Abstract: A system and method for securing delivery of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining visual features of a captured image of a current location of the autonomous vehicle, the captured image generated by an image sensor communicatively coupled with the autonomous vehicle; retrieving location coordinates of the current location of the autonomous vehicle from a positioning sensor communicatively coupled with the autonomous vehicle; matching the visual features of the captured image to reference data associated with the location coordinates; and determining if the current location is the final destination. In some embodiments, the method further includes matching a verification code present within the captured image to a reference verification code, where the verification code is a two-dimensional visual code previously associated with the final destination.

Abstract: A controller for an emergency response system, a computer program product for an emergency response system, and a method for facilitating rescue One embodiment may comprise a processor coupled to a memory, the memory containing program instructions. The program instructions, when executed on the processor, may cause the controller to collect waypoint data during a user's activity, detect a first trigger event indicating that the user needs assistance, determine a first response plan for an autonomous vehicle (AV) for the first trigger event based on the collected waypoint data, and execute the first response plan.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe creating a mesh network of autonomous vehicles. Embodiments describe, for a set of autonomous vehicles configured to perform joint tasks, creating a plurality of subset networks of autonomous vehicles based on geographical proximity, wherein the plurality of subset networks of autonomous vehicles overlap to form a mesh network of autonomous vehicles, and wherein the mesh network of autonomous vehicles and the subset networks of autonomous vehicles support a non-centralized task assignment feature to assign tasks to autonomous vehicles in the mesh network. Additionally, embodiments describe sending a status signal to a first autonomous vehicle in the mesh network via a second autonomous vehicle in the mesh network, wherein the first autonomous vehicle is in a same subset network of autonomous vehicles as the second autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A method performed in a system comprising a plurality of autonomous vehicles. The method comprises a first vehicle transmitting a geometric configuration information to be adopted by one or more other vehicles participating in a transport operation in combination with the first vehicle, wherein the geometric configuration information comprises information regarding respective distances and orientations the one or more other vehicles are required to adopt relative to the first vehicle, a second vehicle, upon receipt of the geometric configuration information, adopting a position relative to the first vehicle or to a further vehicle participating in the transport operation, the position of the second vehicle defined by the geometric configuration information and the first and second vehicles performing a transport operation in a synchronised manner once the second vehicle has adopted said position.

Abstract: A moving mechanism configured to be assembled to an object to adjust a movement of the object is provided. The moving mechanism includes a bracket, a first wheel, a brake module, a control module, and a sensing module. The bracket is assembled to the object. The first wheel and the brake module are assembled to the bracket. The control module communicates with and drives the brake module. The sensing module communicates with the brake module, and the sensing module is configured to sense an orientation of the object. The control module adjusts a brake force of the brake module on the first wheel based on the orientation of the object.

Abstract: A control system of the autonomous vehicle may generate multiple possible behavior control movements based on the driving goal and the assessment of the vehicle environment. In doing so, the method and system selects one of the best behavior control, among the multiple possible movements, and the selection is based on the quantitative grading of its driving behavior.

Abstract: A robotic system is disclosed that uses autonomous tunnel navigation. The system includes a plurality of sensors (e.g., ranging, odometry) to measure a distance from the robotic system to a plurality of walls. Memory stores instructions and a processor is coupled to the memory and the plurality of sensors to execute the instructions. The instructions cause the robotic system to detect movement of the robotic system through a surrounding environment based on sensor measurements, determine if the robotic system is in a tunnel based on the sensor measurements, and navigate with the odometry-based sensor when the robotic system is determined to be in the tunnel or the ranging sensor when the robotic system is determined to be not in the tunnel.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes crop processing functionality configured to engage crop in a field, perform a crop processing operation on the crop, and move the processed crop to a harvested crop repository, and a control system configured to identify a weed seed area indicating presence of weed seeds, and generate a control signal associated with a pre-emergence weed seed treatment operation based on the identified weed seed area.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a controller configured to, upon determining, based on behavior classification, that a behavior of a passenger detected from a captured image or a sound of inside of a vehicle is threatening, transmit a first instruction to increase tension of a seat belt worn by the passenger.

