Abstract: A method of operating an auto-braking system of a vehicle in coordination with operation of a speed limiting system (SLS) of the vehicle to prevent undesired loss of auto-braking functionality. If: a) a driver input of an engine power control parameter (such as throttle setting) exceeds an activation threshold of the SLS so that the SLS is therefore limiting vehicle speed to a set-speed corresponding to the activation threshold; and b) the driver input of the power control parameter is below a SLS override threshold; and c) the SLS override threshold exceeds an auto-braking override threshold for the power control parameter; then the auto-braking override threshold is increased to at least equal the SLS override threshold. The speed limiter activation threshold may be determined from speed limit information supplied by a vehicle navigation system of by an image evaluating unit from images obtained by a camera of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying a virtual route estimates a position of a vehicle based on sensing data received asynchronously from sensors, and outputs a three-dimensional (3D) virtual route generated by registering a driving environment model corresponding to a driving environment of the vehicle and the position of the vehicle in map information.

Abstract: Wireless systems and methods are disclosed for establishing a continuous real-time data link communicating flight data of a small UAV to a first smart device over a wireless network. An airborne wireless sensor system is adapted to be removably attached to the UAV. The airborne wireless sensor system has a sensor module for sensing UAV flight data, a communication module for establishing the wireless data-link network and transmitting the sensed UAV flight data the smart device. The smart device may have a software application which permits the user to define data formats for display which may them be communicated to the airborne sensor system to use in building the data pages transmitted to the smart device. Smart devices such as smart phones, smart watches, tablet computers and the like are contemplated to be used.

Abstract: A method for safe route determination, including determining a geographic risk map for a geographic region, wherein the geographic risk map is determined based on a vehicle event dataset aggregated from a plurality of vehicles enabled with an onboard vehicle system, and automatically determining a route between two locations in the geographic region based on the geographic risk map.

Abstract: An aerial system, preferably including one or more housings. A housing for an aerial system, preferably including: a first and second piece that cooperatively surround one or more propellers of the aerial system; and a retention mechanism that removably couples the first piece to the second piece. A method for aerial system operation, preferably including attaching and/or detaching housing pieces of the aerial system.

Abstract: A virtualized infrastructure for guiding delivery drones, a drone delivery method, and a wingless delivery drone are disclosed that includes a container for storing payloads; a plurality of thrust motors arranged in an array on an X-Y surface below and parallel to a bottom surface of the payload container; and a drone electrical system configured to control the operations of the array of the thrust motors so as to fly the container from the first address to the destination address upon receiving the optimal flight route from the virtualized infrastructure and to maintain the balance to payload container.

Abstract: Innovative new systems and method of operating the systems, wherein the system comprises an airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon comprising a gas enclosure; a geographic locator or tracking system configured to determine geographical coordinates of the unmanned balloon; a payload comprising a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is capable of communicating with communication devices that are separate from the unmanned balloon; first and second flight-termination devices each configured to cause termination of a flight of the unmanned balloon; and at least two power sources each configured to provide power to at least one of the first and second flight-termination devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a flight display system are provided. The method includes: commanding a vertical situation display (VSD) and a lateral navigation display (ND) to render, concurrently, a viewing segment of a flight plan. The method includes receiving a user input selecting a section of the viewing segment, the user input being received on only one of the VSD and the ND. The method continues by commanding, concurrently, the VSD and the ND to visually distinguish the section, and to demark the section on the VSD with starting points and ending points. The method identifies a flight parameter, and for the flight parameter, includes (a) determining which display, among the VSD and the ND, is appropriate for the rendering of flight parameter information; (b) generating flight parameter information based on (a); and (c) overlaying the flight parameter information on the appropriate display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile robot configured to navigate an operating environment, that includes a controller circuit that directs a drive of the mobile robot to navigate the mobile robot through an environment using camera-based navigation system and a camera including optics defining a camera field of view and a camera optical axis, where the camera is positioned within the recessed structure and is tilted so that the camera optical axis is aligned at an acute angle of above a horizontal plane in line with the top surface and is aimed in a forward drive direction of the robot body, and the camera is configured to capture images of the operating environment of the mobile robot.

Abstract: A remote control system including a remote control device and a first controllable device is provided. The remote control device has a wireless communication module, and is configured to execute a pairing connection operation. The first controllable device has a wireless communication function, and is configured to transmit first identification information. When executing the pairing connection operation, the remote control device obtains the first identification information of the first controllable device through the wireless communication module. The remote control device continuously updates and records the first identification information within a preset time range. The remote control device determines whether signal strength of the first controllable device has undergone a preset change within the preset time range based on the first identification information, and if so, the remote control device decides to connect to the first controllable device through the wireless communication module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the assisted performance of crane movements by a crane with at least two boom elements that are movable relative to one another, whereby an auxiliary control module, after activation by the user, determines at least one target position of the boom system, determines the crane movements necessary for achieving the target position and, after active user confirmation, indirectly or directly activates the specific crane actuators for the performance of the crane movements determined by means of the crane control.

