, and user authentication information in a database. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server is configured to be in communication with the central server to authenticate the electric vehicle based on the electric vehicle information and the user authentication information. According to an embodiment herein, the central server is configured to be in communication with the battery exchange server to trigger a replacement of a component in the battery exchange station, based on the receiving communication regarding the malfunction of the said component in the battery exchange station.

[0033] According to an embodiment herein, each autonomous mobile robot is configured to carry/transport the charged battery. Each autonomous mobile robot is further configured to be in communication with the battery exchange server to align and position the charged battery into an electric vehicle parked in any position at any one of the battery replacement bays based on the received position information of the electric vehicle. According to an embodiment herein, each battery replacement bay comprises occupancy sensors and identification readers. The occupancy sensors are configured to continuously monitor each battery replacement bay for detecting an occupancy status by the electric vehicle. The identification readers are configured to communicate electric vehicle information, the battery information, user authentication information, and an identity information of the battery replacement bay associated with the electric vehicle to the battery exchange server. The battery rack systems and the autonomous mobile robots are configured to identify and separate battery charging, battery storage, and battery exchange operations. According to an embodiment herein, the system comprises a central charging system for charging batteries and delivering the charged batteries to the battery exchange station based on demand, thereby separating/segregating/decoupling battery charging and battery exchange operations.

[0034] The battery collection and delivery system is operably and movably coupled/engaged to a predetermined surface of each autonomous mobile robot. The battery collection and delivery system is configured to receive the charged battery from the battery rack system selected/identified by the battery exchange server. The battery collection and delivery system is configured to align and position the charged battery into a battery compartment of the electric vehicle based on the received position information from the battery exchange server. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system is configured to move in any one of an upward direction, a downward direction, a frontward direction, a rearward direction, a left side direction, and a right side direction. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion is operably connected to the upper portion to rotate the upper portion about an axis of the battery collection and delivery system. The battery collection and delivery system, is configured to be in communication with one or more sensors to extract/receive the spent battery from the battery compartment of the electric vehicle, convey /transport the spent battery to one of the slots in the battery rack systems, receive the charged battery from one of the slots of the battery rack systems, and deposit the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system is configured to communicate an operational status, a health status and a status of alignment of the electric vehicle to the battery exchange server and/or the autonomous mobile robot. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system is further configured to communicate an operational status, a health status and a status of alignment of each battery rack system to the battery exchange server and/or the autonomous mobile robot.

[0035] According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange station comprises a scheduler configured to communicate a battery exchange status of the autonomous mobile robots to the battery exchange server and receive commands from the battery exchange server for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery into an electric vehicle by the selected autonomous mobile robot. According to an embodiment herein, the scheduler is configured to identify a sequence of availability of the autonomous mobile robots based on an estimated time of completion of the battery exchange operations by the autonomous mobile robots.

[0036] According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange station comprise a positioning system configured to be in communication with the autonomous mobile robots and the electric vehicle. According to an embodiment herein, the positioning system comprises an infrastructural unit and a tag unit. The infrastructural unit is deployed within a structural framework of the battery exchange station. The tag unit is deployed within each of the autonomous mobile robots and the electric vehicle. The tag unit in each autonomous mobile robot is configured to communicate with the infrastructural unit to determine/identify /estimate a location of each autonomous mobile robots within the battery exchange station. The tag unit in the electric vehicle is configured to communicate with the infrastructural unit to determine/identify/estimate a location of the electric vehicle within the battery exchange station.

[0037] According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server, is configured be in communication with the central server to dynamically upscale and/or downscale a number of battery exchange operations performed simultaneously in the battery exchange station.

[0038] According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server and the autonomous mobile robots implement machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities (or loaded with machine learning modules and artificial intelligence modules) to learn and predict or identify a path and routes within the battery exchange station, to learn and predict or identify shapes of different electric vehicles, to leam/identify different sizes and models of batteries in demand, to learn/identify/estimate time durations for exchanging the spent battery with the charged battery, for predicting/identifying/estimating an availability of the autonomous mobile robots, and to leam/identify/judge the locations of batteries in different electric vehicles for quick movement of the selected autonomous mobile robot towards the electric vehicle and quick alignment and positioning of the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle. According to an embodiment herein, the machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities (modules) of the battery exchange server and the autonomous mobile robots are configured/enabled to facilitate data analytics in a cloud computing environment for enhancing operations/efficiency of the battery exchange station.

[0039] According to the embodiments herein, an autonomous robot system is provided/disclosed for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery in each of a plurality of electric vehicles simultaneously. According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous robot system comprises a plurality of autonomous mobile robots configured to travel within a battery exchange station, and an autonomous robot server configured to communicate with the autonomous mobile robots and the battery exchange server. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system mounted on each autonomous mobile robot is configured to communicate an operational status, a health status, and a status of alignment of the electric vehicle and that of each battery rack system to the autonomous mobile robot, the autonomous robot server, and/or the battery exchange server.

[0040] According to the embodiments herein a method is also provided for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery in a plurality of electric vehicles simultaneously. The method disclosed herein comprises configuring a battery exchange server, a plurality of battery replacement bays, a plurality of battery rack systems, a plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and a battery collection and delivery system in a battery exchange station. The battery exchange server is configured to detect one or more electric vehicles parked in any position at one or more of the battery replacement bays. The battery exchange server, is configured to be in communication with a central server to determine/estimate/identify a demand for charged batteries to deliver supplementary charged batteries to the battery rack systems. The battery exchange server is configured to select one or more autonomous mobile robots to exchange the spent battery with the charged battery in each of the detected/identified electric vehicles. The battery exchange server is configured to identify a charged battery slot and a spent battery slot from the plurality (one or more) slots in one or more of the battery rack systems. The charged battery slot is configured to receive and store the charged battery for picking up by the selected autonomous mobile robot. The spent battery slot is configured to receive and store the spent battery from the selected autonomous mobile robot. The battery exchange server is configured to receive and communicate the battery information and position information from the detected/identified electric vehicle to the selected autonomous mobile robot. The selected autonomous mobile robot is configured to position and align the corresponding battery collection and delivery system and is configured to be in communication with one or more sensors in a battery compartment of the detected electric vehicle to extract the spent battery using the position information. The selected autonomous mobile robot with the spent batteries is configured to traverse the computed paths to one or more battery rack systems. The battery collection and delivery system is configured to be in communication with one or more sensors to align and position the spent battery in the spent battery slot of one of the battery rack systems. Moreover, the selected autonomous mobile robot, in communication with one or more sensors, positions and aligns the battery collection and delivery system in the charged battery slot of the battery rack system to extract the charged battery. The selected autonomous mobile robot with the charged battery traverses a computed path to one or more of the battery replacement bays. The battery collection and delivery system is configured to be in communication with one or more sensors, to align and position the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle based on the received position information.

[0041] According to an embodiment herein, the related systems comprise circuitry and/or programming for effecting the methods disclosed herein. The circuitry and/or programming are any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to execute the methods disclosed herein depending upon the design choices of a system designer. According to an embodiment herein, various structural elements are employed depending on the design choices of the system designer.

[0042] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practised with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously, according to an embodiment herein.

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a battery charging and exchange station installed with a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein.

[0046] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of an autonomous mobile robot, in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously, according to an embodiment herein.

[0047] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of an autonomous mobile robot fitted with a battery collection and delivery system in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously, according to an embodiment herein. [0048] FIGS. 3C illustrate perspective view of the battery collection and delivery system coupled to a predetermined surface of the autonomous mobile robot, in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously, according to an embodiment herein.

[0049] FIGS. 3D illustrate a top side perspective view of the battery collection and delivery system coupled to a predetermined surface of the autonomous mobile robot, in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously, according to an embodiment herein.

[0050] FIGS. 3E illustrate a front side view of the battery collection and delivery system in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein.

[0051] FIGS. 3F illustrate front elevation view of the battery collection and delivery system indicating the upper and lower portions in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein.

[0052] FIG. 3G illustrates a top side plan view of a lower portion of the battery collection and delivery system in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein.

[0053] FIG. 3H illustrates a side view of the battery collection and delivery system, indicating the upper portion and the lower portion of the battery collection and delivery system in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein.

[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a battery rack system comprising a battery collection point and a battery vending point in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein.

[0055] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the battery rack system comprising slots arranged as a puzzle parking system in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein. [0056] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of slots of the battery rack system, indicating an engagement of a battery into a slot in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein.

[0057] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram indicating a formation of a single virtual battery rack system in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein.

[0058] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of the battery exchange station in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein.

[0059] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a battery to be exchanged by an autonomous mobile robot in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein.

[0060] FIG. 10A illustrates a side view of an electric vehicle indicating a position of a battery compartment, in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein.

[0061] FIG. 10B illustrates a front view of the battery compartment of the electric vehicle in a system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots, according to an embodiment herein.

[0062] FIGS. 11A-11E illustrate a schematic representation diagrams indicating an alignment and positioning of a battery within a battery compartment of an electric vehicle, according to an embodiment herein;

[0063] FIG. 12 illustrates an architectural block diagram of the system for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously, according to an embodiment herein;

[0064] FIG. 13 illustrates a positioning system of the battery exchange station, according to an embodiment herein;

[0065] FIG. 14 illustrates a block diagram indicating multiple battery exchange stations controlled by a central server, according to an embodiment herein; and [0066] FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart explaining a method for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously, according to an embodiment herein.

[0067] The specific features of the embodiments herein are shown in some drawings and not in others for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0069] The various embodiments herein provide a system and a method for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery in each of a plurality of electric vehicles simultaneously. According to an embodiment herein, the system and the method provide one or more battery exchange stations, each comprising a plurality of components for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery in each of the electric vehicles simultaneously. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange station comprises a plurality of battery rack systems, a battery exchange server, a plurality of autonomous mobile robots, a battery collection and delivery system, and a plurality of battery replacement bays. The autonomous mobile robots are small sized, automated guided vehicles capable of carrying and delivering loads. The autonomous mobile robots are also referred to as“autonomous guided vehicles” or“autonomous intelligent vehicles”. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange station is configured to communicate with a central server via a network.

[0070] According to an embodiment herein, each of the plurality of battery rack systems comprises a plurality of slots configured to receive and store a spent battery from one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and store and convey the charged battery to one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots selected by the battery exchange server. According to an embodiment herein, the plurality of battery rack systems is connected to each other to form a single virtual battery rack system via a wired communication network, or a wireless communication network, or a combination thereof. According to an embodiment herein, each of the plurality of battery rack systems communicates with the battery exchange server to identify one or more of the plurality of slots where the charged battery is placed and is to be picked up by the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and where the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots is to deposit the spent battery.

[0071] According to an embodiment herein, the plurality of battery rack systems is selected from one or more of a plurality of mobile battery rack systems, fixed battery rack systems, and a combination thereof. According to an embodiment herein, one or more of the plurality of battery rack systems are positioned above a ground surface. According to another embodiment herein, another one or more of the plurality of battery rack systems are positioned below the ground surface. According to an embodiment herein, the plurality of mobile battery rack systems, in communication with the battery exchange server and/or the central server, is configured to dynamically transport the charged batteries to the battery exchange station to meet a demand for charged batteries. According to an embodiment herein, each of the plurality of battery rack systems is configured to charge spent batteries into the charged batteries. According to an embodiment herein, each of the plurality of battery rack systems comprises one or more battery collection points and one or more battery vending points. The battery collection points are configured to receive and store the spent battery from the electric vehicle via one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots. The battery vending points are configured to store and convey the charged battery to the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots. According to an embodiment herein, each of the plurality of battery rack systems moves the spent battery and the charged battery to and from the slots using conveyors and a multilevel puzzle parking mechanism.

[0072] According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server, in operable communication with the central server, is configured to simultaneously communicate with the plurality of electric vehicles, the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and the plurality of battery rack systems. According to an embodiment herein, the central server, in communication with the battery exchange server, is configured to determine a demand for charged batteries, deliver supplementary charged batteries to the plurality of battery rack systems based on the demand, send the plurality of battery rack systems to the battery exchange station based on the demand, and determine and resolve a malfunction of any of the plurality of components of the battery exchange station. According to an embodiment herein, the central server, in communication with the battery exchange server, is configured to trigger replacement of any of the plurality of components of the battery exchange station, on receiving a communication of the malfunction of any of the plurality of components of the battery exchange station. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server is configured to receive and communicate battery information and position information from the plurality of electric vehicles to the plurality of autonomous mobile robots.

[0073] According to an embodiment herein, the central server is configured to store electric vehicle information, the battery information, and user authentication information in a database. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server, in communication with the central server, is configured to authenticate the electric vehicle using the electric vehicle information and the user authentication information. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server, in communication with the central server, is configured to dynamically upscale and/or downscale a number of simultaneous battery exchange operations performed in the battery exchange station.

[0074] According to an embodiment herein, each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots is configured to carry the charged battery and in communication with the battery exchange server, align and position the charged battery into an electric vehicle parked in any position at any one of the plurality of battery replacement bays using the position information. According to an embodiment herein, each of the plurality of battery replacement bays comprises occupancy sensors and identification readers. The occupancy sensors are configured to continuously monitor each of the plurality of battery replacement bays for occupancy by the electric vehicle. The identification readers are configured to communicate electric vehicle information, the battery information, user authentication information, and an identifier of any one of the battery replacement bays associated with the electric vehicle to the battery exchange server. According to an embodiment herein, the plurality of battery rack systems and the plurality of autonomous mobile robots decouple battery charging, battery storage, and battery exchange operations. According to an embodiment herein, the system comprises a central charging system for charging batteries that are then delivered to the battery exchange station based on demand for decoupling battery charging and battery exchange operations.

[0075] According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system is operably and movably coupled to a predetermined surface of each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots. The battery collection and delivery system is configured to receive the charged battery from one of the plurality of battery rack systems selected by the battery exchange server. The battery collection and delivery system is configured to align and position the charged battery into a battery compartment of the electric vehicle based on the position information. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system is configured to move in an upward direction, a downward direction, a frontward direction, a rearward direction, a left side direction, and a right side direction. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion is operably connected to the upper portion to rotate the upper portion about an axis of the battery collection and delivery system. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system, in communication with one or more sensors, is configured to extract the spent battery from the battery compartment of the electric vehicle, or convey the spent battery to one of the plurality of slots of each of the plurality of battery rack systems, or receive the charged battery from another one of the plurality of slots of each of the plurality of battery rack systems, or deposit the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system is configured to communicate an operational status, a health status, and a status of alignment with respect to the electric vehicle and each of the plurality of battery rack systems to the autonomous mobile robot on which the battery collection and delivery system is coupled, and/or an autonomous robot server, and/or the battery exchange server.

[0076] According to an embodiment herein, the plurality of components of the battery exchange station comprises a scheduler configured to convey a battery exchange status of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots to the battery exchange server and receive commands from the battery exchange server for facilitating initiation of an exchange of the spent battery with the charged battery into the electric vehicle by the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots. According to an embodiment herein, the scheduler is configured to identify a sequence of availability of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots based on an estimated time of completion of the battery exchange operations by the plurality of autonomous mobile robots.

[0077] According to an embodiment herein, the plurality of components of the battery exchange station comprises a positioning system in communication with the battery exchange station, the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and the electric vehicle. According to an embodiment herein, the positioning system comprises an infrastructural unit and a tag unit. The infrastructural unit is deployed within a structural framework of the battery exchange station. The tag unit is deployed within each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the electric vehicle. The tag unit in each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots is configured to communicate with the infrastructural unit to determine a location of each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots within the battery exchange station. The tag unit in the electric vehicle is configured to communicate with the infrastructural unit to determine a location of the electric vehicle within the battery exchange station.

[0078] According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server and the plurality of autonomous mobile robots implement machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities to learn and predict a path and routes within the battery exchange station, leam and predict shapes of different electric vehicles, leam different sizes and models of batteries in demand, learn time durations for exchanging the spent battery with the charged battery for predicting availability of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and leam the locations of batteries in different electric vehicles for quick movement of the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots towards the electric vehicle and quick alignment and positioning of the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle. According to an embodiment herein, the machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities of the battery exchange server and the plurality of autonomous mobile robots facilitate data analytics in a cloud computing environment for enhancing operations of the battery exchange station.

