Abstract: A system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an imaging source; an imaging detector; a depth sensor; and a controller, where the controller receives image information from the depth sensor, determines a gesture in relation to a working volume, and moves the imaging source and the imaging detector relative to the working volume based on the gesture.

Abstract: According to some disclosed embodiments an action is performed by an electronic social agent. The electronic social agent collects a first dataset indicating the user's state, the user's environment state, and a first user response to the performed action. Then, it is determined whether it is desirable to collect a second response from the user and, if so, it is further determined whether to generate a question to be presented to the user based on an analysis of a first dataset and the first user response. Then, an optimal time for presenting the question to the user is determined. A question that is based on the collected data and the first user response is generated by the electronic social agent for actively collecting an additional user response. Then, based on the collected additional user response, the decision-making model of the electronic social agent is updated and improved.

Abstract: A system and method for path navigation accuracy estimation. A method includes determining a degree of obstruction for each of a plurality of objects shown in visual content, wherein the degree of obstruction for each object represents a degree to which the object will obstruct visibility by a vehicle capturing visual content in an environment where the vehicle is navigating and the plurality of objects are disposed; determining, for each of a plurality of operational points, a co-visibility of the vehicle at the operational point based on a pose of the vehicle at the operational point and the degree of obstruction for each of the objects which is within view of the vehicle at the operational point; and estimating a visual navigation performance at each of the operational points based on the co-visibility determined for the operational point.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retractor interference avoidance is provided. At least one retractor includes a base and one or more elongate members extending from the base. The one or more elongate members are movable. A position of the at least one retractor may be determined and a trajectory of a surgical device may be received. At least one elongate member of the one or more elongate members positioned to interfere with movement of the device along a trajectory may be identified based on the position of the retractor and the trajectory of the surgical device.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle including a central frame electro-mechanically connected to a central frame inertial measurement unit (IMU) adapted to output central frame inertial measurements to one or more controllers. A motor frame includes a central rod mounted in perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the central frame, and a pair of lateral arms each fixated to a different end of the central rod in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central frame. A motor frame IMU adapted to output motor frame inertial measurements of the motor frame to the flight controller. The central frame is further electro-mechanically connected to the one or more controllers adapted to calculate control signals for rotating the central frame according to the central frame inertial measurements and the central rod inertial measurements. A stabilizing motor adapted to rotate the central frame according to the control signals.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for capturing a single image with multiple exposures is provided. An imaging device may be provided comprising a source configured to emit a wave for a time period and a detector configured to receive a signal indicative of the wave. A wave may be emitted for a time period and a signal may be received indicative of the emitted wave. A first image dataset may be saved with a first timestamp referencing a first time within the time period. A second image dataset may be saved with a second timestamp referencing a second time within the time period. The second time may occur after the first time.

Abstract: A novel and useful safety functionality assurance mechanism incorporating an RF built in self-test (RFBIST) system in a radar system having a plurality of transmitter devices and receiver devices. The RFBIST functions to verify, inter alia, that the transmitted signal is operating correctly and that all channels transmit a proper, valid or ‘legal’ signal and that the receiver devices are also operating correctly. A higher level of safety assurance is achieved by comparing safety data between the receiver devices. In one embodiment, the signal received from the various transmitter devices is compared. The RFBIST circuit block eliminates the physical transmit antenna position properties to compare the transmitted signal properties after signal path elimination. Thus, the present invention is capable of (1) validating multiple transmitter devices with a single receiver device and (2) validating multiple receiver devices with a single transmitter device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for assisting in guiding and performing a procedure on a subject. The subject may be any appropriate subject such as inanimate object and/or an animate object. The guide and system may include various manipulable or movable members, such as robotic systems, and may be registered to selected coordinate systems.

Abstract: Remote control system is disclosed. The present techniques relate to a system and a method for improving connection between two devices, e.g. to enable one device to control the other. The method comprises receiving, at a remote computing device, a request from a secondary user device to diagnose a fault with the primary user device. The request is received on a first communication channel. The method further comprises a step of connecting, in response to the request, the remote computing device with the secondary user device. This is performed by using a secure communication channel which is different to the first communication channel. The method further comprises a step of sending a command message for the primary user device from the remote computing device to the secondary user device via the secure communication channel. Any response to the command message is then received from the secondary user device via the secure communication channel. The response is used at least in part to diagnose the fault.

