Abstract: A robot control method of controlling a robot that has a flexible module including ‘n’ first nodes participating in pan motion and ‘n’ second nodes participating in tilt motion may include: measuring a translational motion distance, a pan motion angle, and a tilt motion angle of the flexible module; calculating state vectors of the ‘n’ first nodes and the ‘n’ second nodes using the measured translational motion distance; calculating operating angle distribution rates of the ‘n’ first nodes and operating angle distribution rates of the ‘n’ second nodes using the calculated state vectors of the ‘n’ first nodes and the calculated state vectors of the ‘n’ second nodes; and/or calculating operating angles of the ‘n’ first nodes and operating angles of the ‘n’ second nodes using the calculated operating angle distribution rates and the measured pan motion angle and tilt motion angle.

Abstract: A joint torque computing unit computes joint torque T1 necessary to set a joint angle ? of a joint to a target joint angle ra. A summing unit obtains a sum value U1 representing a sum of generated force command values ue1 and uf1 as to mono-articular driving actuators, based on target stiffness rs of the joint. An elastic torque computing unit obtains elastic torque TPC1 according to elasticity of the mono-articular driving actuators acting on the joint. A restricting unit restricts the total value of the joint torque T1 and the elastic torque TPC1, so as to satisfy restriction conditions of |T1+TPC1|<U1×r, where r represents the moment arm radius of the link. A generated force computing unit computes the generated force command values ue1 and uf1 of the mono-articular driving actuators, based on the total value (T1+TPC1) restricted by the restricting unit.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for determining real time traffic conditions. A candidate road is divided into road segments by perpendicular bisectors. A spatial sliding window is positioned over at least a portion of a road segment, wherein the spatial sliding window corresponds to a front end of the road segment in a direction of travel of the road segment. Real time probe data is received from mobile devices in probe vehicles or on travelers of the at least portion of the road segment within the spatial sliding window. The real time probe data is analyzed, and a computer program assists in determining the real time traffic conditions of the at least portion of the road segment within the spatial sliding window. Based on the analysis, the real time traffic conditions are reported.

Abstract: An in-vehicle system and method for selecting and displaying on a roadmap upcoming waypoints and associated information, including an estimated time to arrival at the waypoints. In an embodiment, driving history is stored and analyzed, including routes taken and previous destinations, and used to determine and display personalized waypoints.

Abstract: A neuromuscular model-based controller for a robotic limb having at least one joint includes a neuromuscular model having a muscle model, muscle geometry and reflex feedback loop to determine at least one torque or impedance command to be sent to the robotic limb. One or more parameters that determine relation between feedback data and activation of the muscle model are adjusted consequent to sensory data from at least one of an intrinsic sensor and an extrinsic sensor. A controller in communication with the neuromuscular model is configured to receive the at least one torque or impedance command and controls at least one of position, torque and impedance of the robotic limb joint.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for carpet drift estimation are disclosed. In certain implementations, a robotic device includes an actuator system to move the body across a surface. A first set of sensors can sense an actuation characteristic of the actuator system. For example, the first set of sensors can include odometry sensors for sensing wheel rotations of the actuator system. A second set of sensors can sense a motion characteristic of the body. The first set of sensors may be a different type of sensor than the second set of sensors. A controller can estimate carpet drift based at least on the actuation characteristic sensed by the first set of sensors and the motion characteristic sensed by the second set of sensors.

Abstract: A multi-joint robot having a function for estimating an amount of decrease in inner pressure of a gas spring, by means of a simple and low-cost structure, and a method for estimating the amount of decrease in inner pressure of the gas spring. The gas pressure within a cylinder of the gas spring decreases in connection with the motion of a lower arm associated with the gas spring. In the present invention, an amount of decrease in inner pressure within the gas spring is estimated by using a current value of a servomotor, in view of the finding that the amount of decrease in inner pressure is generally proportional to an amount of decrease in torque, and the torque generated by the servomotor can be calculated based on the current value of the servomotor.

Abstract: First and second microcomputers are connected to a ground. A first reference voltage generation circuit is connected between a first power supply and the first microcomputer, and supplies a first reference voltage to the first microcomputer when voltage of the first power supply is higher than the first reference voltage. A first monitoring circuit is connected between a second power supply and the first microcomputer, and supplies the first microcomputer with a first monitoring voltage for monitoring the second power supply. The first microcomputer includes a part configured to perform an operation based on the supplied first reference voltage and the supplied first monitoring voltage, wherein the operation includes detecting abnormality in the voltages of the first and second power supplies, and determining which one of the voltage of the first power supply and the voltage of the second power supply is abnormal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical work station which has a medical technology apparatus and a patient support device. The medical technology apparatus includes a medical technology device and at least one first robot, which has a first robot arm, having a plurality of members and a first control device that controls a motion of the first robot arm. The medical technology device is attached to a first attaching device of the first robot arm. The patient support device includes a patient table and a second robot, which has a second robot arm having a plurality of members, and a second control device that controls a motion of the second robot arm. The patient table is attached to a second attaching device of the second robot arm.

Abstract: A method and system for calculating an energy efficient route is disclosed. A route calculation application calculates one or more routes from an origin to a destination. For each of the routes, the route calculation application uses impedance factor data associated with each segment in the route. The impedance factor is calculated using probe data when the probe data is available for a road segment. When probe data is unavailable, the impedance factor is calculated using machine learning techniques that analyze the results of the impedance factor classifications for road segments having probe data.

