Abstract: A method for increasing the effective aperture of radar switch/MIMO antenna array, using a low number of transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) army elements, according to which an array of radar physical receive (Rx)/Transmit (Tx) elements are arranged in at least two opposing Rx rows and at least two opposing Tx columns, such that each row includes a plurality of receive (Rx) elements uniformly spaced from each other and each column includes a plurality of transmit (Tx) elements uniformly spaced from each other, the array forming a rectangular physical aperture. Used as a switch array, a first Tx element from one column is activated to transmit a radar pulse during a predetermined time slot. Reflections of the first transmission are received in all Rx elements, thereby virtually replicating the two opposing Rx rows about an origin determined by the location of the first Tx element within the rectangular physical aperture.

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 system and method for customizing a user model of a device using optimized questioning. The method includes: retrieving a user model associated with a user of a device; identifying a plurality of data items having undetermined certainty levels with respect to the user model; selecting a question that a response thereto is most likely to allow a highest contribution level to the user model, wherein the highest contribution level to the user model is determined based on an analysis of a first contribution level of the question to at least one data item of the plurality of data items and a second contribution level of the at least one data item to the user model; relaying the selected question to the user; receiving a user response to the question; and updating the user model based on the received user response.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ground station, comprising: a landing surface having a perimeter and a center; a plurality of pushers held above the landing surface by a plurality of linear actuators; at least one electro-mechanical connector attached to one of the plurality of pushers, mechanically adapted to be electrically connected to a compatible electro-mechanical connector of a UAV; and a landing detection controller adapted to instruct the plurality of linear actuators to move the plurality of pushers simultaneously from the perimeter toward the center when a landing event related to the UAV is detected.

Abstract: A device for performing emotional gestures to interact with a user. The device includes a base; a controller; a first body portion pivotally connected to the base, the first body portion having a first aperture; an electro-mechanical member disposed within the first body portion and connected to the controller; and a second body portion connected to the electro-mechanical member, the second body portion having a second aperture. The electro-mechanical member is configured to extend from the first body portion through the first aperture to the second body portion through the second aperture and the controller is configured to control movements of the electro-mechanical member and the first body portion, where the movements include emotional gestures.

Abstract: A method for performing an emotional gesture by a device based on a received electronic message, including receiving an electronic message by the device, where the received electronic message includes content and metadata; determining an intent of a sender of the received electronic message based on the content and the metadata; determining at least one emotional gesture based on the determined intent; and performing the determined at least one emotional gesture.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a device behavior with respect to a privacy class. The method includes collecting sensory inputs from a plurality of sensors; analyzing the sensory inputs using at least the sensory inputs and at least a privacy class of a plurality of privacy classes; determining a privacy rule based on the analysis of the sensory inputs; and, initiating an engagement of the user based on the determined privacy rule.

Abstract: A system and method for personalization of an interaction between a social robot and a user. The method includes: collecting, by at least one of a plurality of sensors, a first set of sensory data indicating a current state of the user; determining, based on the first set of sensory data, whether at least one predetermined goal to be achieved by the user has not yet been achieved; if not, selecting a first operational schema from a plurality of operational schemas having a highest priority score; performing the first operational schema; collecting, by one or more of the plurality of sensors, a second set of sensory data from the user, wherein the second set of sensory data is indicative of a user's response to the first operational schema; and determining an achievement status of the at least one predetermined goal based on the user's response.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing resource usage of a robot, the method including: receiving a first request to execute a first task, where the first task requires a first set of resources of the robot; causing the execution of the first task; receiving a second request to execute at least a second task, wherein the second task requires a second set of resources of the robot; determining whether any resources of the first set of resources and the second set of resources includes at least one overlapping resource; modifying at least one of the first task and the at least a second task when at least one overlapping resource is determined by omitting at the least one overlapping resource; and executing of the first task and the at least a second task as modified.

Abstract: According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method for generating a dataset mapping visual features of each of a plurality of objects, comprising: for each of a plurality of different objects: instructing a robotic system to move an arm holding a respective the object to a plurality of positions, and when the arm is in each of the plurality of positions: acquiring at least one image depicting the respective object in the position, receiving positional information of the arm in respective the position, analyzing the at least one image to identify at least one visual feature of the object in the respective position, and storing, in a mapping dataset, an association between the at least one visual feature and the positional information, and outputting the mapping dataset.

