Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes generating a wafer by generating an N-type semiconductor layer and an active region on the N-type semiconductor layer. The N-type semiconductor layer is located on a first side of the active layer. One or more oxidizing layers are generated along with a P-type semiconductor layer generated on a second, opposite side of the active layer. The wafer is etched to expose a surface of each oxidizing layer. Oxidation of a first region of each oxidizing layer is allowed, where a second region of each oxidizing layer remains non-oxidized.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer readable media are provided for generating updated robot actuator trajectories in response to violation of torque constraints and/or other constraints in previously generated robot actuator trajectories. A real-time trajectory generator is used to generate trajectories for actuators of a robot based on a current motion state of the actuators, a target motion state of the actuators, and kinematic motion constraints of the actuators. The generated trajectory of each of the actuators is analyzed to determine whether a violation of at least one additional constraint occurs. In response to determining violation(s) of the additional constraint, one or more new kinematic motion constraints of the actuators are determined based on the violation(s).

Abstract: An example modular reconfigurable workcell for quick connection of peripherals is described. In one example, a modular reconfigurable workcell comprises modular docking bays on a surface of the workcell that support attachment of docking modules in a fixed geometric configuration, and respective modular docking bays include electrical connections for a variety of power and communication busses of the docking modules to be attached. The workcell also includes an electrical subsystem for coupling the communication busses between the modular docking bays and providing power circuitry to the modular docking bays, and structural features in the modular docking bays to enable insertion of the docking modules in the fixed geometric configuration. The workcell also includes a processor for determining a geometric calibration of attached peripherals based on a location and the orientation of corresponding docking modules attached to the modular docking bays and based on an identification of the attached peripherals.

Abstract: An optical communication terminal is configured to operate in two different complementary modes of full duplex communication. In one mode, the terminal transmits light having a first wavelength and receives light having a second wavelength along a common free space optical path. In the other mode, the terminal transmits light having the second wavelength and receives light having the first wavelength. The terminal includes a steering mirror that directs light to and from a dichroic element that creates different optical paths depending on wavelength, and also includes spatially separated emitters and detectors for the two wavelengths. A first complementary emitter/detector pair is used in one mode, and a second pair is used for the other mode. The system also includes at least two ferrules. Each ferrule operates with a single emitter/detector pair. The ferrules are designed to operate interchangeably with either emitter/detector pair.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to roadmaps for mobile robotic devices are provided. A computing device can receive a roadmap. The roadmap can include an intersection between first and second edges. The computing device can determine a transition curve between the first and second edges and includes first, second, and third curve segments. The first and second curve segments can connect at a first curve junction point. The second and third curve segments can connect at a second curve junction point. The first and third curve segments each include a segment of an Euler spiral and the second curve segment can be a circular curve segment having a fixed radius. The computing device can update the roadmap by replacing the intersection between the first and second edges with the transition curve. The computing device can provide the updated roadmap.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an example device including a frame. The frame includes a body, a first fork extending from the body, and a second fork extending from the body. The device also includes a first wheel coupled to the first fork of the frame, a second wheel coupled to the second fork of the frame, and a third wheel coupled to the body of the frame. The device also includes at least one steering motor to rotate the first wheel about a first steering axis and the second wheel about a second steering axis. The device also includes a second steering motor to rotate the third wheel about a third steering axis, and a traction motor to rotate the third wheel about a rolling axis. The device also includes a controller configured to operate the at least one steering motor, the second steering motor, and the traction motor to cause the device to navigate within an environment.

Abstract: Examples described may enable consolidating pallets of items in a warehouse. An example method includes receiving real-time item information including pallet locations in a warehouse and inventory of items arranged on the pallets; based on the real-time item information, identifying a set of pallets of which at least one pallet includes less than a threshold quantity of a type of item; receiving real-time robotics information and determining, based on the real-time item and robotics information, an amount of time to condense the items on the set of pallets into a single pallet and a quantity of pallets that will become empty as a result of condensing the items; and, based on the amount of time being less than a threshold time and the quantity of pallets exceeding a threshold quantity of pallets, causing robotic devices to condense the items into the single pallet.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a fill port apparatus for filling high altitude balloons, such as those used in communications networks, with lighter than air lift gasses. For instance, the fill port apparatus includes a tubular body portion having a passageway extending between a first end and a second end of the tubular body portion. The fill port apparatus also includes an attachment structure arranged at the first end of the tubular body portion. This structure is configured to attach to a top plate of a balloon envelope. The fill port apparatus also includes a plurality of energy directing structures arranged on an interior surface of the tubular body portion. These energy directing structures extend into the passageway from the interior surface and are each configured to contact at least one other of the plurality of energy directing structures when the tubular body portion is welded to itself.

Abstract: Examples described may relate to methods and systems for gesture based switch for machine control. Some machines may be operated by computing devices that include touchscreens, and a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided for enabling control of the machines. Within examples, a disconnect switch can be incorporated into the GUI. As one example, to initiate operation of a machine, such as a robotic device, a user may be required to contact the touchscreen at a location and then trace out a pattern. To enable continued operation of the machine, the GUI may require the user to maintain contact with the touchscreen at a “goal” position. If contact with the touchscreen is broken (e.g., for more than a threshold amount of time), the machine operation may be halted, and the process to initiate operation can be performed again on the touchscreen to cause the machine to resume operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for projecting a light field. One light field projection system includes a screen and a projection unit. On the screen, there is a plurality of convex reflective elements arranged in a two-dimensional array. The projection unit has a light source. The projection unit also has a modulator to modulate light from the light source. The projection unit further has one or more movable mirrored elements to reflect light from the light source toward the screen to sequentially scan the plurality of convex reflective elements. The projection unit also has a control system that determines a light modulation scheme used by the modulator. The light modulation scheme provides that the light reflected from the light source toward the screen to sequentially scan the plurality of convex reflective elements forms a light field that is concurrently viewable from a plurality of perspectives.

