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: Described herein are methods and systems for automatically operating autonomous vehicles to accomplish a coverage task by receiving a plurality of task parameters defining a coverage task in a certain geographical area, calculating and outputting instructions for operating first autonomous vehicle(s) to cover the certain geographical area according to a first movement path computed according to operational parameters of the first autonomous vehicle with respect to the task parameters, identifying uncovered segment(s) in the certain geographical area by analyzing coverage of the certain geographical, and calculating and outputting instructions for operating second autonomous vehicle(s) to cover the uncovered segment(s) according to a second movement path computed according to operational parameters of the second autonomous vehicle. The first autonomous vehicle(s) and the second autonomous vehicle(s) are selected to optimally accomplish the coverage task.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for automatically evaluating detection accuracy of dynamic objects by equipment under test, comprising receiving a first record generated by an evaluated equipment under test and a second record generated by a validated reference equipment both deployed in a vehicle, the first record comprising a plurality of attributes of dynamic object(s) detected by the evaluated equipment and the second record comprising a plurality of attributes of dynamic object(s) detected by the reference equipment, correlating between dynamic object(s) detected by both the evaluated equipment and the reference equipment according to matching spatial and temporal attributes of the dynamic object(s) in the first record and in the second record, analyzing at least some of the attributes of the respective dynamic object in the first record compared to the second record, and outputting an indication of differences identified between the first record and the second record.

Abstract: A method for verifying surgical tool placement includes attaching a guide sleeve to a surgical robot, the guide sleeve defining a guide sleeve axis; aligning the surgical robot such that the guide sleeve axis is directed at a predetermined target location; and attaching an aiming rod to the guide sleeve such that the aiming rod can rotate around the guide sleeve axis, the aiming rod having apertures along its length. The aiming rod is attached to the guide sleeve at an angle and position such that when the surgical robot is adjusted to align the guide sleeve axis with the predetermined target location, a center of each aperture of the apertures of the aiming rod and a center of the predetermined target location are collinear, independent of a rotational position of the aiming rod around the guide sleeve axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing sensory signal capturing by reconfiguring robotic device configurations. A method includes determining at least one predicted future sensor reading for a robotic device based on navigation path data of the robotic device, wherein the robotic device is deployed with at least one sensor, wherein each predicted future sensor reading is an expected value of a future sensory signal; determining an optimized sensor configuration based on the at least one predicted future sensor reading, wherein the optimized sensor configuration optimizes capturing of sensor signals by the at least one sensor; and reconfiguring the at least one sensor based on the optimized sensor configuration, wherein reconfiguring the at least one sensor further comprises modifying at least one sensor parameter of the at least one sensor based on the optimized sensor configuration.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for drilling an anatomical element are provided. A drill bit may comprise a coaxial hollow shaft in communication with a plurality of apertures disposed on a surface of the drill bit. A fluid inlet may be in fluid communication with the coaxial hollow shaft via a selectively openable valve. The fluid inlet may be configured to receive pressurized fluid. When the valve is opened, the pressurized fluid may be released into the coaxial hollow shaft, and when at least one of the plurality of apertures is not blocked, the pressurized fluid may be released through the at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for operating automated vehicles to accomplish an agricultural mission according to a hierarchically computed mission plan, comprising receiving a plurality of mission parameters defining an agricultural related mission, computing a generic plan for executing the mission by one or more of a plurality of vehicle classes grouping automated vehicles sharing common vehicle parameters coupled with one or more of a plurality of payload classes grouping payloads sharing common payload parameters, computing a plurality of specific plans for executing the mission by one or more automated vehicles of the selected vehicle class(s) coupled with one or more payloads of the selected payload class(s), selecting one of the plurality of specific plans which reduces one or more mission attributes of the mission and outputting instructions for operating the selected automated vehicle(s) and the selected payload(s) to execute the mission according to the selected specific plan.

Abstract: The ingredient feeder for automated cooking apparatus, covered in the present invention, is a horizontally oriented dispensing apparatus, having a variety of shapes and dimensions, constructed from different materials, thus optimized for a wide range of ingredients. Individually controlled, the feeders accurately and precisely dispense ingredients, while their positioning and orientation utilize space. Easy ingredient changes and refill by quick ingredient container replacement, enables a non-stop operation. A simple construction is aiming for operability and quick setup.

Abstract: Disclosed here are methods and systems for automatically operating automated vehicles moving through vegetation obstacles with minimal damage, comprising receiving image(s) depicting vegetation obstacle(s) blocking at least partially a path of an automated vehicle executing a mission, analyzing the image(s) to extract one or more obstacle attributes of the vegetation obstacle(s), computing a plurality of movement patterns for operating the automated to cross the vegetation obstacle(s) based on one or more vehicle attributes of the automated vehicle with respect to one or more of the obstacle attributes where each movement pattern defines one or more movement parameters of the automated vehicle, selecting one of the movement patterns estimated to reduce a cost of damage to the automated vehicle and/or to the one or more vegetation obstacles, and outputting instructions for operating the automated vehicle to move through the vegetation obstacle(s) according to the selected movement pattern.

