Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a camera using a calibration system are provided. The calibration system includes a mat, a camera, and a controller. The systems and methods include the controller configuring the mat to operation in an illumination mode in which the mat energizes one or more LEDs to form an illumination pattern. The controller receives image data generated by the camera that features the illumination pattern. The controller analyzes the image data to derive heading data for the camera and sets the camera heading data to be the derived heading data.

Abstract: The disclosure is an antenna device, comprising a substrate layer and a patch antenna assembly on the substrate layer, configured to contain at least one patch antenna element. Each patch antenna element has a feed insertion cutout and a base cutout, where a feed line extending from a feed point on the substrate layer couples to the antenna element in the feed insertion cutout. Each patch antenna element corresponds to a respective parasitic patch element, positioned above the patch antenna element, and a respective capacitive loading element, positioned on the feed line and proximate to the patch antenna element, to improve the performance of the antenna device. Each parasitic pat antenna is larger than its respective patch antenna element. The antenna device may also include a mounting structure to position each parasitic patch element over each patch antenna element.

Abstract: An effector system comprises: an effector assembly including: a first segment having a conduit between a proximal end and a distal end, an inner surface of the conduit having a conductive portion and a resistive portion; an output member slidable within the conduit, the output member having a conductive exterior contacting the inner surface; a first shape-memory transducer affixed between the proximal end and the output member; and a second shape-memory transducer affixed between the distal end and the output member; and a controller configured to: selectively energize: (i) the first shape-memory transducer to slide the output member in a first direction, (ii) the second shape-memory transducer to slide the output member in a second direction, or (iii) the resistive portion of the inner surface; and in response to energizing the resistive portion, determine a position of the output member.

Abstract: An effector system includes: a first segment having a first conduit; a suction cup affixed to the first segment, the suction cup including (i) an outlet in communication with the first conduit, (ii) a deformable body having an engagement surface configured to contact a target object, and (iii) a pressure sensor disposed on the body between the outlet and the engagement surface, the pressure sensor configured to generate sensor data indicating pressure resulting from deformation of the body against the target object; a vacuum source configured to apply a vacuum at the outlet via the first conduit; and a controller configured to determine, based on the sensor data, whether the suction cup is engaged with the target object.

Abstract: An effector system includes: a plurality of effector assemblies configured to engage a target object; a base having a plurality of mounting surfaces for movably supporting the effector assemblies; a plurality of actuators coupled to the base, each actuator including: an actuator housing defining a conduit having a first end and a second end; an output member slidable within the conduit; a first shape-memory transducer affixed between the first end and the output member; a second shape-memory transducer affixed between the second end and the output member; an electrical subassembly configured to control each actuator to cause the output member to slide towards a selected one of the first end and the second end; and a plurality of linkages between respective output members and effector assemblies, each linkage configured to move a corresponding effector assembly relative to the base in response to sliding of the respective output member.

Abstract: An effector assembly includes: a segment defining a conduit between proximal and distal ends and containing a slidable output member; a first shape-memory transducer affixed between the proximal end and the output member; a second shape-memory transducer affixed between the distal end and the output member; an electrical subassembly to selectively supply current to bias the first transducer to a first memory state and bias the second transducer to a second deformed state, for sliding the output member in a first direction, or bias the second transducer to a second memory state and bias the first transducer to a first deformed state, for sliding the output member in a second direction; a second segment movably coupled to the distal end; and a linkage between the output member and the second segment, to move the second segment relative to the segment in response to sliding of the output member.

Abstract: Imaging devices, systems, and methods for determining a distance to an object using light projected from an illumination device are provided. An example method includes: projecting, from an illumination source of the illumination device, projected light having a first wavelength; receiving, at one or more sensors of the illumination device, reflected light having the first wavelength; receiving, at the one or more sensors of the illumination device, emitted light having a second wavelength; determining, by one or more processors, a phase difference between the reflected light and the emitted light; and determining, by the one or more processors, the distance to the object based at least on the phase difference between the reflected light and the emitted light.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robotic system includes determining a location and/or a pose of a power system component based on data received from one or more sensors, and determining a mapping of a location of a robotic system within a model of an external environment of the robotic system based on the data. The model of the external environment provides locations of objects external to the robotic system. A sequence of movements of components of the robotic system is determined to perform maintenance on the power system component based on the locations of the objects external to the robotic system and/or the location or pose of the power system component. One or more control signals are communicated to remotely control movement of the components of the robotic system based on the sequence or movements of the components to perform maintenance on the power system component.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for dual-mode pressure-sensing and illumination mats are provided. The systems include a surface that includes a plurality of row wires and a plurality of column wires forming intersection points. At the intersection points, the systems include a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure exerted upon the surface and a light emitting diode (LED) connected in parallel. The systems include a controller coupled to the selector and configured to control operation of the surface, wherein the controller is configured to operate in one of a pressure-sensing mode or an illumination mode. When the controller is configured to operate in the pressure-sensing mode, the controller scans pressure values provided by the pressure sensors. When the controller is configured to operate in the illumination mode, the controller configures the surface to enable the LEDs in accordance with an illumination pattern.