Abstract: A method of making a solar cell assembly includes placing backsides of multiple solar cells in contact with a substrate. The solar cells are electrically connected to each other. Heat and pressure are applied to the solar cells and the substrate to simultaneously impress the solar cells into the substrate and bond the solar cells to the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may help to provide medical support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An illustrative UAV may include a housing, a payload, a line-deployment mechanism coupled to the housing and a line, and a payload-release mechanism that couples the line to the payload, wherein the payload-release mechanism is configured to release the payload from the line. The UAV may further include a control system configured to determine that the UAV is located at or near a delivery location and responsively: operate the line-deployment mechanism according to a variable deployment-rate profile to lower the payload to or near to the ground, determine that the payload is touching or is within a threshold distance from the ground, and responsively operate the payload-release mechanism to release the payload from the line.

Abstract: An example system includes: (i) a resin container defining a cavity; (ii) a plurality of rods extending from an inner base surface of the resin container and into the cavity; (iii) a plurality of light sources arranged to emit radiation into the plurality of rods, such that when the cavity contains liquid resin, radiation passing through a given one of the rods cures liquid resin that surrounds the given rod; and (iv) a control system configured to: (a) receive data specifying a three-dimensional structure; (b) determine a shape for a layer of a plurality of layers that collectively form the three-dimensional structure; and (c) determine one or more of the light sources that correspond to the shape of the layer; and (d) form the layer by operating the one or more determined light sources that correspond to the shape of the layer.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes at least a ground power unit, an aerial vehicle, and a power station. The ground power unit is configured to convert an input AC power into DC power output, wherein the ground power unit includes at least a first bus, second bus, and a third bus, wherein the first bus is configured to operate at a first voltage level referenced to the third bus, and wherein the second bus is configured to operate at a second voltage level referenced to the third bus that is different from the first voltage level. The aerial vehicle may include a plurality of motor-generators coupled to a respective plurality of turbines, wherein the plurality of motor-generators may be configured to be energized by power received from a tether.

Abstract: An example embodiment may involve receiving a request to provide unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based wireless coverage to a particular geographical location. Possibly in response to the request, a UAV may fly to the particular geographical location. A first wireless interface of the UAV may define a wireless coverage area that covers at least part of the particular geographical location. A second wireless interface of the UAV may establish a wireless backhaul link to a data network. The UAV may provide wireless data transfer services to at least one device in the particular geographical location, where the wireless data transfer services allow the device to exchange data communication with the data network via the UAV.

Abstract: A tether may include a core, a hybrid layer surrounding the core, and a jacket surrounding the hybrid layer. The hybrid layer may include a plurality of strength members, and a plurality of electrical conductor bundles. Each electrical conductor bundle of the plurality of electrical bundles may include a compliant element, a plurality of electrical conducting elements surrounding the compliant element, and an insulating layer surrounding the plurality of electrical conducting elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automated route discovery. A computing device can receive location data for designated actor(s) of a plurality of actors operating within an environment. The plurality of actors can also include a robotic device. The computing device can determine a route network of paths taken by the designated actor(s) within the environment, where the route network includes information about frequencies of paths taken by the designated actor(s) based on the location data. The computing device can receive a starting location and a destination location for the robotic device. The computing device can select a selected path from the starting location to the destination location based on the route network taken by the designated actor(s). The computing device can provide an instruction to the robotic device to use the selected path to travel from the starting location to the destination location.

Abstract: A computing system may obtain, for each vehicle of a plurality of vehicles located within a location area, navigation data that indicates a travel route for the vehicle. Based on the navigation data for the plurality of vehicles, the computing system determines a subset of the plurality of vehicles that are within a threshold distance of each other and have respective travel routes that at least partially overlap. The computing system selects, based on a set of selection parameters, two or more vehicles among the subset of vehicles to form a platoon of vehicles that travel in a coordinated arrangement in proximity to each other during at least a portion of the respective travel routes of the selected vehicles. The computing system can direct the selected vehicles to form the platoon of vehicles.

Abstract: A method including introducing seawater into an electrodialysis unit including at least one cell including a basified solution compartment, a bipolar membrane, an acidified solution compartment and an anion exchange membrane; acidifying the seawater; removing acidified seawater from the acidified solution compartment; removing CO2 from the acidified seawater to form a decarbonized seawater; introducing the decarbonized seawater into the basified solution compartment of the electrodialysis unit.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving, by a mobile robotic device, power from a battery of a first battery pack in order to operate within an environment. The method further includes establishing a first data channel between the mobile robotic device and the first battery pack. The method also includes using the first data channel to transfer sensor data acquired by the mobile robotic device during operation to a local data storage component of the first battery pack. The method additionally includes navigating, by the mobile robotic device, to a battery exchange station to transfer the first battery pack containing the battery and the local data storage component with the sensor data to the battery exchange station. The method further includes after transferring the first battery pack to the battery exchange station, receiving a second battery pack from the battery exchange station to continue operation within the environment.