Abstract: A method for using a control center at a remote site to control operation of a robotic medical device system at a local site includes transmitting a control signal from the control center to the robotic medical device system, determining a delay in transmission of the control signal, comparing the delay to a threshold delay value and operating the robotic medical device system based on the comparison of the delay to the threshold delay value.

Abstract: One variation of a method for tracking stock level within a store includes: dispatching a robotic system to image shelving structures within the store during a scan cycle; receiving images from the robotic system, each image recorded by the robotic system during the scan cycle and corresponding to one waypoint within the store; identifying, in the images, empty slots within the shelving structures; identifying a product assigned to each empty slot based on product location assignments defined in a planogram of the store; for a first product of a first product value and assigned to a first empty slot, generating a first prompt to restock the first empty slot with a unit of the first product during the scan cycle; and, upon completion of the scan cycle, generating a global restocking list specifying restocking of a set of empty slots associated with product values less than the first product value.

Abstract: Aspects of this technical solution can include obtaining, by one or more processors coupled with non-transitory memory, a first plurality of images each including corresponding first time stamps, the plurality of images corresponding to video data of a physical environment, extracting, by the one or more processors and from among the first plurality of images, a second plurality of images each having corresponding second time stamps and each having corresponding features indicating an object in the physical environment, and training, by the one or more processors and with input including the features and the second time stamps corresponding to the features, a machine learning model to generate an output indicating a pattern of movement of one or more objects corresponding to the features and the second time stamps corresponding to the features.

Abstract: A method of determining a location of an autonomous vehicle hub including receiving from one or more sensors associated with a portable sensor apparatus, a signal associated with a drivable area; applying the signal associated with the drivable area to a viability model, wherein the viability model is configured to: simulate an entrance procedure of one or more autonomous vehicles into the drivable area; determine, based at least on the signal associated with the drivable area, a drivable surface on which an autonomous vehicle may travel to enter the drivable area; determine, based at least on the signal associated with the drivable area, a frequency in which the drivable surface is available for the autonomous vehicle to enter the drivable area; and output a viability score associated with the drivable area, the viability score indicating a viability of establishing the autonomous vehicle hub proximate the drivable area.

Abstract: A system including a supervisory computing device and a sensor apparatus positioned at a drivable intersection, the sensor apparatus remote from an autonomous vehicle and in communication with the autonomous vehicle. The sensor apparatus includes one or more sensors and one or more processors configured to receive from the sensors an indication of a presence of the autonomous vehicle at the drivable intersection and alert the supervisory computing device of the presence of the autonomous vehicle. The processors then receive a signal associated with a drivable area on which the autonomous vehicle may travel and predict a drivable path for the autonomous vehicle. The processors transmit an indication of the drivable path to the supervisory computing device to request approval to travel the drivable path. Upon receiving approval, the one or more processors transmit a signal to adjust an operating parameter to initiate travelling on the drivable path.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for a payload management system that may detect that a payload has been attached to an uncrewed vehicle and determine whether the payload is a restricted payload or an unrestricted payload. Based on determining that the payload is an unrestricted payload, the payload management system may establish a connection between the payload and the operator using a first communication channel that has already been established between the uncrewed vehicle and the operator. Based on determining that the payload is a restricted payload, the payload management system may establish a connection between the payload and operator using a second communication channel. The payload management system may listen for restricted payload commands over the second communication channel, and when a payload command is received via the second communication channel, the payload command may be executed using the restricted payload.

Abstract: A method of passing an object on the side of the road by receiving a first signal from a first sensor configured to detect a presence of the object positioned on a shoulder of a road; determining a first value; assigning a first confidence value to a confidence level, wherein the first confidence value is associated with the first value; responsive to the first confidence value exceeding a confidence threshold, adjusting a first operating parameter of a vehicle; responsive to entering a threshold range of the object, receiving a second signal from a second sensor; determining a second value associated with the second signal; assigning a second confidence value to the confidence level, wherein the second confidence value is associated with the second value; responsive to the second confidence value exceeding a second confidence threshold, adjusting a second operating parameter of the vehicle.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robot having a picking arm to grasp an inventory item and a shuttle. The shuttle includes a platform adapted to receive the inventory item from the picking arm of the robot. The platform is moveable in at least a two-dimensional horizontal plane between a pick-up location located substantially adjacent to the robot and an end location spaced a distance apart from the pick-up location. The system improves efficiency as transportation of the item from the pick-up location to the end location is divided between the robot and the shuttle.

