Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for switching between an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode. A system for switching driving modes can include a vehicle control unit in communication with a plurality of sensors and a plurality of vehicle controls of an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle control unit can include a control manager configured to receive a request to switch driving modes, send a message indicating that the request has been received and requesting confirmation, receive a first confirmation of the request, determine a driving state meets a switching standard, enter a pending switching state in which control inputs received for the driving modes are combined to generate a vehicle control output, provide mechanical feedback indicating that the vehicle is switching between driving modes, receive a second confirmation of the request based on the mechanical feedback, and switch driving modes from the autonomous mode to the manual mode.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for switching between a manual driving mode and an autonomous driving mode. A system for switching driving modes can include a vehicle control unit in communication with a plurality of sensors and a plurality of vehicle controls of an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle control unit can include a control manager configured to receive a request to switch driving modes from a first mode to a second mode, obtain a driving state using the plurality of sensors, determine the driving state meets a switching standard, enter a pending switching state in which a control input received for the first mode is combined with a control input received for the second mode to generate a vehicle control output, send a message indicating that the driving mode is to switch from the first mode to the second mode, and switch driving modes from the first mode to the second mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a signal based on the information of the information system and transmitting/broadcasting the signal to the other vehicle. For example, a method includes receiving, by a processor, an indication that an information system of a vehicle is activated and in response to receiving the indication, generating, by the processor, a signal based on the activated information system of the vehicle. The method further includes broadcasting the signal.

Abstract: A focus method includes controlling binocular cameras of a camera device to capture binocular images of a target scene during a process of photographing the target scene using a main camera of the camera device, determining positions of a target area of the target scene in the binocular images, determining distance information of the target area according to the positions of the target area in the binocular images, and controlling the main camera to perform focus according to the distance information of the target area.

Abstract: Mappings of keys to actions can automate various vehicle systems. Some automations can provide lane departure warnings. Keys for lane departure mappings can specify vibration patterns expected when a vehicle drives over lane delineators. These vibration-based mappings can include keys with vibration patterns, e.g., defining vibration frequencies or vibration locations. Keys for emergency light mappings can be based on conditions such as (1) the vehicle being on the road, stopped, not in traffic, and not at a stop signal; (2) components of the vehicle having failed; or (3) weather conditions.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a lighting system of a vehicle are provided. The method includes: collecting environmental information. The environmental information includes an image of an environment of the vehicle and a distance from an object in the environment to the vehicle. The method also includes automatically adjusting the lighting system of the vehicle based on the environmental information.

Abstract: Systems, method, and devices are provided for transmitting data. In one aspect, a method includes providing a plurality of communication modules, each of the plurality of communication modules configured to transmit data using a different communication method; establishing, with the plurality of communication modules, a plurality of simultaneous respective communication links to a remote terminal; selecting, based on a switching criterion, at least one of the plurality of simultaneous respective communication links to be used to transmit data; and transmitting data via said at least one of the plurality of simultaneous respective communication links selected based on the switching criterion.

Abstract: Systems and techniques associated light detection and ranging (LIDAR) applications are described. In one representative aspect, techniques can be used to implement a sensor device. The sensor device includes an electromagnetic energy emitter module positioned to emit an electromagnetic energy beam directed to one or more objects, a beam steering module positioned to receive at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy beam that is reflected from the one or more objects, and an array of receiver units positioned to convert the portion of the electromagnetic energy beam into multiple electrical signals. The beam steering module is further positioned to direct the portion of the electromagnetic energy beam to the array of receiver units, with individual receiver units positioned to detect multiple optical signals from the portion of the electromagnetic energy beam and convert the multiple optical signals into electrical signals.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for providing flight response to flight-restricted regions. The location of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be compared with a location of a flight-restricted region. If needed a flight-response measure may be taken by the UAV to prevent the UAV from flying in a no-fly zone. Different flight-response measures may be taken based on the distance between the UAV and the flight-restricted region and the rules of a jurisdiction within which the UAV falls.

Abstract: An image processing method includes obtaining a plurality of images that are captured using a gimbaled imaging device, obtaining one or more imaging parameters of the gimbaled imaging device, and constructing a panorama image using an imaging scheme that is devised based on the one or more imaging parameters.

