Abstract: A system includes a robotic vehicle having a propulsion and a manipulator configured to perform designated tasks. The system also including a local controller disposed onboard the robotic vehicle and configured to receive input signals from an off-board controller. Responsive to receiving an input signal for moving in an autonomous mode, the local controller is configured to move the robotic vehicle toward one of the different final destinations by autonomously and iteratively determining a series of waypoints until the robotic vehicle has reached the one final destination. For each iteration, the local controller is configured to determine a next waypoint between a current location of the robotic vehicle and the final destination, determine movement limitations of the robotic vehicle, and generate control signals in accordance with the movement limitations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for inspecting a damage or a crack of part of a hydro turbine, comprising at least one underwater remote operated vehicle (20) or autonomous underwater vehicle, at least one floatable or buoyant probe (26) or at least one probe (26) and means to make said at least one probe floatable, said probe comprising at least one imaging device (32) and/or laser scaler, and means for transmitting data from said probe to said vehicle or to a ground station when it is distant from said vehicle.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an available algorithm data store may contain information about a pool of available algorithms. An algorithm selection platform coupled to the available algorithm data store may access the information about the pool of available algorithms and compare the information about each of the pool of available algorithms with at least one requirement associated with the current algorithm executing in the real environment. The algorithm selection platform may then automatically determine algorithm execution context information and, based on said comparison and the algorithm execution context information, select at least one of the pool of available algorithms as a potential replacement algorithm. An indication of the selected at least one potential replacement algorithm may then be transmitted (e.g., to be evaluated in a shadow environment by an algorithm evaluation platform).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus disclosed herein autonomously evaluate replacement algorithms. An example system associated with a live environment executing a current algorithm includes at least one memory, instructions, and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to manage execution of the current algorithm in the live environment, the live environment associated with a deployment platform, and manage, based on receipt of at least one potential replacement algorithm, a shadow environment causes execution of the at least one potential replacement algorithm in the shadow environment, the shadow environment instantiated separately from the live environment, the shadow environment utilizes data from the live environment during execution of the at least one potential replacement algorithm in the shadow environment.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an available algorithm data store may contain information about a pool of available algorithms. An algorithm selection platform coupled to the available algorithm data store may access the information about the pool of available algorithms and compare the information about each of the pool of available algorithms with at least one requirement associated with the current algorithm executing in the real environment. The algorithm selection platform may then automatically determine algorithm execution context information and, based on said comparison and the algorithm execution context information, select at least one of the pool of available algorithms as a potential replacement algorithm. An indication of the selected at least one potential replacement algorithm may then be transmitted (e.g., to be evaluated in a shadow environment by an algorithm evaluation platform).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for inspecting a cavitation damage or a crack of a runner (7) of a hydro turbine, comprising a remote operated vehicle (20) or an autonomous underwater vehicle, comprising at least one camera and/or scanner, and means (24) for processing images from said camera and/or scanner to generate at least one 3D view and/or IR thermal view of at least a part of a surface, or of a subsurface, of said runner comprising said cavitation damage or crack, said device further comprising means to reconstruct a 3D view by photogrammetry and/or means for locally heating, for example by induction or by a laser or by a heated water jet, said at least one part of a surface of said runner comprising said cavitation or crack.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus disclosed herein autonomously evaluate replacement algorithms. An example system associated with a live environment executing a current algorithm includes at least one memory, instructions, and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to manage execution of the current algorithm in the live environment, the live environment associated with a deployment platform, and manage, based on receipt of at least one potential replacement algorithm, a shadow environment to cause execution of the at least one potential replacement algorithm in the shadow environment, the shadow environment instantiated separately from the live environment, the shadow environment to utilize data from the live environment during execution of the at least one potential replacement algorithm in the shadow environment.

Abstract: An algorithm data store may contain information about a pool of available algorithms (e.g., to improve operation of an industrial asset). A deployment platform may be implemented in an edge portion at an industrial site associated with a live environment executing a current algorithm. A lifecycle manager of the deployment platform may manage execution of the current algorithm in the live environment creating source data. A performance manager may receive an indication of a selected at least one potential replacement algorithm from the pool of available algorithms and manage execution of the at least one potential replacement algorithm in a shadow environment using the source data. The performance manager may then report performance information associated with the at least one potential replacement algorithm. When appropriate, the potential replacement algorithm may replace the current algorithm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating proximity detection and location tracking using a hub or bridge are disclosed. An example apparatus is to receive a message from a beacon at a second location within a proximity area of the apparatus, the message indicative of the second location and identifying the beacon; and relay the message to a location server to determine asset location.

Abstract: A system includes a robotic vehicle having a propulsion and a manipulator configured to perform designated tasks. The system also including a local controller disposed onboard the robotic vehicle and configured to receive input signals from an off-board controller. Responsive to receiving an input signal for moving in an autonomous mode, the local controller is configured to move the robotic vehicle toward one of the different final destinations by autonomously and iteratively determining a series of waypoints until the robotic vehicle has reached the one final destination. For each iteration, the local controller is configured to determine a next waypoint between a current location of the robotic vehicle and the final destination, determine movement limitations of the robotic vehicle, and generate control signals in accordance with the movement limitations.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for generating an autonomous 3D inspection plan for an unmanned robot. In an example, the method may include receiving a selection of a plurality of regions of interest with respect to a virtual asset displayed in virtual space, detecting a 3D position of the regions of interest within a coordinate frame of the virtual space, auto-generating a travel path about a physical asset corresponding to the virtual asset by generating a virtual 3D travel path with respect to the virtual asset based on the detected 3D positions of the selected regions of interest within the coordinate frame, aligning the virtual 3D travel path in the virtual space with a physical travel path in a physical space, and outputting a robotic inspection plan comprising the auto-generated physical travel path for the unmanned robot.

