Abstract: A system for managing a fleet of robotic vehicles comprising a plurality of robotic vehicles, each including a processor controller operating under algorithmic control, wherein the processor controller of each vehicle is configured to prevent operation of the robotic vehicle by an unauthorized user and a central controller operating on a remote processor, wherein the remote processor is configured to interface with the plurality of robotic vehicles and to modify data associated with an authorized user for each of the plurality of robotic vehicles.

Abstract: A system for ground plane cancellation, comprising an image data system configured to generate image data and associated coordinate data for pixels contained in the image data. A ground plane calculation system configured to generate ground plane coordinate data. A ground plane correction system configured to subtract pixels associated with the ground plane coordinate data from the image data.

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle comprising a vehicle condition monitor coupled to the vehicle and configured to generate a plurality of vehicle operational data signals and a predictive behavior system coupled to the vehicle condition monitor and configured to generate vehicle control data as a function of the vehicle operational data signals and operator historical data.

Abstract: A system comprising a sensor, a protective enclosure configured to enclose the sensor, a mounting pad configured to be attached to a location of a vehicle, the mounting pad having a contact area as a function of a weight of the sensor and the protective enclosure, a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to associate the sensor with the location of the vehicle and wherein the sensor and the protective enclosure are attached to the mounting pad, and the mounting pad is attached to the surface of the vehicle using an adhesive layer.

Abstract: A system comprising a sensor, a protective enclosure configured to enclose the sensor and a mounting pad configured to be attached to a predetermined surface of a predetermined vehicle, the mounting pad having a predetermined contact area as a function of a weight of the sensor and the protective enclosure. The sensor and the protective enclosure are attached to the mounting pad, and the mounting pad is attached to the predetermined surface of the vehicle using an adhesive layer that extends over the predetermined contact area that is selected to provide a maximum weight support that is correlated to a weight of the sensor and the protective enclosure.

Abstract: A system comprising a first connector configured to be coupled to an assembly having a plurality of electrical signal outputs from user controls of a vehicle. A second connector configured to be coupled to an assembly providing a plurality of inputs to a plurality of vehicle control systems. An interface device configured to process the plurality of electrical signal outputs from user controls of the vehicle and to modify the plurality of electrical signal outputs to generate the plurality of inputs to the plurality of vehicle control systems.

Abstract: A system comprising a sensor, a protective enclosure configured to enclose the sensor and a mounting pad configured to be attached to a predetermined surface of a predetermined vehicle, the mounting pad having a predetermined contact area as a function of a weight of the sensor and the protective enclosure. The sensor and the protective enclosure are attached to the mounting pad, and the mounting pad is attached to the predetermined surface of the vehicle using an adhesive layer that extends over the predetermined contact area that is selected to provide a maximum weight support that is correlated to a weight of the sensor and the protective enclosure.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle, comprising generating image data at a camera system of a robotic vehicle, receiving the image data at a processor of the robotic vehicle, identifying a plurality of bright spots in the image data using the processor, computing a boundary for the plurality of bright spots and generating control data as a function of the boundary.

Abstract: Material handling vehicles also known as lift trucks, e.g., forklifts, pallet jacks, reach trucks etc., are an essential component of any supply chain and logistics operation. These vehicles are typically driven by human operators and are used to move goods inside factories, warehouses etc. We develop a system and method to retrofit manual lift trucks with a supplemental control system (retrofit kit) that includes sensors, communication devices, computers, electrical circuits and mechanical actuators such that a lift truck can carry out material handling tasks autonomously without the presence of a human operator. The retrofit also allows the lift truck to be controlled remotely by a human tele-operator and can transmit and receive data from a remote computer.

Abstract: A method to retrofit industrial lift trucks for automated material handling, comprising configuring a processor to associate a plurality of sensors with a plurality of locations of a vehicle. Implementing a mapping mode of the processor to cause the plurality of sensors to generate sensor data as the vehicle is moved around a facility. Generating a map of the facility from the sensor data, and receiving an operator input to define a mission, wherein the operator input comprises one of an object pick up command and an object drop off command. Following pick-up and drop-off commands as defined in a mission to move pallets and following a human in an autonomous fashion using a combination of sensors.