Abstract: A system for processing images captured by a movable object includes one or more processors individually or collectively configured to process a first image set captured by a first imaging component to obtain texture information in response to a second image set captured by a second imaging component having a quality below a predetermined threshold, and obtain environmental information for the movable object based on the texture information. The first imaging component has a first field of view and the second imaging component has a second field of view narrower than the first field of view.

Abstract: A method for controlling a gimbal includes detecting a motion of the gimbal, determining whether a received control signal indicates that the motion of the gimbal corresponds to a user-intended motion, controlling the gimbal to move along a moving direction of the motion in response to determining that the received control signal indicates the motion of the gimbal corresponds to the user-intended motion, and controlling the gimbal to move along an opposite direction to the moving direction of the motion in response to determining that the received control signal does not indicate the motion of the gimbal corresponds to the user-intended motion.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with audio filtering components includes a background noise-producing component, a background microphone, and a noise emitter. The background noise-producing component is configured to produce a background noise. The background microphone is positioned within a proximity sufficiently close to collect interfering noise from the background noise producing component. The background microphone is configured to collect audio data including the background noise. The noise emitter is disposed within a proximity sufficiently close to the background noise-producing component to reduce the interfering noise. The noise emitter is configured to emit an audio signal having a reverse phase of the audio data collected by the background microphone.

Abstract: Systems and methods can support a data processing apparatus. The data processing apparatus can include a data processor that is associated with a data capturing device on a stationary object and/or a movable object. The data processor can receive data in a data flow from one or more data sources, wherein the data flow is configured based on a time sequence. Then, the data processor can receive a control signal, which is associated with a first timestamp, wherein the first timestamp indicates a first time. Furthermore, the data processor can determine a first data segment by applying the first timestamp on the data flow, wherein the first data segment is associated with a time period in the time sequence that includes the first time.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (200, 300, 400, 700, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500) can include a central body (202, 302, 402, 702, 802, 1002, 1202, 1502), a plurality of rotors, and a plurality of arms (204, 306, 406, 706, 806, 1006, 1206, 1506) extending from the central body (202, 302, 402, 702, 802, 1002, 1202, 1502), where each arm of the plurality of arms (204, 306, 406, 706, 806, 1006, 1206, 1506) is configured to support one or more of the plurality of rotors.

Abstract: A method of controlling a movable object includes receiving, from a user interface of a terminal, selection of a mode from a plurality of modes that include at least one of an angle-to-angle control mode, an angle-to-speed control mode, or an angle-to-acceleration control mode; detecting, by a sensor of the terminal, an attitude of the terminal; and generating, at the terminal, a control signal configured to control a rotational attribute of the movable object based on the selected mode and the detected attitude of the terminal.

Abstract: A video encoding method includes receiving a video captured by an image capture device on-board a movable object, where the video includes a video frame component; receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors on-board the movable object; generating, according to the sensor data, an optical flow field associated with the video frame component; and evaluating motion of the video for video encoding based on the optical flow field.

Abstract: A vehicle is configured to couple with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and includes a landing connection component configured to form a connection between the UAV and the vehicle and to prevent detachment of the UAV from the vehicle, a cover configured to at least partially enclose the UAV when the UAV is connected to the landing connection component, and one or more processors configured to generate one or more commands to (1) vary a position of the cover depending on a status of the UAV and (2) control an operation of the UAV.

Abstract: An image processing method includes receiving an image of a scene and attitude information that is used by an imaging device to capture the image of the scene, and stitching the received image of the scene to a panorama image of the scene built on a compositing surface based on the attitude information.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a fuselage, a power device connected to the fuselage, and a control device disposed at the fuselage and electrically connected with the power device. The control device is configured to control the power device to switch an operating mode of the power device to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly in air or navigate on a water surface. The control device includes a depth detector and a main controller. The depth detector is configured to detect a water depth. The main controller is configured to control the unmanned aerial vehicle not to land in response to the depth detector determining that the depth falls within a pre-depth range.