Abstract: The future of manufacturing, agriculture, distribution, healthcare, and virtually every other labor-intensive endeavor is robotic—a multitude of autonomous, mobile, robotic systems. One of the many problems this will bring is the coordination of independently-navigating robots in limited spaces. Communication is the key to coordination. Fixed-position and mobile robots can identify and localize each other in real-time using pulses of visible or infrared light, synchronized with wireless messages in 5G or 6G. A fixed-position robotic assembly device can identify a mobile robot bringing raw components, by exchanging synchronized pulses and messages. Busy robots in a distribution center can avoid collisions and improve throughput by coordinating with other proximate robots, using the communication tools provided herein. Fixed-position robots can enforce boundary conditions and provide oversight, keeping innumerable mobile devices in-lane and on-task. Many other aspects and applications are provided.

Abstract: Mobile wireless terminals, such as vehicles in traffic, can determine the relative positions of other vehicles with improved precision by arranging to acquire GNSS (global navigational satellite system) signals simultaneously, and then analyzing the various data sets differentially. Simultaneous acquisition can cancel many important errors such as motional errors of the vehicles, atmospheric distortions, and satellite timebase errors. Differential analysis to determine the relative positions of vehicles (as opposed to their overall geographical coordinates) can reduce errors related to satellite ephemeris and velocity, as well as roundoff errors. Localization with a precision of less than 1 meter can greatly improve collision avoidance while discriminating near-miss scenarios from imminent collisions, according to some embodiments. Messaging examples, in 5G and 6G, to manage the simultaneous acquisition and differential analysis, are provided in examples. Many other aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for vehicles in traffic to simultaneously measure local traffic parameters and communicate the data to a planning vehicle in 5G and 6G. Each participating vehicle can measure, at a predetermined time, the angles of the other vehicles in view, and also the distances to the other vehicles using radar or lidar, for example. They then communicate the data to a planning vehicle. The planning vehicle “merges” or interconnects the various angle measurements to form a self-consistent traffic map of all vehicles in view of any of the participating vehicles, including non-participating vehicles. The planning vehicle then broadcasts the traffic map, or a listing of positions and wireless addresses of the vehicles, for all to use. The vehicles can then identify each other, and communicate with each other, to avoid collisions and facilitate the flow of traffic.

Abstract: Vehicle collisions can be mitigated by cooperative actions by three separate computers: a mobile processor in a vehicle, a workstation in a roadside access point, and a remote supercomputer. By exchanging 5G or 6G messages, the computers can cooperatively test a wide range of mitigation solutions, select the best solution, and rapidly transmit it, thereby enabling the vehicles to avoid the collision—or at least to minimize the harm of the collision. The supercomputer (and potentially the other computers) can use AI-based models to optimize the best avoidance strategy. The vehicle's on-board processor can pre-emptively start implementing its own best solution while the other computers are still calculating. Then, if the access point solution or the supercomputer solution appears to be more effective, it can switch to the better strategy. By exploiting high-speed communication and coordinated processor power, most traffic collisions can be avoided.

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles may communicate with each other in 5G or 6G to avoid hazards, mitigate collisions, and facilitate the flow of traffic. However, for cooperative action, each vehicle must determine the wireless address of other vehicles in proximity, so that they can communicate directly with each other. It is not sufficient to know the wireless address alone; the wireless address must be associated with an actual vehicle in view. Methods disclosed herein enable vehicles to exchange messages that specify the distances and angles of other vehicles in view. Then, each vehicle compares the other vehicle's measurements with its own, along with each vehicle's wireless address. Using an AI-based map-merging algorithm, one or more vehicles can produce a full traffic map from the fragmentary local maps of each vehicle's viewpoint.

Abstract: Communication between autonomous vehicles, in 5G or 6G, is necessary for cooperative hazard avoidance and to coordinate the flow of traffic. However, before cooperative action, each vehicle must determine the wireless address of other vehicles in proximity, so that they can communicate directly with each other. Methods and systems disclosed herein include a computer-readable wireless “connectivity matrix”, an array of black and white squares showing a connectivity code. The connectivity code may be the vehicle's wireless address, an index code, or other information about the vehicle. The connectivity code may be an index in a tabulation of information that provides the wireless address, among other data. Other vehicles, or their cameras, may read the connectivity matrix, determine the code therein, and find the vehicle's wireless address. After determining the wireless address of the other vehicles, the vehicles can then communicate and cooperate to avoid accidents and facilitate the flow of traffic.

Abstract: Wireless communication in 5G or 6G, between vehicles (V2V) and other entities (V2X), offers vast opportunities for collision avoidance and improved traffic flow. Many of these opportunities depend on localizing and identifying particular wireless entities (vehicle, pedestrian, base station, toll booth, security gate, among innumerable others). However, due to vehicle motion, the spatial resolution achievable with satellite signals such as GPS, is generally too poor (several meters) to reliably localize a particular wireless entity, inhibiting many applications. Greatly improved localization may be achieved by arranging for multiple vehicles to acquire the satellite signals at the same time from the same satellites. They then transmit parameters of the satellite signals to a calculating entity (such as one of the vehicles) which then processes the data differentially, determining the relative distances between vehicles. Many errors and uncertainties may thereby cancel.

