Abstract: A laser device includes: a substrate formed from material transparent at a laser wavelength; a first reflecting layer to reflect at least some incident radiation at the laser wavelength; a layer including a gain medium for providing stimulated emission of radiation at the laser wavelength, and positioned between the first reflecting layer and the substrate; a second reflecting layer on an opposite side of the substrate from the first reflecting layer to reflect at least some incident radiation at the laser wavelength; a spatial light modulator in an optical cavity comprising the first and second reflecting layers, and comprising an array of elements each corresponding to a different path for radiation in the optical cavity; and a computer controller that, during operation, causes the spatial light modulator to selectively vary an intensity or phase of radiation in the optical cavity to provide variable transverse spatial mode output of the radiation.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms to form a reinforcement structure including dirt processed during drilling of a tunnel. In an embodiment, a device includes a drill head to drill an underground tunnel, where a housing of the device takes in dirt produced by such drilling. A mixer and other components of the device variously condition the dirt to produce a casing material that is subsequently provided to a compactor of the device. The compactor extrudes the casing material through a die. The extruded casing material is eliminated from the device to form a reinforcement structure at one or more sides of the tunnel. In another embodiment, a fiber optic cable is paid out from the device into the tunnel during the drilling, or is pulled into the tunnel by the device during the drilling.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to robotic operations libraries. An example library may include sets of operation instructions and other information for robotic devices to use to complete desired tasks. For instance, a respective set of operation instructions is determined based on successive simulations in which a virtual robotic device comprising an adjustable configuration initially based on the given configuration of a robotic device performs operations related to a task in an adjustable virtual environment until one or more simulations result in the virtual robotic device performing respective operations that complete the task at a success level that satisfies a predefined threshold. The library may provide a set of instructions for performing operations to a robotic device based on a query received from the robotic device that includes information indicative of a configuration and an environment of the robotic device.

Abstract: Examples relating to controlling extendable legs of a robotic device for use of a mechanical gripper are described herein. A robotic device may include one or more legs configured with a mechanical gripper coupled to the leg at a first position away from the distal end of the leg. The mechanical gripper may transition between the first position and a second position on the leg proximate to the distal end that enables the robotic device to use the mechanical gripper to perform grip operations. A control system of the robotic device may modify an orientation of the robotic device to at least position the robotic device on one or more legs other than the leg comprising the mechanical gripper, and transitions the mechanical gripper from the first position to the second position to perform the given grip operation of the input.

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to a computing device configured to operate a robotic system. In particular, the device receives input data that is generated by a hand-holdable controller including a knob, where the knob includes touch sensors arranged to detect touch on surfaces of the knob. Based on the input data, the device detects that the controller is within a first threshold distance from a first component of the robotic system and responsively operates the first component of the robotic system based on the input data. The device then receives subsequent input data that is generated by the controller. Based on the subsequent input data, the device subsequently detects that the controller is within a second threshold distance from a second component of the robotic system and responsively operates the second component of the robotic system based on the subsequent input data.

Abstract: In order to maximize cooling while minimizing drag in aerial vehicles of airborne wind turbines, it may be preferable to dissipate the cooling energy of the motors via a radiator in a region with advantageous airflow parameters. Aerial vehicle rotors operating in thrust mode may produce relatively more airflow velocity in certain regions further away from the center of the rotor blades, both radially and longitudinally. Placing a radiator in a rotor-supporting pylon and offset from the center of the rotor blades and aft of the rotor blades may allow for greater cooling while the aerial vehicle while in thrust mode.

Abstract: A balloon system including a balloon envelope and a ballonet positioned within the balloon envelope, and a plurality of internal panels extending within the balloon envelope between the ballonet and the balloon envelope, wherein the plurality of internal panels are attached to an outside of the ballonet and attached to an inside of the balloon envelope to support the ballonet within the balloon envelope during inflation of the ballonet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for an apex fitting for securing to a high altitude balloon. An example apparatus involves: (a) a base plate defining an opening, where the base plate is configured to be securable to an exterior of a balloon envelope, (b) at least one stud coupled to the base plate and configured to be securable to a tendon, (c) a retention ring defining at least one opening configured to receive the at least one stud, (d) a fill-port body defining a cavity, wherein a flange is coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the fill-port body is arranged coaxially with and extends through the opening of the base plate such that the flange lies adjacent to the bottom surface of the base plate, and (e) a locking body coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the locking body defines an opening arranged coaxially with the fill-port body.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may relate to power-line communication (PLC) systems that are suitable for high-voltage and electrically noisy applications. In one example system, PLC technology is used to carry data on at least one pair of conductors of a high-voltage (e.g., kilovolt) transmission line that is simultaneously used for power transmission. Further, in some instances, the transmission line may be part of a tether that connects an aerial vehicle to a ground station.

