Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of aligning a tracking system of a communication device. The method includes receiving an optical beam at the communication device. A first beam portion is received at the tracking system, and a second beam portion is received at an optical fiber of the communication device. Using one or more processors, an first signal and an second signal is received from the tracking system. The one or more processors are also used to determine a phase difference related to the first signal and a second phase difference related to the second signal. An offset for the first signal and an offset for the second signal are determined based on the respective phase difference. The one or more processors then track the optical beam using the tracking system and the determined offsets.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first time-parameterized path for the first robotic device, and an indication of a second robotic device having a second time-parameterized path that overlaps with the first time-parameterized path at a first location. The method also includes executing, by the first robotic device, a first portion of the first time-parameterized path before reaching the first location, wherein execution of the first portion corresponds to a first rate of progress of the first robotic device along the first time-parameterized path. The first robotic device then receives a communication signal from the second robotic device indicating a second rate of progress of the second robotic device along the second time-parameterized path. The method then includes the first robotic device determining a difference between the first rate of progress and the second rate of progress, and modifying execution of the first time-parameterized path based on the determined difference.

Abstract: In embodiments, obtaining a plurality of image sets associated with a geographical region and a time period, wherein each image set of the plurality of image sets comprises multi-spectral and time series images that depict a respective particular portion of the geographical region during the time period, and predicting one or more crop types growing in each of particular locations within the particular portion of the geographical region associated with an image set of the plurality of image sets. Determining a crop type classification for each of the particular locations based on the predicted one or more crop types for the respective particular locations, and generating a crop indicative image comprising at least one image of the multi-spectral and time series images of the image set overlaid with indications of the crop type classification determined for the respective particular locations.

Abstract: In embodiments, obtaining a plurality of image sets associated with a geographical region and a time period, wherein each image set of the plurality of image sets comprises multi-spectral and time series images that depict a respective particular portion of the geographical region during the time period, and predicting presence of a crop at particular locations within the particular portion of the geographical region associated with an image set of the plurality of image sets. Determining crop boundary locations within the particular portion of the geographical region based on the predicted presence of the crop at the particular locations, and generating a crop indicative image comprising at least one image of the multi-spectral and time series images of the image set overlaid with indication of crop areas, wherein the crop areas are defined by the determined crop boundary locations.

Abstract: The technology relates to the design and placement of beacon transmission optics for free space optical communications (“FSOC”). One aspect of the disclosure provides an FSOC device with a beam steering mechanism, a beam column with a beam expander, an optical bus, and beacon transmission optics. The beacon transmission optics includes a prism that directs outgoing beacon beams into the beam column, and toward the beam steering mechanism. In one embodiment, the outgoing beacon beams do not need to travel through the beam expander of the beam column. As a result, backscatter is minimized and incoming or outgoing beams can be controlled with a single beam-steering mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining a location of a wireless power receiver. The method involves determining a first coupling coefficient between a transmitter and a receiver coupled via a wireless resonant coupling link, where the receiver is disposed at a first location. Further, the method involves receiving, by the transmitter, kinematic data generated by a sensor coupled to the receiver. Yet further, the method involves determining, based on the kinematic data and the first coupling coefficient, the first location.

Abstract: A technique for masking a non-functioning pixel in a display screen includes receiving pixel values for driving pixels on the display screen with an image, identifying a sub-set of the pixel values associated with surrounding pixels that are adjacent to the non-functioning pixel in the display screen, and adjusting the pixel values of the sub-set to increase brightness of the surrounding pixels to compensate for lost brightness due to the non-functioning pixel to thereby mask visual perception of the non-functioning pixel.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for generating spatial affordances for an object, in an environment of a robot, and utilizing the generated spatial affordances in one or more robotics applications directed to the object. Various implementations relate to applying vision data as input to a trained machine learning model, processing the vision data using the trained machine learning model to generate output defining one or more spatial affordances for an object captured by the vision data, and controlling one or more actuators of a robot based on the generated output. Various implementations additionally or alternatively relate to training such a machine learning model.