[0079] The embodiments herein also provide an autonomous robot system for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery in each of a plurality of electric vehicles simultaneously. According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous robot system comprises a plurality of autonomous mobile robots configured to travel within the battery exchange station, and an autonomous robot server configured to communicate with the autonomous mobile robots and the battery exchange server. The embodiments herein also provide a method for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery in each of a plurality of electric vehicles simultaneously as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 15.

[0080] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles 116 simultaneously, according to an embodiment herein. The spent batteries comprise partially or fully discharged batteries. The electric vehicles 116 requiring battery replacement are manually driven electric vehicles or autonomous electric vehicles. The system 100 disclosed herein performs battery exchange in multiple electric vehicles 116 using autonomous mobile robots 104. The system 100 disclosed herein comprises a battery exchange station 101 configured to communicate with a central server 115 via a network 114, for example, a short range network or a long range network. The network 114 is, for example, one of the internet, an intranet, a wired network, a wireless network, a communication network that implements Bluetooth^® of Bluetooth Sig, Inc., a network that implements Wi-Fi^® of Wi-Fi Alliance Corporation, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication network, a wireless universal serial bus (USB) communication network, a communication network that implements ZigBee^® of ZigBee Alliance Corporation, a general packet radio service (GPRS) network, a mobile telecommunication network such as a global system for mobile (GSM) communications network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a third generation (3G) mobile communication network, a fourth generation (4G) mobile communication network, a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication network, a long-term evolution (LTE) mobile communication network, a public telephone network, etc., a local area network, a wide area network, an internet connection network, an infrared communication network, etc., or a network formed from any combination of these networks.

[0081] A top view of the battery exchange station 101 is illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the battery exchange station 101 comprises multiple components, namely, a battery exchange server 102, multiple autonomous mobile robots 104, a battery collection and delivery system 105, a battery rack system 108, and multiple battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server 102 is configured in a Smart Battery exchange Server Subsystem (SBXSS). According to an embodiment herein, autonomous electric vehicles are configured to communicate with the battery exchange server 102. According to an embodiment herein, a battery 107 in an electric vehicle 116 is configured to communicate directly with some of the components and subsystems in the battery exchange station 101 and thus request battery exchange. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange station 101 is provided with charging points (not shown) for charging the electric vehicles 116, instead of opting for a battery exchange.

[0082] Multiple battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf allow multiple electric vehicles 116 to be parked in the battery exchange station 101. According to an embodiment herein, the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf are marked areas in the battery exchange station 101 for parking the electric vehicles 116. Furthermore, if multiple autonomous mobile robots 104 are present in the battery exchange station 101, each autonomous mobile robot 104 exchanges a battery 107 for an electric vehicle 116 parked in one of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf. Therefore, multiple battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf and multiple autonomous mobile robots 104 enable simultaneous exchange of batteries for multiple electric vehicles 116.

[0083] An electric vehicle 116 that requires a battery exchange parks at one of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf in the battery exchange station 101. According to an embodiment herein, the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, lllc, llld, llle, and lllf comprise identification readers 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e, and 112f respectively, for example, radio frequency identification (RFID) readers. The identification readers 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e, and 112f are positioned proximal to the respective battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf. According to an embodiment herein, the identification readers 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e, and 112f allow a driver of the electric vehicle 116 to enter electric vehicle information, the battery information, user authentication information, etc., for initiating a battery exchange at the battery exchange station 101. The identification readers 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e, and 112f communicate the electric vehicle information, the battery information, the user authentication information, and identifiers of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf where the electric vehicles 116 are parked, to the battery exchange server 102. The identification readers 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e, and 112f read information from the electric vehicles 116 regarding, for example, the model of the electric vehicle 116, battery type, etc., and forward this information to the battery exchange server 102 along with a request to exchange the spent batteries of the electric vehicles 116.

[0084] According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange station 101 is provided with only one identification reader instead of having multiple identification readers 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e, and 112f at the respective battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf. A driver of an electric vehicle 116 is required to flash an RFID tag or card at the single identification reader and key in the identifier of the battery replacement bay at which the electric vehicle 116 is parked.

[0085] According to an embodiment herein, a mode for initiating replacement of a spent battery is provided. When a driver of an electric vehicle 116 is not registered with the company owning the battery exchange station 101 or does not carry an identification card that is readable by the identification readers 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e, and 112f, then the driver informs service personnel in the battery exchange station 101 about the need of battery exchange along with details of the electric vehicle 116, the battery replacement bay where the electric vehicle 116 is parked, etc. If a replacement battery is available for the electric vehicle 116, the service personnel schedules a battery exchange using the battery exchange server

102.

[0086] According to an embodiment herein, each of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf further comprises occupancy sensors 113 configured to continuously monitor the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf for occupancy by the electric vehicles 116. The occupancy sensors 113 determine whether an electric vehicle 116 is parked in any one of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf. The occupancy sensors 113 send information to the battery exchange server 102 when an electric vehicle 116 is parked in or moved out of any one of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf. When an electric vehicle 116 occupies one of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf, the occupancy sensors 113 send a notification regarding occupancy of that particular one of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf to the battery exchange server 102. Together with data from the occupancy sensors 113, the battery exchange server 102 determines the battery replacement bay where the electric vehicle 116 is parked.

[0087] The battery exchange server 102 communicates with the central server 115 via the network 114. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange station 101 further comprises an autonomous robot server 103 configured to communicate with the autonomous mobile robots 104 and the battery exchange server 102. According to an embodiment herein, autonomous electric vehicles are configured to communicate with the battery exchange server 102 and/or the autonomous robot server 103. According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous robot server 103 is configured in an autonomous vehicle subsystem (AVS), also referred to as an autonomous robot system, comprising multiple autonomous mobile robots 104. The number of autonomous mobile robots 104 depend on the demand for battery exchange at the battery exchange station 101. For example, the number of autonomous mobile robots 104 deployed at the battery exchange station 101 located on a highway is higher on a weekend as compared to a weekday. If there is a high demand for battery exchange at the battery exchange station 101, additional autonomous mobile robots 104 are deployed at the battery exchange station 101. According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous robot server 103 communicates with the autonomous mobile robots 104 and the battery exchange server 102 via a network internal to the battery exchange station 101, for example, an intranet, a wired communication network, a wireless communication network, a Bluetooth^® communication network, a Wi-Fi^® network, etc. The autonomous robot server 103 receives commands from the battery exchange server 102 to initiate exchange a battery 107 in an electric vehicle 116.

[0088] According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 is operably coupled, for example, to side surfaces and/or top surfaces of each of the autonomous mobile robots 104. The battery collection and delivery system 105 is configured to extract batteries 107 from the electric vehicles 116 parked in any position at the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, and llld. The battery collection and delivery system 105 holds the extracted battery 107 on the autonomous mobile robot 104, while the autonomous mobile robot 104 travels towards the battery rack system 108 to transfer or deposit the extracted battery 107 to the battery rack system 108. The battery collection and delivery system 105 also extracts a charged battery 107 from one of the slots of the battery rack system 108 and holds the charged battery 107 on the autonomous mobile robot 104, while the autonomous mobile robot 104 travels towards one of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, and llld to transfer or deposit the charged battery 107 into a battery compartment 117 of an electric vehicle 116. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 comprises a conveyor system 144 of a small size fitted on an upper surface of each of the autonomous mobile robots 104 for carrying and conveying a load, for example, the battery 107, as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 3H and FIGS. 11D-11E. The battery collection and delivery system 105 carries either one spent battery or one fully charged battery or one spent battery and one fully charged battery at a given time. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 is configured to carry more than two batteries at the same time only if cost of battery exchange for an end customer does not increase. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 and the autonomous mobile robot 104 are configured to exchange batteries within battery compartments 117 positioned at the sides or bottom of the electric vehicle 116. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 and the autonomous mobile robot 104 are configured to exchange batteries from the top, bottom or sides of the electric vehicle 116.

[0089] The battery rack system 108 stores fully charged batteries and spent batteries. According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack system 108 is configured as a permanent structure as illustrated in FIG. 1. According to another embodiment herein, the battery rack system 108 is configured as a mobile structure as illustrated in FIG. 2. According to another embodiment herein, the battery exchange station 101 comprises one or more battery rack systems 108 configured as permanent structures, or mobile structures, or a combination thereof. According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack system 108 configured as a permanent structure or a mobile structure is positioned above a ground surface or below a ground surface of the battery exchange station 101. According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack system 108 is configured to charge spent batteries, and when the spent batteries are fully charged, the autonomous mobile robots 104 exchange the fully charged batteries in the electric vehicles 116.

[0090] According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack system 108 comprises a battery collection point (BCP) 109 and a battery vending point (BVP) 110 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The battery collection point 109 collects spent batteries from the autonomous mobile robots 104. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection point 109 also collects charged batteries from mobile battery rack systems 118 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The battery collection point 109 receives and stores a spent battery from an electric vehicle 116 via an autonomous mobile robot 104. The battery collection and delivery system 105 mounted on the autonomous mobile robot 104 transfers or deposits the spent battery to the battery collection point 109 of the battery rack system 108. The battery vending point 110 vends fully charged batteries. The battery vending point 110 stores and conveys a charged battery to the autonomous mobile robot 104. The battery collection and delivery system 105 mounted on the autonomous mobile robot 104 receives the charged battery via the battery vending point 110 of the battery rack system 108. According to an embodiment herein, the battery vending point 110 also conveys spent or empty batteries to the mobile battery rack systems 118 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The battery rack system 108 communicates with the battery exchange server 102 via the network internal to the battery exchange station 101, for example, an intranet, a wired communication network, a wireless communication network, a Bluetooth^® communication network, a Wi-Fi^® network, etc. The battery rack system 108 communicates with the battery exchange server 102 regarding an inventory of fully charged batteries, charging batteries, and spent batteries in the battery rack system 108. The battery rack system 108 also communicates with the battery exchange server 102 regarding the battery collection point 109 where an autonomous mobile robot 104 should place a spent battery. According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack system 108 also communicates with the battery exchange server 102 regarding the battery collection point 109 where a mobile battery rack system 118 should place a charged battery. The battery rack system 108 also communicates with the battery exchange server 102 regarding the battery vending point 110 where a required and fully charged battery is placed for pick up by an autonomous mobile robot 104. The battery exchange server 102, in turn, sends an identifier of the battery collection point 109 and an identifier of the battery vending point 110 to the autonomous mobile robot 104 via the network internal to the battery exchange station 101. According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous robot server 103, in communication with the battery exchange server 102, sends the identifiers of the battery collection point 109 and the battery vending point 110 to the autonomous mobile robot 104.

[0091] The battery rack system 108 sends an identifier, for example, a number associated with the battery collection point 109 to the battery exchange server 102. According to an embodiment where there is only one battery collection point 109, the battery rack system 108 sends the same identifier associated with the battery collection point 109 to the battery exchange server 102. According to an embodiment where there are multiple battery collection points 109 as illustrated in FIG. 8, the battery rack system 108 in communication with the autonomous robot server 103 identifies the battery collection point 109, for example, in terms of the distance and/or time for the autonomous mobile robot 104 to move to the electric vehicle 116, pick up the spent battery from the electric vehicle 116, and deliver the spent battery to the battery rack system 108. The battery rack system 108 sends the identifier of the identified battery collection point 109 to the battery exchange server 102 which sends the identifier to the autonomous robot server 103. Similarly, the battery rack system 108 sends an identifier, for example, a number associated with the battery vending point 110 to the battery exchange server 102. According to an embodiment where there is only one battery vending point 110, the battery rack system 108 sends the same identifier associated with the battery vending point 110 to the battery exchange server 102. According to an embodiment where there are multiple battery vending points 110 as illustrated in FIG. 8, the battery rack system 108 in communication with the autonomous robot server 103 identifies the battery vending point 110, for example, in terms of the distance and/or time for the autonomous mobile robot 104 to move to the battery vending point 110, for the battery rack system 108 to move the fully charged battery from a slot to the battery vending point 110, and for the autonomous mobile robot 104 to move the fully charged battery from the battery vending point 110 to the electric vehicle 116. The battery rack system 108 sends the identifier of the identified battery vending point 110 to the battery exchange server 102 which sends the identifier to the autonomous robot server 103.

[0092] According to an embodiment herein where the battery collection point 109 and the battery vending point 110 are absent in the battery rack system 108, the battery rack system 108 communicates the exact location or slot of the fully charged battery within the battery rack system 108, from where the autonomous mobile robot 104 should pick up the fully charged battery, and the exact location or slot within the battery rack system 108 where the autonomous mobile robot 104 should deposit the spent battery, to the battery exchange server 102. According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack system 108 communicates the exact location or slot where the autonomous mobile robot 104 should pick up or deposit a battery, for example, by transmitting cartesian coordinates within a predefined reference or pattern in the battery rack system 108 to the battery exchange server 102. The battery exchange server 102 sends the cartesian coordinates to the autonomous mobile robot 104 via the network internal to the battery exchange station 101. The autonomous mobile robot 104 reads and interprets the cartesian coordinates to pick up or deposit the battery from the exact location or the slot within the battery rack system 108. The system 100 disclosed herein implements other functionally equivalent methods for identifying the location of the slots within the battery rack system 108 from where the autonomous mobile robot 104 should pick up or deposit a battery.

[0093] According to an embodiment herein, when the battery rack system 108 receives a spent battery, the battery rack system 108 evaluates the state of the spent battery. The state of the spent battery comprises, for example, information pertaining to remaining charge in the spent battery, functioning of the spent battery, etc. The battery rack system 108 transmits the state information to the battery exchange server 102 and then to the central server 115 for further use of the state information.

[0094] According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange station 101 further comprises one or more infrastructural units 106a, for example, indoor/outdoor infrastructural (IOPS Infra) units of a positioning system 106 illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 13, configured to communicate with the autonomous mobile robots 104 and the electric vehicles 116 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 13. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1, the infrastructural units 106a are positioned and deployed within a structural framework of the battery exchange station 101. The positioning system 106 further comprises tag units 106b, for example, IOPS tags, attached to and deployed within the autonomous mobile robots 104 and the electric vehicles 116. The tag unit 106b attached to an autonomous mobile robot 104 allows the autonomous mobile robot 104 to determine its own position and orientation with the battery exchange station 101. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1, the tag unit 106b in each of the autonomous mobile robots 104 communicates with the infrastructural units 106a to determine the locations of the autonomous mobile robots 104 within the battery exchange station 101. Using its own position and orientation and a map of the battery exchange station 101, the autonomous mobile robot 104 navigates from one place to another within the battery exchange station 101 in accordance with commands received from the autonomous robot server 103. Similarly, the tag unit 106b in each of the electric vehicles 116 communicates with the infrastructural units 106a to determine the locations of the electric vehicles 116 within the battery exchange station 101.

[0095] The central server 115 that communicates with the battery exchange server 102 via the network 114 manages a central battery charging infrastructure that charges batteries at a central location, sends mobile battery rack systems 118 to the battery exchange station 101 according to the demand, sends additional batteries for storage in the battery rack system 108 according to the demand, receives information of any malfunction in the components of the battery exchange station 101, for example, the battery rack system 108, the mobile battery rack system 118, the autonomous mobile robots 104, the battery collection and delivery system 105, etc., and sends replacements components in case of any malfunction. According to an embodiment herein, the central server 115 and the battery exchange station 101 is owned and installed by an organization or a company that provides a battery exchange service. The central server 115 receives registration of users, for example, customers that require the battery exchange service for their electric vehicles 116 through various mechanisms, for example, websites, applications, stores, kiosks, etc. The registration information comprises, for example, electric vehicle information, that is, details of the electric vehicles 116 they own for which they require the battery exchange service, details of the batteries used in their electric vehicles 116, user authentication information, etc.

[0096] When a user registers for the battery exchange service, the central server 115 stores the registration information in one or more databases and issues an identification (ID) card or tag, for example, a RFID card or tag that stores the registration information and security keys required to authenticate the user. When the user, for example, a driver of the electric vehicle 116, parks the electric vehicle 116 at one of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf, the user inserts or scans the issued RFID card in a corresponding one of the identification readers 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e, and 112f. The identification readers 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e, and 112f at the respective battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf read the electric vehicle information and other registration information from the ID cards or tags issued to the users, that is, the drivers of the electric vehicles 116. The battery exchange server 102, or according to an embodiment herein, the central server 115 via the battery exchange server 102, authenticates a component, device or subsystem that is required to communicate with the battery exchange server 102 within the battery exchange station 101 using security credentials, for example, public key infrastructure or any other authentication infrastructure provided by the battery exchange server 102. The battery exchange server 102 secures communications and connections from the components of the battery exchange station 101, the central server 115, and the electric vehicles 116 using various encryption schemes. According to an embodiment herein, the electric vehicles 116 communicate the battery information comprising, for example, a specification of the battery to be replaced, and the position information comprising, for example, location coordinates at which the electric vehicles 116 are parked within the battery exchange station 101, to the battery exchange server 102.