Abstract: A system includes a first robotic machine having a first set of capabilities for interacting with a target object on stationary equipment; a second robotic machine having a second set of capabilities for interacting with the target object; and a task manager that can determine capability requirements to perform a task on the target object. The task has an associated series of sub-tasks. The task manager can assign a first sequence of sub-tasks for performance by the first robotic machine based on the first set of capabilities and a second sequence of sub-tasks for performance by the second robotic machine based on the second set of capabilities. The first and second robotic machines can coordinate performance of the first sequence of sub-tasks by the first robotic machine with performance of the second sequence of sub-tasks by the second robotic machine to accomplish the task.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a controller configured to obtain image data from one or more optical sensors and to determine one or more of a location and/or pose of a vehicle component based on the image data. The controller also is configured to determine a model of an external environment of the robotic system based on the image data and to determine tasks to be performed by components of the robotic system to perform maintenance on the vehicle component. The controller also is configured to assign the tasks to the components of the robotic system and to communicate control signals to the components of the robotic system to autonomously control the robotic system to perform the maintenance on the vehicle component.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention is a method for ranging which includes emitting an acoustic signal at a first frequency, monitoring for a first acoustic response signal at a second frequency, and responsive to receiving the first acoustic response signal within a predetermined amount of time, (1) calculating a first distance between a first device and a second device based on a duration between emitting the first acoustic signal and receiving the first acoustic response signal, and (2) broadcast a first message including the distance and an identifier.

Abstract: A server includes a communications interface; and a processor connected with the communications interface, the processor configured to: receive, from each of a plurality of capture nodes: (i) an initial point cloud depicting a portion of a capture volume, and (ii) boundary values corresponding to the initial point cloud; generate a bounding box from the boundary values received from the capture nodes; select respective portions of each initial point cloud based on the bounding box; and combine the selected portions to generate a combined point cloud.

Abstract: A fastener system and method includes a controller having one or more processors that obtain image information associated with a tie plate. The tie plate includes one or more holes, and each hole is configured to receive a fastener. A fastener driving unit drives the fastener into at least one of the one or more holes. The controller controls movement of the fastener driving unit to move the fastener driving unit to a location corresponding to the at least one hole, and the controller controls movement of the fastener driving unit to drive the fastener into the at least one hole.

Abstract: A calibration system includes: a reference device including an array of markers at predetermined positions; a camera; and a computing device configured to: store reference data defining the predetermined positions of the markers in a capture volume frame of reference; obtain a calibration image of the reference device captured by the camera; detect image positions of the markers in the calibration image, the image positions defined according to camera frame of reference; based on the image positions of the markers and the reference data, generate calibration data mapping coordinates in the camera frame of reference to coordinates in the capture volume frame of reference.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present invention are directed to RFID reader systems configured to estimate a directional bearing of an RFID tag. In an embodiment, the present invention is an RFID system configured in a way that upon a detection of a variance in the direction of a maximum RSSI value for a given RFID tag in response to a plurality of interrogation signals transmitted by an RFID reader over a respective plurality of different directions, the RFID reader retransmits the plurality of interrogation signals over the respective plurality of different directions with successively lower power levels until the only response(s) being received no longer exhibit the previously detected variance.

Abstract: In some implementations, a monitoring device associated with a lanyard device may detect that a portion of a strap of the lanyard device has extended from a strap core of the lanyard device. The monitoring device may generate a notification that the portion of the strap has extended from the strap core, wherein the lanyard device is configured to anchor the user to a support structure via the strap, and wherein a sensor within the monitoring device is configured to monitor a position of the strap relative to the strap core. The monitoring device may transmit, to a management device, the notification that the portion of the strap has extended from the strap core, wherein the notification includes an identifier associated with the lanyard device to alert the management device of a hazardous event involving the user.

Abstract: A system includes a first robotic machine having a first set of capabilities for interacting with a target object on stationary equipment; a second robotic machine having a second set of capabilities for interacting with the target object; and a task manager that can determine capability requirements to perform a task on the target object. The task has an associated series of sub-tasks. The task manager can assign a first sequence of sub-tasks for performance by the first robotic machine based on the first set of capabilities and a second sequence of sub-tasks for performance by the second robotic machine based on the second set of capabilities. The first and second robotic machines can coordinate performance of the first sequence of sub-tasks by the first robotic machine with performance of the second sequence of sub-tasks by the second robotic machine to accomplish the task.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are EPDM-VNB copolymers that have a low molecular weight and are liquid at room temperature. The copolymers include: ethylene, propylene, and vinyl norbornene, where the copolymers have a molecular weight from about 2,500 g/mol to about 1,000,000 g/mol, and where the copolymers have a viscosity from about 1,000 cP to about 2,500,000 cP at 100° C.

Abstract: A system for unloading items from a container includes: a movable chassis configured for deployment into an open end of the container, to a selectable depth within the container; a conveyor supported by the movable chassis, the conveyor configured to extend from an input end positioned within the container according to the selectable depth to a output end external to the container; and a bulk transfer assembly supported by the movable chassis at the selectable depth and an adjustable height, the bulk transfer assembly including: (i) a feeder configured to engage with the items and displace a portion of the items towards the conveyor, and (ii) a collector configured to receive and direct the displaced items to the input end of the conveyor for transport to the output end of the conveyor.