Abstract: An example method includes determining a depth map of at least one static surface of a building, where the depth map includes a plurality of surface contours. The method further includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors on a robotic device that is located in the building. The method also includes determining a plurality of respective distances between the robotic device and a plurality of respective detected points on the at least one static surface of the building. The method additionally includes identifying at least one surface contour that includes the plurality of respective detected points. The method further includes determining a position of the robotic device in the building that aligns the at least one identified surface contour with at least one corresponding surface contour in the depth map.

Abstract: A display tile for arranging with other display tiles to form a multi-tile display includes display pixels in an active display area, pixel tape sections, and a transparent layer. The pixel tape sections surround the display pixels. Each pixel tape section overlaps an adjacent pixel tape section and is overlapped by another adjacent pixel tape section disposed opposite the adjacent pixel tape section. Each pixel tape section includes a pixel array. The transparent layer is disposed over the display pixels and the pixel arrays of the pixel tape sections. The display pixels and the pixel arrays are arranged to display an overall image of the display tile.

Abstract: An example robotic chassis may include a frame including a first side member and a second side member connected by a transverse member near respective first ends of first side member and the second side member. The robotic chassis may also include a rigid case having a mounting point for a tablet computer. The rigid case may be rotatably coupled between the side members near respective second ends of the side members. The robotic chassis may further include a first arm and a second arm having respective distal ends and respective proximal ends. Respective proximal ends of the first arm and the second arm may be rotatably coupled to the frame near opposite respective first ends of the first side member and the second side member. In addition, the robotic chassis may include a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the frame.

Abstract: Example systems and methods are disclosed for limiting capabilities of a robot during teleoperation based on a network connection strength. The method may include determining tiers of operations that can be performed by a robot. One or more network strength thresholds corresponding to one or more of the tiers of operations of the robot may also be determined. The robot may then measure the network strength for the communication network between the robot and a remote control system. Based on the measured network strength and the determined network strength thresholds, one or more of the tiers of operations may be enabled for selection by the remote control system. The robot may determine network strength based on network latency and/or packet loss rate. The robot may provide a notification to the remote control system about the disabling of a previously enabled tier of operations due to decreased network strength.

Abstract: Disclosed are robotic systems, methods, bipedal robot devices, and computer-readable mediums. For example, a robotic system may include a robotic leg connected to a main body and a robotic foot. A robotic sole joint may be connected to the robotic leg, where the robotic sole joint is located at a sole of the robotic foot. The robotic leg and the robotic foot may be movable around an axis of rotation defined by the robotic sole joint. A movement around the axis may cause a ZMP to shift from a first location to a second location in the robotic foot. A measure of force applied by the robotic sole joint around the axis may be approximately equal to zero.

Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to web interfaces for a balloon-network. For example, a computing device may display a graphical interface that that includes one or more interface features to receive a request for use of bandwidth of a balloon network. In particular, the computing device may receive, via the graphical interface, input data corresponding to a bandwidth request for a first location, where the bandwidth request includes: (i) an indication of the first location and (ii) an indication of time. Subsequently, the computing device may receive an indication corresponding to whether or not the bandwidth request is accepted, where acceptance of the bandwidth request is based at least in part on expected movement of one or more balloons from a plurality of balloons in the balloon network. As such, the computing device may display, on the graphical interface, the indication corresponding to whether or not the bandwidth request is accepted.

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to methods and systems for disturbing or deceiving sensors of robotic devices. Accordingly, a computing system may detect that a robotic device has entered a particular physical region. Responsively, the computing system may then determine at least one type of sensor that is associated with the robotic device and is used to detect reflected illumination that is reflected from an object. Based on the determined at least one type of sensor, the computing system may then select (i) at least one particular type of disturbing illumination and (ii) a target location within the particular physical region. Upon the selection, the computing system may direct at least one light source to emit the selected at least one particular type of disturbing illumination towards the selected target location so as to disturb the reflected illumination detectable by the robotic device using the at least one type of sensor.

Abstract: A method may involve winding a stator of a motor having m phases, wherein the stator includes n teeth. The method may include winding a wire around a first tooth of the stator and winding the wire around a second tooth of the stator, wherein the second tooth is ( n 2 ? m - 1 ) teeth from the first tooth. The method may also include winding the wire around a third tooth of the stator, wherein the third tooth is [ ( m - 1 ) * ( n 2 ? m ) ] + 1 teeth from the second tooth. The method may also include winding the wire around a fourth tooth of the stator, wherein the fourth tooth is ( n 2 ? m - 1 ) teeth from the third tooth. The method may also include winding the wire around a fifth tooth of the stator, wherein the fifth tooth is [ ( m - 1 ) * ( n 2 ? m ) ] + 2 teeth from the fourth tooth.

Abstract: A method for matching a ground station to an aerial vehicle for establishment of a backhaul link to an airborne network involves: (i) determining location information for a ground station that is configured to provide a backhaul link to an airborne mesh network, (ii) determining flight data for one or more of the aerial vehicles in the airborne mesh network, (iii) based at least in part on the combination of (a) the location information for the ground station and (b) the flight data for the one or more of the aerial vehicles, selecting a flight with which the ground station should establish a backhaul link to the airborne network, and (iv) generating a link-assignment message that comprises instructions for the ground station to establish a backhaul link between the ground station and an aerial vehicle carrying out the selected flight.