[0097] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the system 100 for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles 116 simultaneously using autonomous mobile robots 104, according to an embodiment herein. The system 100 disclosed herein decouples the location where batteries are charged from the location where the batteries are exchanged. According to an embodiment herein, the system 100 comprises a central charging system 201 for charging batteries and delivering the charged batteries to the battery exchange station 101 based on demand, thereby decoupling battery charging and battery exchange operations. According to an embodiment herein, the batteries are charged at the central charging system 201 and delivered to the battery exchange station 101 via one or more mobile battery rack systems 118 as illustrated in FIG. 2, thereby allowing flexibility of charging the batteries and meeting supply and demand requirements dynamically. According to another embodiment herein, the batteries are charged at a central location and delivered to a fixed battery rack system of the battery exchange station 101 as illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, using containers similar to petrol or diesel tankers carrying petrol or diesel. In this embodiment, there is no coupling between the fixed battery rack system and the location wherein the batteries are charged and exchanged. According to an embodiment herein, the mobile battery rack system 118 charges spent batteries for delivery of charged batteries to the battery exchange station 101. In the battery exchange station 101, the autonomous mobile robots 104 carry the batteries from the mobile battery rack system 118 to the locations where the batteries are exchanged, for example, to the battery replacement bays 111a and 111b. The mobile battery rack system 118 provides a flexibility of placing battery rack systems of different sizes at the battery exchange station 101 based on the demand for charged batteries. If the demand for charged batteries is high, multiple mobile battery rack systems 118 are employed at a single battery exchange station 101. [0098] The autonomous mobile robots 104 collect fully charged batteries from the mobile battery rack system 118 or deposit spent batteries at the mobile battery rack system 118. The autonomous mobile robots 104 move close to the electric vehicles 116 and position their battery charging and delivery systems 105 accurately in the battery compartments 117 of the electric vehicles 116 shown in FIG. 1, to remove the spent batteries from the electric vehicles 116 or fix the fully charged batteries into the electric vehicles 116. The positioning system 106, for example, an indoor/outdoor positioning system (IOPS), in the battery exchange station 101 assists in navigating the autonomous mobile robots 104, and in an embodiment, the electric vehicles 116 within the battery exchange station 101 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 13. The positioning system 106 implements, for example, a global positioning system (GPS) technology, Bluetooth^® technology, Wi-Fi^® technology, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication technology, a real-time kinematic (RTK) satellite navigation technology, etc., for determining locations of the autonomous mobile robots 104, and in an embodiment, the electric vehicles 116 within the battery exchange station 101. According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous mobile robots 104 identify themselves to the battery exchange server 102 and sends their positions to the battery exchange server 102 using the positioning system 106. According to an embodiment herein, the electric vehicle 116 identifies itself to the battery exchange server 102 and sends the position of the electric vehicle 116 to the battery exchange server 102 using the positioning system 106.

[0099] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of an autonomous mobile robot 104, according to an embodiment herein. According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous mobile robot 104 comprises a base member 119 and a control panel 121. The control panel 121 is connected to the base member 119 via support members 120. The support members 120 extend upwardly in a perpendicular direction from an upper surface 119a of the base member 119 to support the control panel 121. The autonomous mobile robot 104 further comprises wheels 129 positioned at a lower surface 119b of the base member 119. The wheels 129 allow the autonomous mobile robot 104 to move and travel along multiple paths and routes within the battery exchange station 101 shown in FIG. 1. The control panel 121 comprises a display unit, for example, a touchscreen display unit 122, to allow an operator to configured settings for the autonomous mobile robot 104. The control panel 121 further comprises user interface elements, for example, a power button 123 for powering up/shutdown the autonomous mobile robot 104 and an emergency button 124 for abruptly stopping the autonomous mobile robot 104 in emergency conditions. The autonomous mobile robot 104 further comprises multiple sensors 125, 126, and 127 positioned at predetermined locations of the autonomous mobile robot 104. For example, the sensors 125 are positioned on the control panel 121, while the sensors 126 and 127 are positioned on a front surface 119c and a rear surface 119d of the base member 119 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The sensors 125, 126, and 127 comprise, for example, ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, mono cameras, stereo cameras, indoor/outdoor positioning system (IOPS) tags, etc. The sensors 125, 126, and 127 allow the autonomous mobile robot 104 to detect obstacles or obstructions in its path and determine the position of the autonomous mobile robot 104 within the battery exchange station 101. When any of the sensors 125, 126, and 127 detect an obstruction in the path of the autonomous mobile robot 104, the autonomous mobile robot 104 stops until the obstruction is moved away. If the obstruction is not moved away after a predetermined period of time, the autonomous mobile robot 104 determines an alternative path to its destination, for example, the battery rack system 108 or one of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, lllc, llld, llle, and lllf shown in FIG. 1.

[00100] According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous mobile robot 104 reaches its destination parallel to the length of a battery replacement bay Ilia, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, or lllf. According to another embodiment herein, the autonomous mobile robot 104 reaches its destination perpendicular to the length of a battery replacement bay Ilia, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, or lllf. The autonomous mobile robot 104 is configured to reach its destination with the accuracy of, for example, few centimetres in distance and few degrees in orientation. According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous mobile robot 104 further comprises a power outlet 128, through which the autonomous mobile robot 104 is charged using a power supply. According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous mobile robot 104 further comprises a guide mechanism, for example, a pair of guide rails 130, connected to the upper surface 119a of the base member 119 for mounting and movably connecting the battery collection and delivery system 105 shown in FIGS. 3B-3C, thereon. The guide rails 130 allow movement of the battery collection and delivery system 105 over the upper surface 119a of the base member 119. The battery collection and delivery system 105 is mounted on the guide rails 130 and moves along the guide rails 130 in a frontward or forward direction and a rearward or backward direction. The battery collection and delivery system 105 collects a battery from either the electric vehicle 116 or the battery vending point 110 of the battery rack system 108 shown in FIG. 1 or delivers the battery to the electric vehicle 116 or the battery collection point 109 of the battery rack system 108 shown in FIG. 1.

[00101] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of an autonomous mobile robot 104 fitted with the battery collection and delivery system 105, according to an embodiment herein. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 is mounted on the upper surface 119a of the base member 119 of the autonomous mobile robot 104 using a scissor lift mechanism 132 as illustrated in FIG. 3B. The scissor lift mechanism 132 moves in an upward direction and a downward direction to adjust the height of the battery collection and delivery system 105 and allow the battery collection and delivery system 105 to reach the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116, the battery collection point 109 of the battery rack system 108, and the battery vending point 110 of the battery rack system 108 shown in FIG. 1. The battery collection and delivery system 105 also moves in a frontward direction and a backward direction via the guide rails 130 shown in FIG. 3B. According to an embodiment herein (not shown), the battery collection and delivery system 105 is positioned on the sides 119e of the base member 119 of the autonomous mobile robot 104. According to an embodiment herein, the control panel 121 of the autonomous mobile robot 104 further comprises an input pad 131, for example, a keypad, for allowing an operator to provide inputs and configure settings for the autonomous mobile robot 104. According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous mobile robot 104 and the battery collection and delivery system 105 are battery operated. According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous mobile robot 104 and the battery collection and delivery system 105 are connected via a controller area network (CAN) bus that allows them to communicate with each other.

[00102] FIGS. 3C-3D illustrate perspective views indicating coupling of the battery collection and delivery system 105 to a predetermined surface, for example, 119a, of the autonomous mobile robot 104 shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, according to an embodiment herein. For purposes of illustration, the battery collection and delivery system 105 is indicated as a block in FIGS. 3C-3D. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 is mounted on a motorized linear slider 133 as illustrated in FIG. 3D. A motor 134 is positioned on one end of the motorized linear slider 133 for linearly moving the battery collection and delivery system 105 in a forward direction and a backward direction along the guide rails 130 of the autonomous mobile robot 104 illustrated in FIG. 3C.

[00103] FIGS. 3E-3F illustrate front elevation views of the battery collection and delivery system 105, according to an embodiment herein. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 comprises an upper portion 105a and a lower portion 105b as illustrated in FIGS. 3E-3F. The front elevation views show the motorized linear slider 133 passing through the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105. According to an embodiment herein, wheels 135 are positioned on a lower surface 105c of the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105. The battery collection and delivery system 105 moves along the guide rails 130 of the autonomous mobile robot 104 shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, using the wheels 135. A partial internal view of the battery collection and delivery system 105 is illustrated in FIG. 3F. The partial internal view shows the upper portion 105a engageably connected to the lower portion 105b via a rotor 137 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 3G. Rotor teeth 137a of the upper portion 105a engage with rotor teeth 137b of the lower portion 105b to form the rotor 137. The partial internal view also shows internal wheels 136a extending downwardly from the upper portion 105a into a circular track 136b positioned on the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105.

[00104] FIG. 3G illustrates a top plan view of the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105, according to an embodiment herein. The rotor 137 that connects the upper portion 105a to the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105 is illustrated in FIG. 3G. According to an embodiment herein, the rotor 137 is configured as a circular gear or groove. FIG. 3G also illustrates the internal wheels 136a of the upper portion 105a positioned in the circular track 136b on the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105. The internal wheels 136a move or roll within the circular track 136b, thereby allowing alignment of the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 with respect to a battery compartment 117 of an electric vehicle 116 for extraction of a battery 107 from or deposit of the battery 107 to the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116 as illustrated in FIG. 3H.

[0105] FIG. 3H illustrates a side elevation view of the battery collection and delivery system 105, indicating the upper portion 105a and the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105, according to an embodiment herein. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 is positioned on a predetermined surface, for example, an upper surface 119a of the autonomous mobile robot 104 shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. FIG. 3H shows the upper portion 105a disengaged from the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105. The rotor teeth 137a extending downwardly from the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 engages with the rotor teeth 137b extending upwardly from the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105. Furthermore, the wheels 136a extending downwardly from the upper portion 105a roll within the circular track 136b positioned on the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105. The engagement of the rotor teeth 137a and 137b and the movement of the wheels 136a in the circular track 136b allow positioning and alignment of the battery collection and delivery system 105 with respect to a battery compartment 117 of an electric vehicle 116.

[0106] According to an embodiment herein, the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105 comprises a motor 139, for example, a stepper motor, a gear box 140, bearings 141, and a mounting 138 for the motor 139. The motor 139 together with the gear box 140 and the bearings 141 is used to rotate the rotor 137 in the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105. These wheels 135 on the guide rails 130 of the autonomous mobile robot 104 illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C, are used to move the battery collection and delivery system 105 sideways. The lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105 provides a structural support to carry the load of the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 and the battery 107. The motor 139 is operably coupled to the gear box 140 and rotates the gear box 140. The gear box 140 is operably coupled to the rotor 137. Rotation of the gear box 140 rotates the rotor 137 via the bearings 141. The motor 139 therefore drives the rotor 137, which in turn, rotates the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 by few degrees in a clockwise direction and a counter clockwise direction for positioning and alignment with respect to the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116, the battery collection point 109, and the battery vending point 110 of the battery rack system 108 shown in FIG. 1. Rotation of the rotor 137 allows the positioning and the alignment of the battery collection and delivery system 105 with respect to the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116. According to an embodiment herein, the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105 further comprises a storage compartment 105d for storing a battery 142. The battery 142 is used to power electronic and mechanical components, for example, motors, etc., in the battery collection and delivery system 105.

[0107] According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 comprises a conveyor system 144 for carrying and moving the battery 107 into the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116 or, in an embodiment, into the battery collection point 109 and out of the battery vending point 110 of the battery rack system 108. The conveyor system 144 is positioned on the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 as illustrated in FIG. 3H. According to an embodiment herein, the conveyor system 144 is fitted with a motor (not shown) configured to move the conveyor system 144, for example, in a forward direction and a backward direction. According to an embodiment herein, the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 comprises a height adjustment mechanism 143, for example, a motorized scissor lift, that allows adjustment of the height of the conveyor system 144 with respect to the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116. The height adjustment mechanism 143 moves the conveyor system 144 in an upward direction and a downward direction during positioning and alignment operations. The wheels 135 and 136a, the rotor 137, and the height adjustment mechanism 143 are used to achieve positional and orientational alignment with respect to the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116, the battery collection point 109, and the battery vending point 110 of the battery rack system 108. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 further comprises a robotic arm 146 controlled, for example, by a 9-axis robotic system 145. The 9-axis robotic system 145 is connected to and extends from the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105. The robotic arm 146 is used for grasping and extracting the battery 107 from the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116. The robotic arm 146 is also used for inserting the battery 107 into the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116. The robotic arm 146 is used for sliding out the battery from the conveyor system 144 to the battery collection point 109 and sliding in the battery from the battery vending point 110 to the conveyor system 144. The 9-axis robotic system 145 provides flexibility to the robotic arm 146 to extract or deposit the battery 107 from and to the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116.

[0108] The battery collection and delivery system 105 is movable in an upward direction, a downward direction, a frontward direction, a rearward direction, a left side direction, and a right side direction, and the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105 operably connected to the upper portion 105a rotates the upper portion 105a about its own axis to position itself accurately with respect to a destination, for example, a battery compartment 117 of an electric vehicle 116 or, in an embodiment, to position itself accurately with respect to the battery collection point 109 and the battery vending point 110 of the battery rack system 108 shown in FIG. 1 to deposit a spent battery and receive a charged battery respectively. According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous mobile robot 104 and the battery collection and delivery system 105 fitted thereon communicate with one or more sensors, for example, ultrasound sensors, image sensors such as cameras, etc., for accurate positioning within a destination, for example, the battery compartment 117, the battery collection point 109, and the battery vending point 110 of the battery rack system 108 shown in FIG. 1. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3H, a camera 147, for example, a mono camera or a stereo camera, is positioned at a front surface 105e of the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105. The camera 147 captures images of the battery 107 and the battery compartment 117 in the electric vehicle 116. The battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the captured images, the battery information, the electric vehicle information, and the position information received from the battery exchange server 102 and/or the autonomous robot server 103 shown in FIG. 1, to adjust its orientation and inclination to position itself accurately with respect to the electric vehicle 116 to extract the battery 107 from the battery compartment 117 or deposit the battery 107 into the battery compartment 117. The battery collection and delivery system 105 extracts the spent battery from the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116 and places the spent battery at the battery collection point 109 of the battery rack system 108. The battery collection and delivery system 105 also picks up the fully charged battery from the battery vending point 110 of the battery rack system 108 and fixes the fully charged battery in the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116.

[0109] According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 communicates with the autonomous mobile robot 104 via a wired connection. According to another embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 communicates with the autonomous mobile robot 104 via a wireless connection. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 communicates a status of operation, for example, a status of picking up a battery 107 from the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116 and the battery vending point 110, placement of the battery 107 in the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116 and the battery collection point 109, etc., to the battery exchange server 102 and/or the autonomous robot server 103. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 communicates a health status of the battery collection and delivery system 105, for example, whether the battery collection and delivery system 105 is fully operational, has malfunctioned, or requires servicing, to the battery exchange server 102, and/or the autonomous robot server 103, and/or the autonomous mobile robot 104 on which the battery collection and delivery system 105 is placed. According to an embodiment herein, the battery collection and delivery system 105 also communicates a status of alignment of the conveyor 144 with respect to the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116, the battery collection point 109, and the battery vending point 110, etc., to the battery exchange server 102, and/or the autonomous robot server 103, and/or the autonomous mobile robot 104 on which the battery collection and delivery system 105 is placed.