Abstract: The subject matter discloses a method of asset change detection using images, the method comprising steps executed by processing circuitry, the steps comprising: receiving at least one image of an asset captured by an image capturing device; receiving at least one attribute of a task of detecting a change in the asset using the received at least one image, at least one of the at least one attribute being one of the group consisting of: an attribute measured by a sensor, an attribute extracted from a website, an attribute retrieved from a database, an attribute input by a user, and an attribute encoded in computer code; selecting a reference image among a plurality of reference images of the asset according to at least one criterion based on the received at least one attribute of the task of detecting the change in the asset; computing an asset-difference pixel map, using the selected reference image and the image captured by the image capturing device; and detecting the change in the asset, using the computed

Abstract: A system and method for environmental parameter mapping. A method includes adding at least one entry to a mapping data structure, wherein each entry includes a position of a robotic device and at least one corresponding environmental parameter for the respective position of the robotic device, wherein each environmental parameter of each entry indicates an attribute of an environment at the corresponding position and is based on at least one sensor signal captured at the corresponding position; and sending at least one command to the robotic device, wherein the at least one command is determined based on the mapping data structure and includes at least one command to navigate.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and storage media associated with surface traversing by robotic apparatuses with an obstacle detection system are described herein. In some instances, the obstacle detection system is mounted on the body of the apparatus, and includes one or more light sources, to illuminate the surface to be traversed; a camera, to capture one or more images of the illuminated surface; and a processing device coupled with the camera and the light source, to process the captured one or more images, to detect, or cause to be detected, an obstacle disposed on the illuminated surface, based at least in part on a result of the processing of the images. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A surgical bone-protecting drill guide device includes a body formed of biocompatible material forming a shell. The body includes an outer surface, an interior surface being a reverse-engineering surface approximation of a protruding boney structure of one or more bones in an image of a patient and body material between the outer surface and the interior surface. The device includes implant guides. Each implant guide is configured to extend from the outer surface and through the body material and the interior surface and provide a window to a pre-planned implant location for implanting a respective one implant relative to the protruding boney structure of the patient. The window has a size and shape that is pre-calculated as a function of a size of a pre-determined tool to be inserted through the window.

Abstract: Techniques for executing transient care plans are provided. A transient care plan to be executed via the I/O device is created based on analysis of an initial care plan of a user and a user dataset captured by an I/O device. The initial care plan is a health regimen uniquely determined for the user indicating medical instructions defined with respect to a first frequency. The transient care plan defines a second frequency at which instructions to perform the user activity are to be projected via the I/O device. The transient care plan is executed by projecting the instructions based on the second frequency. The transient care plan is modified based on a change in status of the user to define a third frequency. The modified transient care plan is executed by projecting the instructions to perform the user activity via the I/O device based on the third frequency.

Abstract: A controller and method for real-time customization of presentation features of a vehicle. A method includes collecting a first dataset about a knowledge level of an operator of the vehicle, wherein the first dataset is collected with respect to a feature of the vehicle; collecting, using at least one sensor, a second dataset regarding an external environment of the vehicle and a cabin of the vehicle; determining, based on the first dataset and the second dataset, a presentation feature from a plurality of presentation features associated with the feature of the vehicle; customizing the presentation feature based on at least the first dataset, wherein the customization is performed in real-time when the operator operates the vehicle; and presenting the presentation feature to the operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques for executing plans for a user via an input/output (I/O) device is presented. The method includes determining plurality of transient plans based on user data captured by the I/O device and status report for at least one goal, wherein each of the plurality of transient plans is a customized plan for the user respect to the at least one goal; generating a plurality of customized schedules for the plurality of transient plans based on the user data and a policy for the user, wherein the policy includes a plurality of scheduling rules for determining the customized schedules and a plurality of rules for executing portions of the plurality of transient plans; and projecting at least one first plan of the plurality of transient plans via the I/O device based on the plurality of customized schedules and the plurality of rules for executing portions of the at least one plan.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a device personality profile. The method includes: generating a first user profile; selecting a first personality profile for a device based on matching the first user profile to a cluster of user profiles, wherein the first personality profile includes a first distribution of character traits in a multidimensional space; sampling a character trait; causing the device to execute at least a physical interaction item, based on the sampled character traits; collecting a set of real-time data from the user indicative of a reaction to the executed physical interaction item; determining a second personality profile for the device including a second distribution over a plurality of second character traits, wherein the second personality profile replaces the first personality profile; and, updating the second personality to enable execution of at least one modified physical interaction item.

Abstract: A method of positioning an imaging device relative to a patient, comprising positioning a reference marker adjacent a desired field of scan corresponding to an anatomical element of a patient; and causing an imaging device to align with the reference marker, based on tracking information received from a navigation system, the tracking information corresponding to the reference marker and a navigated tracker disposed on the imaging device.

Abstract: There is provided a method of automatically landing a drone on a landing pad having thereon guiding-elements arranged in a pattern relative to a central region of the landing pad, comprising: receiving first image(s) captured by a camera of the drone, processing the first image(s) to compute a segmentation mask according to an estimate of a location of the landing pad, receiving second image(s) captured by the camera, processing the second image(s) according to the segmentation mask to compute a segmented region and extracting from the segmented region guiding-element(s), determining a vector for each of the extracted guiding-element(s), and aggregating the vectors to compute an estimated location of the central region of the landing pad, and navigating and landing the drone on the landing pad according to the estimated location of the central region of the landing pad.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a charging apparatus for charging and/or powering a smart or powered crutch device. The crutch may include electronic circuitry as well as on board rechargeable power or energy source, and it may provide access to charge the power source using a charger system. The charger system may be a floor charger configured to receive a portion of the crutch such as the distal tip so as to facilitate the transfer of power from the charger to the crutch. The charger system may also be in the form of a wall charger and/or a portable system.