Abstract: A robotic system comprising a robot, and human-imperceptible indicia associated with an object within an environment, the human-imperceptible indicia comprising or linking to interaction information pertaining to a predetermined intended interaction of the robot with the object, the interaction information facilitating interaction with the object by the robot in accordance with the predetermined intended interaction. The system can comprise a sensor that senses the human-imperceptible indicia and the interaction information, and an augmented reality system for conveying human-understandable information to a human operator, which is associated with the interaction or linking information. The machine readable indicia can comprise symbols that can be sensed and interpreted by the robot or the augmented reality system.

Abstract: A robotic solar panel presentation system, as part of a solar panel installation system, for facilitating installation of solar panels into a panel retention system of a panel support assembly, the solar panel presentation system comprising a solar panel dispensing hopper comprising a hopper enclosure operable to receive and support one or more solar panels, and a panel acquisition and placement system comprising at least one moveable installation arm, wherein the panel acquisition and placement system is operable to acquire and manipulate a lead solar panel into an overhead installation position relative to the panel retention system, and to facilitate placement of the lead solar panel into an installed position within the panel retention system. The presentation system can further comprise a control system associated with the solar panel dispensing hopper, and comprising one or more processors and memory operable to control and operate the panel acquisition and placement system.

Abstract: A compact displacement sensor comprises a light intensity pattern object, a micro-lens array and an imaging device including a light-intensity measuring surface. The micro-lens array is disposed between the light intensity pattern object and the imaging device such that each micro-lens focuses a corresponding sub-image making up a portion of the light-intensity pattern on the light-intensity measuring surface to create thereupon an image of the object comprising an array of focused sub-images. The displacement sensor can provide high resolution measurements of displacement of the light intensity pattern object from a reference position by registering subsequent images captured after a change in relative position between light intensity pattern object and the imaging device to a reference image based on pattern portions in the focused sub-images.

Abstract: A walk-about exoskeleton system can comprise an exoskeleton and a walk-about platform in support of the exoskeleton. The walk-about platform can be maneuverable about a ground surface. The walk-about platform can comprise a conveyance system operable with the walk-about platform. The conveyance system can be operable to facilitate movement of the walk-about platform about the ground surface. The walk-about platform can also comprise a bi-pedal locomotion zone defined, at least in part, by the walk-about platform. The bi-pedal locomotion zone can provide clearance for bi-pedal locomotion of an operator donning the exoskeleton.

Abstract: A compact displacement sensor comprises a light intensity pattern object, a micro-lens array and an imaging device including a light-intensity measuring surface. The micro-lens array is disposed between the light intensity pattern object and the imaging device such that each micro-lens focuses a corresponding sub-image making up a portion of the light-intensity pattern on the light-intensity measuring surface to create thereupon an image of the object comprising an array of focused sub-images. The displacement sensor can provide high resolution measurements of displacement of the light intensity pattern object from a reference position by registering subsequent images captured after a change in relative position between light intensity pattern object and the imaging device to a reference image based on pattern portions in the focused sub-images.

Abstract: A solar panel installation system comprising a support clamp installation vehicle capable of being placed on a torque tube of a solar panel support assembly, and operating on the torque tube to install one or more torque tube clamps onto the torque tube from an overhead position. The solar panel installation system comprises a hopper, a drive system operable to engage a torque tube and to facilitate locomotion of the installation vehicle on the torque tube, and a clamp dispensing system comprising a clamp feed system and a clamp placement system. The solar panel installation system further comprises a control system in communication with the support clamp installation vehicle, and operable to control operation of the drive system and the clamp dispensing system. The solar panel installation system further comprises a solar panel installation vehicle that can be operated in a coordinated manner with the support clamp installation vehicle.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a torque tube clamp can include a clamp support, a torque tube collar having an open torque tube-receiving position and a closed torque tube-locking position, and a pivotable locking assembly. The pivotable locking assembly may include a ground link with a ground bar coupled to the clamp support by a ground pivot, and an engagement link including an engagement bar directly or indirectly coupled to the ground bar by an engagement pivot. The engagement bar can be part of the torque tube collar and can be movable from the open torque tube-receiving position to the closed torque tube-locking position.

Abstract: Technology is described for a method for recognition of a target type using primitive patterns. The method can include detecting an activity signature of a target that is moving, using a sensor node. Another operation may be sampling the activity signature of the target to provide sub-samples. The sub-samples may be compared to primitives from a data store of primitives, using machine learning. In addition, the primitives are selected that are similar to the sub-samples and are joinable together to form an activity signature model. The activity signature model can be compared with activity signature templates for targets to determine the target type being captured by the sensor node.

Abstract: This disclosure sets forth a robotic end effector for acquiring and managing an article, such as an item of luggage. The robotic end effector can include an extendable arm comprising a first support member, a capture device comprising a guide member having a plurality of apertures formed therein with a rod slideably supported in each aperture of the guide member. The capture device can further include a biasing member associated with one or more rods and being configured to bias the one or more rods in a first direction relative to the guide member. The article interface system can include an actuatable article engagement device. The actuatable article engagement device can itself include an article interface surface. The actuatable article engagement device can be operated to interface with an article to facilitate movement of the article toward the capture device.