[0110] Consider an example where the autonomous mobile robot 104 and the battery collection and delivery system 105 accurately position themselves for collecting/installing a battery 107 in the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116. The autonomous robot server 103 sends a command to the autonomous mobile robot 104 to move to a given battery replacement bay, for example, 111a, shown in FIG. 1, where the electric vehicle 116 is parked. The autonomous robot server 103 also sends information regarding the model of the electric vehicle 116 and battery information to the autonomous mobile robot 104. When the autonomous mobile robot 104 receives a command from the autonomous robot server 103, the autonomous mobile robot 104 starts navigating towards the battery replacement bay 111a using its own position/orientation obtained using the indoor/outdoor positioning system (IOPS) tags installed. The autonomous mobile robot 104 also uses the map of the battery exchange station 101 shown in FIG. 1 for this navigation. The autonomous mobile robot 104 reaches the given battery replacement bay 111a. The autonomous mobile robot 104 reaches the destination with an accuracy of few centimetres in distance and few degrees in orientation.

[0111] Once the autonomous mobile robot 104 reaches the destination, the autonomous mobile robot 104 sends a message to the battery collection and delivery system 105 about reaching its destination via a CAN bus. The battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the camera 147 to find its orientation and position with respect to the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116. The lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105 rotates the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 until the orientation of the upper portion 105a is in alignment with the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116. Once the orientation alignment is achieved, the lower portion 105b of the battery collection and delivery system 105 moves on the guide rails 130 of the autonomous mobile robot 104 until the horizontal position alignment with the battery compartment 117 using the camera 147 is achieved. The height adjustment mechanism 143, for example, a scissor lift, in the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 is used for the vertical position alignment with the battery compartment 117 using the camera 147. Once the orientation alignment, the horizontal position alignment, and the vertical position alignment are achieved, the conveyor system 144 on the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 is aligned appropriately to perform the battery movement operation as required. Once the appropriate alignment is achieved, the battery 107 is moved from/to the conveyor system 144 using the robotic arm 146 of the battery collection and delivery system 105. Similarly, the autonomous mobile robot 104 and the battery collection and delivery system 105 accurately position themselves for collecting a charged battery from the battery vending point 110 of the battery rack system 108 and for depositing a spent battery to the battery collection point 109 of the battery rack system 108.

[0112] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the battery rack system 108 comprising the battery collection point 109 and the battery vending point 110, according to an embodiment herein. Spent batteries are collected at the battery collection point 109 and stored within the battery rack system 108. The autonomous mobile robots 104 in the battery exchange station 101 transfer the spent batteries from electric vehicles 116 illustrated in FIG. 1, to the battery collection point 109. The collected spent batteries at the battery collection point 109 are placed within the battery rack system 108 for storage and/or, in an embodiment, for charging. According to an embodiment herein, mobile battery rack systems 118 illustrated in FIG. 2, deliver charged batteries to the battery rack system 108 via the battery collection point 109. According to an embodiment herein, the mobile battery rack systems 118 illustrated in FIG. 2, collect empty/spent batteries from the battery rack system 108 via the battery vending point 110. Charged batteries are brought to the battery vending point 110 from within the battery rack system 108 and transferred to the autonomous mobile robots 104 via the battery vending point 110 in the battery rack system 108. According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack system 108 is configured to operate without the battery collection point 109 and the battery vending point 110.

[0113] FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of the battery rack system 108 comprising slots 148 arranged as a puzzle parking system, according to an embodiment herein. The slots 148 of the battery rack system 108 are positioned at multiple levels within the battery rack system 108. The slots 148 of the battery rack system 108 store batteries, for example, spent batteries, charged batteries, etc., of different types. According to an embodiment herein, the slots 148 are moved using a multilevel puzzle parking mechanism to convey a required battery to the battery vending point 110 or to store a battery in one of the slots 148. The multilevel puzzle parking mechanism is electromechanically configured to move vertically up to multiple levels and horizontally based on the space available in the battery rack system 108. According to an embodiment herein, the slots 148 are configured to charge the spent batteries stored therein. The multilevel puzzle parking mechanism multiples the capacity of storing the batteries in the battery rack system 108. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the battery rack system 108 comprises multiple conveyors 149. The collected spent batteries at the battery collection point 109 are placed in the slots 148 and moved within the battery rack system 108 for storage and/or, in an embodiment, for charging, using the multilevel puzzle parking mechanism and the conveyors 149 illustrated in FIG. 5. According to an embodiment herein, charged batteries are brought to the battery vending point 110 from the slots 148 within the battery rack system 108 using the multilevel puzzle parking mechanism and the conveyors 149 illustrated in FIG. 5. According to an embodiment herein, batteries are brought to the battery vending point 110 from the slots 148 within the battery rack system 108 or moved from the battery collection point 109 to the slots 148 within the battery rack system 108 manually or using forklifts (not shown).

[0114] The conveyors 149, in operable communication with motors (not shown), convey the spent batteries from the battery collection point 109 to the slots 148 and the charged batteries from the slots 148 to the battery vending point 110. As illustrated in FIG. 5, one level of slots 148a is left empty for receiving spent batteries from the autonomous mobile robots 104 shown in FIG. 1, and/or charged batteries from the mobile battery rack systems 118 shown in FIG. 2. These empty slots 148a are configured as holders for holding the spent batteries or the charged batteries, prior to conveyance of the spent batteries or the charged batteries to available slots 148b within the battery rack system 108. When an autonomous mobile robot 104 deposits a spent battery to the battery collection point 109, the conveyors 149 transfer the spent battery to any one of the empty slots 148a. The multilevel puzzle parking mechanism is then used to convey the spent battery from the empty slot 148a to any one of the available slots 148b. Similarly, the multilevel puzzle parking mechanism also conveys charged batteries from occupied slots 148 where the charged batteries are stored, to the empty slots 148a before the conveyors 149 transfer the charged batteries to the battery vending point 110. The conveyors 149 of the battery rack system 108 communicate with the conveyor system 144 of the battery collection and delivery system 105 shown in FIG. 3H, for transferring the battery to and from the battery collection point 109 and the battery vending point 110 respectively. The conveyors 149 and 144 of the battery rack system 108 and the battery collection and delivery system 105 respectively, are aligned accurately to transfer the battery 107 from the battery collection and delivery system 105 to the battery collection point 109 or from the battery vending point 110 to the battery collection and delivery system 105.

[0115] FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of the slots 150, 154, and 155 of the battery rack system 108 shown in FIG. 5, indicating an engagement of a battery 107 into a slot 150, according to an embodiment herein. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the slot 150 comprises magnetic points 151, a positive terminal 152, and a negative terminal 153. The magnetic points 151 allow a firm connection of the battery 107 into the slot 150. The slot 150 further comprises guiding side walls 150a and 150b for guiding the battery 107 into the slot 150. The battery 107 comprises magnetic points 156, a positive terminal 157, and a negative terminal 158. The magnetic points 156 of the battery 107 match with the magnetic points 151 of the slot 150. The magnetic points 151 of the slot 150 are energized and deenergized as required. When the magnetic points 151 of the slot 150 are energized, the magnetic points 151 hold the battery 107 in place within the slot 150. When the conveyors 149 shown in FIG. 5, guide the battery

107 into the slot 150, the magnetic points 156, the positive terminal 157, and the negative terminal 158 of the battery 107 attach to the magnetic points 151, the positive terminal 152, and the negative terminal 153 of the slot 150 respectively. When the magnetic points 151 of the slot 150 are deenergized, the battery 107 is not magnetically attached to the slot 150.

[0116] Consider an example where the battery rack system 108 comprising a computing engine, the slots 148, the conveyors 149, the battery collection point 109, and the battery vending point 110 illustrated in FIG. 5, receives a command from the battery exchange server 102 shown in FIG. 1, to place a fully charged battery at a given battery vending point 110 identified by a battery vending point number. The battery rack system 108 identifies a fully charged battery 107 with the required specifications in one of the slots 148. The battery rack system 108 identifies the battery 107 in a slot, for example, 150, shown in FIG. 6, that is closest to the given battery vending point number in terms of the time taken to move the battery 107. The computing engine of the battery rack system 108 deenergizes the magnetic points 151 in the slot 150 due to which the battery 107 is not held firmly at the slot 150. The computing engine sends signals to various conveyors 149 in the battery rack system

108 to move the battery 107 to the given battery vending point 110. While the battery 107 is moving along a route in the battery rack system 108, the computing engine also receives information on the location of the battery 107 using different sensors along the route. When the battery 107 reaches the required battery vending point 110, the computing engine notifies the battery exchange server 102 shown in FIG. 1, that the required battery 107 is placed at the given battery vending point 110.

[0117] Consider another example where the battery rack system 108 receives a command from the battery exchange server 102 to accept a spent battery 107 placed at the battery collection point 109. The computing engine of the battery rack system 108 identifies the closest slot, for example, 150 shown in FIG. 6, within the battery rack system 108 that is free to accommodate the spent battery 107. The computing engine sends signals to various conveyors 149 in the battery rack system 108 to move the spent battery 107 to the required position within the battery rack system 108. While the spent battery 107 is moving along a route in the battery rack system 108, the computing engine also receives information on the location of the spent battery 107 using different sensors along the route. When the spent battery 107 is proximal to the required destination within the battery rack system 108, the computing engine energizes the magnetic points 151 in the slot 150. The spent battery 107 is moved into the slot 150 using the conveyors 149 and the guiding side walls 150a and 150b of the slot 150. According to an embodiment herein, the guiding side walls 150a and 150b are used to align the spent battery 107 to a charging point (not shown). When the spent battery 107 is proximal to the magnetic points 151 in the slot 150, the spent battery 107 is attracted to the magnetic points 151 and attaches to the magnetic points 151 in the slot 150. During this process, the spent battery 107 is also electrically connected to the charging point if present. Based on the battery information, the computing engine determines a charging mechanism for the spent battery 107. When the spent battery 107 is fully charged, the computing engine updates a list of fully charged batteries held in the battery rack system 108.

[0118] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram indicating a formation of a single virtual battery rack system 108c, according to an embodiment herein. The battery exchange station 101 shown in FIG. 1, comprises one or more battery rack systems 108a and 108b. When more than one battery rack system is present, the battery rack systems 108a and 108b are connected to each other either by a physical wired connection or a wireless connection. The physical connection between the battery rack systems 108a and 108b comprises, for example, a mechanical connection and/or an electrical connection. The electrical connection between the battery rack systems 108a and 108b is performed, for example, through a recommended standard 485 (RS485) or other modes of electrical connection. According to an embodiment herein, one of the battery rack systems, for example, 108a, acts as a master and the other battery rack systems, for example, 108b, act as slaves sharing information with the master battery rack system 108a. The battery exchange server 102 first authenticates the master battery rack system 108a, and then authenticates each slave battery rack system 108b via the master battery rack system 108a or directly. When the slave battery rack systems, for example, 108b, are authenticated, the master battery rack system 108a receives information from the slave battery rack systems, for example, 108b. The information comprises, for example, the number of batteries in each slave battery rack system 108b, type of batteries, location of the battery rack system 108a or 108b, number of battery vending points and battery collection points in the battery rack systems 108a and 108b, etc. When the master battery rack system 108a receives information from the slave battery rack systems 108b, the master battery rack system 108a creates a single virtual battery rack system 108c and uses the single virtual battery rack system 108c during battery exchange processes in communication with the battery exchange server 102. [0119] FIG. 8 illustrates a map of the battery exchange station 101, according to an embodiment herein. According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack system 108 comprises multiple battery collection points (BCPs) 109 and multiple battery vending points (BVPs) 110 to allow multiple battery exchanges to be performed simultaneously. The battery collection points 109 and the battery vending points 110 are identified, for example, by unique identifiers or identification numbers. The map of the battery exchange station 101 is predetermined. The map is created before the battery exchange station 101 is deployed. The battery exchange server 102 maintains and updates the map as required based on physical changes at the battery exchange station 101. The autonomous robot server 103 shown in FIG. 1, acquires the map from the battery exchange server 102 and sends the map to the autonomous mobile robots 104 shown in FIG. 1. The autonomous robot server 103 ensures that the autonomous mobile robots 104 have the latest map. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange station 101 comprises signalling systems, for example, 801a, 801b, 801c, 801d, 801e, and 801f, that provide signals or alerts regarding when the electric vehicles 116 requiring a battery exchange or replacement are allowed to park in the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, and 111c and when the electric vehicles 116 are allowed to move out of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, and 111c after the battery exchange or replacement to ensure safety of personnel at the battery exchange station 101, the autonomous mobile robots 104, etc. The signalling systems, for example, 801a, 801b, 801c, 801d, 801e, and 801f are installed at the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, and 111c to signal when an electric vehicle 116 is allowed to move in or out of the respective battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, and 111c.

[0120] When an electric vehicle 116 is on the move within the battery exchange station 101, the autonomous robot server 103 ensures that none of the autonomous mobile robots 104 are moving about the battery exchange station 101. The autonomous mobile robots 104 comprise sensors/intelligence to detect obstructions in route. If an autonomous mobile robot 104 detects an obstruction, the autonomous mobile robot 104 stops and waits for the obstruction to move away. If the obstruction does not move away for a customizable period of time, then the autonomous mobile robot 104 recalculates a different route than the original route and moves to the destination through the different route. The autonomous mobile robot 104 receives a command from the autonomous robot server 103 to move to the battery vending point 110 of the battery rack system 108 for picking up a fully charged battery. [0121] Using the map of the battery exchange station 101, the autonomous mobile robot 104 determines a path to the given battery vending point 110. The autonomous mobile robot 104 determines paths in such a way that the autonomous mobile robot 104 starts moving adjacent and parallel to the battery rack system 108 and towards the required battery vending point 110. Using the location information of the battery vending point 110 and markers present at the battery vending point 110, the autonomous mobile robot 104 stops close to the battery vending point 110. Due to an inherent nature of its design, the autonomous mobile robot 104 cannot align accurately with the battery vending point 110. After the autonomous mobile robot 104 stops near a battery compartment 117, the autonomous mobile robot 104 messages the battery collection and delivery system 105 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3H, about stopping near the battery vending point 110. The battery collection and delivery system 105 using its camera 147 shown in FIG. 3H, identifies horizontal, vertical, and orientation alignment discrepancies. The battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the rotor 137 shown in FIG. 3H to correct the orientation. When the orientation is aligned, the battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the guide rails 130 of the autonomous mobile robot 104 shown in FIGS. 3A-3H, and the motor 134 of the motorized linear slider 133 shown in FIGS. 3D-3G to correct the horizontal alignment. When the horizontal alignment is corrected, the battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the height adjustment mechanism 143, for example, a scissor lift, shown in FIG. 3H, to correct the vertical alignment. Correction of the orientation alignment, the horizontal alignment, and the vertical alignment are repeated until required alignment accuracy is met.

[0122] A computing engine of the battery collection and delivery system 105 checks with the battery exchange server 102 on whether a fully charged battery is placed at the battery vending point 110. If a fully charged battery is not placed at the battery vending point 110, the battery collection and delivery system 105 waits until the fully charged battery is placed at the battery vending point 110. The robotic arm 146 of the battery collection and delivery system 105 pulls the battery to the conveyor system 144 on the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 as illustrated in FIG. 3H. The conveyor system 144 on the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 also pulls the battery into the battery collection and delivery system 105. When the battery is fully transferred to the battery collection and delivery system 105, the battery collection and delivery system 105 notifies the autonomous mobile robot 104 which in turn notifies the autonomous robot server 103. The autonomous robot server 103 sends details of the battery replacement bay 111a, 111b, or 111c where the autonomous mobile robot 104 should move towards. The autonomous mobile robot 104, using an identifier of the battery replacement bay 111a, 111b, or 111c as the destination, the map of the battery exchange station 101, its own real time location using, for example, an IOPS tag 106b shown in FIG. 1, calculates the path to be taken to the destination battery replacement bay 111a, 111b, or 111c. The autonomous mobile robot 104 navigates through the calculated path and reaches the destination battery replacement bay 111a, 111b, or 111c. The valid paths configured for the autonomous mobile robot 104 are exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0123] According to an embodiment herein, one or more autonomous mobile robots 104 are used for extracting a spent battery from an electric vehicle 116 and for fixing a fully charged battery into the electric vehicle 116. For example, one autonomous mobile robot 104 is used for extracting a spent battery from an electric vehicle 116 and another autonomous mobile robot 104 is used for fixing a fully charged battery into the electric vehicle 116. After the battery exchange operation is complete, the electric vehicles 116 exit the battery exchange station 101 through outgoing paths configured in the map of the battery exchange station 101 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0124] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a battery 107 to be exchanged by an autonomous mobile robot 104 shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3A-3C, according to an embodiment herein. The battery 107 comprises magnetic points 156, a positive terminal 157, and a negative terminal 158 as illustrated in FIG. 9. The magnetic points 156 are used to align and secure the battery 107 within a battery compartment 117 of an electric vehicle 116 as shown in FIG. 3H, and within a slot 150 in the battery rack system 108 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0125] FIG. 10A illustrates a side elevation view of an electric vehicle 116, indicating a position of a battery compartment 117, according to an embodiment herein. FIG. 10B illustrates a front elevation view of the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle

116, according to an embodiment herein. The battery compartment 117 comprises a connection panel 159 with magnetic points 160, a positive terminal 161, and a negative terminal 162. The connection panel 159 allows an electrical connection to the battery 107 illustrated in FIG. 9. The magnetic points 156 of the battery 107 match with the magnetic points 160 of the connection panel 159. The magnetic points 160 of the connection panel 159 are energized and deenergized as required. When the magnetic points 160 of the connection panel 159 are energized, the magnetic points 160 hold the battery 107 in place within the battery compartment 117. When the conveyor system 144 of the battery collection and delivery system 105 shown in FIG. 3H, guides the battery 107 into the battery compartment

117, the magnetic points 156, the positive terminal 157, and the negative terminal 158 of the battery 107 attach to the magnetic points 160, the positive terminal 161, and the negative terminal 162 of the connection panel 159 in the battery compartment 117 respectively. When the magnetic points 160 of the connection panel 159 are deenergized, the battery 107 is not magnetically attached to the connection panel 159 in the battery compartment 117.

