Abstract: A sun visor actuation system including an attachment apparatus configured to attach to an automobile structure, an arm member rotatably attached to the attachment apparatus, a body member attached to the arm member, and an actuation system. The actuation system is operable to at least one of rotate the body member and prevent the rotation of the body member responsive to an indication of an imminent collision.

Abstract: A method of controlling an actuator system including a plurality of k actuators. Each of the actuators-receives a control input ui, wherein index i denotes a particular actuator, which control input ui is determined depending on a weight matrix W including a weighting factor wi for each actuator and depending on at least a physical maximum control limit uimax for each of the actuators. The weighting factors wi and/or physical maximum control limit uimax are actively changed during operation if a first comparison of the control input ui or a function f(ui) thereof with a set first threshold value yields that the control input ui or function f(ui) thereof exceeds the set first threshold value. The first comparison is repeated during operation, and a new control input ui is determined from the adjusted weighting factor wi and/or the adjusted physical maximum control limit uimax and applied to the actuators.

Abstract: A vehicle acquires position information of the obstacle, identifies a collision point that may collide with the obstacle based on the acquired position information of the obstacle, controls one of steering and braking based on the position information of the identified collision point, and when controlling the steering, acquires a collision avoidance margin distance value corresponding to the position information of the identified collision point, predicts the collision position based on the position information of the obstacle and the information detected by the velocity detector, acquires a distance value between the predicted collision position and the current position, acquires a lateral movement distance value based on the acquired distance value and a preset turning radius of the vehicle, acquires a steering angle based on the acquired lateral movement distance value and the acquired collision avoidance margin distance value and controls steering based on the acquired steering angle.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a drone (1) comprising one or more propellers (2) and one or more actuators (3) for actuating said one or more propellers (2) to generating a thrust force which enables the drone (1) to fly; a controller (4) which is configured such that it can control the flight of the drone (1), wherein the controller (4) comprises a memory (6) having stored therein a plurality of predefined sets of positions which define a virtual rail which can be used to guide the flight of the drone (1) so that the drone can avoid collision with an subject; and wherein the controller further comprises a mathematical model (7) of the drone; wherein the controller (4) is configured to control the flight of the drone by performing at least the following steps, (a) approximating lag error based on the position of the drone (1) measured by a sensor (5) and the virtual rail, wherein the lag error is the distance between a point along the virtual rail which is closest to the drone (1) and an

Abstract: Driver safety, vehicle safety, and environment safety may be scored based on a variety of input data concerning a driver, a vehicle, or an environment in which the vehicle drives. An overall safety score may be generated based on at least some of these three scores. These scores may be compared to thresholds to trigger or initiate actions such as providing notifications to drivers, raising or reducing vehicle insurance rates, providing coupons and promotions to drivers, or limiting vehicle speed in a manner that is personalized to the driver and/or vehicle and/or environment.

Abstract: In an approach to assessing safety of a vehicle based on usage context, one or more computer processors receive a planned usage of a vehicle from a user. Based on the received planned usage, one or more computer processors determine a set of preferred vehicle characteristics. One or more computer processors retrieve a maintenance record and a usage history of a first vehicle. Based on the maintenance record and the usage history, one or more computer processors determine one or more vehicle characteristics of the first vehicle. Based on the set of preferred characteristics and the one or more vehicle characteristics of the first vehicle, one or more computer processors calculate a usage match score. One or more computer processors generate a risk assessment report.

Abstract: An autonomous navigation system may navigate through an environment in which one or more non-solid objects, including gaseous and/or liquid objects, are located. Non-solid objects may be determined, using sensor data, to present an obstacle or interference based on determined chemical composition, size, position, velocity, concentration, etc. of the objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving torque control of a vehicle that includes simulated shifting of a step gear ratio transmission. In one example, a propulsive effort request is gradually incrementally increased or decreased to provide a smooth torque transition, thereby providing a smoother vehicle speed change and improve vehicle drivability.

Abstract: To ensure stability of flying by an unmanned aerial vehicle, first acquisition means of an unmanned aerial vehicle control system acquires first information, which is at least one piece of information for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle that is flying or information on a result of detecting an operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle. Second acquisition means acquires second information for operating the unmanned aerial vehicle after switching of control of the unmanned aerial vehicle. Flight control means restricts, in accordance with the first information and the second information, switching to control of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the second information.

