Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system stores multi-stock bins each holding different stock-keeping units (SKUs). Records dynamically track which SKUs are in each bin. A controller tracks a stock waitlist indicating quantities of SKUs still required to be delivered to a workstation in order to fulfil current orders assigned to the workstation. When a robot is available, the controller selects a multi-stock bin that has a highest number of unique ones of the required SKUs indicated on the stock waitlist and commands the robot to fetch and deliver the selected bin to the workstation. For new orders, the controller may determine if direct assignment can be done to a workstation without additional bins being scheduled. For other pending orders, the controller may assume each pending order is assigned to the workstation and then pick the order that would require a lowest number of bins to be delivered to the workstation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including a computer programmed to actuate a plurality of drones to first establish one or more electrical connections therebetween and then to provide a jump start to a vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a laser. The method comprises receiving a target power and calculating an operating power of a lasing module of the laser. The operating power may be calculated based on the target power and a minimum lasing power of the lasing module. The method also comprises determining an operating current for the lasing module based on the operating power, and driving the lasing module at the operating current to produce an output light having the operating power. In addition, the method comprises providing the output light to an optical modulator of the laser, and operating the optical modulator to modulate the output light to have an output power corresponding to the target power.

Abstract: A vehicle, an accelerator pedal system, and a method of controlling the vehicle are provided. The accelerator pedal system has an accelerator pedal, a pedal limit connected to a motor and movable towards and away from the accelerator pedal, wherein the pedal limit limits movement of the accelerator pedal in a first direction when the pedal limit is in contact with the accelerator pedal, and a controller configured to control the motor to move the pedal limit to a first position in contact with the accelerator pedal in response to receiving a cruise control input from a driver to maintain a selected vehicle speed without actuation of the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A vehicle has a braking system including a brake pedal and a controller. The controller may cause the brake pedal to move to a predetermined position responsive to automatic application of braking torque by the braking system. The controller may further implement an update such that the predetermined position corresponds to zero braking torque.

Abstract: A renewable energy charging system for increasing the charging efficiency of an autonomous vehicle includes a computer programed to predict, in a vehicle at a plurality of locations, an amount of power generation associated with each location. The computer selects one of the locations based at least on the predicted amounts of power generation and moves the vehicle to the selected location.

Abstract: An example tap off box is provided that includes a housing, a circuit breaker, a door, and a breaker actuator. The housing includes walls forming an internal enclosure. The circuit breaker is disposed within the housing. The door is secured to the housing to define a housing assembly, the housing assembly enclosing the circuit breaker. The breaker actuator includes a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end coupled to the circuit breaker within the housing assembly, and the proximal end extending outside of the housing assembly. The breaker actuator is capable of being moved at the proximal end to selectively toggle the circuit breaker from at least an ON position to an OFF position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling airflow of an accumulator of a motorized vehicle. In one example, a method includes storing pressurized gases within the accumulator by flowing intake air from a compressor of an engine of the vehicle to a pressure booster arranged upstream of the accumulator. Pressurized gases stored within the accumulator may be used to drive one or more pneumatic devices.

Abstract: A belt mountable holder and methods of making and using a belt mountable holder including an arcuate member suspendable from a belt disposed about the waist of a wearer and having mateable fasteners disposed on an exterior face of the arcuate member to releasably couple one or more containers to carry articles or tool retainers to retain tools and optionally including a holder support to transfer a holder weight normally applied to the waist of a wearer to a ground engaging surface to remove weight bearing stress from the wearer's waist.

Abstract: There is provided a device to generate an output light. The device comprises a substrate, a quantum well structure (QWS) disposed on the substrate, and a waveguide disposed on the substrate and in contact with the QWS. The QWS has a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The second layer is disposed and quantum-confined between the first layer and the third layer. In addition, the second layer is to emit an input light when electrically biased. The input light has an optical field extending outside the QWS and into the waveguide, to optically couple the waveguide with the QWS. The waveguide is to provide an optical resonance cavity for the input light. Moreover, the waveguide has an optical outlet to transmit at least some of the input light out of the waveguide to generate the output light.