Abstract: A system and method of driving images on displays includes receiving image content in a processing unit. When a peak data condition is identified, pixel rows of at least one display are updated in a non-sequential order in response to identifying the peak data condition.

Abstract: A balloon system is provided including a balloon envelope, a payload secured to the balloon envelope, a first parachute positioned within a parachute container, the parachute container secured to the payload, a first bridle line having a first end secured to the balloon system and a second end secured to the parachute container, a controller positioned on the balloon system, wherein when the controller receives a signal to deploy the parachute container, the controller is operable to cause the parachute container to be released downwardly from the payload.

Abstract: Multirobotic management can involve communications between a command or leader robot and one or more client or follower robots through a cloud computing system. In an example implementation, a leader robot can receive first sensory data captured by a first follower robot and second sensory data captured by a second follower robot, determine a command function based on at least one of the first sensory data and the second sensory data, and communicate with at least one of the first follower robot and the second follower robot based on the command function.

Abstract: A method of wirelessly communicating a screen image between a mobile device and a base station coupled to a display terminal includes establishing a wireless display session between the mobile device and the base station. Electromagnetic (“EM”) radiation emitted from the base station is incident upon an antenna of the mobile device. The screen image is transmitted to the base station for display on the display terminal by modulating a radar cross-section of the mobile device between two or more states to encode the screen image on a backscatter channel of the EM radiation.

Abstract: A multi-domain liquid crystal pixel array includes two substrate layers and liquid crystal disposed between the two substrate layers. The multi-domain liquid crystal pixel array also includes at least one alignment layer having four or more alignment zones across the multi-domain liquid crystal pixel array. Each alignment zone has a different pre-tilt liquid crystal orientation than the other alignment zones. The alignment zones are configured to generate divergent image light with respect to a center of the multi-domain liquid crystal pixel array.

Abstract: Described herein is a control system that facilitates assistance mode(s). In particular, the control system may determine a particular assistance mode associated with an account. This particular assistance mode may specify (i) operations for an aerial vehicle to carry out in order to obtain sensor data providing environment information corresponding to a location associated with the account and (ii) feedback processes to provide feedback, via a feedback system associated with the account, that corresponds to respective environment information. The control system may transmit to the aerial vehicle an indication of the particular operations corresponding to the particular assistance mode and may then receive environment information for the location associated with the account. Based on the received environment information, the control system may apply the specified feedback processes to initiate feedback in accordance with the particular assistance mode via the associated feedback system.

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to a robotic system that provides feedback. The robotic system is configured to receive information related to a path in an environment of the robotic system. The robotic system is also configured to initiate a recording process for storing data related to motion of a component in the environment. The robotic system is additionally configured to detect, during the recording process, movement of the component along the path in the environment, where the movement results from application of an external force to the robotic system. The robotic system is further configured to determine, during the recording process, deviation of the movement away from the path by at least a threshold amount and responsively provide feedback including one or more of (i) resisting the deviation of the movement away from the path and (ii) guiding the at least one component back towards the path.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for using radio frequency (RF) signals with different beam widths for purposes of balloon-to-balloon communication are described. One example method includes determining a vertical angle between a first balloon and a second balloon, if the vertical angle is below a threshold angle, communicating with the second balloon using a narrow beam RF signal from a communication system of the first balloon, and if the vertical angle is not below the threshold angle, communicating with the second balloon using a wide beam RF signal from the communication system of the first balloon.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an example motor system. The motor system includes a steering motor with a first rotor positioned within a first stator. The steering motor is configured to rotate the first rotor about a steering axis. The motor system also includes a traction motor including a second stator positioned within a second rotor. The second rotor includes a traction surface defining a wheel. The traction motor is configured to rotate the second rotor about a rolling axis, and the traction motor is positioned within an opening in the first rotor. The motor system also includes an axle positioned coaxial to the second rotor and coupled to the first rotor such that the traction motor rotates about the steering axis as the steering motor rotates the first rotor about the steering axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for altitude control of a high-altitude balloon. A bladder or ballonet is provided within an envelope of a balloon. The bladder is tubular-shaped, is inflatable, and is foldable for insertion into the balloon prior to performing a final seam on the balloon. To stabilize the bladder, the bladder may be attachable to one or more interior surfaces of the envelope with one or more ropes.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to fabricating balloon envelopes for high-altitude balloons. One or more segments of reinforcing tape are applied to gore segments of the balloon envelope. The segments are arranged in a ring to circumscribe an upper portion of the balloon envelope, and may be affixed by a pressure sensitive adhesive. Should a catastrophic failure of the balloon envelope occur, the reinforcing tape acts as a ripstop to prevent a tear from extending upward toward the apex of the balloon envelope. Tendons secured to the apex and to a base of the balloon envelope are configured to keep the top film of the envelope in a parachute configuration in the event of a catastrophic failure. The reinforcing tape is positioned above an equator of the balloon envelope, for instance approximately ? of the distance down from the apex to the base of the envelope.