Abstract: An example method includes determining, by a flight planning system, a perceived noise at a surface location based on acoustic noise emitted by an aerial vehicle at an aerial location. The aerial location corresponds to a waypoint along a proposed trajectory. Further, determining the perceived noise includes estimating propagation of the acoustic noise from the aerial location to the surface location based on environmental features of the environment or weather data. The flight planning method also includes determining, by the flight planning system using a noise-abatement function, a noise-abatement value of the proposed trajectory for the aerial vehicle based on the perceived noise at the surface location. In addition, the flight planning method includes determining, by the flight planning system, a flight plan for the aerial vehicle based on the noise-abatement value of the proposed trajectory, and outputting the flight plan for use in navigating the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method and system for sensor protection. A sensor protection system includes an assembly having a first structure embedded in a second structure, wherein a sensor is firmly placed in the first structure for sensing information through the assembly and protected from negative impact of outside environment, and one or more devices mounted on the second structure for providing means to clean a slanted surface of the second structure through which the sensor senses the surrounding information, wherein the one or more devices can be individually or jointly activated as needed to clean the slanted surface in order to prevent degradation of information sensed by the sensor through the assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the effectiveness of vehicle safety features are provided. Vehicle build information (VBI) for vehicles manufactured by a plurality of OEMs may be obtained. The VBI may contain OEM-specific terminology for smart safety features associated with each vehicle. The obtained VBI may be analyzed to generate an ontology model mapping each feature to any OEM-specific terminology associated with the feature. The ontology model may be applied to the VBI to generate translated VBI for each vehicle, such that the OEM-specific terminology associated with each feature is replaced with OEM-agnostic terminology for the feature. Vehicle accident record information may be obtained for each vehicle, including, e.g., the number, frequency, severity, etc. of accidents associated with each vehicle.

Abstract: A handheld computing device comprises: a display; a camera operable to capture image data representing a scene, the scene comprising a UAV; an RF receiver configured to receive identification data wirelessly from the UAV as a result of the UAV having broadcast the identification data; and a controller configured to cause the received identification data and/or data based on the received identification data to be displayed on the display at the same time as a representation of the UAV.

Abstract: A method includes receiving geolocation data from a subject vehicle with respect to a transporter vehicle. The method further includes determining a subject vehicle has entered a geofence around a transporter vehicle based on the geolocation data. The method further includes determining a destination location within the transporter vehicle at which the subject vehicle is to park in response to determining the subject vehicle has entered the geofence around the transporter vehicle.

Abstract: A low visibility aid device includes a main body having a front end, a back end, a middle section and an interior space. A mounting bracket extends outward from the main body for securing the device onto a manned aircraft for use during flight. A sensor suite is positioned within the main body to capture flight data information including audiovisual information, altitude information, attitude information and heading information of the aircraft during flight. A control unit having a wireless communication unit is positioned within the main body and selectively transmits the flight data information to a user device. A power generation unit generates power for use by the system components during device operation.

Abstract: An automated steering device is provided usable in conjunction with power equipment machines. By way of example, the automated steering device can provide user-assisted steering for a power equipment machine to maintain tight parallel paths. The user-assisted steering can be defined relative to an initial vector traversed through user directed operation of the power equipment machine, independent of or at least in part independent of a predefined area of operation for the power equipment machine. Position location data refined by local terrestrial positioning system correction devices, or onboard rotational correction devices can be provided to obtain high positioning accuracy, and minimal path deviation. As a result, highly accurate pathing can be provided by way of the disclosed automated steering devices.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring a driver's actual driving behaviors (e.g., acceleration, deceleration) in a manual driving mode to determine their preferred driving style, and then causing an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to operate itself, within limits, in accordance with the drivers' driving style when operating in a self-driving mode, thereby providing a more familiar and comfortable driving experience for the driver. Data is collected on the actual driving behavior, any pre-existing data is accessed on the actual driving behavior, and the collected data and the pre-existing data are combined. A custom control is then created based upon the combined data, and the custom control is applied to manage the self-driving behavior of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle in a self-driving mode. Additional data continues to be collected on the actual driving behavior, and the custom control is adjusted based upon the collected additional data.

Abstract: A method for controlling flight includes displaying, in a real-time manner, a picture photographed and sent by a photographing device carried by an aerial vehicle; determining a no-clicking area in the picture based on a position of an obstacle or a no-fly zone; receiving a click operation of a user on the picture; and controlling a flight of the aerial vehicle based on the click operation. Controlling the flight of the aerial vehicle based on the click operation includes invalidating the click operation in response to determining a click location of the click operation being in the no-clicking area; and controlling the flight of the aerial vehicle based on a position of the click location in response to determining the click location being not in the no-clicking area.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method distilling three-dimensional structure to a two-dimensional raster with multiple discrete planes for purposes of safe and accurate route planning including a map generator, pixel encoder, map transformer, and route generator. The map generator generates a raster map by populating a blank map canvas with raster and vector data on a per-pixel basis and obtains values for pixels from the pixel encoder. The pixel encoder encodes type, plane, and elevator information of features into pixels. The map transformer converts the map produced by the map generator into a weighted graph of nodes and edges suitable for route generation. The route generator generates routes using the graph produced by the map transformer.

Abstract: The processor supplies flight commands to the flight control system by selectively blending pilot input with control signals from the autopilot. The processor generates a projected recovery trajectory through successive iterations, each beginning at the current aircraft location and using a recovery constraint selectable by the processor to influences a degree of flight aggressiveness. A detection system that identifies and invokes a state of threat existence if a threat exists along the projected recovery trajectory. The processor during threat existence in a first iteration commands an initial soft recovery, with permitted blended pilot input. If the threat exists on subsequent iteration, the processor commands a more aggressive recovery while attenuating blended pilot input.