Abstract: Autonomous mobile robots may communicate with each other to avoid hazards, mitigate collisions, and facilitate the operation that they are intended for. To enhance such cooperation, it would be highly advantageous if each robot were able to determine which robot, among a plurality of other proximate robots, corresponds to each communication message. The specific identity of each robot is generally unknown to the other robots if a plurality of robots are in range. Systems and methods provided herein can enable robots and other equipped devices to determine the spatial location of each other robot in proximity, by detecting a pulsed localization signal emitted by each of the other robots. In addition, each robot can transmit a self-identifying code, synchronous with the emitted localization signal, so that other robots can associate the proper code with each robot. After such localization and identification, the robots can then cooperate more effectively in mitigating potential collisions.

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles may communicate with each other to avoid hazards, mitigate collisions, and facilitate the flow of traffic. To enhance such cooperation, it would be highly advantageous if each vehicle were able to determine which vehicle in view corresponds to each communication message, which is generally unknown if a plurality of vehicles are in range. Systems and methods provided herein can enable autonomous vehicles to determine the spatial location of each proximate vehicle by detecting a pulsed localization signal emitted by each of the other vehicles. In addition, each vehicle can transmit a self-identifying code, synchronous with the emitted localization signal, so that other vehicles can associate the proper code with each vehicle. After such localization and identification, the vehicles can then cooperate more effectively in mitigating potential collisions.

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles may communicate with each other to avoid hazards, mitigate collisions, and facilitate the flow of traffic. To enhance such cooperation, it would be highly advantageous if each vehicle were able to determine which vehicle in view corresponds to each communication message, which is generally unknown if a plurality of vehicles are in range. Systems and methods provided herein can enable autonomous vehicles to determine the spatial location of each proximate vehicle by detecting a pulsed localization signal emitted by each of the other vehicles. In addition, each vehicle can transmit a self-identifying code, synchronous with the emitted localization signal, so that other vehicles can associate the proper code with each vehicle. After such localization and identification, the vehicles can then cooperate more effectively in mitigating potential collisions.

Abstract: Improved protocols for wireless networking are disclosed. At low/zero marginal cost, embodiments enable increased throughput and reduced delays at high traffic density, while greatly reducing message collisions and ensuring that each user is able to transmit in order. By providing a sequencing advantage to nodes that have already been delayed, embodiments can eliminate the “blocked node” problem in which some nodes are suppressed indefinitely while other nodes are allowed to dominate a communication channel with multiple transmissions. As the wireless traffic density soars in the coming years, embodiments can improve system utility while enhancing user satisfaction by providing higher message success rates, reducing user frustration, minimizing message delays and message collisions, and eliminating node blocking. An array of embodiments can be implemented on existing and planned equipment with appropriate programming.

Abstract: Autonomous mobile robots may communicate with each other to avoid hazards, mitigate collisions, and facilitate the operation that they are intended for. To enhance such cooperation, it would be highly advantageous if each robot were able to determine which robot, among a plurality of other proximate robots, corresponds to each communication message. The specific identity of each robot is generally unknown to the other robots if a plurality of robots are in range. Systems and methods provided herein can enable robots and other equipped devices to determine the spatial location of each other robot in proximity, by detecting a pulsed localization signal emitted by each of the other robots. In addition, each robot can transmit a self-identifying code, synchronous with the emitted localization signal, so that other robots can associate the proper code with each robot. After such localization and identification, the robots can then cooperate more effectively in mitigating potential collisions.

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles may avoid collisions, or minimize the harm of an unavoidable collision, with the assistance of a land-based supercomputer. Upon detecting an imminent collision, the vehicle may transmit a wireless message to a land-based access point using high-speed low-latency communication technology. The message may include data about the imminent collision such as the positions and velocities of the vehicles and may demand an uncontested communication channel for fast data transfer. The land-based access point can then transfer the data to a supercomputer configured to analyze the data and calculate a sequence of actions to avoid, or at least minimize, the collision. The recommended sequence of actions can then be transmitted back to the initiating vehicle in a wireless response message. In this way, the full computational power of a supercomputer can be made available to save lives.

Abstract: A system and method to avoid collisions on highways, and to minimize the fatalities, injury, and damage when a collision is unavoidable. The system includes sensor means to detect other vehicles, and computing means to evaluate when a collision is imminent and to determine whether the collision is avoidable. If the collision is avoidable by a sequence of controlled accelerations and decelerations and steering, the system implements that sequence of actions automatically. If the collision is unavoidable, a different sequence is implemented to minimize the overall harm of the unavoidable collision. The system further includes indirect mitigation steps such as flashing the brake lights automatically. An optional post-collision strategy is implemented to prevent secondary collisions, particularly if the driver is incapacitated. Adjustment means enable the driver to set the type and timing of automatic interventions.