Abstract: An example method may include receiving, from a client computing device, an indication of a target drop-off spot for an object within a first virtual model of a first region of a delivery destination. A second virtual model of a second region of the delivery destination may be determined based on sensor data received from one or more sensors on a delivery vehicle. A mapping may be determined between physical features represented in the first virtual model and physical features represented in the second virtual model to determine an overlapping region between the first and second virtual models. A position of the target drop-off spot within the second virtual model may be determined based on the overlapping region. Based on the position of the target drop-off spot within the second virtual model, the delivery vehicle may be navigated to the target drop-off spot to drop off the object.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving image data captured by a sensor on a robotic device. The robotic device is in a warehouse, including multiple inventory items stored at storage locations in the warehouse. Each inventory item has an on-item identifier that identifies it in a warehouse management system (WMS), each storage location has a storage-location identifier that identifies it in the WMS, and a first on-item identifier for a first inventory item is associated in the WMS with a first storage-location identifier for a first storage location. The method includes analyzing the received sensor data to detect an identifier captured by the sensor. The detected identifier includes one or both of the first on-item identifier and the first storage-location identifier. The method includes determining a warehouse location associated with the detected identifier and, based on the warehouse location, determining a location of the robotic device within the warehouse.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to arrays of piezoelectric strands. Some implementations are directed to using an array of piezoelectric strands, along with associated driving and sensing components, to enable determination of one or more properties of external force(s) applied to the array, such as what areas of the array have external force being applied, a measure of the applied external force(s), material properties of object(s) applying the external force(s), etc. Each of the piezoelectric strands of an array may include at least a longitudinally extending piezoelectric material and a longitudinally extending conductive electrode.

Abstract: In example embodiments, a discrete torque limiter is described that includes a first cylindrical member including grooves along a longitudinal surface of the first cylindrical member. The discrete torque limiter includes a second cylindrical member arranged concentrically with the first cylindrical member. The second cylindrical member can be adapted to move independently around the first cylindrical member. The second cylindrical member can include flexural spokes with teeth that engage the grooves along the first cylindrical member when no torque is applied and that disengage from the grooves when a torque that exceeds a threshold torque is applied to the first cylindrical member or second cylindrical member.

Abstract: A system for estimating aerial vehicle status includes an aerial vehicle, a computing device, and a wireless communication link that communicatively couples the aerial vehicle and the computing device. The aerial vehicle includes a sensor that outputs telemetry data. The computing device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to retrieve the telemetry data from the sensor via the wireless communication link, execute an estimation algorithm based at least in part on the telemetry data, and determine a state of the aerial vehicle based on a result of the estimation algorithm.

Abstract: A light emitting device that includes: a plurality of light emitting elements arranged at different locations in a common plane, each light emitting element including: at least one layer of a semiconductor material; a first electrical terminal located at a first location; a second electrical terminal located at a second location; and a third electrical terminal located at a third location; a first electrode layer including one or more electrodes; a second electrode layer including one or more electrodes; a third electrode layer including one or more electrodes; a first electrically insulating layer disposed between the plurality of light emitting elements and also disposed between the first and second electrode layers; and a second electrically insulating layer disposed between the plurality of light emitting elements and also disposed between the second and third electrode layers.

Abstract: A device includes a first multi-element image sensor; a second multi-element image sensor; and a polarizing layer positioned between the first and second multi-element image sensors. A portion of light having a first polarization state incident on the device along a first direction is transmitted through the first image sensor, is transmitted through the polarizing layer, and is detected by the second image sensor, and light having a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state incident on the device along the first direction is transmitted through the first image sensor, is blocked by the polarizing layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for forecasting power usage of an aerial vehicle. An illustrative system includes an aerial vehicle including at least one component, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the aerial vehicle. The computing device includes a processor and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to receive power consumption data corresponding to the at least one component, and generate a simulation model of power usage based on the power consumption data corresponding to the at least one component.

Abstract: A system for controlling an aerial vehicle includes an aerial vehicle, a ballast coupled to the aerial vehicle, a server including a processor and a memory, and a wireless communication link that communicatively couples the aerial vehicle and the server. the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the server to receive weather data, determine, based on the weather data, that the aerial vehicle is experiencing, or is expected to experience, weather that satisfies a predetermined criterion, and cause the aerial vehicle to decouple at least a portion of the ballast based on a result of the determination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image based localization for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for navigating a UAV includes: flying a UAV along a flight path; acquiring an image of a ground area along the flight path with a camera carried by the UAV; and sending the image to a base station. The method further includes receiving navigation data from the base station, based upon a comparison of the image of the ground area to at least one terrestrial map of the flight path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing power of an aerial vehicle, an illustrative system including an aerial vehicle including a power storage module and a plurality of components, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the aerial vehicle, the computing device including a processor and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to receive data indicating a state of charge of the power storage module, receive data indicating a rate of power consumption of the plurality of components, receive a goal, generate, based on at least one of the state of charge of the power storage module, the rate of power consumption of the plurality of components, and the goal, a power command, and transmit the power command to the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A system for managing power of an aerial vehicle, the system including an aerial vehicle including a power storage module and at least one component, a computing device communicatively coupled to the aerial vehicle, the computing device including a processor and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to receive data indicating a state of charge of the power storage module, receive data indicating a rate of power consumption of the at least one component, generate, based on at least one of the state of charge of the power storage module or the rate of power consumption of the at least one component, a power command, and transmit the power command to the aerial vehicle.