Abstract: A high clearance sprayer with a four-wheel steering system includes a steering input, a steering control system, a front steering system, and a rear steering system. The front and rear steering systems are mirrored images of one another, which simplifies and improves the accuracy of the four-wheel steering control methodology. In doing so, the control system may calculate a single value that is used for controlling the front steering system, and an inverse of the single value that is used for controlling the rear steering system. Both of the front steering system and the rear steering system include wheels, steering actuator systems, swingarms, and wheel supports, which all of position of the wheels relative to the sprayer to be rotated. The steering control system may allow for various steering maneuvers to occur, including a turn-steering maneuver and a crab-steering maneuver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for navigating an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) that utilizes an-onboard computer and/or one or more ADV control system nodes in an ADV network platform. The on-board computer receives physiological and ADV occupant identification sensor data concerning one or more occupants occupying an ADV, sensor data concerning the items being transported within the ADV, and information concerning the ADV itself to aid border security agencies in protecting their respective borders and territories (e.g., international borders, security zone borders, geographical borders, etc.). The relevant border agency can receive certain information over a network concerning one or more ADVs and make a determination if a heightened security screening should be requested.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a sitting duck scenario of a vehicle on or near a road are disclosed. The current location and speed of the vehicle are used for different comparisons and/or determinations, including a comparison to road-specific information to determine whether the vehicle is in a particular proximity of a highway, and a determination whether the vehicle has been stationary continuously for at least a specified duration. Additional comparisons and/or determinations may be used. If such an occurrence has been detected, one or more notifications are generated, and provided to one or more of the vehicle operator and/or a remote computing server.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing travel-related information for a location to a user based on activity indications of the user that are related to the location. The location may be determined based on a set of one or more related activity indications and a travel-related score may be determined for the location that is indicative of likelihood that the user has interest in travelling to the location. The user may be provided the travel-related information for the location based on the travel-related score.

Abstract: An operator uses a remote operation apparatus to remotely operate an operated vehicle. The remote operation apparatus includes a position information processor which, based on vehicle position information indicating a current position of the operated vehicle and delay information indicating a delay time required for information transmission between the operated vehicle and the remote operation apparatus, generates first position information indicating a first predicted position of the operated vehicle from the current position of the operated vehicle considering the delay time; based on obstacle position information indicating a current position of at least one obstacle around the operated vehicle acquired by the operated vehicle and the delay information, generates second position information indicating a second predicted position of the at least one obstacle from the time of the current position of the obstacle considering the delay time; and outputs the first and second position information.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for dynamic route estimation and prediction using discrete sampled location updates from various mobile devices for the purpose of providing a graphical representation of a mobile device's route along a known network path of map data. The embodiments also provide supplemental route metrics, such as traveled distance, elapsed time, etc., and the capability to assign destination points for the purpose of providing the ability to modify location update points in an application, such as a route planner, and/or to store the dynamically generated route based on various preferences for later retrieval.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes operating a braking system in robotic control state, determining that an emergency stop state is to be entered by the braking system, entering the emergency stop state upon determining that all conditions from a group of state entry conditions are satisfied, decelerating the vehicle using the braking system while in the emergency stop state, determining, while in the emergency stop state, that all conditions from a group of state exit conditions are satisfied, and exiting the emergency stop state in response to determining that all conditions from the group of state exit conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A motorized vehicle includes an engine, a transmission having an input coupled to the engine and an output, and a controller for controlling at least the transmission. A braking system includes a brake sensor and a brake pack configured to reduce a speed of the vehicle. The brake sensor is disposed in electrical communication with the controller. A main hydraulic pump is operably driven by the engine and an output hydraulic pump is operably driven by the transmission output. A brake coolant valve is disposed in fluid communication with the main hydraulic pump and the output hydraulic pump. The brake coolant valve is controlled between an open position and a closed position. The main hydraulic pump and the output hydraulic pump are fluidly coupled to the brake pack when the brake coolant valve is in its open position.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a parked motor vehicle, including the following steps: monitoring an interior of the motor vehicle and/or a surrounding field of the motor vehicle with the aid of a monitoring infrastructure that is assigned to an infrastructure external relative to the parked motor vehicle; monitoring the interior of the motor vehicle and/or the surrounding field of the motor vehicle with the aid of one or more sensors onboard the motor vehicle; transmitting monitoring data based on both monitorings via a wireless communication network to a mobile terminal; in response to reception of a control command transmitted from the mobile terminal via the wireless communication network for controlling one or more components of the motor vehicle and/or for controlling one or more components of the external infrastructure, controlling the one or more corresponding components as a function of the control command.