Abstract: In an approach to hazard detection, one or more computer processors determine whether an obstruction of view for a user in a first vehicle is detected. Responsive to determining the obstruction is detected, the one or more computer processors deploy a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) associated with the first vehicle. The one or more computer processors determine whether one or more hazards associated with a path of the first vehicle are detected.

Abstract: A driving support apparatus installed in a host vehicle calculates an overlap ratio relating to a target object positioned ahead of the host vehicle within the same traffic lane, as the ratio of the width of the target object to its lateral distance from a lane marker line of the traffic lane, and also detects the motion condition of the object (i.e., stationary, moving towards, or in the same direction as the host vehicle, or moving laterally with respect to the forward direction of the host vehicle). An amount of compensation for retarding or advancing the commencement of a collision avoidance operation by the driving support apparatus is determined based on the overlap ratio and/or the motion condition of the target object.

Abstract: A remote sensing device is utilized to activate boundary alert sensors in a vehicle to reduce current loading during a key-off condition. Communication between the remote sensing device and the vehicle is via a radio-frequency interface that is part of a remote keyless entry system. The remote sensing device transmits a signal to the vehicle when an object is detected within a predetermined range of the remote sensing device. In response to the signal, the vehicle activates one or more boundary alert sensors. The boundary alert sensors may include a camera, a radar, and an ultrasonic sensor. The remote sensing device can be configured to extend a range of the radio-frequency interface by repeating messages that it receives.

Abstract: A vehicle travel control apparatus includes a utility function determination unit, which determines a utility function fu representing a relationship between the manipulated variable for vehicle speed control of an own vehicle and an effectiveness degree, a travel inhibition degree function determination unit, which determines a travel inhibition degree function fr representing a relationship between the manipulated variable for vehicle speed control and an estimated travel inhibition degree of the own vehicle, and an appropriateness function determination unit, which determines an appropriateness function fap combining both functions fu and fr. A driving/braking force of the own vehicle is manipulated according to the value of the manipulated variable for vehicle speed control corresponding to a highest appropriateness in the appropriateness function fap.

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: Systems, methods, and apparatus for neuro-robotic goal selection are disclosed. An example method to control a robot is described, including presenting a target object to a user, the target object corresponding to a goal to be effectuated by a robot, emphasizing a portion of the target object, identifying a first brain signal corresponding to a first mental response of the user to the emphasized portion, determining whether the first mental response corresponds to a selection of the emphasized portion by the user, and effectuating the robot with respect to the goal based on the emphasized portion.

Abstract: An automatic moving device and a control method therefor. The automatic moving device comprises a battery pack providing power. The automatic moving device can work within a working area and automatically return to a charging station for charging. The control method comprises the following steps: monitoring the power level of the battery pack; if the power level of the battery pack is less than or equal to a preset power level, initiating an action of returning the automatic moving device to the charging station; and after a preset time period, stopping the travel. By setting a preset time period simultaneously with initiating a return action, and executing a return action within the preset time period, the control method prevents damage to the battery pack from over-discharging caused by the automatic moving device continually returning, thus achieving the effects of protecting the battery pack and extending the life thereof.

Abstract: System and method for maintaining functionality of software includes initially providing the vehicle with software resident on computer-readable medium to enable it to operate and interact with components thereof and updating the vehicle software by receiving a wireless transmission from one or more remote locations, e.g., a location maintained by a dealer or manufacturer of the vehicle. The software may be diagnostic software for a diagnostic module which diagnoses operability of components of the vehicle. Different remote locations may be responsible for different portions of the vehicle-resident software and may therefore provide different software upgrades, based on need.

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-limb manipulator which includes electric actuators assigned to manipulator limbs, control units assigned to the actuators, including: the provision of desired movement values for the actuator to an actuator dynamic model and the determination of an electric desired current value for the actuator, the transfer of the desired current value to a controller designed for outputting an actuator current to the actuator with the inclusion of the desired current value and of a measured actual current value and a measured actual position of the actuator, wherein a difference between the desired current value and the actual current value is determined as a required positional deviation, and wherein the positional deviation is added to the desired distance fed into the actuator dynamic model to facilitate a diversion movement of the manipulator limb operated by the actuator on the occurrence of an external disturbing force.

Abstract: A failure diagnosis apparatus comprises a controller that is configured to execute a failure diagnosis process of the internal combustion engine based on a predetermined diagnosis requirement. The diagnosis requirement in a case where engine-operation-electric-power supply is executed is made different from the diagnosis requirement in a case where engine-normal-operation is executed such that a failure of the internal combustion engine in the case where the engine-operation-electric-power supply is executed is less likely to be detected or the failure of the internal combustion engine is less likely to be recognized by a driver than in the case where the engine-normal operation is executed.

