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: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) carries a camera, sends data from the camera, and receives commands. The UAV is connected to a messaging platform. Pictures or video clips received from the UAV are selected and placed in messages broadcast by an account associated with the UAV. Video footage from the camera is live-streamed in a card-type message. Account holders of the messaging platform may control the UAV with commands embedded in messages and directed towards an account associated with the UAV. Controllable elements of the UAV include UAV location, camera orientation, camera subject, UAV-mounted lighting, a UAV-mounted display, a UAV-mounted projector, UAV-mounted speakers, and a detachable payload. UAV control may be determined through democratic means. Some UAV functionality may be triggered through aggregated engagements on the messaging platform. The UAV may include a display screen and/or a microphone to provide for telepresence or interview functionality.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes prompting a user to change an operating mode of an electrified vehicle from a first mode to a second mode that is different than the first mode. The first mode is a default mode. The second mode is a non-default mode.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for training and controlling of e.g., robotic devices. In one implementation, a robot may be utilized to perform a target task characterized by a target trajectory. The robot may be trained by a user using supervised learning. The user may interface to the robot, such as via a control apparatus configured to provide a teaching signal to the robot. The robot may comprise an adaptive controller comprising a neuron network, which may be configured to generate actuator control commands based on the user input and output of the learning process. During one or more learning trials, the controller may be trained to navigate a portion of the target trajectory. Individual trajectory portions may be trained during separate training trials. Some portions may be associated with robot executing complex actions and may require additional training trials and/or more dense training input compared to simpler trajectory actions.

Abstract: A mapping system is disclosed that provides route guidance in the form of a map and verbal or textual directions which includes reference to both landmarks and personal contacts. Landmarks and contacts can be rated for suitability in providing route guidance. Depending on the rating, guidance using landmarks or personal contacts can be preferentially used in place of or to supplement guidance based on the underlying road network.

Abstract: A method and system for modeling and processing vehicular traffic data and information, comprising: (a) transforming a spatial representation of a road network into a network of spatially interdependent and interrelated oriented road sections, for forming an oriented road section network; (b) acquiring a variety of the vehicular traffic data and information associated with the oriented road section network, from a variety of sources; (c) prioritizing, filtering, and controlling, the vehicular traffic data and information acquired from each of the variety of sources; (d) calculating a mean normalized travel time (NTT) value for each oriented road section of said oriented road section network using the prioritized, filtered, and controlled, vehicular traffic data and information associated with each source, for forming a partial current vehicular traffic situation picture associated with each source; (e) fusing the partial current traffic situation picture associated with each source, for generating a single co

Abstract: A system for selectively controlling visibility of information in an environment is provided. The system includes one or more polarized emissive screens and polarized non-emissive surfaces located within the work environment. The screens have a first direction of polarization and the surfaces have a direction of polarization substantially aligned with the first direction of polarization. Information displayed on the screens and surfaces 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 and non-emissive surfaces 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 and surfaces.

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: 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: According to a torque detecting method, gravitational torque applied to a rotary shaft of an arm is detected in a condition where position control of the arm is stopped, when the arm is located at a first position at which the arm is oriented in a direction different from a direction of gravitational force. Then, a gravity coefficient used for calculating gravitational torque corresponding to a position of the arm is calculated, based on the gravitational torque and the first position. Then, gravitational torque during position control is calculated, based on the position of the arm detected during the position control, and the gravity coefficient. Further, an actual output torque during the position control is calculated, based on operating torque applied to the rotary shaft and detected during the position control, and the gravitational torque calculated during the position control.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning control device calculates, through a thermal load calculating unit, a vehicle interior thermal load Q on the basis of, for example, a vehicle interior temperature Tin, a vehicle interior humidity Hin, a vehicle exterior temperature Tout, a passenger load factor ?, and a vehicle-interior-temperature set value Tset. Through an air conditioning output calculating unit, the vehicle air conditioning control device calculates an output command value for an air conditioner on the basis of a vehicle-interior-temperature upper-limit value Tmax, a vehicle-interior-temperature lower-limit value Tmin, the thermal load Q, power-running/regenerative electric power P, and then, corrects the calculated output command value for the air conditioner on the basis of power-running/regenerative electric power Pf at or after a prediction time point and of a passenger load factor ?f at or after the prediction time point.

