Abstract: An autonomous vehicle may include a stuck condition detection component and a communications component. The stuck-detection component may be configured to detect a condition in which the autonomous vehicle is impeded from navigating according to a first trajectory. The communications component may send an assistance signal to an assistance center and receive a response to the assistance signal. The assistance signal may include sensor information from the autonomous vehicle. The assistance center may include a communications component and a trajectory specification component. The communications component may receive the assistance signal and send a corresponding response. The trajectory specification component may specify a second trajectory for the autonomous vehicle and generate the corresponding response that includes a representation of the second trajectory. The second trajectory may be based on the first trajectory and may ignore an object that obstructs the first trajectory.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving position data indicative of position of a demonstration tool. Based on the received position data, the method further includes determining a motion path of the demonstration tool, wherein the motion path comprises a sequence of positions of the demonstration tool. The method additionally includes determining a replication control path for a robotic device, where the replication control path includes one or more robot movements that cause the robotic device to move a robot tool through a motion path that corresponds to the motion path of the demonstration tool. The method also includes providing for display of a visual simulation of the one or more robot movements within the replication control path.

Abstract: Mobile robots and methods involving mobile robots are provided. One of the mobile robots electronically presents information using a user interface, where the information is indicative of at least one task. The user interface, for example, may present the information in a visual form with a display screen. The user interface receives a selection of the task. The mobile robot thereafter autonomously performs at least a portion of the selected task.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring a landing approach of an aircraft. The method includes receiving instrument landing system (ILS) signals; determining a glideslope deviation from the ILS signals; disabling, when the glideslope deviation is less than a first predetermined threshold, at least one glideslope alert function; evaluating a current glideslope condition by comparing a designated glideslope angle to a glideslope check value; and re-enabling the at least one glideslope alert function when the glideslope check value differs from the designated glideslope angle by more than a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method whereby a mobile fuel station may refuel vehicles is disclosed. Fuel reservoirs are provided in a mobile fuel station that may store fuel and dispense fuel through a hybrid fuel line. Fuel nozzles are provided which can be detachably connected to the hybrid fuel line and can measure and display fuel dispensed from the mobile fuel station. Communication devices and a network are provided that allow a vehicle and a mobile fuel station to communicate location and status information wirelessly with the network. The network uses vehicle location data to create an optimized fueling path and predict vehicle refueling locations. A prepay deposit account or other automatic payment services that allow refueling and maintenance services to be provided at a user's convenience are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: An approach is provided for processing and/or facilitating a processing of probe trace data to determine one or more mode indicators, wherein the one or more mode indicators include, at least in part, one or more attributes of the probe trace data. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a modeling of one or more statistical patterns of at least one pedestrian mode of transport, at least one non-pedestrian mode of transport, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on determining one or more probabilities that one or more mode indicators are associated with the at least one pedestrian mode of transport, the at least one non-pedestrian mode of transport, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for training and/or operating a robotic device to follow a trajectory. A robotic vehicle may utilize a camera and stores the sequence of images of a visual scene seen when following a trajectory during training in an ordered buffer. Motor commands associated with a given image may be stored. During autonomous operation, an acquired image may be compared with one or more images from the training buffer in order to determine the most likely match. An evaluation may be performed in order to determine if the image may correspond to a shifted (e.g., left/right) version of a stored image as previously observed. If the new image is shifted left, right turn command may be issued. If the new image is shifted right then left turn command may be issued.

Abstract: A method for altering an initially predetermined path of a robot arrangement having at least one robot includes selecting a portion of the initially predetermined path, altering the selected portion of the path, and predetermining an altered path based on the altered portion of the path. A deviation between the initially predetermined path and the altered path is determined, and a reaction is triggered if the deviation fulfills a predetermined condition for a reaction. In another aspect, a computer programming product, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to select a portion of the initially predetermined path, alter the selected portion of the path, predetermine an altered path based on the altered portion of the path, determine a deviation between the initially predetermined and the altered path, and trigger a reaction if the deviation fulfills a predetermined condition for a reaction.

Abstract: A robot includes a base, a first arm which is rotatable around a first rotating axis with respect to the base, a second arm which is rotatable around a second rotating axis orthogonal to the first rotating axis, a third arm which is rotatable around a third rotating axis parallel to the second rotating axis, a first angular velocity sensor provided in the first arm, and a second angular velocity sensor provided in the third arm. The angle between a detection axis of the first angular velocity sensor and the first rotating axis is a predetermined first angle. The angle between a detection axis of the second angular velocity sensor and the second rotating axis is a predetermined second angle.

