Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat portion having a frame assembly. A routing mechanism includes a plate member that is operably coupled to the frame assembly. The plate member includes a first portion having first and second raised portions spaced-apart from one another to define a channel therebetween. The routing mechanism further includes a connection assembly having upper and lower tabs spaced-apart from one another with a routing column assembly interconnecting the upper and lower tabs. A tether member includes a body portion that is routed through the routing mechanism, in that the body portion of the tether member is received in the channel of the routing mechanism and is wrapped around the routing column assembly and directed in forward direction.

Abstract: An air thermal conditioning system, for at least one of heating air and cooling air, which includes a cross-flow heat exchanger array. The cross-flow heat exchanger array includes a plurality of planar membrane heat exchangers disposed in parallel with a space separating adjacent planar membrane heat exchangers. Each of the planar membrane heat exchangers include a first sheet; a second sheet coupled to the first sheet; and at least one fluid chamber defined by the first and second sheets, with the at least one fluid chamber extending between first and second ends of the planar membrane heat exchangers and opening to a first and second port at the first and second ends respectively.

Abstract: A fluidic solar actuation array, the fluidic solar actuation array comprising a plurality of separate actuator nodes disposed in a node line. The node line comprises a set of two or more actuator nodes and a pressure supply line that fluidically couples the set of two or more actuator nodes, with each of the two or more actuator nodes comprising a fluidic solar actuator that includes at least a first fluidic inflatable actuator.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robotic vehicle in a delivery environment includes causing the robotic vehicle to deploy from an autonomous vehicle (AV) at a first AV position in the delivery environment. The method further includes localizing, via a robotic vehicle controller, an initial position within a global reference map using a robot vehicle perception system, receiving, from the AV, a 3-dimensional (3D) augmented map and localizing an updated position in the delivery environment based on the 3D augmented map and the global reference map. The robot vehicle perception system senses obstacle characteristics, and generates a unified 3D augmented map with robot-sensed obstacle characteristics. The method further includes generating a dynamic path plan to a package delivery destination using the unified 3D augmented map, and actuating the robot vehicle to the package delivery destination according to the dynamic path plan.

Abstract: A fluidic solar actuation system comprising a plurality of fluidic solar actuators that each include a first fluidic inflatable actuator, and a second fluidic inflatable actuator. The system also includes a fluidic routing system configured to covey a fluid originating from a fluid source to: the respective first fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the first fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the first fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the second fluidic inflatable actuators, and the respective second fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the second fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the second fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the first fluidic inflatable actuators.

Abstract: A fluidic solar actuation system comprising a plurality of fluidic solar actuators that each include a first fluidic inflatable actuator, and a second fluidic inflatable actuator. The system also includes a fluidic routing system configured to covey a fluid originating from a fluid source to: the respective first fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the first fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the first fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the second fluidic inflatable actuators, and the respective second fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the second fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the second fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the first fluidic inflatable actuators.

Abstract: A solar actuator system comprising at least one actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes: a top coupler; an angled bottom coupler having a top-end and respective first and second faces on opposing first and second sides of the top-end, the angled bottom coupler coupled to the top coupler via a one-degree-of-freedom joint between the top coupler and the angled bottom coupler; and at least a first and second actuator, with the first actuator disposed on the first side of the angled bottom coupler and the second actuator disposed on the second side of the angled bottom coupler.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robotic vehicle in a delivery environment includes causing the robotic vehicle to deploy from an autonomous vehicle (AV) at a first AV position in the delivery environment. The method further includes localizing, via a robotic vehicle controller, an initial position within a global reference map using a robot vehicle perception system, receiving, from the AV, a 3-dimensional (3D) augmented map and localizing an updated position in the delivery environment based on the 3D augmented map and the global reference map. The robot vehicle perception system senses obstacle characteristics, and generates a unified 3D augmented map with robot-sensed obstacle characteristics. The method further includes generating a dynamic path plan to a package delivery destination using the unified 3D augmented map, and actuating the robot vehicle to the package delivery destination according to the dynamic path plan.