Abstract: A battery is detachably mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle by using at least one attachment mechanism. The battery monitoring method includes: detecting, by the battery, before the unmanned aerial vehicle takes off, whether the at least one attachment mechanism is in place; and sending, by the battery, a first signal to the flight control system in response to detecting that the at least one attachment mechanism is in place, wherein the first signal is configured to instruct the flight control system to initiate takeoff of the unmanned aerial vehicle; or sending, by the battery, a second signal to the flight control system in response to detecting that at least one of the at least one attachment mechanism is not in place, wherein the second signal is configured to instruct the flight control system to prevent takeoff of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for identifying a region of interest are provided. A plurality of skeletal landmarks may be identified from an image received from an imaging device. A pose of a patient may be determined based on the plurality of skeletal landmarks. A region of interest may be identified on the patient based on the determined pose. Instructions may be automatically provided to the controller to adjust a pose of a surgical instrument relative to the region of interest. The plurality of skeletal landmarks may be tracked for movement. The region of interest may be updated when movement of the plurality of skeletal landmarks is detected.

Abstract: A system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an imaging source; an imaging detector; a sensor coupled to at least one of the imaging source and imaging detector; and a controller that adjusts a relative position of the imaging source and the imaging detector based on an output of the sensor.

Abstract: A surgical tool, systems, and method for cleaning an anatomical space is provided. At least one brush is disposed on a shaft extending through a tube. The tube includes a corresponding brush slot for each brush. A motor is operable to rotate the shaft to cause the at least one brush to move from a closed position to a cleaning position. The at least one brush is positioned entirely inside of the tube when in the closed position and at least partially outside of the tube when in the cleaning position. A fluid source is operable to supply fluid to the at least one brush as the at least one brush passes through the brush slot.

Abstract: There is provided a method of matching features depicted in images, comprising: detecting a first object depicted in a first image, projecting a first epipolar line, from the first object of the first image, to a second image, selecting second objects along the first epipolar line of the second image, projecting second epipolar lines, from the second objects of the second image, to a third image, projecting a third epipolar line from the first object of the first image to the third image, identifying on the third image, a third object along an intersection of the third epipolar line and a certain second epipolar line of the second epipolar lines, and generating an indication of the first object depicted in first image and the third object depicted in the third image as matches of a same physical object.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for generating a corrected image are provided. A first robotic arm may be configured to orient a source at a first pose and a second robotic arm may be configured to orient a detector at a plurality of second poses. An image dataset may be received from the detector at each of the plurality of second poses to yield a plurality of image datasets. The plurality of datasets may comprise an initial image having a scatter effect. The plurality of image datasets may be saved. A scatter correction may be determined and configured to correct the scatter effect. The correction may be applied to the initial image to correct the scatter effect.

Abstract: A sensor comprising a whisker shaft and a follicle is provided. The shaft has a root end and a tip end and the shaft tapers from the root end to the tip end so that the root end is wider and the tip end is narrower. The root end is pivotably mounted in the follicle.

Abstract: A method for determining availability of a user for interaction with a digital assistant comprises: determining if the user is present in a predetermined proximity to an input/output (I/O) device; collecting, at least real-time data about the user and historical user-agent interaction data for the user when the user is present; determining, a current user availability score based on at least the collected real-time data and the historical user-agent interaction data to derive an optimal time for interaction initiation by the digital assistant; and executing a plan selected from amongst a plurality of plans, the selected plan having a user availability score best matching the current user availability score, wherein each of the plurality of plans is designed to be executed by the digital assistant via the I/O device.

Abstract: Retraction systems, assemblies, and devices for retracting an end unit are provided. A retraction assembly may be configured to move the end unit of a robot between a first state and a second state. A first signal may be received indicating a working condition. A first instruction may be generated to move the end unit from the second state to the first state. The retraction assembly may be caused to move the end unit from the second state to the first state based on receiving the first signal and the first instruction. The end unit may be held in the first state when the first signal is being received and the retraction assembly may move the end unit from the first state to the second state when the first signal is not received.

Abstract: A method for interacting by a digital assistant with a user of the digital assistant, comprising: determining by the digital assistant an action to be executed by the digital assistant, wherein the action is determined based on at least a sensed current state of the user and a sensed current state of an environment near the user; selecting an engagement method from a plurality of engagement methods based on the current state of the user, the current state of an environment near the user, and the selected action; generating a customized plan for executing the selected action based on at least the selected engagement method; and executing the generated plan by employing an input/output (I/O) device on which the digital assistant is executing.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a vertebral disc includes an elongated hollow shaft including a proximal end and a distal end; a first drum rotatably disposed in a housing secured to the proximal end of the shaft, the first drum having a first axis; a second drum rotatably disposed proximate the distal end of the shaft, the second drum having a second axis parallel to the first axis; and a belt extending through the hollow shaft and operatively coupled to the first drum and the second drum, the belt comprising a plurality of teeth configured to cut anatomical tissue, each tooth of the plurality of teeth remaining flush with an outer surface of the belt when a section of the belt comprising the tooth is substantially straight, and projecting beyond the outer surface when the section of the belt bends around the first drum or the second drum.