Abstract: An automated speed control system includes a ranging-sensor, a camera, and a controller. The ranging-sensor detects a lead-speed of a lead-vehicle traveling ahead of a host-vehicle. The camera detects an object in a field-of-view. The controller is in communication with the ranging-sensor and the camera. The controller is operable to control the host-vehicle. The controller determines a change in the lead-speed based on the ranging-sensor. The controller reduces a host-speed of the host-vehicle when the lead-speed is decreasing, no object is detected by the camera, and while a portion of the field-of-view is obscured by the lead-vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control method of a UAV, a control device of a UAV, and a computer-readable storage medium, and relates to the technical field of UAVs. The control method of a UAV includes: determining a deviation between a vertical mapping point on the ground and a landing point of the UAV, the deviation comprising a deviation in a horizontal axis direction of a camera coordinate system and a deviation in a vertical axis direction of the camera coordinate system; and generating speed control amounts of the UAV in the horizontal axis direction and the vertical axis direction of the camera coordinate system by a controller, using the deviation in the horizontal axis direction and the deviation in the vertical axis direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The methods are enabled by equipping the UAV with tools for rapidly repairing a large structure or object (e.g., an aircraft or a wind turbine blade) that is not easily accessible to maintenance personnel. A plurality of tools are available for robotic selection and placement at the repair site. The tools are designed to perform respective repair operations in sequence in accordance with a specified repair plan, which plan may take into account the results of a previously performed UAV-enabled inspection.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for vehicle re-routing context determination for a subject vehicle, including: tracking movement of the subject vehicle as the subject vehicle is following a planned route; determining whether a deviation of the subject vehicle from the planned route indicates a user-initiated re-routing of the subject vehicle from the planned route; gathering data from a plurality of sources indicating a route condition leading to the user-initiated re-routing; analyzing the gathered data to determine a reason for the user-initiated re-routing; and based on the reason, determining whether to reroute other vehicles to avoid the reason for the user-initiated re-routing.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a blade that is configured to rotate relative to a body of the unmanned aerial vehicle to enable the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly. The blade defines at least one cavity. The blade includes a power source and an auxiliary rotor configured to use the power source to rotate relative to the blade to cause the blade to fly. The auxiliary rotor is configured to withdraw into the at least one cavity. The blade is configured to decouple from the unmanned aerial vehicle. The auxiliary rotor is configured to extend from the at least one cavity and cause the blade to fly such that the blade navigates away from the unmanned aerial vehicle using the auxiliary rotor.

Abstract: A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft capable of six degree-of-freedom motion where lift, pitch, and roll are provided by multirotors oriented vertically, lateral translation is provided by a cyclorotor oriented vertically, and yaw is provided by a combination of the cyclorotor and the multirotors. The invention includes a frame, which supports the multirotors and cyclorotors. The frame also supports a payload and battery which are positioned at the extreme ends of the frame. The aircraft is capable of hovering precisely to position a payload close to or touching a target surface in the air.

Abstract: An electronic control device provided in a vehicle that mounts an in-vehicle system is provided. The electronic control device may detect an abnormality that occurs in the in-vehicle system. The electronic control device may detect an operation related to a lane change. The electronic control device may store a travel plan for performing an autonomous driving of the vehicle. The electronic control device may acquire at least one of a subject vehicle information item on the vehicle, a surrounding information item on a surrounding environment of the vehicle, and a driver information item on a driver.

Abstract: Provided is a navigation system for a leader vehicle leading follower vehicles, including: the leader vehicle, configured to transmit, real-time movement data to follower vehicles; and, the follower vehicles, each comprising: a signal receiver for receiving the data from the leader vehicle; sensors configured to detect at least one maneuverability condition; a memory; a vehicle maneuver controller; a distance sensor; and a processor configured to: determine a route for navigating the local follower vehicle from an initial location; determine a preferred range of distances from the vehicle in front of the respective follower vehicle that the respective follower vehicle should stay within; determine a set of active maneuvering instructions for the respective follower vehicle based on at least a portion of the data received from the guiding vehicle; determine a lag in control commands; and, execute the set of active maneuvering instructions in the respective follower vehicle.

Abstract: A set of input conditions is obtained. A plurality of potential decisions is obtained based at least in part on the set of input conditions. A rule-based system is used to process the plurality of potential decisions and obtain a set of one or more updated potential decisions, wherein: the rule-based system specifies a plurality of rules; a rule specifies a rule condition and a corresponding action, wherein when the rule condition is met, the corresponding action is to be performed; and using the rule-based system to process the plurality of potential decisions includes: for a selected potential decision in the plurality of potential decisions, determining whether the rule condition is met for a selected rule among the plurality of rules, wherein the selected rule condition is dependent on, at least in part, the selected potential decision; and in response to the selected rule condition being met, performing the corresponding action. The set of one or more updated potential decisions to be executed is output.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a drone, a drone, and a system. The method for controlling a drone comprises: determining operating parameters of a moving platform according to field-of-view images containing the moving platform collected at any two different moments and flight parameters of the drone; calculating a time-varying tracking position of the moving platform based on the operating parameters; controlling the drone to track the moving platform according to the time-varying tracking position of the moving platform; and controlling the drone to perform a landing operation according to a relative position of the moving platform and the drone during tracking. The technical solutions according to the present disclosure have high landing accuracy, rely less on device performance and have high versatility.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to system and methods for optimizing identification of locations within a search area using hash values. A hash value represents location information in a single dimension format. Computing points around some location includes calculating an identification boundary that surrounds the location of interest based on the location's hash value. The identification boundary is expanded until it exceeds a search area defined by the location and a distance. Points around the location can be identified based on having associated hash values that fall within the identification boundary. Hashing operations let a system reduce the geometric work (i.e. searching inside boundaries) and processing required, by computing straightforward operations on hash quantities (e.g. searching a linear range of geohashes), instead of, for example, point to point comparisons.