Abstract: A device for performing maintenance on an object is provided. The device for performing maintenance on an object comprises an attaching means that enables the device to attach to a part of an object, the attaching means being configured to deform in accordance with a shape of a part of the object, a moving means that enables the device to move on the object, and a maintenance means that performs maintenance on the object. In one embodiment of the present invention, the attaching means is configured so that the device maintains a state of attaching to the part of the object by the deformation of the attaching means even when a shape of a part of the object changes in association with the movement.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include systems and methods of generating lane selection cost values to control autonomous vehicles to accommodate merging vehicles in a tapering lane (or merge lane). An autonomy system can identify a tapering lane in map data and detect a merging vehicle situated in the tapering lane using perception sensor data. The autonomy system includes a lane-selection cost function that generates lane-selection cost values for the lanes available to the automated vehicle, which the autonomy system references to determine whether to continue traveling a current lane or change lanes into an adjacent lane. The lane-selection cost function may apply a courtesy weight when detecting the merging vehicle, such that the autonomy system causes the automated vehicle to change lanes as a courtesy to the merging vehicle, but without overriding other safety-related factors of the lane-selection cost function or trajectory planning functions.

Abstract: Trailer detection is provided. An autonomous vehicle can cause a first transceiver thereof to convey a signal to energize a second transceiver coupled to a trailer. The autonomous vehicle can receive, from the second transceiver, first information associated with the trailer, the first information comprising an indication of a trailer wheelbase.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include an oversized automated vehicle having a trailer portion and tractor portion performing a J-hook turn at an intersection. The automated vehicle includes an autonomy system for gathering and processing various types of data. The autonomy system generates a candidate trajectory, including the trailer path and the tractor path performing a J-hook turn, and generates driving instructions for the automated vehicle according to a satisfactory candidate trajectory. The autonomy system applies an optimization function for iteratively generating and modifying the candidate trajectory. Using the map data for the intersection, the optimization function modifies the candidate trajectory, such that if the tractor or the trailer were to drive along the predicted tractor path and trailer path, then the tractor and the trailer would perform the J-hook turn while fitting within the drivable surface boundary and inner boundaries (e.g., driving lanes).

Abstract: Trailer detection is provided. An autonomous vehicle can receive, from a time of flight sensor, an indication of a position of a wheel assembly of a trailer. The vehicle can determine a rotation of a rotatable coupler. The vehicle can determine a centerline distance from the rotatable coupler to the wheel assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods of generating lane selection cost maps to control autonomous vehicles are disclosed. An autonomous vehicle system can receive a plurality of cost values from a plurality of components of an autonomous vehicle; generate a lane selection cost map based on the plurality of cost values; determining that the autonomous vehicle should change lanes based on the lane selection cost map; and transmit a command that causes the autonomous vehicle to change lanes responsive to determining that the autonomous vehicle should change lanes.

Abstract: Aspects of this technical solution can include generating, by a processor, a first metric corresponding to a first signal from one or more first sensors, the first sensor configured to detect a position of a fifth-wheel hitch of a vehicle with the fifth-wheel hitch in a first position, generating, by the processor, a second metric corresponding to a second signal from a drive assembly, the drive assembly configured to reposition of the fifth-wheel hitch, generating, by the processor and based on the first and second metrics, a third metric, the third metric corresponding to a second position of the fifth-wheel hitch with a predetermined load balancing configuration and transmitting, by the processor and responsive to a determination that the second position of the fifth-wheel hitch corresponds to a predetermined load balancing configuration of the vehicle, the third metric to the drive assembly.

Abstract: Trailer detection is provided. A vehicle can determine a distance to a portion of the trailer from the time-of-flight sensor data. The vehicle can determine a doppler shift indicative of a speed of a wheel of a wheel assembly from the data. The vehicle can determine, based on the distance and the doppler shift, a wheelbase of the trailer.

Abstract: A force transmission system for a robotically controlled medical device includes a pushing actuator adapted and configured to be pushed distally by a robotic instrument controller, a pivot, and a reverse linkage rotatable about the pivot. The reverse linkage includes a first portion extending between the pivot and the pushing actuator, and operably engaged with the pushing actuator, a second portion extending from the pivot away from the first portion, adapted to engage a control wire of the robotically controlled medical device and pull the control wire proximally in response to distal movement of the pushing actuator, and a distal surface of the second portion having an arcuate surface adapted maintain an axial position of the control wire throughout a range of motion thereof.

Abstract: Detection of trailer dynamic parameters is provided. A vehicle can receive a geometry of a plurality of points of support disposed along a longitudinal axis of the trailer. The vehicle can determine a center of mass of the trailer based on the plurality of points of support and weights bearing down thereupon. The vehicle can bound or otherwise determine, based on the geometry of the plurality of points of support and the center of mass, a moment of inertia of the trailer about at least one of the plurality of points of support. The vehicle can perform a navigational action based on the moment of inertia or center of mass.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include systems and methods of generating lane selection cost values to control autonomous vehicles to accommodate merging vehicles in a tapering lane (or merge lane). An autonomy system can identify a tapering lane in map data and detect a merging vehicle situated in the tapering lane using perception sensor data. The autonomy system includes a lane-selection cost function that generates lane-selection cost values for the lanes available to the automated vehicle, which the autonomy system references to determine whether to continue traveling a current lane or change lanes into an adjacent lane. The lane-selection cost function may apply a courtesy weight when detecting the merging vehicle, such that the autonomy system causes the automated vehicle to change lanes as a courtesy to the merging vehicle, but without overriding other safety-related factors of the lane-selection cost function or trajectory planning functions.