Abstract: A water generation system for a vehicle comprises: a first container to collect liquid water generated from the condensation of water vapor; a filter to filter the liquid water, the filter in fluid flow communication with the first container; a second container to store the liquid water that the filter filtered, the second container (i) in fluid flow communication with the filter and (ii) configured to hold a larger volume of the liquid water than the first container; and a source of ultraviolet light that, when activated, emits the ultraviolet light into at least one of the first container and the second container. The water generation system can further comprise an agitator that is configured to agitate the liquid water disposed within either the first container or the second container, and a cooling element configured to withdraw heat from the liquid water within the water generation system.

Abstract: A belt mountable holder and methods of making and using a belt mountable holder including an arcuate member suspendable from a belt disposed about the waist of a wearer and having mateable fasteners disposed on an exterior face of the arcuate member to releasably couple one or more containers to carry articles or tool retainers to retain tools and optionally including a holder support to transfer a holder weight normally applied to the waist of a wearer to a ground engaging surface to remove weight bearing stress from the wearer's waist.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Such optical engines may have various advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus to illuminate a target includes a lens having a lens side to be positioned in opposing relation to the target. The apparatus includes a lightguide that circumscribes at least a portion of the periphery of the lens. The lightguide has an input end to receive light and a length along which the receive light propagates. The apparatus includes outcoupling elements that are spaced out along the length of the lightguide. The outcoupling elements couple light out of the lightguide at respective positions along the length of the lightguide. The outcoupling elements are oriented to direct the outcoupled light towards the target when the lens side is positioned in opposing relation to the target. An eye tracking apparatus including the illumination apparatus and a method of eye tracking are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical engine includes bonding a plurality of laser diodes directly or indirectly to a base substrate and coupling at least one laser diode driver circuit to the laser diodes. In operation the at least one laser diode driver circuit selectively drives current to the laser diodes. The method further includes bonding a plurality of collimation lenses to the base substrate proximate the plurality of laser diodes and bonding a cap including at least one wall and at least one optical window to the base substrate. The method also includes bonding a grating waveguide combiner proximate the optical window of the cap. In operation, the grating waveguide combiner receives a plurality of beams of light at a respective plurality of input grating couplers and combines the plurality of beams of light to provide a collimated aggregated beam of light at an output grating coupler.

Abstract: A belt mountable holder and methods of making and using a belt mountable holder including an arcuate member suspendable from a belt disposed about the waist of a wearer and having mateable fasteners disposed on an exterior face of the arcuate member to releasably couple one or more containers to carry articles or tool retainers to retain tools and optionally including a holder support to transfer a holder weight normally applied to the waist of a wearer to a ground engaging surface to remove weight bearing stress from the wearer's waist.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises: a dispenser for a liquid, the dispenser comprising an outlet for the liquid; and a source of ultraviolet light disposed to emit the ultraviolet light onto the outlet of the dispenser. The dispenser further comprises a first position and a second position that is different than the first position. The outlet of the dispenser is disposed closer to the source of ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position than when the dispenser is in the first position. The vehicle comprises a controller in communication with the source of the ultraviolet light. The controller causes the source of ultraviolet light to emit the ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position but not when the dispenser is in the first position.

Abstract: A water generation system for a vehicle comprises: a first container to collect liquid water generated from the condensation of water vapor; a filter to filter the liquid water, the filter in fluid flow communication with the first container; a second container to store the liquid water that the filter filtered, the second container (i) in fluid flow communication with the filter and (ii) configured to hold a larger volume of the liquid water than the first container; and a source of ultraviolet light that, when activated, emits the ultraviolet light into at least one of the first container and the second container. The water generation system can further comprise an agitator that is configured to agitate the liquid water disposed within either the first container or the second container, and a cooling element configured to withdraw heat from the liquid water within the water generation system.

Abstract: An example busway system is provided that includes a first busway, a second busway, and a joint seal coupling the first busway to the second busway. The first busway includes a first end and an opposing second end, and the second busway includes a third end and an opposing fourth end. The joint seal includes panels configured to at least partially slide over the first or the opposing second end of the first busway, and at least partially slide over the third or the opposing fourth end of the second busway to couple the first busway to the second busway. The joint seal creates a seal at a joint formed by the first busway, the second busway, and the joint seal.