Abstract: A robot control method includes a first step of selecting a holding form in which a robot holds an object and a second step of determining whether the object can continue to be stably held when a predetermined external force is applied to the object in the selected holding form. In the second step, it is determined that the object can continue to be stably held when a force which should be generated by a contact portion to generate resistance to the predetermined external force is included in a friction cone of a force generated by driving the contact portion and enlarged by a suction force from the suction mechanism.

Abstract: To realize a force control robot including a force sensor having a high sensitivity and a high rigidity, an end effector (1) including finger modules (100) for gripping a part is coupled to a robotic arm (3) through the intermediation of a force sensor (2), and the force sensor (2) detects an external force applied to the finger modules (100) based on displacement of the end effector (1) that occurs with a rotation center (C) on a longitudinal axis (Z) of the robotic arm (3) as a fulcrum, to thereby correct an operation of the robotic arm (3). An end effector housing (109) supports motors (105) for driving the finger modules (100) at a position on the robotic arm side with respect to the rotation center (C) of the force sensor (2). Accordingly, the rigidity of the sensor can be increased.

Abstract: An aircraft system includes a deviation module and a visual display. The deviation module is configured to receive a flight plan with a flight segment to a waypoint, the flight plan including a lateral profile, a vertical profile, and a time profile, the time profile including a predetermined time of arrival associated with the waypoint, receive a current lateral position and a current altitude, estimate an estimated time of arrival associated with the waypoint, compare the current lateral position to the lateral profile to generate lateral deviation, compare the current altitude to the vertical profile to generate vertical deviation, and compare the predetermined time of arrival to the estimated time of arrival to generate time deviation. The visual display is coupled to the deviation module and configured to display deviation symbology representing the lateral deviation, the vertical deviation, and the time deviation.

Abstract: Map information is exchanged between communication devices. A map of a geographical area is received. The map includes embedded interactive links that graphically represent points of interest within the geographical area. An embedded interactive link that graphically represents at least one point of interest is highlighted within the map. Responsive to selection of another embedded interactive link within the map that graphically represents another point of interest within the geographical area, the other embedded link within the map is highlighted. The map is transmitted, with the other embedded interactive link that graphically represents the other point of interest highlighted.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for determining an efficient robot-base position. The method includes receiving available robot-base positions and determining valid robot-base positions from the available robot-base positions. The method includes generating for the valid robot-base positions respective directed graphs providing a plurality of robotic-paths. The method includes determining the shortest robotic-path between start and end nodes. The method includes determining and storing the efficient robot-base position from the valid robot-base positions, wherein the efficient robot-base position has the shortest, collision-free robotic-path between start and end nodes.

Abstract: A robot system includes a crane unit, a crane moving mechanism, a robot, and a controller. The crane unit is to suspend a workpiece. The crane unit moves in a horizontal direction via the crane moving mechanism. The robot is to move the crane unit in the horizontal direction via the crane moving mechanism. The controller is configured to control the crane unit to move upwardly to suspend the workpiece after controlling the robot to bring the crane unit into an engaging state in which the crane unit engages with the workpiece located at a first position. The controller is configured to control the crane unit suspending the workpiece to move downwardly to place the workpiece at a second position after controlling the robot to move the crane unit toward the second position while the crane unit suspends the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for positioning a user inside a building, wherein the user has a user carried device and the device is provided with a direction sensor and a movement sensor. The method includes providing the user carried device with a vector map of the building, wherein the vector map includes vectors and nodes representing possible movement paths for the user in the building; determining a starting point in the vector map, receiving movement information from the movement sensor, receiving direction information from the direction sensor, receiving a magnetic field map at the user carried device, wherein the magnetic field is detectable by the user carried device, and estimating a new position of the user based on the vector map, the movement information, the direction information and the property map.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking system for tracking a position of at least one vehicle of a plurality of vehicles within a region, includes a plurality of identifiers, an imaging device, and a controller. At least one of the identifiers is provided on each of the vehicles. The imaging device is configured to generate image data including (i) region data representative of the region and (ii) identifier data representative of the identifiers located in the region. The controller is configured (i) to process the identifier data to generate position data representative of a position of each of the identifiers within the region, (ii) to process the identifier data to generate identification data that are unique to each identifier, and (iii) to output at least one of the image data, the position data, and the identification data to a monitor.

Abstract: A driving assist device includes a first control portion that controls a vehicle to carry out automated driving, and a second control portion that controls the vehicle to make a shift to manual driving, in which the vehicle travels on a basis of an driving operation by a driver, when canceling the automated driving, and changes a manner of canceling the automated driving in accordance with an elapsed time from a start of the automated driving.

Abstract: A transmission control system for a vehicle includes a transmission control module (TCM), a solenoid valve, a pressure regulator valve, and a transmission element. The TCM includes a control algorithm providing output signals to valve drive electronics, where the valve drive electronics supply current to the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve controls an output pressure located in a passage between the pressure regulator valve and the transmission element. During an engine start-up condition of the vehicle, the control algorithm of the TCM includes control logic for activating a solenoid adjustment algorithm. The solenoid adjustment algorithm decreases the sensitivity of the valve drive electronics when supplying current to the solenoid valve. The solenoid adjustment algorithm is activated for a predetermined amount of time after engine start-up, and is then terminated.