Abstract: A control system of a robotic device may receive sensor data indicating at least one deviation from a nominal operating parameter of the robotic device, where the robotic device includes articulable legs that include respective actuators, and where one or more strokes of the actuators cause the articulable legs to articulate. Based on the received sensor data, the control system may determine that the at least one deviation exceeds a pre-determined threshold. In response to determining that the at least one deviation exceeds the pre-determined threshold, the control system may provide instructions for centering the one or more strokes at approximately a mid-point of extension of the actuators, and reducing a stroke length of the one or more strokes of the actuators.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide for automatic angular adjustment of an end effector thereby improving on the operability of a medical instrument. The medical system of the invention comprises a medical instrument including a driver for driving adjustment of the angle of the end effector relative to a shaft, a trocar having an insertion opening through which the medical instrument is inserted, a sensor that produces a sensor signal including at least an angle of a shaft in a reference coordinate system, and a driver for enabling follow-up control processing for driving the driver based on a sensor signal produced out of the sensor such that the angle of the end effector follows a follow-up criterion in a reference coordinate system.

Abstract: It is assumed that when a first teaching device is communicating with an active task unit in a robot control device, a second teaching device transmits a request to connect to the active task unit, to the robot control device. In such a case, the robot control device is configured to stop the first teaching device executing active tasks, and establish communication between the second teaching device and the active task unit of the robot control device which allows active tasks to be executed thereby.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium comprises instructions which cause performance of receiving a request from a user for directions to a destination, determining, based on historical user data, a commercial interest of the user, selecting a route based at least on a location related to the commercial interest being on the route, and directing the user to the destination according to the route.

Abstract: A system for selectively controlling visibility of information in a work environment is provided. The system includes one or more polarized emissive screens located within the work environment. The screens have a first direction of polarization. Information displayed on the screens are visible to a person inside the work environment. The work environment includes at least one window which permits viewing of the polarized emissive screens from outside of the work environment. A polarizing filter having a second direction of polarization arranged at an angle to the first direction of polarization is positioned proximate to the window. A person outside the work environment can see inside the environment through the window, but has an altered view of the information on the displays.

Abstract: Vehicle data may be analyzed to predict potential component failures, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), or other mechanical failures relating to the vehicle. In one implementation the vehicle data may be received from a number of vehicles, the vehicle data including DTCs generated by on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems of the vehicles. The vehicle data may be evaluated using a predictive model to output predictions of DTCs that are likely to occur for a particular vehicle.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing audible indications to objects located externally to a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode. For instance, a vehicle is controlled in the autonomous driving mode along a particular path. Information identifying a characteristic and a location of an object is received. When vehicle is determined to be prevented from proceeding along the particular path because of the location of the object, a scenario is identified using the characteristic. The scenario is associated with a predetermined period of time and a type of audible indication used to identify an audible indication. After the waiting the predetermined period, when the object is determined to still be preventing the vehicle from proceeding along the particular path, the audible indication is played through a speaker of the vehicle to encourage the object to take an action to allow the vehicle to proceed along the particular path.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining a trajectory pattern of a route. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for obtaining a trajectory pattern of a route. The method includes obtaining a set of points associated with the route, the set of points being obtained by at least one entity travelling along the route. A plurality of coverage areas covering a part of points in the set of points is determined. The coverage areas are connected based on main directions of the coverage areas to obtain the trajectory pattern related to the route. The main directions represent forward directions of the route in respective coverage areas. A corresponding system for obtaining a trajectory pattern of a route is described as well.

Abstract: An approach is provided for determining an escape point for at least one predicted route, and causing a timely notification based on attributes associated with the escape point. The approach involves determining at least one predicted route for at least one vehicle. The approach also involves determining one or more traffic events associated with the at least one predicted route. The approach further involves determining at least one escape point for the one or more traffic events, wherein the at least one escape point represents at least one location at which the one or more traffic events can be avoided via at least one detour route. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, a presentation of one or more notifications related to the at least one escape point, the one or more traffic events, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on characteristic information, availability information, or a combination thereof associated with the at least one escape point.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to localizing mobile robotic devices are provided. A control system can receive a request for a particular mobile robotic device (PMRD) to travel between a first area and a cell area. After receiving the request, the control system can disable a presence sensor detecting objects traveling between the first area and the cell area. The control system can receive, from one or more identification sensors, sensor data identifying a mobile robotic device that has moved into the cell area based on identifiers of the mobile robotic device. The control system can verify that sensor data indicates the PMRD is in the cell area. After verifying that the PMRD is in the cell area, the control system can: disable the PMRD, enable the presence sensor, and indicate that the PMRD is disabled in the cell area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of converting and reconstructing a signal, including: at a data generator, acquiring signal-analyzed data from an original signal, wherein the signal-analyzed data includes at least one feature point acquired from the original signal; transmitting and receiving the signal-analyzed data and at least one reference data corresponding to the signal-analyzed data; and reconstructing the original signal based on the signal-analyzed data and the at least one reference data to acquire a reconstructed signal.