Abstract: A robot monitoring system for monitoring and analyzing robot related data and displaying the data on a smart device is provided. The robot monitoring system comprises at least one robot in local communication with at least one robot controller. The at least one robot controller has local processing power for monitoring, gathering, and analyzing data related to the at least one robot. The data analysis results are formatted into a message file that is communicated to a storage system. The message file may then be retrieved by a smart device having software running thereon for displaying the results of the data analysis.

Abstract: In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining travel information that indicates travel patterns for a mobile computing device that is associated with a user; identifying a current context for the mobile computing device and the user; identifying one or more destination locations that the user has at least a threshold likelihood of travelling to with the mobile computing device based on the current context and the obtained travel information; generating a prediction that one or more events have at least a threshold probability of occurring along one or more of a plurality of routes for travelling to the identified one or more destination locations; selecting a particular route from the plurality of routes to recommend to the user based on the current context and the prediction of the one or more events; and providing route information that identifies the selected particular route.

Abstract: Provided is a robot capable of achieving more efficient and faster calculation for generating a gait. A target ZMP trajectory of a robot 1 is defined by a linear function of a target landing position that uses a time function as a coefficient. The time function is defined by a function that permits specified function transformation related to time, and a dynamics model is defined by the specified function transformation related to time. Thus, the problem of determining a target landing position is formulated as a problem accompanied by a linear constraint in which a first specified requirement (a target ZMP trajectory linearly approximated by the linear function of a target landing position falls within a permissible existence range) is satisfied.

Abstract: A robot includes a base, first and second arms, first and second drive sources, first and second inertia sensors, and first and second angle sensors. A rotation axis of the first arm and a rotation axis of the second arm are orthogonal to each other. The first inertia sensor is installed at the first arm, and the second inertia sensor is installed at the second arm. The first angle sensor is installed at the first drive source, and the second angle sensor is installed at the second drive source. Angular velocities obtained from the first inertia sensor and the first angle sensor are fed back to a first drive source control unit. Angular velocities obtained from the second inertia sensor and the second angle sensor are fed back to a second drive source control unit.

Abstract: A robotic milking system suitable for use with conventional milking clusters. Clusters are withdrawn to a generally known position upon release from a cow with the cups hanging down below the bowl. The cups are then located in a confined region from where they are picked up by a robotic arm and attached to teats of a cow. The arrangement allows a single robotic arm to service multiple bales of a rotary milking parlor.

Abstract: A surgical robot system and a control method thereof include a slave device and a master device to control motion of the slave device. The surgical robot system further includes a monitoring device that inspects a signal transmitted within the system in real time to stop motion of the slave device if an abnormal signal is detected.

Abstract: A robot control apparatus, which controls motions of an industrial robot based on processing results of an image processing apparatus which images the robot or objects around the robot, includes: a first communication unit which communicates with a computer for development as an external computer; a second communication unit which is connected to the image processing apparatus via a network; and a command processing unit which opens a communication port of the second communication unit and causes the second communication unit to start communication with the image processing apparatus via a server on the network in response to an open command received by the first communication unit.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a control framework for robots such that a robot can use all joints simultaneously to track motion capture data and maintain balance. Embodiments of the invention provide a framework enabling complex reference movements to be automatically tracked, for example reference movements derived from a motion capture data system.

Abstract: A wearable robotic system assists a wearer in performing manual tasks. One or more robotic arms are mounted to a wearer, and an sensor monitors the orientation(s) (e.g., position and movement) of the wearer's upper body and one or both arms. A controller detects a task being performed by the wearer based on the orientation(s) as indicated by the orientation sensors. In response, the controller causes the robotic arm to perform an action independent of the orientation(s) of the wearer's arms and complementary to the task, thereby aiding the wearer to accomplish the detected task.

Abstract: A mobile robot has a seating part, a moving apparatus to move the seating part, and a robot part with a base part to be attached to the seating part, a body capable of rotating around a vertical axis normal to an attaching surface which the seating part to be attached to the base part, and an arm connected to the body having a plurality of joints. The seating part has a first surface facing a work that is subject to the operation by the robot part and a second surface that is different from the first surface, and the arms are formed such that the positional relationship between the arms and the first surface is substantially identical to the positional relationship between the arms and the second surface according to the rotation of the body around the vertical axis.