[0126] FIGS. 11A-11E illustrate alignment and positioning of a battery 107 within a battery compartment 117 of an electric vehicle 116 shown in FIG. 10A, according to an embodiment herein. Consider an example where the autonomous mobile robot 104 receives a command from the autonomous robot server 103 shown in FIG. 1, to move to a battery replacement bay, for example, 111a shown in FIG. 8, for extracting a spent battery from a battery compartment 117 of an electric vehicle 116 or depositing a fully charged battery into the battery compartment 117. The autonomous mobile robot 104 calculates a path to traverse to reach the battery replacement bay 111a using an identifier of the battery replacement bay 111a as the destination, the map of the battery exchange station 101, and its real time location, for example, using IOPS tags. The autonomous mobile robot 104 determines paths in such a way that the autonomous mobile robot 104 starts moving adjacent and parallel to the battery replacement bay 111a as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0127] Using the electric vehicle information sent by the autonomous robot server 103 and markers present in the electric vehicle 116 for the battery compartment 117 or the battery 107, the autonomous mobile robot 104 stops close to the battery compartment 117. Due to an inherent nature of its design, the autonomous mobile robot 104 cannot align accurately with the battery compartment 117. After the autonomous mobile robot 104 stops near the battery compartment 117, the autonomous mobile robot 104 messages the battery collection and delivery system 105 about stopping near the battery compartment 117. The battery collection and delivery system 105, using its camera 147, identifies horizontal, vertical, and orientation alignment discrepancies as illustrated in FIG. 11A. The battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the rotor 137 shown in FIG. 3H to correct orientation as illustrated in FIG. 11B. The rotor 137 rotates the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 to align itself with respect to the battery compartment 117 as illustrated in FIG. 11B. When the orientation is aligned, the battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the guide rails 130 on the autonomous mobile robot 104 shown in FIGS. SA SH and the motor 134 of the motorized linear slider 133 shown in FIGS. 3D-3G to move in a horizontal direction to align itself with the battery compartment 117 and correct the horizontal alignment as illustrated in FIG. 11C. When the horizontal alignment is corrected, the battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the height adjustment mechanism 143, for example, a scissor lift, shown in FIG. 3H, to correct the vertical alignment. Correction of the orientation alignment, the horizontal alignment, and the vertical alignment are repeated until required alignment accuracy is met. When the required alignment accuracy is met, the conveyor system 144 of the battery collection and delivery system 105 shown in FIG. 3H, moves the battery 107 into the battery compartment 117 as illustrated in FIG. 11D. When the magnetic points 160 of the connection panel 159 are energized, the conveyor system 144 and guiding walls 117a of the battery compartment 117 guide the battery 107 into the battery compartment 117 such that the magnetic points 156, the positive terminal 157, and the negative terminal 158 of the battery 107 attach to the magnetic points 160, the positive terminal 161, and the negative terminal 162 of the connection panel 159 in the battery compartment 117 respectively as illustrated in FIG. HE.

[0128] FIG. 12 illustrates an architectural block diagram of the system 100 for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles 116 simultaneously, according to an embodiment herein. Various aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as a system, a method, or a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium having one or more computer-readable program codes stored thereon. Accordingly, various embodiments of the present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment comprising, for example, microcode, firmware, software, etc., or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may be referred to herein as a“system”, a“module”, an“engine”, a“circuit”, or a“unit”. As used herein,“non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium” refers to all computer- readable media, for example, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media, except for a transitory, propagating signal. Non-volatile media comprise, for example, solid state drives, optical discs or magnetic disks, flash memory cards, a read-only memory (ROM), etc. Volatile media comprise, for example, a register memory, a processor cache, a random-access memory (RAM), etc. Transmission media comprise, for example, coaxial cables, copper wire, fibre optic cables, modems, etc., including wires that constitute a system bus coupled to a processor.

[0129] FIG. 12 illustrates various computing modules and components of the battery exchange server 102, the autonomous robot server 103, the autonomous mobile robot 104 fitted with the battery collection and delivery system 105, the battery rack system 108, and the battery replacement bay llle. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server 102 is a computer system that communicates wirelessly with the autonomous robot server 103, the autonomous mobile robots 104, the battery rack system 108, the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf, and the electric vehicles 116 at the battery exchange station 101 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The battery exchange server 102 coordinates all activities that occur in the battery exchange station 101. The battery exchange server 102 comprises multiple modules that communicate with other systems and subsystems in the battery exchange station 101, for example, the central server 115 illustrated in FIG. 1, the autonomous robot server 103, the autonomous mobile robots 104, the battery rack system 108, the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf, and the electric vehicles 116 at the battery exchange station 101. The battery exchange server 102 processes information received from these systems and subsystems, makes decisions, and communicates the decisions to these systems and subsystems.

[0130] The battery exchange server 102 and the autonomous robot server 103 are computer systems programmable using high-level computer programming languages. In an embodiment, the battery exchange server 102 and the autonomous robot server 103 are implemented using programmed and purposeful hardware. In an embodiment, the battery exchange server 102 and the autonomous robot server 103 are accessible to users, for example, through a broad spectrum of technologies and user devices such as smart phones, tablet computing devices, endpoint devices, etc., with access to the network 114, for example, the internet, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, the battery exchange server 102 and the autonomous robot server 103 are implemented in a cloud computing environment. As used herein,“cloud computing environment” refers to a processing environment comprising configurable computing physical and logical resources, for example, networks, servers, storage media, virtual machines, applications, services, etc., and data distributed over the network 114. In the system 100 disclosed herein, the battery exchange server 102 interfaces with the autonomous robot server 103, the autonomous mobile robots 104, the battery collection and delivery system 105, and the battery rack system 108, and therefore more than one specifically programmed computing system is used for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles 116 simultaneously.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 12, the system 100 disclosed herein further comprises non-transitory, computer-readable storage media, for example, memory units 102b, 103b, 104b, 105g, and 108e deployed in the battery exchange server 102, the autonomous robot server 103, the autonomous mobile robot 104, the battery collection and delivery system 105, and the battery rack system 108 respectively, for storing computer program instructions defined by various modules of the system 100. The system 100 disclosed herein further comprises processors 102a, 103a, 104a, 105f, and 108d configured as computing engines in the battery exchange server 102, the autonomous robot server 103, the autonomous mobile robot 104, the battery collection and delivery system 105, and the battery rack system 108 respectively, for executing the computer program instructions defined by various modules of the system 100. The processors 102a, 103a, 104a, 105f, and 108d are operably and communicatively coupled to their respective memory units 102b, 103b, 104b, 105g, and 108e. The processors 102a, 103a, 104a, 105f, and 108d refer to any one or more microprocessors, central processing unit (CPU) devices, finite state machines, computers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, logic, a logic device, an user circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a chip, etc., or any combination thereof, capable of executing computer programs or a series of commands, instructions, or state transitions. In an embodiment, each of the processors 102a, 103a, 104a, 105f, and 108d is implemented as a processor set comprising, for example, a programmed microprocessor and a math or graphics co-processor. The battery exchange server 102, the autonomous robot server 103, the autonomous mobile robot 104, the battery collection and delivery system 105, and the battery rack system 108 are not limited to employing the processors 102a, 103a, 104a, 105f, and 108d respectively. According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server 102, the autonomous robot server 103, the autonomous mobile robot 104, the battery collection and delivery system 105, and the battery rack system 108 employ controllers or microcontrollers.

[0132] The memory units 102b, 103b, 104b, 105g, and 108e are used for storing program instructions, applications, and data. The memory units 102b, 103b, 104b, 105g, and 108e are, for example, random-access memories (RAMs) or other types of dynamic storage devices that store information and instructions for execution by the respective processors 102a, 103a, 104a, 105f, and 108d. The memory units 102b, 103b, 104b, 105g, and 108e also store temporary variables and other intermediate information used during execution of the instructions by the respective processors 102a, 103a, 104a, 105f, and 108d. According to an embodiment herein, each of the components, that is, the battery exchange server 102, the autonomous robot server 103, the autonomous mobile robot 104, the battery collection and delivery system 105, and the battery rack system 108, further comprises read only memories (ROMs) or other types of static storage devices that store static information and instructions for execution by the respective processors 102a, 103a, 104a, 105f, and 108d.

[0133] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the battery exchange server 102 further comprises a data bus 102o, a display unit 102k, a network interface 102m, and common modules 102n. Similarly, the autonomous robot server 103 further comprises a data bus 1031, a display unit 103h, a network interface 103j, and common modules 103k. The data bus 102o of the battery exchange server 102 permits communications between the modules, for example, 102a, 102b, 102k, 102m, 102n, etc. The data bus 1031 of the autonomous robot server 103 permits communications between the modules, for example, 103a, 103b, 103h, 103j, 103k, etc. The display units 102k and 103h of the battery exchange server 102 and the autonomous robot server 103, via their respective graphical user interfaces (GUIs) 1021 and 103i, display information, display interfaces, user interface elements such as checkboxes, input text fields, etc., for example, for allowing a user such as a system administrator to configure settings for the battery exchange station 101. The battery exchange server 102 and the autonomous robot server 103 render the GUIs 1021 and 103i on their respective display units 102k and 103h for receiving inputs from the system administrator. The GUIs 1021 and 103i comprise, for example, online web interfaces, web-based downloadable application interfaces, mobile- based downloadable application interfaces, etc. The display units 102k and 103h display the respective GUIs 1021 and 103i.

[0134] The network interfaces 102m and 103j enable connection of the battery exchange server 102 and the autonomous robot server 103 respectively, to a network internal to the battery exchange station 101. In an embodiment, the network interfaces 102m and 103j are provided as interface cards also referred to as line cards. The network interfaces 102m and 103j are, for example, one or more of infrared interfaces, interfaces implementing Wi-Fi^® of Wi-Fi Alliance Corporation, universal serial bus interfaces, FireWire^® interfaces of Apple Inc., Ethernet interfaces, frame relay interfaces, cable interfaces, digital subscriber line interfaces, token ring interfaces, peripheral controller interconnect interfaces, local area network interfaces, wide area network interfaces, interfaces using serial protocols, interfaces using parallel protocols, Ethernet communication interfaces, asynchronous transfer mode interfaces, high speed serial interfaces, fiber distributed data interfaces, interfaces based on transmission control protocol/intemet protocol, interfaces based on wireless communications technology such as satellite technology, radio frequency technology, near field communication, etc. The common modules 102n and 103k of the battery exchange server 102 and the autonomous robot server 103 respectively, comprise, for example, input/output (I/O) controllers, input devices, output devices, fixed media drives such as hard drives, removable media drives for receiving removable media, etc. Computer applications and programs are used for operating the battery exchange server 102 and the autonomous robot server 103. The programs are loaded onto fixed media drives and into the respective memory units 102b and 103b via the removable media drives. In an embodiment, the computer applications and programs are loaded into the respective memory units 102b and 103b directly via a network internal to the battery exchange station 101.

[0135] According to an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 12, various modules, for example, a central server module 102c, an autonomous mobile robot module 102d, a battery rack system module 102e, a battery replacement bay module 102f, an indoor/outdoor positioning system (IOPS) module 102g, an infrastructure module 102h, and a data store 102j are stored in the memory unit 102b of the battery exchange server 102. The central server module 102c is communicatively coupled to the central server 115. The central server module 102c communicates with the central server 115 via a wired connection and/or a wireless connection, sends and receives commands from the central server 115, and executes multiple functions in communication with the central server 115 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 1. The central server 115 authenticates any new entity that is installed in the battery exchange station 101. The central server module 102c collects and sends information from the new entity to the central server 115 for authentication. The battery exchange server 102 monitors the demand for the battery exchange, an availability of charged batteries in the battery rack system 108, and if required, the central server module 102c sends a request to the central server 115 for an additional mobile battery rack system. The battery exchange server 102 also monitors health of all the equipment in the battery exchange station 101. If an autonomous mobile robot 104 starts malfunctioning, the central server module 102c sends a request for a replacement autonomous mobile robot to the central server 115.

[0136] The autonomous mobile robot module 102d communicates with the autonomous robot server 103 via a wireless connection, sends commands to the autonomous robot server 103, receives messages and notifications from the autonomous robot server 103, and executes multiple functions in communication with the autonomous robot server 103 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 1. The autonomous mobile robot module 102d forwards the commands from the processor 102a to the autonomous vehicle subsystem comprising the autonomous robot server 103 and the autonomous mobile robots 104. The autonomous mobile robot module 102d also sends information of the battery replacement bay llle where an electric vehicle is parked and what type of battery is to be exchanged, etc., to the autonomous vehicle subsystem. The autonomous mobile robot module 102d also receives information from the autonomous vehicle subsystem on which battery vending point and battery collection point are selected for a given battery exchange. The autonomous mobile robot module 102d also receives a status of various battery exchange tasks. The autonomous mobile robot module 102d feeds the above information to the processor 102a. [0137] The battery rack system module 102e communicates with the battery rack system 108, sends commands to the battery rack system 108, receives messages and notifications from the battery rack system 108, and executes multiple functions in communication with the battery rack system 108 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 1-2 and FIGS. 4-7. According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack system module 102e is configured to register and authenticate a new fixed or mobile battery rack system. The battery rack system module 102e also receives information on the status of the batteries in the battery rack system 108, types of batteries, number of occupied slots, number of empty slots, etc., and communicates the information to the processor 102a configured as a control and monitoring engine for further processing.

[0138] The battery replacement bay module 102f communicates with the battery replacement bay llle, sends commands to the battery replacement bay llle, receives messages and notifications from the battery replacement bay llle, and executes multiple functions in communication with the battery replacement bay llle as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 1. The battery replacement bay module 102f communicates with the occupancy sensors 113, identification readers, for example, 112e, of the battery replacement bay llle. The battery replacement bay module 102f receives and sends the information from the occupancy sensors 113, the identification readers 112e, etc., to the processor 102a configured as a control and monitoring engine for further processing.

[0139] The indoor/outdoor positioning system (IOPS) module 102g communicates with the positioning system 106, sends commands to the positioning system 106, receives messages and notifications from the positioning system 106, and executes multiple functions in communication with the positioning system 106 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 1-2 and FIG. 13. The IOPS module 102g controls or drives the positioning system 106 shown in FIGS. 1-2 and FIG. 13. The IOPS module 102g receives information regarding positions of various entities in the battery exchange station 101 and passes the information onto the processor 102a configured as a control and monitoring engine for further processing. The infrastructure module 102h executes multiple functions associated with the infrastructure of the battery exchange station 101 in communication with the central server 115 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 1. According to an embodiment herein, the infrastructure module 102h receives and transmits information from the identification readers, for example, RFID readers, not attached to the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and 11 If, to the processor 102a configured as a control and monitoring engine for further processing. The processor 102a configured as a control and monitoring engine gathers information from various systems and subsystems through the above modules, processes the information, and generates decisions on next steps. According to an embodiment herein, the processor 102a also drives the display unit 102k to provides a real-time visualization of various tasks being performed in the battery exchange station 101.