Abstract: A robotic platform configured to identify obstacles and follow a user and/or a user device. In one implementation, a processing device receives one or more sensor inputs, processes the one or more sensor inputs to identify an obstacle within a navigation path, the navigation path corresponding to a robotic platform following a user device, computes an alternate route in view of the navigation path and the identification of the obstacle, and configures the robotic platform to follow the user device based on the alternate route.

Abstract: A standing wheelchair device includes a wheeled base for enabling the device to move on a supporting surface. A harness assembly includes a plurality of braces for attaching to parts of a body of a user of the device, at least some adjacent braces of being connected by joints. A lifting unit mounted on the base, supports a hip joint of the harness assembly, and is configured to raise or lower the hip joint. When the user is attached to the harness assembly and is in a sitting position, raising a height of the hip joint causes the user to assume a standing position. When the when the user is attached to the harness assembly and is in a standing position, lowering the hip joint causes the user to assume a sitting or reclining position.

Abstract: A system method and device, the system including a gait device for facilitating a gait of a person over a surface and one or a plurality of crutches to provide support over the surface the gait device, each of said one or a plurality of crutches including a locomotion facilitator to enhance locomotion of that crutch over the surface and a mechanism to modify the locomotion of that crutch over the surface.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems for controlling exoskeleton devices, and more particularly, smart crutches configured for sensing an environment and processing the sensed data to control the movement of exoskeleton devices over various types of surfaces are presented. In some embodiments, the smart crutches may comprise sensors configured to sense the state of the exoskeleton, the crutches and the surrounding environment, and to transmit such measurements to various components of the crutch and/or exoskeleton such as processing units, user interfaces, etc. In some embodiments, the processing unit may generate instructions for the exoskeleton and/or the crutches to carry out based on the measurements.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an exoskeleton device for providing gait/movement assistance to users, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for attaching such devices to a limb of the users, are presented. In some embodiments, the apparatus may comprise a support, a support holder, and a retaining element for retaining the support secured to the support holder at least when the apparatus is in use. In some embodiments, the attachment of the support to the support holder may be configured so as to allow the support a range of translational and/or rotational degrees of motion.

Abstract: A method for defining a robotic machine task. The method comprises a) collecting a sequence of a plurality of images showing at least one demonstrator performing at least one manipulation of at least one object, b) performing an analysis of said sequence of a plurality of images to identify demonstrator body parts manipulating said at least one object and said at least one manipulation of said at least one object, c) determining at least one robotic machine movement to perform said task, and d) generating at least one motion command for instructing said robotic machine to perform said task.

Abstract: A robotic system for performing minimally invasive spinal stabilization, using two screws inserted in oblique trajectories from an inferior vertebra pedicle into the adjacent superior vertebra body. The procedure is less traumatic than such procedures performed using open back surgery, by virtue of the robot used to guide the surgeon along a safe trajectory, avoiding damage to nerves surrounding the vertebrae. The robot arm is advantageous since no access is provided in a minimally invasive procedure for direct viewing of the operation site, and the accuracy required for oblique entry can readily be achieved only using robotic control. This robotic system also obviates the need for a large number of fluoroscope images to check drill insertion position relative to the surrounding nerves. Disc cleaning tools with flexible wire heads are also described. The drilling trajectory is determined by comparing fluoroscope images to preoperative images showing the planned path.

Abstract: A method for defining a robotic machine task. The method comprises a) collecting a sequence of a plurality of images showing at least one demonstrator performing at least one manipulation of at least one object, b) performing an analysis of said sequence of a plurality of images to identify demonstrator body parts manipulating said at least one object and said at least one manipulation of said at least one object, c) determining at least one robotic machine movement to perform said task, and d) generating at least one motion command for instructing said robotic machine to perform said task.

Abstract: An exoskeleton bracing system includes: a trunk support for affixing to the trunk of a disabled person and leg braces for connecting to the legs of the person, each leg brace including limb segment braces. Motorized joints are adapted to provide relative angular movement between the limb segment braces of the leg braces and between the leg braces and the trunk support. One or more ground force sensors are designed to sense ground force exerted on each of the leg braces. The system also includes a controller for receiving sensed signals from said one or more ground force sensors, with an algorithm for identifying a stance from the sensed signals and, based on the identified stance, actuating the motorized joints to perform an action relating to a mode of locomotion selected from a set of predefined actions corresponding to the identified stance.