Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for performing vehicle control. Multiple target rotation rates for a vehicle shaft may be identified. A first actual rotation rate may be determined to exceed a first target rotation rate. In response, a computing system may send a first signal in order to cause a first component of a vehicle to limit the rate of rotation of the vehicle shaft. A second actual rotation rate may be determined to be below a second target rotation rate. In response, the computing system may send a second signal in order to cause the first component of the vehicle or a second component of the vehicle to increase the rate of rotation of the vehicle shaft.

Abstract: A mobile robot employing a method and a system for localizing the mobile robot using external surveillance cameras acquires images from the surveillance cameras installed indoors adjacent to each other, recognizes objects included in the images by removing shadows from the images and performing a homography scheme, and avoids the recognized objects. The mobile robot employing the method and the system for localizing the mobile robot using the external surveillance cameras enables rapider localization and lower price as compared with a conventional image-based autonomous robot, so that the commercialization of a service robot is accelerated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an obstacle sensing module and a cleaning robot including the same. The cleaning robot includes a body, a driver to drive the body, an obstacle sensing module to sense an obstacle present around the body, and a control unit to control the driver, based on sensed results of the obstacle sensing module. The obstacle sensing module includes at least one light emitter including a light source, and a wide-angle lens to refract or reflect light from the light source so as to diffuse the incident light in the form of planar light, and a light receiver including a reflection mirror to again reflect reflection light reflected by the obstacle so as to generate reflection light, an optical lens spaced from the reflection mirror by a predetermined distance, to allow the reflection light to pass through the optical lens, and an image sensor, and an image processing circuit.

Abstract: A modular electric vehicle system, allowing for the assembly of many different vehicle configurations using a plurality of interchangeable vehicle assembly modules, including at least two powered vehicle assembly modules in an assembled vehicle each of which has self-contained drive and power systems and controls which can be connected together by a central network bus on the vehicle. At least one of the powered vehicle assembly modules will be a steering module, with the necessary additional controls and components to steer the axle thereon and in turn steer the assembled vehicle. The connection of the network bus and the modules would be done in an interchangeable way so that different modules could be interchangeably placed in the assembled vehicle. Various steering systems, control methodologies and vehicle attachments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a device includes a processor, a motion sensor accessible to the processor, a global positioning system (GPS) transceiver accessible to the processor, and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to identify at least a first instruction to travel to a location, and determine whether to disable the GPS transceiver based at least in part on one or more of a distance to be traveled before a second instruction is provided and a length of time to pass before the second instruction is provided. The instructions are also executable by the processor to monitor motion of the device based on input from the motion sensor responsive to disabling the GPS receiver.

Abstract: Driver-detection technology includes various systems, methods, and apparatuses. For example, an active infrared (IR) sensor might be affixed in the driver's footwell of a motor vehicle and detect the driver's entry into the vehicle. The detection of the driver by the IR sensor is usable to personalize motor-vehicle features, such as seat position, steering-wheel position, interior lighting, radio controls, mirror angles, and touch-screen configuration, among others.

Abstract: A control system, method and computer program product cooperate to assist control for an autonomous robot. An interface receives recognition information from an autonomous robot, said recognition information including candidate target objects to interact with the autonomous robot. A display control unit causes a display image to be displayed on a display of candidate target objects, wherein at least two of the candidate target objects are displayed with an associated indication of a target object score.

Abstract: A method, computing system and computer program product are provided to monitor compliance with a non-transgression zone between aircraft approach corridors, thereby facilitating simultaneous instrument approaches. In the context of a method, a predicted path of an aircraft is determined during a flight based upon at least a representation of a roll angle of the aircraft and a cross-track component of the velocity of the aircraft. The method also includes identifying an instance in which the predicted path of the aircraft during the flight intersects a non-transgression zone. The method further includes causing an alert to be issued in the instance in which the predicted path of the aircraft during the flight intersects the non-transgression zone.

Abstract: A driving system for electric vehicles. The driving system may have two or more electric motors, each with voltage inputs, which are connected to the axles and tires of the vehicle. A variable input control may provide a signal that indicates its current operation position to a vehicle control unit. The vehicle control unit takes the information from the variable input control and determines how much power to send to each of the electric motors' voltage inputs.

Abstract: A control system, method and computer program product cooperate to assist control for an autonomous robot. An interface receives recognition information from an autonomous robot, said recognition information including candidate target objects to interact with the autonomous robot. A display control unit causes a display image to be displayed on a display of candidate target objects, wherein at least two of the candidate target objects are displayed with an associated indication of a target object score.

Abstract: A control system implemented for in-pit crushing and conveying (IPCC) operations employing a shovel machine and a crusher machine is provided. The shovel machine includes an implement configured to excavate a material from a worksite and load the material into a hopper of the crusher machine. The control system includes a position determination module, an excavation determination module, and a path determination module. The path determination module is configured to determine one or more travel paths, with a plurality of loading positions, for the shovel machine and the crusher machine. The plurality of loading positions is based at least in part on the relative position of the shovel machine and the crusher machine and a plurality of excavation positions, such that at each of the plurality of loading positions, the implement traverses an arc passing above the hopper.