[0140] According to an embodiment herein, the battery exchange server 102 further comprises a machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI) module 102i stored in the memory unit 102b of the battery exchange server 102. The ML/AI module 102i implements machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities in the battery exchange server 102 for learning and predicting a path and routes within the battery exchange station 101, learning and predicting shapes of different electric vehicles, learning different sizes and models of batteries in demand, learning time durations for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery to predict availability of the autonomous mobile robots 104, and learning the locations of batteries in different electric vehicles for quick movement of the selected autonomous mobile robot 104 towards an electric vehicle and quick alignment and positioning of the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle. According to an embodiment herein, the machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities of the battery exchange server 102 facilitate data analytics in a cloud computing environment for enhancing operations of the battery exchange station 101. The data store 102j stores a map of the battery exchange station 101 and various data items, notifications, messages, etc., sent and received from the autonomous robot server 103, the autonomous mobile robots 104, the battery collection and delivery system 105, and the battery rack system 108.

[0141] According to an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 12, various modules, for example, a registration module 103c, a communication module 103d, a scheduler 103e, and a data store 103f are stored in the memory unit 103b of the autonomous robot server 103. The registration module 103c registers information of the autonomous mobile robots 104 and stores the information in the data store 103f. When a new autonomous mobile robot 104 is issued to the battery exchange station 101, the autonomous mobile robot 104 announces its presence with its credentials wirelessly to the registration module 103c. The registration module 103c receives this information and validates the credentials with the battery exchange server 102. The battery exchange server 102, in turn, validates the credentials of the autonomous mobile robot 104 with the central server 115. Once authenticated, the new autonomous mobile robot 104 becomes part of the autonomous vehicle subsystem. According to an embodiment herein, the registration module 103c deregisters autonomous mobile robots 104 that are not required. The deregistered autonomous mobile robots 104 are removed from the autonomous vehicle subsystem of the battery exchange station 101. The autonomous mobile robots 104 communicate with the autonomous robot server 103 via a wireless connection. The autonomous robot server 103 is connected to the battery exchange server 102 via a wired connection and/or a wireless connection. The autonomous robot server 103 also communicates with the battery rack system 108 via a wired connection and/or a wireless connection. The autonomous mobile robot 104 sends its own status, for example, a current location, a task, a progress of battery exchange, etc., to the autonomous robot server 103 periodically.

[0142] The communication module 103d of the autonomous robot server 103 receives battery exchange commands from the battery exchange server 102 and notifications from the autonomous mobile robots 104. According to an embodiment herein, the communication module 103d receives and communicates battery information and position information from the electric vehicles 116 to the autonomous mobile robots 104. According to an embodiment herein, the communication module 103d communicates a malfunction of any one or more of the autonomous mobile robots 104 to the battery exchange server 102. According to an embodiment herein, the scheduler 103e conveys a battery exchange status of the autonomous mobile robots 104 to the battery exchange server 102 and receives commands from the battery exchange server 102 for facilitating an initiation of an exchange of a spent battery with a charged battery into an electric vehicle 116 by the selected autonomous mobile robot 104. The scheduler 103e of the autonomous robot server 103 determines which autonomous mobile robot 104 is to be used to execute the battery exchange commands received from the battery exchange server 102. The scheduler 103e determines which autonomous mobile robots 104 are performing battery exchange tasks such as extraction of a spent battery from an electric vehicle 116, deposit of a spent battery into the battery rack system 108, pick up of a charged battery from the battery rack system 108, fixing of the charged battery into a battery compartment 117 of the battery rack system 108 shown in FIG. 1, etc., and which autonomous mobile robots 104 are free at any given time. If all the autonomous mobile robots 104 in the battery exchange station 101 shown in FIG. 1, are occupied in performing battery exchange tasks, the scheduler 103e identifies a sequence of availability of the autonomous mobile robots 104 for performing additional battery exchange tasks based on an estimated time of completion of the battery exchange tasks by each of the autonomous mobile robots 104. According to an embodiment herein, based on current availability of the autonomous mobile robots 104 for performing battery exchange tasks, future availability of the autonomous mobile robots 104 for performing battery exchange tasks, distance to be travelled by the battery from its slot in the battery rack system 108 to the electric vehicle 116, the scheduler 103e identifies an autonomous mobile robot 104 for new battery exchange tasks.

[0143] Battery exchange or replacement comprises at least two battery exchange tasks, namely, a spent battery collection task and a battery replenishment task. The spent battery collection task comprises removing a spent battery from a battery compartment 117 of an electric vehicle 116 and placing the spent battery at the battery collection point 109 of the battery rack system 108 shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 4-5, and FIG. 8. The battery replenishment task comprises retrieving a charged battery from the battery vending point 110 of the battery rack system 108 shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 4-5, and FIG. 8, and placing the charged battery in the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116. The autonomous vehicle subsystem (AVS) comprising the autonomous robot server 103 and the autonomous mobile robots 104 execute the battery exchange tasks sequentially or in parallel.

[0144] Consider an example where the autonomous vehicle subsystem is configured to perform the two battery exchange tasks sequentially. When the battery exchange server

102 sends a command about a subsequent battery exchange to the autonomous robot server

103 in the autonomous vehicle subsystem, the scheduler 103e receives the command for the spent battery collection task. The autonomous robot server 103 gathers information on the current status of all the autonomous mobile robots 104 in the autonomous vehicle subsystem. The autonomous robot server 103 gathers information on the number of free slots in the battery rack system 108 that are configured to accommodate the spent battery from the battery rack system 108. For each free slot, the autonomous robot server 103 also collects its location and the time taken to move the spent battery from the nearest battery collection point 109 to the free slot. The scheduler 103e receives the above information and identifies the autonomous mobile robot 104 and the battery collection point 109 such that the spent battery collection task is completed in a short time. The autonomous robot server 103 notifies the battery exchange server 102 regarding the identified autonomous mobile robot 104 and the battery collection point 109 for the spent battery collection task.

[0145] The battery exchange server 102, in turn, notifies the battery rack system 108 regarding the battery collection point 109 identified for the spent battery collection task. When the autonomous mobile robot 104 completes the spent battery collection task, the autonomous mobile robot 104 notifies the autonomous robot server 103 that in turn, notifies the battery exchange server 102. The battery exchange server 102 notifies the battery rack system 108 that the spent battery is placed in the battery collection point 109. When the spent battery collection’ task is completed, the scheduler 103e receives a command for the battery replenishment task. The autonomous robot server 103 gathers information on the current status of all the autonomous mobile robots 104 in the autonomous vehicle subsystem. Moreover, the autonomous robot server 103 gathers information on the number batteries of a required type available from the battery rack system 108. For each one of the batteries available, the autonomous robot server 103 also gathers information on its location, time taken to move the battery to the nearest battery vending point 110, etc. The scheduler 103e receives the above information and identifies the autonomous mobile robot 104 and the battery vending point 110 such that the battery replenishment task is completed in a short time. The autonomous robot server 103 notifies the battery exchange server 102 regarding the identified autonomous mobile robot 104 and the battery vending point 110 for the battery replenishment task. The battery exchange server 102, in turn, notifies the battery rack system 108 regarding the battery vending point 110 identified for the battery replenishment task. When the autonomous mobile robot 104 collects the battery from the battery vending point 110, the autonomous mobile robot 104 notifies the autonomous robot server 103 that in turn, notifies the battery exchange server 102. The battery exchange server 102 notifies the battery rack system 108 that the battery is collected from the battery vending point 110. When the autonomous mobile robot 104 completes the battery replenishment task in the electric vehicle 116, the autonomous mobile robot 104 notifies the autonomous robot server 103 that in turn, notifies the battery exchange server 102.

[0146] Consider another example where the autonomous vehicle subsystem is configured to perform the two battery exchange tasks in parallel. In this example, the scheduler 103e receives commands for both the spent battery collection task and the battery replenishment task at the same time. The autonomous robot server 103 collects similar information from the autonomous mobile robots 104 and the battery rack system 108 as disclosed above. The scheduler 103e uses this information and identifies one combination of an autonomous mobile robot 104 and a battery collection point 109 for executing the spent battery collection task and another combination of an autonomous mobile robot 104 and a battery vending point 110 for executing the battery replenishment task. The autonomous robot server 103 sends information on the identified autonomous mobile robots 104, the battery collection point 109, and the battery vending point 110 to the battery exchange server 102 that in turn, sends the required information to the battery rack system 108. In this example, the autonomous mobile robots 104 execute the battery exchange tasks in parallel with the exception of the spent battery collection from the electric vehicle 116 and replenishment of the fully charged battery into the electric vehicle 116.

[0147] According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous robot server 103 further comprises a machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI) module 103g installed in the memory unit 103b. The ML/AI module 103g implements machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities in the battery exchange server 102 for learning and predicting a path and routes within the battery exchange station 101, learning and predicting shapes of different electric vehicles, learning different sizes and models of batteries in demand, learning time durations for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery to predict availability of the autonomous mobile robots 104, and learning the locations of batteries in different electric vehicles for quick movement of the selected autonomous mobile robot 104 towards an electric vehicle and quick alignment and positioning of the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle. According to an embodiment herein, the machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities of the autonomous robot server 103 facilitate data analytics in a cloud computing environment for enhancing operations of the battery exchange station 101. The data store 103f stores various data items, notifications, messages, etc., sent and received from the autonomous mobile robots 104, the battery collection and delivery system 105, and the battery exchange server 102.

[0148] According to an embodiment herein, the ML/AI modules 102i and 103g of the battery exchange server 102 and the autonomous robot server 103 respectively, comprise machine learning capabilities to learn the environment of the battery exchange station 101, the type of electric vehicles 116 that request for battery exchange, learn the time taken to exchange batteries to improve algorithms that predict availability of the autonomous mobile robots 104, etc. According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack system 108 further comprises machine learning capabilities to learn the type of batteries in demand over a time period at a particular battery exchange station 101 and predict the demand in future for battery supply chain management. The raw data collected by various subsystems in the battery exchange station 101 and data generated via machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques are shared to cloud storage for further data analytics to enhance operational efficiency of the battery exchange station 101.

[0149] According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack system 108 comprises a communication module 108f that communicates with the battery exchange server 102 and the autonomous robot server 103 regarding battery vending, battery collection, and battery exchange operations via a wired connection and/or a wireless connection. The communication module 108f of the battery rack system 108 shares information on availability of a fully charged battery, time taken to move the required battery to the nearest battery vending point 110, etc., with the autonomous robot server 103 when required. The communication module 108f also shares information on empty slots for a given type of battery, time taken to move the required battery from the battery collection point 109 to the nearest empty slot with the autonomous robot server 103 when required. The battery rack system 108 receives a command to place a fully charged battery of a given type at the battery vending point 110. When the fully charged battery is placed in the battery vending point 110. The communication module 108f sends information to the autonomous robot server 103 and/or the battery exchange server 102 indicating that the fully charged battery is available at the required battery vending point 110. The autonomous robot server 103 and/or the battery exchange server 102 notify the battery rack system 108 when the spent battery is placed at the required battery collection point 109.

[0150] According to an embodiment herein, the central server module 102c, the autonomous mobile robot module 102d, the battery rack system module 102e, the battery replacement bay module 102f, the IOPS module 102g, the infrastructure module 102h, and the ML/AI module 102i are disclosed above as software executed by the processor 102a of the battery exchange server 102. Similarly, the registration module 103c, the communication module 103d, the scheduler 103e, and the ML/AI module 103g are disclosed above as software executed by the processor 103a of the autonomous robot server 103. Similarly, the communication module 108f is disclosed above as software executed by the processor 108d of the battery rack system 108. According to another embodiment herein, the modules, for example, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g, 102h, 102i, 103c, 103d, 103e, 103g, 108f, etc., of the system 100 disclosed herein are implemented completely in hardware. According to another embodiment herein, the modules, for example, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g, 102h, 102i, 103c, 103d, 103e, 103g, 108f, etc., of the system 100 disclosed herein are implemented by logic circuits to carry out their respective functions disclosed above. In another embodiment, the system 100 is also implemented as a combination of hardware and software including one or more processors, for example, 102a, 103a, 105f, 108d, etc., that are used to implement the various modules of the system 100 disclosed herein.

[0151] For purposes of illustration, the detailed description refers to the modules, for example, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g, 102h, 102i, 103c, 103d, 103e, 103g, 108f, etc., being run locally on individual computer systems; however the scope of the system 100 and the method disclosed herein is not limited to the modules, for example, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g, 102h, 102i, 103c, 103d, 103e, 103g, 108f, etc., being run locally on individual computer systems via respective operating systems and processors 102a, 103a, 104a, 105f, and 108d, but may be extended to run remotely over the network 114 by employing a web browser and a remote server, a mobile phone, or other electronic devices. In an embodiment, one or more portions of the system 100 disclosed herein are distributed across one or more computer systems (not shown) coupled to the network 114.

[0152] A module, or an engine, or a unit, as used herein, refers to any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. As an example, a module, or an engine, or a unit may include hardware, such as a microcontroller, associated with a non-transitory, computer- readable storage medium to store computer program codes adapted to be executed by the microcontroller. Therefore, references to a module, or an engine, or a unit, in an embodiment, refer to the hardware that is specifically configured to recognize and/or execute the computer program codes to be held on a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium. The computer program codes comprising computer readable and executable instructions can be implemented in any programming language, for example, C, C++, C#, Java^®, JavaScript^®, Fortran, Ruby, Perl^®, Python^®, Visual Basic^®, hypertext preprocessor (PHP), Microsoft^® .NET, Objective-C^®, etc. Other object-oriented, functional, scripting, and/or logical programming languages can also be used. In an embodiment, the computer program codes or software programs are stored on or in one or more mediums as object code. In another embodiment, the term“module” or“engine” or“unit” refers to the combination of the microcontroller and the non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium. Often module or engine or unit boundaries that are illustrated as separate commonly vary and potentially overlap. For example, a module or an engine or a unit may share hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof, while potentially retaining some independent hardware, software, or firmware. In various embodiments, a module or an engine or a unit includes any suitable logic.

[0153] The battery collection and delivery system 105 and the autonomous mobile robot 104 are fitted with multiple mechanical components 105h, for example, required motors, motor controllers, gear mechanisms, wheels/chains, etc., to allow the autonomous mobile robot 104 and the battery collection and delivery system 105 to move as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 3H, FIG. 8, and FIGS. 11A-11E. The processor 105f of the battery collection and delivery system 105 configured as a computing engine uses the camera 147 of the battery collection and delivery system 105 shown in FIG. 3H, to determine the position and orientation accuracy of the upper portion 105a of the battery collection and delivery system 105 with respect to the battery compartment 117, or the battery collection point 109, or the battery vending point 110. The battery rack system 108 is also fitted with multiple mechanical components 108g, for example, required motors, motor controllers, conveyors, etc., to allow movement of batteries within the battery rack system 108. According to an embodiment herein, the battery rack system 108 comprises a mechanical coupling for attaching to another battery rack system. The mechanical coupling provides a required a wired electrical connection for an RS485 communication between the battery rack systems 108.

[0154] FIG. 13 illustrates the positioning system 106 of the battery exchange station 101 shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment herein. The positioning system 106 determines the positions of different entities in the battery exchange station 101 using one or more technologies. The positioning system 106 comprises one or more infrastructural units 106a and tag units 106b. The infrastructural units 106a and the tag units 106b of the positioning system 106 use a satellite system architecture that implements positioning technologies, for example, a global positioning system (GPS) technology, a real-time kinematic (RTK) satellite technology, etc., for positioning and navigation. The infrastructural units 106a are positioned and deployed within the structural framework of the battery exchange station 101 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The infrastructural units 106a are connected to the battery exchange server 102 shown in FIG. 1, via a wired connection and/or a wireless connection. The infrastructural units 106a communicate with the battery exchange server 102 to share the position information of multiple entities in the battery exchange station 101. Each of the infrastructural units 106a comprises a processor 106c configured as a computing engine and a memory unit 106d. The processor 106c processes position information of different entities in the battery exchange station 101. According to an embodiment herein, each of the infrastructural units 106a further comprises indoor positioning satellites 106g, outdoor positioning satellites 106h, and a base station 106e, for example, an RTK base station. The indoor positioning satellites 106g comprise, for example, ultra- wide band (UWB) anchors, Wi-Fi^® access points, Bluetooth^® real-time location system (RTLS) beacons, etc. The outdoor positioning satellites 106h, for example, GPS satellites, are used for outdoor positioning. If only indoor positioning is needed in the battery exchange station 101, the RTK base station 106e and outdoor positioning satellites 106h are not used.