Abstract: A setting unit 33 configured to set a first landing permissible region in order to ground a free leg side foot 16 within an upper tread surface or a lower tread surface of a step existing ahead of a legged mobile robot 1 in a traveling direction, and a setting unit 34 configured to set a second landing permissible region in order to ground the free leg side foot 16 on an edge of the upper tread surface or the lower tread surface are provided to switch landing permissible regions for movement control of the robot 1 according to a step height.

Abstract: A link actuation device includes a distal end side link hub connected with a proximal end side link hub through three or more sets of link mechanisms for alteration in orientation. By means of an actuator provided in the two or more set of the link mechanism, the distal end orientation, which is the orientation of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end link hub, is changed arbitrarily. The operating device includes an orientation designating unit for designating the distal end orientation aimed at by means of a coordinate position on the orthogonal coordinate system by an artificial manipulation, an orientation acquiring unit for acquiring the distal end orientation that is expressed by an angular coordinate system through calculation, and an orientation information applying unit for applying information on the distal end orientation so acquired to a control device for controlling the actuator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a dynamic tire air pressure system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a tire pressure sensor that measures an air pressure of a tire. The system also includes a first reservoir tank maintaining a lower air pressure than the measured air pressure of the tire. The system further includes a second reservoir tank maintaining a higher air pressure than the measured air pressure of the tire. The system additionally includes one or more valves that control deflation and inflation of the tire by selectively coupling the tire to the first or second reservoir tanks.

Abstract: A steering wheel system for a vehicle includes a display and a controller. The controller receives vehicle parameters from one or more vehicle sensors as well as geometric or navigability characteristics of the road. The controller generates a prediction of an effect of the vehicle parameters on the vehicle with respect to the geometric or navigability characteristics of the road. The controller sends a signal to the display based on the prediction. The display is configured to display a representation of the prediction based on the signal received from the controller.

Abstract: A wireless communication device of a vehicle system includes one or more antennas configured to be disposed onboard a first vehicle of the vehicle system, a first modem configured to be disposed onboard the first vehicle and to communicate a first wireless signal to one or more of a second vehicle of the vehicle system or an off-board device using the one or more antennas, and a second modem configured to be disposed onboard the first vehicle and to communicate a second wireless signal to the one or more of the second vehicle or the off-board device using the one or more antennas. The first modem is configured to communicate the first wireless signal via a first type of wireless communication link and the second modem is configured to communicate the second wireless signal via a different, second type of wireless communication link.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a system and method for using a robot to simulate user motions by detecting a user, estimating a first position and orientation of the user, determining a current position of the robot, generating an initial path from the current position of the robot to a goal position based on whether the robot affects the user while travelling on the initial path, determining whether the user will traverse in response to the robot when the robot travels on the initial path, responsive to the user traversing in response to the robot, estimating a second position where the user will move when the robot is near, and generating a new path from the current position of the robot to the goal position.

Abstract: A navigation device 10 comprises: position detecting means 11 for determining the current position of a user from the absolute position in longitude and latitude by using the electric waves coming from a plurality of artificial satellites going around the earth; storage means 14 for storing the coordinates in longitude and latitude of nodes, as obtained by setting a starting point and a final place, on a scheduled route; display means 12 for displaying the current position and the scheduled route; and control means 16 for controlling the display on the display means 12 by converting the angular data of the absolute positions and the coordinates into distance data while making corrections according to the current position, and by calculating an element between the nodes thereby to calculate whether or not the current position is on the scheduled route, in dependence upon whether or not the distance between the element and the current position is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Method for controlling an exoskeleton (100) involves detecting an occurrence of an uncontrolled acceleration of at least a portion of the exoskeleton, as might occur during a fall. In response, the exoskeleton is caused to automatically transition at least one motion actuator (104a, 104b) from a first operational state to a second operational state. In the first operational state, the one or more motion actuators are configured to provide a motive force for controlled movement of the exoskeleton. In the second operational state, the one or more motion actuators are configured to function as energy dampers which dissipate a shock load exerted upon the exoskeleton.

Abstract: A method of configuring an aircraft management system comprising the following steps, implemented by a configuration module integrated into the avionic system of the aircraft cockpit: obtaining at least one item of computation data for computing at least one configuration parameter of the management system, sending, to a computation module that is independent from the avionic system of the aircraft cockpit, a request for computing said at least one parameter on the basis of said at least one item of computation data, receiving, from said computation module, said at least one computed parameter, and configuring said management system with said at least one received computed parameter.