Abstract: A system to predict calibration values for a vehicle. The system is configured to receive a plurality of training data sets for a component of the vehicle. Each of the plurality of training data sets includes one or more training inputs and one or more corresponding training outputs. The system is further configured to automatically develop a prediction model based on the plurality of training data sets. The system is further configured to receive an input data set and determine, using the prediction model, a predicted calibration value based on the input data set. The system is further configured to transmit the predicted calibration value to an electronic control unit of the vehicle.

Abstract: A robot designed for reducing collision impacts during human interaction. The robot includes a robot controller including a joint control module. The robot includes a link including a rigid support element and a soft body segment coupled to the rigid support element, and the body segment includes a deformable outer sidewall enclosing an interior space. The robot includes a pressure sensor sensing pressure in the interior space of the link. A joint is coupled to the rigid support element to rotate or position the link. During operations, the robot controller operates the joint based on the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor. The robot controller modifies operation of the joint from a first operating state with a servo moving or positioning the joint to a second operating state with the servo operating to allow the joint to be moved or positioned in response to outside forces applied to the link.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, method, and apparatus. A system includes a package management system for operating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in the robotic vehicle. The package management system includes circuitry for recognizing an individual human shopper. The system includes circuitry for receiving data indicative of a location of the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment. The system includes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle to the location of the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment. In an embodiment, the package management system includes circuitry for issuing an alarm upon detection of an unauthorized removal or attempted unauthorized removal of a consumer item from the secure portion of the robotic vehicle.

Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle includes calculating, via a controller, an optimal torque target for the powertrain as a function of system limits of the vehicle. The method includes commanding, via transmission of an output torque signal, an actual output torque of the powertrain to pursue or follow the calculated optimal torque target during a steady-state torque request condition. Additionally, the method includes detecting a predetermined vehicle event during the steady-state torque request condition, and shaping the output torque signal via the controller. A variable gain factor may be used in response to detection of the predetermined vehicle event to allow the output torque signal to temporarily deviate from the calculated optimal torque target during the steady-state torque request condition. A powertrain has an engine, an electric machine, and a controller programmed to execute the method.

Abstract: A self-adaptive method for assisting tire inflation enables control of tire inflation. If the vehicle stops, the central unit of a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) can change in a self-adaptive manner from the reception configuration of the “moving” mode at a high bit rate to a “stationary” mode at a low bit rate. At the same time, if there is a variation in the pressure of a tire, the corresponding wheel unit is set for transmission in “stationary” mode at a low bit rate. The power Pa received at the central unit varies according to a curve (20) which shows, in the illustrated example, two positions of poor reception. By replacing high bit rate transmission with low bit rate transmission, the signal/noise ratio is improved and there is a gain in reception sensitivity of about 5 dB, and the risks of disturbance of the received power are virtually eliminated.

Abstract: A navigation device serving as a position information transmission apparatus for transmitting position information about a vehicle to a position information service center includes a terminal ECU that is authorized to log in to the position information service center via networks. The terminal ECU is configured to, in a logged-in state to the position information service center, transmit the position information about the vehicle to the position information service center on condition that a predetermined operation has been performed.

Abstract: Teleoperation systems and methods for use during a surgical procedure. The teleoperation system comprises a surgical tool and a master input device for being moved by a user. A slave device is coupled to the surgical tool and responsive to movement of the master input device. The slave device is configured to be operated in a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the surgical tool is placed in a desired pose with respect to a target region in response to a manual force applied to the slave device. In the second mode, the surgical tool is manipulated during the surgical procedure in response to movement of the master input device by the user. A visual indicator is coupled to the surgical tool or the slave device to emit light in the second mode to provide visual information to the user in the second mode.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving, by a mobile robotic device, power from a battery of a first battery pack in order to operate within an environment. The method further includes establishing a first data channel between the mobile robotic device and the first battery pack. The method also includes using the first data channel to transfer sensor data acquired by the mobile robotic device during operation to a local data storage component of the first battery pack. The method additionally includes navigating, by the mobile robotic device, to a battery exchange station to transfer the first battery pack containing the battery and the local data storage component with the sensor data to the battery exchange station. The method further includes after transferring the first battery pack to the battery exchange station, receiving a second battery pack from the battery exchange station to continue operation within the environment.

Abstract: Aspects of the generation of new robotic motion trajectories are described. In one embodiment, a new robot motion trajectory may be generated by gathering demonstrated motion trajectories, adapting the demonstrated motion trajectories into robot-reachable motion trajectories based on a joint space of a robot model, for example, and generating motion harmonics with reference to the motion trajectories. Further, one or more constraints may be specified for a new goal. The weights of the motion harmonics may then be searched to identify or generate a new motion trajectory for a robot, where the new motion minimizes discrepancy from the demonstrated motion trajectories and error due to the at least one constraint. In the new motion trajectory, the degree to which the constraints are satisfied may be tuned using a weight. According to the embodiments, new motion variants may be generated without the need to learn or review new demonstrated trajectories.