[0155] The tag units 106b, for example, IOPS tags, are attached to and deployed within the autonomous mobile robots 104 and the electric vehicles 116 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The tag units 106b installed in the autonomous mobile robots 104 determines their position and/or coordinates within the battery exchange station 101 using the infrastructural units 106a deployed in the battery exchange station 101. Similarly, the tag units 106b installed in the electric vehicles 116 determines their position and/or coordinates within the battery exchange station 101 using the infrastructural units 106a deployed in the battery exchange station 101. According to an embodiment herein, the tag units 106b are attached to and deployed on the battery rack system 108 shown in FIG. 1. The tag units 106b, for example, the IOPS tags, are used to determine the absolute location of each of the entities on which they are placed. For example, the IOPS tags are placed on the autonomous mobile robots 104 to determine the real time locations of the autonomous mobile robots 104 within the battery exchange station 101. Each of the tag units 106b comprises indoor positioning tags 106i, a GPS receiver 106j, and rovers 106k, for example, RTK rovers. The indoor positioning tags 106i comprise, for example, UWB tags, a Bluetooth^® receiver, and a Wi-Fi^® receiver. UWB provides an optimal accuracy of few centimetres for indoor positioning. RTK provides optimal accuracy for outdoor positioning. The tag unit 106b positioned on an entity within the battery exchange station 101 calculates its position using the infrastructural unit 106a and sends its own location and in turn, the location of the entity to the battery exchange server 102. According to an embodiment herein, the infrastructural unit 106a calculates the positions of various entities/tag units 106b and sends the positions to the battery exchange server 102.

[0156] According to an embodiment herein, the autonomous mobile robots 104 and/or the electric vehicles 116 are configured to navigate within the battery exchange station 101 without guidance from the positioning system 106 using sensors, for example, area scanners, lasers, cameras, etc., that map an environment in the battery exchange station 101. Once a map of the battery exchange station 101 is created using the sensors, the autonomous mobile robots 104 and/or the electric vehicles 116 navigate within the battery exchange station 101 using the map created. These maps of the battery exchange station 101 are updated in periodical intervals or in real-time using the autonomous mobile robots 104.

[0157] FIG. 14 illustrates a block diagram indicating multiple battery exchange stations 101a, 101b, 101c, lOld, and lOle controlled by the central server 115, according to an embodiment herein. The battery exchange server 102 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 12, of each of the battery exchange stations 101a, 101b, 101c, lOld, and lOle is connected to the central server 115, for example, via a wired communication network, or a wireless communication network, or a combination thereof. According to an embodiment herein, the central server 115 and the battery exchange stations 101a, 101b, 101c, lOld, and lOle are owned and installed by an organization or a company that provides battery exchange service. The central server 115 manages and coordinates the activities of all the battery exchange stations 101a, 101b, 101c, lOld, and lOle positioned at different geographical locations. If any one of the autonomous mobile robots 104 malfunctions, the central server 115 sends another autonomous mobile robot 104 from a nearby battery exchange station.

[0158] FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart explaining a method for exchanging spent batteries with charged batteries in multiple electric vehicles simultaneously. According to an embodiment herein, the method disclosed herein comprises configuring 1501 the battery exchange server 102, multiple battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf, multiple battery rack systems 108, multiple autonomous mobile robots 104, and the battery collection and delivery system 105 in a battery exchange station 101 as illustrated in FIG. 1. According to an embodiment herein, the method disclosed herein further comprises the following steps: The battery exchange server 102, in communication with the central server 115 shown in FIG. 1, determines 1502 a demand for charged batteries and delivers supplementary charged batteries to the battery rack systems 108 based on the demand. The battery exchange server 102 detects 1503 one or more electric vehicles 116 parked in any position at any one or more of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf illustrated in FIG. 1. The battery exchange server 102, in communication with the autonomous robot server 103, selects 1504 one or more of the autonomous mobile robots 104 to perform an exchange of the spent battery with the charged battery in the detected electric vehicle 116.

[0159] The battery exchange server 102, in communication with the autonomous robot server 103, identifies 1505 a charged battery slot and a spent battery slot from the slots in one or more of the battery rack systems 108. The charged battery slot is configured to receive and store the charged battery to be picked up by the selected autonomous mobile robot 104. The spent battery slot is configured to receive and store the spent battery from the selected autonomous mobile robot 104. The battery exchange server 102 receives and communicates 1506 battery information and position information from the detected electric vehicle 116 to the selected autonomous mobile robot 104. The selected autonomous mobile robot 104 traverses 1507 a first path to the battery replacement bay, for example, 111a, where the detected electric vehicle 116 is parked. The selected autonomous mobile robot 104, in communication with one or more sensors, positions and aligns 1508 the battery collection and delivery system 105 with respect to the battery compartment 117 of the detected electric vehicle 116 as illustrated in FIG. 3H, to extract the spent battery using the position information. The selected autonomous mobile robot 104 traverses 1509 a second path to the battery rack system 108 with the spent battery. The battery collection and delivery system 105 on the selected autonomous mobile robot 104, in communication with one or more sensors, aligns and positions 1510 the spent battery in the spent battery slot of the battery rack system 108.

[0160] The selected autonomous mobile robot 104 positions and aligns 1511 the battery collection and delivery system 105, in communication with one or more sensors, in the charged battery slot of the battery rack system 108 to extract the charged battery. The selected autonomous mobile robot 104 traverses 1512 a third path to the battery replacement bay 111a where the electric vehicle 116 is parked with the charged battery. The battery collection and delivery system 105 on the selected autonomous mobile robot 104, in communication with one or more sensors, aligns and positions 1513 the charged battery into the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116 based on the position information.

[0161] Consider an example where an electric vehicle 116 is parked at a battery replacement bay, for example, llle, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 12. A driver of the electric vehicle 116 flashes or scans an RFID based subscription card near the RFID reader 112e illustrated in FIG. 1. The RFID based subscription card comprises details of the electric vehicle 116 and the type of battery used in the electric vehicle 116. The driver verifies the details of the electric vehicle 116 on a display unit of the battery replacement bay llle and requests for a battery exchange through the RFID reader 112e. When the driver flashes the RFID based subscription card, the RFID reader 112e reads the details of the electric vehicle 116 and sends the battery exchange request and the details of the electric vehicle 116 to the battery exchange server 102 along with an identifier of the battery replacement bay llle at which the electric vehicle 116 is parked. Though the electric vehicle 116 is parked at the battery replacement bay llle, the driver need not park/position the electric vehicle 116 accurately. The battery replacement bay module 102f of the battery exchange server 102 illustrated in FIG. 12, receives and sends the battery exchange request to the processor 102a configured as a control and monitoring engine. The processor 102a validates the authenticity of the battery exchange request and forwards the battery exchange request to the autonomous mobile robot module 102d illustrated in FIG. 12. The autonomous mobile robot module 102d sends the battery exchange request to the autonomous robot server 103 with details of the electric vehicle 116 and the identifier of the battery replacement bay llle where the electric vehicle 116 is parked. [0162] The autonomous robot server 103 gathers information on the status of all the autonomous mobile robots 104 and their availability. The autonomous robot server 103 also collects information from the battery rack system 108 on empty slots and time taken to move a spent battery from the battery collection point 109 shown in FIG. 5, to a proximal empty slot. Using the above information, the scheduler 103e in the autonomous robot server 103 determines and selects the autonomous mobile robot 104 and the battery collection point 109 where the spent battery will be deposited or placed. The autonomous robot server 103 sends a command to the selected autonomous mobile robot 104 to perform a spent battery collection task. The autonomous mobile robot 104, using its current location, a map of the battery exchange station 101, its real-time location using IOPS tags, navigates to the battery replacement bay llle where the electric vehicle 116 is parked. After reaching the required location, the autonomous mobile robot 104 sends a message to the battery collection and delivery system 105. The battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the camera 147, the wheels 135, the rotor 137, and the height adjustment mechanism 143, for example, the scissor lift, illustrated in FIG. 3H, to perform a positional and orientation alignment with respect to a battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116. The battery collection and delivery system 105 uses its robotic arm 146 illustrated in FIG. 3H, to pull the spent battery from the battery compartment 117 and place the spent battery on its conveyor system 144 illustrated in FIG. 3H. The motorised conveyor system 144 pulls the spent battery until the spent battery is fully placed on the conveyor system 144. The battery collection and delivery system 105 notifies the autonomous mobile robot 104 that the spent battery is fully collected. The autonomous mobile robot 104 navigates to the mentioned battery collection point 109 of a given battery rack system 108. The battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the camera 147, the wheels 135, the rotor 137, and the height adjustment mechanism 143 to perform a positional and orientation alignment with respect to the battery collection point 109. The battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the robotic arm 146 to push the spent battery from the conveyor system 144 to the battery collection point 109. The battery collection and delivery system 105 notifies the autonomous mobile robot 104 that the spent battery is placed in the battery collection point 109. The autonomous mobile robot 104 notifies the autonomous robot server 103 which in turn, notifies the battery exchange server 102, thereby completing the spent battery collection task of the battery exchange.

[0163] For the battery replenishment task of the battery exchange, the autonomous robot server 103 gathers information on the status of all the autonomous mobile robots 104 and their availability. The autonomous robot server 103 also collects information, for example, availability of batteries of a required type at the battery rack system 108 and time taken to move the spent battery from the battery collection point 109 to a proximal empty slot. Based on the above information, the scheduler 103e determines and selects the autonomous mobile robot 104 and the battery vending point 110 shown in FIG.1, FIG.5, and FIG.8, where a fully charged battery is made available. The autonomous robot server 103 sends a command to the selected autonomous mobile robot 104 to perform a pickup of the fully charged battery from the given battery vending point 110. The selected autonomous mobile robot 104, using its current location, the map of the battery exchange station 101, its real-time location using IOPS tags, etc., navigates to the given battery vending point 110. After reaching the required location, the selected autonomous mobile robot 104 sends a message to the battery collection and delivery system 105. The battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the camera 147, the wheels 135, the rotor 137, and the height adjustment mechanism 143, for example, the scissor lift, to perform a positional and orientation alignment with respect to the battery vending point 110. The battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the robotic arm 146 to pull the charged battery from the battery vending point 110 and place the charged battery on its conveyor system 144. The motorized conveyor system 144 pulls the charged battery until the charged battery is fully placed in the conveyor system 144. The battery collection and delivery system 105 notifies the autonomous mobile robot 104 that the charged battery is fully collected. The autonomous mobile robot 104 navigates to the electric vehicle 116 at the battery replacement bay llle. The battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the camera 147, the wheels 135, the rotor 137, and the height adjustment mechanism 143, for example, the scissor lift, to perform a positional and orientation alignment with respect the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116. The battery collection and delivery system 105 uses the robotic arm 146 to push the charged battery from the conveyor system 144 to the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116. The battery collection and delivery system 105 notifies the autonomous mobile robot 104 that the charged battery is placed in the battery compartment 117 of the electric vehicle 116. The autonomous mobile robot 104 notifies the autonomous robot server 103 which in turn, notifies the battery exchange server 102, thereby completing the battery replenishment task of the battery exchange.

[0164] The battery exchange station 101 disclosed herein does not require expensive infrastructure for battery exchange. Moreover, the battery collection and delivery system 105 operably coupled to each of the autonomous mobile robots 104 allows optimal alignment and positioning of the battery into a battery compartment 117 of an electric vehicle 116, without requiring the electric vehicle 116 to be parked accurately with utmost precision at one of the battery replacement bays 111a, 111b, 111c, llld, llle, and lllf. Since the battery is not as heavy as the electric vehicle 116, positioning the battery into the electric vehicle 116 is not a difficult and expensive task. Furthermore, since accurate parking of the electric vehicle 116 is not required and the battery is conveyed back and forth between the battery rack system 108 and the electric vehicle 116 using the autonomous mobile robots 104, there is substantial flexibility in the number of electric vehicles 116 serviced at a given time. Due to the lower weight of the autonomous mobile robots 104, and hence low inertia when compared with the electric vehicles 116, positioning of the autonomous mobile robots 104 with respect to the electric vehicles 116 and the battery rack systems 108 is performed with ease in the system 100 and the method disclosed herein. If any one of the autonomous mobile robots 104 malfunctions, the central server 115 delivers another autonomous mobile robot 104 from a nearby battery exchange station 101, thereby allowing battery exchange to continue with remaining or replacement autonomous mobile robots. The battery exchange station 101 disclosed herein has a lower cost of infrastructure, is scalable based on demand, allows exchange of multiple batteries for multiple electric vehicles 116 at the same time, decouples battery charging, battery storage, and battery exchange operations, and provides flexibility to manage logistics of supply and demand.

[0165] The various embodiments herein allow accurately positioning of an autonomous mobile robot 104 for battery exchange rather than accurate positioning of an electric vehicle 116. Thus, the driver of the electric vehicle 116 need not have to park the electric vehicle 116 with utmost precision. The battery exchange station 101 and its components and subsystems are scalable in nature in accordance with demand for battery exchange at the battery exchange station 101. The system disclosed herein decouples a battery charging location from the location where the battery is exchanged, thereby providing flexibility to charge batteries at a central location and providing a means to meet supply and demand dynamically. Further, the various embodiments herein allow exchange of batteries in multiple electric vehicles 116 at the same time. The system disclosed herein is also flexible in a manner that even if one of the autonomous mobile robots 104 malfunctions, battery exchange is continued with remaining autonomous mobile robots and/or replacement autonomous mobile robots are issued to the battery exchange station 101 quickly.

[0166] It is apparent in different embodiments that the various methods, algorithms, and computer-readable programs disclosed herein are implemented on non-transitory, computer-readable storage media appropriately programmed for computing devices. The non- transitory, computer-readable storage media participate in providing data, for example, instructions that are read by a computer, a processor or a similar device. In different embodiments, the“non-transitory, computer-readable storage media” also refer to a single medium or multiple media, for example, a centralized database, a distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions that are read by a computer, a processor or a similar device. The“non-transitory, computer-readable storage media” also refer to any medium capable of storing or encoding a set of instructions for execution by a computer, a processor or a similar device and that causes a computer, a processor or a similar device to perform any one or more of the methods disclosed herein. According to an embodiment herein, the computer programs that implement the methods and algorithms disclosed herein are stored and transmitted using a variety of media, for example, the computer-readable media in various manners. According to an embodiment herein, hard wired circuitry or custom hardware is used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions for implementing the processes of various embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software. Various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein are implemented as programmed elements, or non-programmed elements, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0167] The embodiments disclosed herein are configured to work in a network environment comprising one or more computers that are in communication with one or more devices via a network. According to an embodiment herein, the computers communicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via a wired medium or a wireless medium such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) or the Ethernet, a token ring, or via any appropriate communications mediums or combination of communications mediums. Each of the devices comprises processors, examples of which are disclosed above, that are adapted to communicate with the computers. According to an embodiment herein, each of the computers is equipped with a network communication device, for example, a network interface card, a modem, or other network connection device suitable for connecting to a network. Each of the computers and the devices executes an operating system, examples of which are disclosed above. While the operating system may differ depending on the type of computer, the operating system provides the appropriate communications protocols to establish communication links with the network. Any number and type of machines may be in communication with the computers.

[0168] The embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to a particular computer system platform, processor, operating system, or network. One or more of the embodiments disclosed herein are distributed among one or more computer systems, for example, servers configured to provide one or more services to one or more client computers, or to perform a complete task in a distributed system. For example, one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein are performed on a client-server system that comprises components distributed among one or more server systems that perform multiple functions according to various embodiments. These components comprise, for example, executable, intermediate, or interpreted code, which communicate over a network using a communication protocol. The embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to be executable on any particular system or group of systems, and are not limited to any particular distributed architecture, network, or communication protocol.

