Abstract: A system and method for state estimation of a surface of a platform at sea, includes receiving sensor signals indicative of LIDAR data for the platform; applying a Bayesian filter to the LIDAR data for a plurality of hypotheses; determining vertical planes representing azimuth and elevation angles for the LIDAR data; applying a robust linear estimation algorithm to the vertical planes; and determining candidate points in response to the applying of the robust linear estimation algorithm.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the present invention relates to a platform and method for testing aircraft message trigger logics are disclosed. Apparatus for testing message trigger logics of aircraft comprises: DFDAU (a Digital Flight Data Acquisition Unit), which is adapted to receive message trigger logics to be tested; an input interface, which is adapted to receive data of aircraft condition; and a simulation signal generator, which is adapted to generate simulation signals according to the data of aircraft condition; wherein, the DFDAU is adapted to receive the simulation signals, and generate messages according to the message trigger logics to be tested.

Abstract: A vibration reduction control apparatus of a hybrid vehicle having a first motor connected to a first side of an engine and a second motor connected to a second side of the engine through an engine clutch, may include a hybrid controller, an engine controller configured to control the engine, a first motor controller configured to control the first motor, a second motor controller configured to control the second motor, and an anti-spring controller configured between the first motor controller and the second motor controller and control torques of the first and second motors using frequencies of the first motor and the second motor, respectively, wherein the hybrid controller is configured to selectively transmit a torque signal of the engine, a torque signal of the first motor, and a torque signal of the second motor to the engine controller, the first motor controller, and the second motor controller, respectively.

Abstract: The invention concerns in general the technical field of robotics and automation. Especially the invention concerns a structure for improving a shock tolerance of a robot or other positioning system. More specifically, the invention discloses a mounting element structure for increasing shock tolerance in a robot. The mounting element structure includes a first surface (201) and a second surface (202) towards a robot tool element, wherein the first and second surfaces (201; 202) are configured to be connected with a string assembly (203). The string assembly is configured to, under exposure of external force exceeding a predetermined level, to reduce the damage caused by the force by deforming the shape of the string assembly (203).

Abstract: Methods and systems for recognizing machine-readable information on three-dimensional (3D) objects are described. A robotic manipulator may move at least one physical object through a designated area in space. As the at least one physical object is being moved through the designated area, one or more optical sensors may determine a location of a machine-readable code on the at least one physical object and, based on the determined location, scan the machine-readable code so as to determine information associated with the at least one physical object encoded in the machine-readable code. Based on the information associated with the at least one physical object, a computing device may then determine a respective location in a physical environment of the robotic manipulator at which to place the at least one physical object. The robotic manipulator may then be directed to place the at least one physical object at the respective location.

Abstract: An example method for detecting a movable element on a surface involves receiving, from a depth sensor coupled to a mobile robot, a first depth measurement between the depth sensor and a ground surface. The method also involves causing at least one transducer coupled to the mobile robot to emit a directional pressure wave toward the ground surface. The method further involves receiving, from the depth sensor coupled to the mobile robot, a second depth measurement between the depth sensor and the ground surface after emitting the directional pressure wave. Additionally, the method involves identifying one or more differences between the first depth measurement and the second depth measurement indicating that the ground surface includes a movable element. Further, the method involves providing navigation instructions to the mobile robot based on the identified one or more differences between the first depth measurement and the second depth measurement.

Abstract: In sensor-less collision detection of a robot, a conventional method for displaying abnormality of the robot makes an abnormality display of “collision detected” when a collision is erroneously detected, and does not clarify the situations under which the collision has been erroneously detected. In a method for displaying abnormality of a robot, when a collision of the robot is detected and the collision detection is displayed, at least one abnormality display is selected from a plurality of abnormality detection items different from collision detection. This can offer information useful for the user to understand the situations at occurrence of the erroneous collision detection.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for avoiding collisions between manipulator arms using a null-space are provided. In one aspect, the system calculates an avoidance movement using a relationship between reference geometries of the multiple manipulators to maintain separation between reference geometries. In certain embodiments, the system determines a relative state between adjacent reference geometries, determines an avoidance vector between reference geometries, and calculates an avoidance movement of one or more manipulators within a null-space of the Jacobian based on the relative state and avoidance vector. The joints may be driven according to the calculated avoidance movement while maintaining a desired state of the end effector or a remote center location about which an instrument shaft pivots and may be concurrently driven according to an end effector displacing movement within a null-perpendicular-space of the Jacobian so as to effect a desired movement of the end effector or remote center.

Abstract: A method of solar occultation, and in particular solar coronagraphy, employing a spacecraft 200 is disclosed. The spacecraft is controlled to achieve a position within a target zone relative to a celestial body, such as the Moon, such that the celestial body occults the Sun, allowing observations of the Sun or the space around the Sun, and in particular the Sun's corona, to be made from the spacecraft. The spacecraft has an orbit 40 around the Earth in a plane S, which like the Moon's orbit 20 in plane M, is inclined relative to the ecliptic plane E. Once inside the target zone, the spacecraft's orbit is controlled such that it remains in the target zone for longer than it would otherwise. This is achieved through the orbit within the target zone being at least partly non-Keplerian, when the orbit is under the influence of spacecraft translational thrust for example.