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to selection between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode may involve (i) directing an aerial vehicle (e.g., in an aerial network including a plurality of aerial vehicles) to navigate to each of a plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining respective wind-related data at each respective altitude. Whereas, the second mode may involve (i) selecting at least one altitude based on the determined wind-related data and (ii) directing the aerial vehicle to reposition to the at least one selected altitude. As such, a control system may determine flight data for the aerial vehicle. Based on the flight data, the control system may make a selection between the first mode and the second mode. And based on the selection, the control system may then operate the aerial vehicle according to the first mode or may operate the aerial vehicle according to the second mode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are implementations that relate to determining tactile information using encoders coupled to one or more fingers of a robotic gripping device. The robotic gripping device may include a finger. The finger may include a deformable front face, a base link, a first encoder, and a second encoder. The first encoder may be coupled to the base link of the finger, and configured to detect a grip angle of the finger while the robotic gripping device is gripping an object. The second encoder may be coupled to the deformable front face of the given finger, proximate to the base link of the finger. Additionally, the second encoder may be configured to detect a bend angle of the deformable front face of the finger while the robotic gripping device is gripping the object.

Abstract: Example methods and systems are disclosed for on-demand packaging of one or more items. According to one example, a method can include receiving an order for the item(s) and determining characteristic-information for the item(s) using a computer system. The characteristic-information includes an indication of at least a size and a shape of the item(s). The method also includes processing the characteristic-information based on design criteria to determine an arrangement of the item(s) within at least one container volume, and a configuration for a protective structure to hold the item(s) in the arrangement within the container volume(s). The method can further include, in response to the processing the characteristic-information, forming the protective structure according to the configuration, placing the item(s) into the protective structure according to the arrangement, and placing the protective structure and the item(s) in the container volume(s).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a balloon-based positioning system and method. In one example embodiment, a system includes a group of at least three balloons deployed in the stratosphere and a control system configured for: determining a first set of spatial relationships relating to the group; determining a second set of spatial relationships relating to at least a portion of the group and to a reference point; determining a position of the reference point relative to the earth; using the determined first set, the determined second set, and the determined position of the reference point relative to the earth as a basis for determining a position of a target balloon in the group relative to the earth; and transmitting the determined position of the target balloon relative to the earth.

Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to web interfaces for a balloon-network. For example, a computing device may display a graphical interface that provides information related to a balloon network configured to provide service in a geographic area, where the graphical interface includes a map. The computing device may receive real-time bandwidth data related to balloons in the balloon network, where the balloons are each configured to change position via altitudinal movement and via horizontal movement with respect to the ground. Based at least in part on the received real-time bandwidth data, the computing device may display, on the map, a visual representation of bandwidth information corresponding to one or more regions in the geographic area, where the visual representation of bandwidth information updates from time to time based at least in part on a change in position of one or more balloons in the balloon network.

Abstract: An example robotic device includes a mobile base and a base linkage. The base linkage has a first end and a second end where the first end is connected to the mobile base. The robotic device also includes a first end effector connected to the second end of the base linkage. The first end effector includes a shovel tool. The robotic device additionally includes an actuated control arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the actuated control arm is connected to the second end of the base linkage. The robotic device further includes a second end effector connected to the second end of the actuated control arm. The second end effector includes a sweeping tool. The actuated control arm is configured to move the sweeping tool to engage with the shovel tool to sweep one or more objects onto the shovel tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a wiring harness for an aerial vehicle. A wing of the aerial vehicle comprises a pocket for insertion of the wiring harness. The wiring harness provides wiring and associated connections capable to attach to and power various components.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for monitoring environmental conditions in one or more environments. In one embodiment, the method includes maintaining a plurality of environmental-condition thresholds, each of which corresponds to an environmental condition and is predetermined based on data corresponding to the environmental condition that is received from a plurality of robots. The method further includes receiving from a first robot first data corresponding to a first environmental condition in a first environment. The method may still further include making a first comparison of the first data and a first environmental-condition threshold corresponding to the first environmental condition and, based on the first comparison, triggering a notification. Triggering the notification may comprise transmitting to the robot instructions to transmit the notification to at least one of a call center and a remote device.

Abstract: An example robotic arm includes a base linkage and a first end effector connected to a second end of the base linkage through a first rotational joint. The robotic arm additionally includes a control arm. The control arm includes a first linkage and a second linkage, each having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first linkage is connected to the second end of the base linkage through a second rotational joint. The first end of the second linkage is connected to the second end of the first linkage through a third rotational joint. The control arm also includes a second end effector connected to the second end of the second linkage through a fourth rotational joint. The first, second, third, and fourth rotational joints are configured to rotate in or parallel to a first plane.

Abstract: A 3D printing process may form a 3D object by alternatingly forming layers from a liquid resin and a solid. For instance, when printing a 3D object, the 3D printer may at least partially cure a layer of liquid resin, and before the curing of the resin is complete, dip the semi-cured resin into a vat containing graphene powder so as to create a super strong 3D object. As another example, each semi-cured resin layer could be pressed into a vat of fiberglass such that the fiberglass is coupled to the semi-cured resin. The resin may then be allowed to finish curing before the next layer of resin is formed. In other embodiments, this process could be used to embed sensors in 3D printed objects.

Abstract: A balloon is provided having an exostructure comprised of hollow struts or rods and an envelope positioned over the exostructure, and a pump for pumping air out of the balloon to create an air pressure differential between the pressure inside the envelope and the atmospheric pressure outside the envelope, a control system configured to allow air to flow into the envelope to control the altitude of the balloon, and to operate the pump to pump air out of the envelope to control the altitude of the balloon, wherein the material of the envelope is arranged so as to sag between the struts or rods and form at least one catenary surface when there is an air pressure differential between the pressure inside of the balloon envelope and the atmospheric pressure outside the envelope.