[0169] The foregoing examples and illustrative implementations of various embodiments have been provided merely for explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the embodiments disclosed herein. While the embodiments have been described with reference to various illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Furthermore, although the embodiments have been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, techniques, and implementations, the embodiments are not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the embodiments extend to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, that the embodiments disclosed herein are capable of modifications and other embodiments may be effected and changes may be made thereto, without departing from the scope and spirit of the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A battery exchange station comprising a plurality of components for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery in each of a plurality of electric vehicles simultaneously, the plurality of components comprising:

a plurality of battery rack systems, wherein each of the plurality of battery rack systems comprises a plurality of slots configured to receive and store the spent battery from one of a plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and store and convey the charged battery to one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots selected by a battery exchange server;

the battery exchange server, in operable communication with a central server, and configured to simultaneously communicate with the plurality of electric vehicles, the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and the plurality of battery rack systems, wherein the central server, in communication with the battery exchange server, is configured to determine a demand for charged batteries, deliver supplementary charged batteries to the plurality of battery rack systems based on the demand, send the plurality of battery rack systems to the battery exchange station based on the demand, and determine and resolve a malfunction of any of the plurality of components of the battery exchange station, and wherein the battery exchange server is configured to receive and communicate battery information and position information from the plurality of electric vehicles to the plurality of autonomous mobile robots;

the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, wherein each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots is configured to carry the charged battery and in communication with the battery exchange server, align and position the charged battery into an electric vehicle parked in any position at any one of a plurality of battery replacement bays using the position information, and wherein the plurality of battery rack systems and the plurality of autonomous mobile robots decouple battery charging, battery storage, and battery exchange operations; and

a battery collection and delivery system operably and movably coupled to a predetermined surface of the each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and wherein the battery collection and delivery system is configured to receive the charged battery from one of the plurality of battery rack systems selected by the battery exchange server, and wherein the battery collection and delivery system is configured to align and position the charged battery into a battery compartment of the electric vehicle based on the position information.

2. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery rack systems is connected to each other to form a single virtual battery rack system via one of a wired communication network, a wireless communication network, and a combination thereof.

3. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the each of the plurality of battery rack systems communicates with the battery exchange server to identify one or more of the plurality of slots where the charged battery is placed and is to be picked up by the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and where the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots is to deposit the spent battery.

4. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the battery collection and delivery system is configured to move in an upward direction, a downward direction, a frontward direction, a rearward direction, a left side direction, and a right side direction, and wherein the battery collection and delivery system comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the lower portion is operably connected to the upper portion to rotate the upper portion about an axis of the battery collection and delivery system, and wherein the battery collection and delivery system, in communication with one or more sensors, is configured to one of extract the spent battery from the battery compartment of the electric vehicle, convey the spent battery to one of the plurality of slots of the each of the plurality of battery rack systems, receive the charged battery from another one of the plurality of slots of the each of the plurality of battery rack systems, and deposit the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle.

5. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery rack systems is selected from one or more of a plurality of mobile battery rack systems, fixed battery rack systems, and a combination thereof, and wherein one or more of the plurality of battery rack systems are positioned above a ground surface, and wherein another one or more of the plurality of battery rack systems are positioned below the ground surface, and wherein the plurality of mobile battery rack systems, in communication with one of the battery exchange server and the central server, is configured to dynamically transport the charged batteries to the battery exchange station to meet the demand.

6. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the each of the plurality of battery rack systems is configured to charge spent batteries into the charged batteries.

7. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the battery charging and battery exchange operations are decoupled by charging batteries at a central charging system and delivering the charged batteries to the battery exchange station.

8. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the central server is configured to store electric vehicle information, the battery information, and user authentication information in a database, and wherein the battery exchange server, in communication with the central server, is configured to authenticate the electric vehicle using the electric vehicle information and the user authentication information.

9. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the battery exchange server, in communication with the central server, is configured to one of dynamically upscale and downscale a number of simultaneous battery exchange operations performed in the battery exchange station.

10. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of battery replacement bays comprises occupancy sensors and identification readers, wherein the occupancy sensors are configured to continuously monitor the each of the plurality of battery replacement bays for occupancy by the electric vehicle, and wherein the identification readers are configured to communicate electric vehicle information, the battery information, user authentication information, and an identifier of the any one of the battery replacement bays associated with the electric vehicle to the battery exchange server.

11. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the each of the plurality of battery rack systems comprises one or more battery collection points and one or more battery vending points, and wherein the one or more battery collection points are configured to receive and store the spent battery from the electric vehicle via the one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and wherein the one or more battery vending points are configured to store and convey the charged battery to the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and wherein the each of the plurality of battery rack systems moves the spent battery and the charged battery to and from the slots using conveyors and a multilevel puzzle parking mechanism.

12. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of components comprises a scheduler configured to convey a battery exchange status of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots to the battery exchange server and receive commands from the battery exchange server for facilitating initiation of an exchange of the spent battery with the charged battery into the electric vehicle by the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and wherein the scheduler is configured to identify a sequence of availability of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots based on an estimated time of completion of the battery exchange operations by the plurality of autonomous mobile robots.

13. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the battery collection and delivery system is configured to communicate an operational status, a health status, and a status of alignment with respect to the electric vehicle and the each of the plurality of battery rack systems to the each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the battery exchange server.

14. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, comprising a positioning system in communication with the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the electric vehicle, wherein the positioning system comprises an infrastructural unit and a tag unit, wherein the infrastructural unit is deployed within a structural framework of the battery exchange station, and wherein the tag unit is deployed within the each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the electric vehicle, and wherein the tag unit in the each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots is configured to communicate with the infrastructural unit to determine a location of the each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots within the battery exchange station, and wherein the tag unit in the electric vehicle is configured to communicate with the infrastructural unit to determine a location of the electric vehicle within the battery exchange station.

15. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the central server, in communication with the battery exchange server, is configured to trigger replacement of the any of the plurality of components of the battery exchange station, on receiving a communication of the malfunction of the any of the plurality of components of the battery exchange station.

16. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the battery exchange server and the plurality of autonomous mobile robots implement machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities to leam and predict a path and routes within the battery exchange station, leam and predict shapes of different electric vehicles, learn different sizes and models of batteries in demand, leam time durations for exchanging the spent battery with the charged battery for predicting availability of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and learn the locations of batteries in different electric vehicles for quick movement of the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots towards the electric vehicle and quick alignment and positioning of the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle, and wherein the machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities of the battery exchange server and the plurality of autonomous mobile robots facilitate data analytics in a cloud computing environment for enhancing operations of the battery exchange station.

17. An autonomous robot system for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery in each of a plurality of electric vehicles simultaneously, the autonomous robot system comprising:

a plurality of autonomous mobile robots configured to travel within a battery exchange station, wherein the battery exchange station comprises a battery exchange server and a plurality of battery rack systems, and wherein the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the plurality of battery rack systems decouple battery charging, battery storage, and battery exchange operations;

an autonomous robot server in communication with the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the battery exchange server, wherein the autonomous robot server comprises:

a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium configured to store computer program instructions executable by at least one processor;

the at least one processor communicatively coupled to the non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium; and

one or more modules defining computer program instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: receive and communicate battery information and position information from the plurality of electric vehicles to the plurality of autonomous mobile robots; and

communicate a malfunction of any one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots to the battery exchange server, wherein the battery exchange server is configured to simultaneously communicate with the plurality of electric vehicles, the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and the plurality of battery rack systems, and wherein the battery exchange server, in communication with a central server, is configured to determine a demand for charged batteries, deliver supplementary charged batteries to the plurality of battery rack systems based on the demand, send the plurality of battery rack systems to the battery exchange station based on the demand, and determine and resolve the malfunction of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and a malfunction of the plurality of battery rack systems; and

a battery collection and delivery system operably and movably coupled to a predetermined surface of the each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and wherein the battery collection and delivery system, in communication with one or more sensors, is configured to position and align itself in a battery compartment of an electric vehicle to extract the spent battery from the electric vehicle and deposit the charged battery to the electric vehicle using the position information, and wherein the electric vehicle is parked in any position at any one of a plurality of battery replacement bays, and wherein the battery collection and delivery system, in communication with the one or more sensors, is configured to align and position the spent battery in one of a plurality of slots of one of the plurality of battery rack systems to convey the spent battery to the one of the plurality of battery rack systems, and wherein the battery collection and delivery system is configured to position and align itself in another one of the plurality of slots of any one of the plurality of battery rack systems selected by the batter exchange server to receive and convey the charged battery to the electric vehicle.

18. The autonomous robot system according to claim 17, wherein the battery collection and delivery system is configured to move in an upward direction, a downward direction, a frontward direction, a rearward direction, a left side direction, and a right side direction, , and wherein the battery collection and delivery system comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the lower portion is operably connected to the upper portion to rotate the upper portion about an axis of the battery collection and delivery system, and wherein the battery collection and delivery system, in communication with the one or more sensors, is configured to one of extract the spent battery from the battery compartment of the electric vehicle, convey the spent battery to one of the plurality of slots of the each of the plurality of battery rack systems, receive the charged battery from another one of the slots of the each of the plurality of battery rack systems, and deposit the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle.

19. The autonomous robot system according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of battery rack systems is connected to each other to form a single virtual battery rack system via one of a wired communication network, a wireless communication network, and a combination thereof.

20. The autonomous robot system according to claim 17, wherein the each of the plurality of battery rack systems communicates with the battery exchange server to identify one or more of the plurality of slots where the charged battery is placed and is to be picked up by the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and where the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots is to deposit the spent battery.

21. The autonomous robot system according to claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of battery replacement bays comprises occupancy sensors and identification readers, wherein the occupancy sensors are configured to continuously monitor the each of the plurality of battery replacement bays for occupancy by the electric vehicle, and wherein the identification readers are configured to communicate electric vehicle information, the battery information, user authentication information, and an identifier of the any one of the battery replacement bays associated with the electric vehicle to the battery exchange server.

22. The autonomous robot system according to claim 17, wherein the autonomous robot server comprises a scheduler configured to convey a battery exchange status of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots to the battery exchange server and receive commands from the battery exchange server for facilitating an initiation of an exchange of the spent battery with the charged battery into the electric vehicle by the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and wherein the scheduler is configured to identify a sequence of availability of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots based on an estimated time of completion of the battery exchange operations by the plurality of autonomous mobile robots.

23. The autonomous robot system according to claim 17, wherein the battery collection and delivery system is configured to communicate an operational status, a health status, and a status of alignment with respect to the electric vehicle and the each of the plurality of battery rack systems to the each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, the autonomous robot server, and the battery exchange server.

24. The autonomous robot system according to claim 17, comprising a positioning system in communication with the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the electric vehicle, wherein the positioning system comprises an infrastructural unit and a tag unit, wherein the infrastructural unit is deployed within a structural framework of the battery exchange station, and wherein the tag unit is deployed within the each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the electric vehicle, and wherein the tag unit in the each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots is configured to communicate with the infrastructural unit to determine a location of the each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots within the battery exchange station, and wherein the tag unit in the electric vehicle is configured to communicate with the infrastructural unit to determine a location of the electric vehicle within the battery exchange station.

25. The autonomous robot system according to claim 17, wherein the central server, in communication with the battery exchange server, is configured to trigger replacement of the any of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the plurality of battery rack systems, on receiving a communication of the malfunction of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the malfunction of the plurality of battery rack systems.

26. The autonomous robot system according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, the autonomous robot server, and the battery exchange server implement machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities to leam and predict a path and routes within the battery exchange station, leam and predict shapes of different electric vehicles, learn different sizes and models of batteries in demand, learn time durations for exchanging the spent battery with the charged battery for predicting availability of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and learn the locations of batteries in different electric vehicles for quick movement of the selected one of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots towards the electric vehicle and quick alignment and positioning of the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle, and wherein the machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the battery exchange server facilitate data analytics in a cloud computing environment for enhancing operations of the battery exchange station.

27. A method for exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery in each of a plurality of electric vehicles simultaneously, the method comprising:

configuring a battery exchange server, a plurality of battery replacement bays, a plurality of battery rack systems, a plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and a battery collection and delivery system in a battery exchange station, wherein the plurality of battery rack systems and the plurality of autonomous mobile robots decouple battery charging, battery storage, and battery exchange operations, and wherein the battery collection and delivery system is operably and movably coupled to a predetermined surface of the each of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots;

determining a demand for charged batteries and delivering supplementary charged batteries to the plurality of battery rack systems based on the demand by the battery exchange server, in communication with a central server;

detecting one or more electric vehicles parked in any position at any one or more of the plurality of battery replacement bays by the battery exchange server;

selecting one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots to perform an exchange of the spent battery with the charged battery in each of the detected one or more electric vehicles by the battery exchange server;

identifying, by the battery exchange server, a charged battery slot and a spent battery slot from the plurality of slots in one or more of the plurality of battery rack systems, wherein the charged battery slot is configured to receive and store the charged battery to be picked up by the selected one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and wherein the spent battery slot is configured to receive and store the spent battery from the selected one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots;

receiving and communicating battery information and position information from the detected one or more electric vehicles by the battery exchange server to the selected one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots;

traversing a first path to the any one or more of the plurality of battery replacement bays by the selected one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots; positioning and aligning the battery collection and delivery system, in communication with one or more sensors, in a battery compartment of the each of the detected one or more electric vehicles by the selected one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots to extract the spent battery using the position information;

traversing a second path to the one or more of the plurality of battery rack systems by the selected one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots with the spent battery;

aligning and positioning the spent battery in the spent battery slot of the one or more of the plurality of battery rack systems by the battery collection and delivery system on the selected one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, in communication with the one or more sensors;

positioning and aligning the battery collection and delivery system, in communication with the one or more sensors, in the charged battery slot of the one or more of the plurality of battery rack systems by the selected one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots to extract the charged battery;

traversing a third path to the any one or more of the plurality of battery replacement bays by the selected one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots with the charged battery; and

aligning and positioning the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle by the battery collection and delivery system of the selected one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, in communication with one or more sensors, based on the position information.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the central server, in communication with the battery exchange server, is configured to send the plurality of battery rack systems to the battery exchange station based on the demand.

29. The method according to claim 27, comprising determining and resolving malfunctions of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the plurality of battery rack systems by the central server, in communication with the battery exchange server, and on receiving a communication of the malfunctions from the battery exchange server, trigger replacement of any of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots and the plurality of battery rack systems.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein the battery collection and delivery system is configured to move in an upward direction, a downward direction, a frontward direction, a rearward direction, a left side direction, and a right side direction, and wherein the battery collection and delivery system comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the lower portion is operably connected to the upper portion to rotate the upper portion about an axis of the battery collection and delivery system, and wherein the battery collection and delivery system, in communication with one or more sensors, is configured to one of extract the spent battery from the battery compartment of the electric vehicle, convey the spent battery to one of the plurality of slots of the each of the plurality of battery rack systems, receive the charged battery from another one of the plurality of slots of the each of the plurality of battery rack systems, and deposit the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle.

31. The method according to claim 27, comprising incorporating a central charging system for charging batteries and delivering the charged batteries to the battery exchange station for decoupling the battery charging and battery exchange operations.

32. The method according to claim 27, comprising storing, by the central server, electric vehicle information, the battery information, and user authentication information in a database, and wherein the battery exchange server, in communication with the central server, is configured to authenticate the electric vehicle using the electric vehicle information and the user authentication information.

33. The method according to claim 27, comprising dynamically upscaling and downscaling a number of simultaneous battery exchange operations performed in the battery exchange station by the battery exchange server, in communication with the central server.

34. The method according to claim 27, comprising conveying, by a scheduler, a battery exchange status of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots to the battery exchange server and receiving commands from the battery exchange server for facilitating an initiation of an exchange of the spent battery with the charged battery into the electric vehicle by the selected one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and wherein the scheduler is configured to identify a sequence of availability of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots based on an estimated time of completion of the battery exchange operations by the plurality of autonomous mobile robots.

5. The method according to claim 27, comprising implementing machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities in the battery exchange server and the plurality of autonomous mobile robots for learning and predicting a path and routes within the battery exchange station, learning and predicting shapes of different electric vehicles, learning different sizes and models of batteries in demand, learning time durations for exchanging the spent battery with the charged battery to predict availability of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots, and learning the locations of batteries in different electric vehicles for quick movement of the selected one or more of the plurality of autonomous mobile robots towards the electric vehicle and quick alignment and positioning of the charged battery into the battery compartment of the electric vehicle, and wherein the machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities of the battery exchange server and the plurality of autonomous mobile robots facilitate data analytics in a cloud computing environment for enhancing operations of the battery exchange station.