Abstract: Modifying a motion plan for an autonomously-operated inspection platform (AIP) includes obtaining sensor data for an industrial asset area of interest, analyzing the obtained sensor data during execution of an initial motion plan to determine if modification of the initial motion plan is required. If modification is required then performing a pose estimation on a first group of potential targets and a second group of potential targets, optimizing the results of the pose estimation to determine a modification to the initial motion plan, performing reactive planning to the initial motion plan to include the modification, the reactive planning providing a modified motion plan that includes a series of waypoints defining a modified path, and autonomously controlling motion of the AIP along the modified path. The analysis, pose estimation, optimization, and reactive planning occurring during movement of the AIP along a motion plan. A system and computer-readable medium are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating proximity detection and location tracking using a hub or bridge are disclosed. An example apparatus is to receive a message from a beacon at a second location within a proximity area of the apparatus, the message indicative of the second location and identifying the beacon; and relay the message to a location server to determine asset location.

Abstract: An algorithm data store may contain information about a pool of available algorithms. An algorithm analysis engine may compare the information about each of the pool of available algorithms with at least one requirement associated with the current algorithm executing in the live environment. Based on the comparison, the algorithm analysis engine may select at least one of the pool of available algorithms as a potential replacement algorithm and transmit an indication of the selected at least one potential replacement algorithm. A deployment platform may include a lifecycle manager that manages execution of the current algorithm in the live environment. The lifecycle manager may also receive the indication of the selected at least one potential replacement algorithm, manage execution of the at least one potential replacement algorithm in a shadow environment, and report performance information associated with the current algorithm and the at least one potential replacement algorithm.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for monitoring an asset via an autonomous model-driven inspection. In an example, the method may include storing an inspection plan including a virtually created three-dimensional (3D) model of a travel path with respect to a virtual asset that is created in virtual space, converting the virtually created 3D model of the travel path about the virtual asset into a physical travel path about a physical asset corresponding to the virtual asset, autonomously controlling vertical and lateral movement of the unmanned robot in three dimensions with respect to the physical asset based on the physical travel path and capturing data at one or more regions of interest, and capturing data at one or more regions of interest, and storing information concerning the captured data about the asset.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for facilitating proximity detection and location tracking using a mobile wireless bridge are provided. The system includes a beacon badge, a beacon tag, and a real-time location services (“RTLS”) server communicatively coupled to the beacon badge, such as via a wireless network or the like. The beacon tag broadcasts a beacon message receivable by the beacon badge. The beacon badge determines whether it is proximate to the beacon badge based on the signal strength of the received beacon message. The beacon badge further communicates identifying information contained with the received beacon message to the RTLS server. The RTLS server uses the identifying information to determine the proximate location of the beacon badge.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for generating an autonomous 3D inspection plan for an unmanned robot. In an example, the method may include receiving a selection of a plurality of regions of interest with respect to a virtual asset displayed in virtual space, detecting a 3D position of the regions of interest within a coordinate frame of the virtual space, auto-generating a travel path about a physical asset corresponding to the virtual asset by generating a virtual 3D travel path with respect to the virtual asset based on the detected 3D positions of the selected regions of interest within the coordinate frame, aligning the virtual 3D travel path in the virtual space with a physical travel path in a physical space, and outputting a robotic inspection plan comprising the auto-generated physical travel path for the unmanned robot.

Abstract: A robotic system is provided that includes a base, an articulable arm, a visual acquisition unit, and a controller. The articulable arm may extend from a base and is movable toward a target. The visual acquisition unit can be mounted to the arm or the base and to acquire image data. The controller is operably coupled to the arm and the visual acquisition unit, and can derive from the image data environmental information corresponding to at least one of the arm or the target. The controller further can generate at least one planning scheme using the environmental information to translate the arm toward the target, select at least one planning scheme for implementation, and control movement of the arm toward the target using the at least one selected planning scheme.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for generating an autonomous 3D inspection plan for an unmanned robot. In an example, the method may include receiving a selection of a plurality of regions of interest with respect to a virtual asset displayed in virtual space, detecting a 3D position of the regions of interest within a coordinate frame of the virtual space, auto-generating a travel path about a physical asset corresponding to the virtual asset by generating a virtual 3D travel path with respect to the virtual asset based on the detected 3D positions of the selected regions of interest within the coordinate frame, aligning the virtual 3D travel path in the virtual space with a physical travel path in a physical space, and outputting a robotic inspection plan comprising the auto-generated physical travel path for the unmanned robot.

Abstract: A robot system is provided that includes a base, an articulable arm, a visual acquisition unit, and at least one processor. The articulable arm extends from the base and is configured to be moved toward a target. The visual acquisition unit is mounted to the arm or the base, and acquires environmental information. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the arm and the visual acquisition unit, the at least one processor configured to: generate an environmental model using the environmental information; select, from a plurality of planning schemes, using the environmental model, at least one planning scheme to translate the arm toward the target; plan movement of the arm toward the target using the selected at least one planning scheme; and control movement of the arm toward the target using the at least one selected planning scheme.