Abstract: A storage container can include at least one movement sensor in or on a frame of the storage container and at least one movement sensor in or on a door of the storage container. A processor can compare outputs of the movement sensors to determine whether the door is open.

Abstract: A reservoir assembly includes one or more pressure vessels each having a non-circular cross-sectional shape including a rounded rectangle having four generally flat sides with rounded corners. The pressure vessels may be formed of extruded metal, such as aluminum, and have a generally constant cross-section. The pressure vessels include stiffening ribs and varying wall thicknesses to improve strength and to minimize stresses when pressurized, such as during operation when filled with compressed gas. The stiffening ribs meet in the center of each of the pressure vessels and divide the interior volumes into four equal sections. A cap of stamped aluminum is fitted and fully welded to enclose each end of the pressure vessels. One or both of the caps on each of the pressure vessels has a pressure fitting. Two or more pressure vessels extend parallel to one another and are attached together to form the reservoir assembly.

Abstract: A solar actuator system comprising at least one actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes: a top coupler; an angled bottom coupler having a top-end and respective first and second faces on opposing first and second sides of the top-end, the angled bottom coupler coupled to the top coupler via a one-degree-of-freedom joint between the top coupler and the angled bottom coupler; and at least a first and second actuator, with the first actuator disposed on the first side of the angled bottom coupler and the second actuator disposed on the second side of the angled bottom coupler.

Abstract: A membrane heat exchanger comprising a first planar sheet a second planar sheet coupled to the first planar sheet at least by a seam and at least one fluid chamber defined by the first and second planer sheet and the seam and comprising a first and second end, the fluidic chamber extending a length of the membrane heat exchanger.

Abstract: A storage container can include at least one movement sensor in or on a frame of the storage container and at least one movement sensor in or on a door of the storage container. A processor can compare outputs of the movement sensors to determine whether the door is open.

Abstract: An air thermal conditioning system, for at least one of heating air and cooling air, which includes a cross-flow heat exchanger array. The cross-flow heat exchanger array includes a plurality of planar membrane heat exchangers disposed in parallel with a space separating adjacent planar membrane heat exchangers. Each of the planar membrane heat exchangers include a first sheet; a second sheet coupled to the first sheet; and at least one fluid chamber defined by the first and second sheets, with the at least one fluid chamber extending between first and second ends of the planar membrane heat exchangers and opening to a first and second port at the first and second ends respectively.

Abstract: A solar actuator comprises a top coupler, a bottom coupler, and a plurality of fluidic bellows actuators, wherein a fluidic bellows actuator of the plurality of fluidic bellows actuators moves the top coupler relative to the bottom coupler.

Abstract: Pointing and interaction control devices for large scale tabletop models are provided herein. An example method includes determining a frame of reference for a first display, where the first display provides a multi-dimensional representation. The method includes determining a location and a direction of a laser beam emitted by a mobile device having a laser pointing apparatus using motion signals obtained from the mobile device, and the frame of reference. The first display can include a two-dimensional display surface and a physical three-dimensional representation placed onto the two-dimensional display surface. The method can include determining an intersection of a laser beam of the laser pointing apparatus with either the physical three-dimensional representation or the two-dimensional display surface based on the location and the direction of the mobile device relative to the frame of reference.

Abstract: Pointing and interaction control devices for large scale tabletop models are provided herein. An example method includes determining a frame of reference for a first display, where the first display provides a multi-dimensional representation. The method includes determining a location and a direction of a laser beam emitted by a mobile device having a laser pointing apparatus using motion signals obtained from the mobile device, and the frame of reference. The first display can include a two-dimensional display surface and a physical three-dimensional representation placed onto the two-dimensional display surface. The method can include determining an intersection of a laser beam of the laser pointing apparatus with either the physical three-dimensional representation or the two-dimensional display surface based on the location and the direction of the mobile device relative to the frame of reference.

Abstract: A storage container can include at least one movement sensor in or on a frame of the storage container and at least one movement sensor in or on a door of the storage container. A processor can compare outputs of the movement sensors to determine whether the door is open.