Abstract: A solar panel dispensing device comprising a hopper and a robotic arm. The hopper includes a base and a frame defining an interior volume and being configured to contain solar panels therein supported in an upright position. The robotic arm is moveable about the hopper in one or more degrees of freedom. The robotic arm includes a solar panel end effector operable to acquire a lead solar panel oriented in the upright orientation. The solar panel end effector includes an interfacing orientation and a release orientation; The robotic arm further includes an arm actuator operable to move the robotic arm and the solar panel end effector between the interfacing orientation and the release orientation. The interfacing orientation and the release orientation of the solar panel end effector correspond respectively to the solar panel being in the upright orientation, and the solar panel being in a presentation orientation.

Abstract: Technology is described for controlling a heterogeneous sensor node network. The method can include obtaining sensor data from a plurality of sensors which include a plurality of sensor modalities in sensor nodes. The sensor data may be combined in a joint feature space that represents multimodal input. Another operation may be detecting features from the sensor data using the joint feature space. Neighboring sensor nodes may be identified to receive the features. A further operation may be sending the features to other sensor nodes in a sensor node network.

Abstract: This disclosure sets forth a robotic end effector for acquiring and managing an article, such as an item of luggage. The robotic end effector can include an extendable arm comprising a first support member, a capture device comprising a guide member having a plurality of apertures formed therein with a rod slideably supported in each aperture of the guide member. The capture device can further include a biasing member associated with one or more rods and being configured to bias the one or more rods in a first direction relative to the guide member. The article interface system can include an actuatable article engagement device. The actuatable article engagement device can itself include an article interface surface. The actuatable article engagement device can be operated to interface with an article to facilitate movement of the article toward the capture device.

Abstract: This disclosure sets forth a robotic end effector for acquiring and managing an article, such as an item of luggage. The robotic end effector can include an extendable arm comprising a first support member, a capture device comprising a guide member having a plurality of apertures formed therein with a rod slideably supported in each aperture of the guide member. The capture device can further include a biasing member associated with one or more rods and being configured to bias the one or more rods in a first direction relative to the guide member. The article interface system can include an actuatable article engagement device. The actuatable article engagement device can itself include an article interface surface. The actuatable article engagement device can be operated to interface with an article to facilitate movement of the article toward the capture device.

Abstract: A robotic device is disclosed that can have a plurality of non-dedicated, smart control devices. Each smart control device can provide smart functionality to control an operational function of the robotic device. In addition, a robotic system is disclosed that can include a robotic device having a local non-dedicated, smart control device providing smart functionality to control an operational function of the robotic device. The robotic device can also include a remote control device to communicate operational information with the local smart control device to facilitate user control of the robotic device.

Abstract: A sensor, method and integrated circuit for optically sensing the relative displacement of an object. The sensor may generate optical patterns of light and employ a multielement photodetector to detect the light and output corresponding analog signals proportional to the light detected. The sensor may achieve a sample rate that is orders of magnitude greater than conventional systems. The sensor may also achieve image resolution that is orders of magnitude greater than conventional systems. The sensor is useful for applications including the measurement of linear displacement and rotation, force, torque, or strain with respect to multiple degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A solar panel mount that retains a solar panel in an installed position. The solar panel mount can include a panel rest having a seating surface for the solar panel. The solar panel mount can further have a first support structure defining a first retaining channel positioned to receive a first edge of the solar panel in an installed position. The solar panel mount can further include second support structure defining a second retaining channel. The first and second retaining channels can be spatially positioned apart from each other at a distance greater than a length of the solar panel such that the first and second retaining channels are positioned to receive respective first and second edges of the solar panel to secure the solar panel in the installed position.

Abstract: This disclosure sets forth a robotic end effector for acquiring and managing an article, such as an item of luggage. The robotic end effector can include an extendable arm comprising a first support member, a capture device comprising a guide member having a plurality of apertures formed therein with a rod slideably supported in each aperture of the guide member. The capture device can further include a biasing member associated with one or more rods and being configured to bias the one or more rods in a first direction relative to the guide member. The article interface system can include an actuatable article engagement device. The actuatable article engagement device can itself include an article interface surface. The actuatable article engagement device can be operated to interface with an article to facilitate movement of the article toward the capture device.

Abstract: A sensor, method and integrated circuit for optically sensing the relative displacement of an object. The sensor may generate optical patterns of light and employ a multielement photodetector to detect the light and output corresponding analog signals proportional to the light detected. The sensor may achieve a sample rate that is orders of magnitude greater than conventional systems. The sensor may also achieve image resolution that is orders of magnitude greater than conventional systems. The sensor is useful for applications including the measurement of linear displacement and rotation, force, torque, or strain with respect to multiple degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A robotic end-effector comprises a pair of members being movable with respect to one another and a bladder on at least one of the members. The bladder can comprise a filler within the bladder. The filler can comprise a plurality of jamming particles and a plurality of elongate resilient spacers. The jamming particles are operable to flow within the bladder and to contact and engage with the elongate resilient spacers where flow characteristics vary within the bladder. The bladder with the filler can comprise at least two configurations: a compliant configuration in which a shape of the bladder and filler are changeable, and a stiff configuration in which change in shape of the bladder and filler are resisted.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for scanning a predetermined area of an aerial landscape with one or more cameras for an airborne target and capturing a plurality of images of the airborne target with the one or more cameras, the one or more cameras in communication with a processor. Microscopic temporal variations between the plurality of images of the airborne target are amplified including a change in the geometry of a two-dimensional image of the airborne target.