US Patent 11964403 Automated cleaning systems for autonomous vehicles

Systems and methods are directed to automated cleaning systems for vehicles. In one example, a vehicle is provided that includes a drive system, a passenger cabin, and a vehicle cleaning system. The vehicle cleaning system includes a vacuum unit and a robotic manipulator. The robotic manipulator includes an arm including a plurality of arm sections and a gripper unit positioned at a distal end of the arm. The robotic manipulator is connected to the vacuum unit such that the arm provides a vacuum path between the vacuum unit and the gripper unit.