Abstract: Techniques that optimize performance of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) processes for mobile devices, typically a mobile robot. In one embodiment, erroneous particles are introduced to the particle filtering process of localization. Monitoring the weights of the erroneous particles relative to the particles maintained for SLAM provides a verification that the robot is localized and detection that it is no longer localized. In another embodiment, cell-based grid mapping of a mobile robot's environment also monitors cells for changes in their probability of occupancy. Cells with a changing occupancy probability are marked as dynamic and updating of such cells to the map is suspended or modified until their individual occupancy probabilities have stabilized.

Abstract: A robot control device adapted for performing flexible control includes: an operation state monitoring unit for determining the operation state of the robot on the basis of outputs from a position detecting unit for detecting positions of respective shafts of a robot, a force detecting unit for detecting forces of respective shafts of the robot or a time measuring unit for measuring time; a storage unit for storing a plurality of parameter sets indicating flexibility of the flexible control; and an operation generating unit for switching the parameter sets each indicating flexibility on the basis of an output from the operation state monitoring unit at the time of executing the flexible control.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for replacing a factory installed or similar air suspension controller in a vehicle with an augmentor, which sends correct status messages to the vehicle main computer when the air suspension is replaced with coil springs or shocks. The augmentor can includes a voltage regulator, an indicator and bus interface. At power on, the program initializes the microcontroller registers, timer registers, and control registers, then loop until an inquiry or command is received, then responds with status messages that are the same as the status messages sent by the original factory installed air suspension controller until power is removed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a charge management apparatus includes an input unit, a first estimation unit, a determination unit, a generation unit, and an output unit. The input unit accepts an input of traffic demand data indicative of a number of vehicles. The first estimation unit estimates charge wait times at plural charge stations based on the traffic demand data. The determination unit compares the estimated charge wait times at the respective charge stations, and determines whether a desired condition is satisfied. The generation unit generates charge recommendation information indicative of a charge station according to a determination result. The output unit outputs the charge recommendation information to an external terminal.

Abstract: A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle utilizing analysis of a plurality of images generated by a camera device located upon the vehicle includes monitoring the images. The images are analyzed including determining a clear path upon which a potential road surface can be estimated from other portions of the images that do not indicate a potential road surface, and determining an image of a traffic infrastructure indication. The method further includes determining the content of the traffic infrastructure indication, modifying the clear path based upon the content of the traffic infrastructure indication, and utilizing the modified clear path in navigation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulated instruments extending out of its distal end. A controller is configured to command manipulation of one of the articulated instruments towards a state commanded by operator manipulation of an input device while commanding sensory feedback to the operator indicating a difference between the commanded state and a preferred pose of the articulated instrument, so that the sensory feedback serves to encourage the operator to return the articulated instrument back to its preferred pose.

Abstract: A regenerative brake control system of an electric motorcycle comprises an electric motor, sensors for detecting vehicle states of the electric motorcycle, and a control unit which sets target regenerative torque based on the vehicle states, when a regeneration condition is satisfied, and performs asymptotic control in such a manner that a torque command provided to the electric motor gets gradually close to the target regenerative torque with a passage of time.

Abstract: A control apparatus is applied to a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes an MG which is connected with an input shaft of a manual transmission via a first clutch that is operated by a press operation to a clutch pedal and an internal combustion engine which is connected with the MG via a second clutch. The hybrid vehicle is allowed to execute an EV traveling mode where: the internal combustion engine is stopped; the internal combustion engine and drive wheels are separated by the second clutch; and the drive wheels are driven by the MG. In the control apparatus, when the EV traveling mode is executed, a required torque is obtained based on an accelerator opening degree, and a required transmission torque is obtained based on an operation amount to the clutch pedal. And, when a smaller one of the required torque and the required transmission torque is greater than a determination value, the internal combustion engine is started.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting movement of a vehicle and/or for changing operating modes of the vehicle switch between transitional operating mode of the vehicle at a first vehicle speed and a moving mode of the vehicle at a second vehicle speed. Movement of the vehicle is controlled to maintain a speed and/or location of the vehicle within designated limits during operation of the vehicle in the transitional operating mode. Movement of the vehicle is controlled to keep an operating parameter of the vehicle below a designated limit during operation of the vehicle in the moving mode. The vehicle switches between the transitional operating mode and the moving mode based at least in part on the vehicle speed, a distance from the target stopping location, an environmental condition, a vehicle characteristic, and/or a route occupancy condition.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to autonomous vehicles and associated mechanical, electrical and electronic hardware, computer software and systems, and wired and wireless network communications to provide map data for autonomous vehicles. In particular, a method may include accessing subsets of multiple types of sensor data, aligning subsets of sensor data relative to a global coordinate system based on the multiple types of sensor data to form aligned sensor data, and generating datasets of three-dimensional map data. The method further includes detecting a change in data relative to at least two datasets of the three-dimensional map data and applying the change in data to form updated three-dimensional map data. The change in data may be representative of a state change of an environment at which the sensor data is sensed. The state change of the environment may be related to the presence or absences of an object located therein.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for discovery and monitoring of an environment using a plurality of robots. A plurality of robots navigate an environment by determining a navigation buffer for each of the robots; and allowing each of the robots to navigate within the environment while maintaining a substantially minimum distance from other robots, wherein the substantially minimum distance corresponds to the navigation buffer, and wherein a size of each of the navigation buffers is reduced over time based on a percentage of the environment that remains to be navigated. The robots can also navigate an environment by obtaining a discretization of the environment to a plurality of discrete regions; and determining a next unvisited discrete region for one of the plurality of robots to explore in the exemplary environment using a breadth-first search. The plurality of discrete regions can be, for example, a plurality of real or virtual tiles.