Abstract: A construction machine includes a control device having a reaction-force correction control section. When a difference between a target operator input and an actual operator input for a front member exceeds a preset range, the reaction-force correction control section executes correction to increase an operation reaction force to be applied by a reaction-force applying device to an operating unit operating an actuator driving the front member. When the difference falls within the range, the reaction-force correction control section executes correction to decrease the operation reaction force to be applied by the reaction-force applying device to the operating unit operating the actuator driving the front member.

Abstract: A system and method for cognitive risk mitigation are presented. Embodiments comprise journey prediction, parsing of data sources, risk assessment and mitigation, and natural-language user interaction by a cognitive processor. Data is gathered from a plurality of data sources and analyzed in the context of one or more of the user's intention(s). A dialogue with the user, in natural language, aims to provide and select one or more suggestions relating to the one or more user intention(s) such that the risk(s) relating to the one or more user's intention(s) is reduced. During the dialogue, cognitive reasoning may be performed, wherein the cognitive reasoning includes the ability to justify each suggestion and the ability to infer information from the interaction such as, for example, data obtained in a dialogue may inform subsequent inferences. The embodiments may use speech synthesis and speech recognition in an interactive spoken dialogue.

Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a navigation unit, and corresponding method therein, for providing navigation instructions for an autonomous vehicle configured to be in an autonomous driving mode while in a certified autonomous road. The navigation unit is first configured to determine the autonomous vehicle is driving in an unplanned route or that the autonomous vehicle is deviating from a planned route. Thereafter, a trigger for routing the autonomous vehicle to a certified autonomous road is identified. The trigger is based on at least one of a current location, a time and date, a driving history or a calendar event. After the determination and identification previously described is performed, the vehicle is navigated to the certified autonomous road. Upon entering the road, and therefore being in an autonomous driving mode, a display screen will engage the driver so that the driver may input route planning information.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform brake sweeping procedures on vehicle brakes are described herein. An example apparatus includes a controller to determine when a vehicle has made a turn, compare an angle at which the vehicle has turned to an angle threshold, and schedule a brake sweeping procedure based on the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a center of gravity of a vehicle on a display associated with the vehicle are provided. The method includes: determining an initial value of a center of gravity prior to a start of a journey, and receiving a value for a consumption of a fuel for the journey; determining, by a processor, a change in the center of gravity at each waypoint based on the initial value and the fuel consumed; generating a first user interface that illustrates the center of gravity at the waypoints over the journey and that illustrates that the change in the center of gravity exceeds a predefined threshold; based on the change in the center of gravity exceeding the predefined threshold, generating, a second user interface that provides a selection to bring the center of gravity below the predefined threshold; and updating the first user interface based on the selection.

Abstract: A System and Method for Driver Risk Assessment through Continuous Performance Monitoring. The system and method analyzes the full sensor data stream emanating from a vehicle when being driven. The system and method is configurable to rely upon either onboard sensors or the user's smartphone to alert the data capture systems that a driving trip has started or stopped. The system relies on the data contained within the stream to generate the driver's score, rather than upon events resulting from the sensors exceeding a threshold value. The method takes the flow of data and generate scores for sub-sets of the data stream of a standard length so that each user's driving performance can be compared to other drivers being monitored by the method and system.

Abstract: A power control system for a vehicle system identifies coupler nodes in the vehicle system for travel of the vehicle system along a route. The coupler nodes represent slack states of couplers between vehicles in the vehicle system. The system also determines combined driving parameters at locations along the route where a state of the coupler nodes in the vehicle system will change within the vehicle system during the upcoming movement of the vehicle system. The system determines a restriction on operations of the vehicle system to control the coupler nodes during the upcoming movement of the vehicle system and to distribute the combined driving parameters among two or more of the vehicles.

Abstract: A parking assistance device that performs parking assistance when parking a vehicle in a parking area, includes: a speed calculation unit that calculates a first target vehicle speed for each control cycle indicating a cycle for calculating a target vehicle speed set as a target of a vehicle speed of the vehicle based on a target distance for the vehicle to move to a target position and the control cycle, the target position being included in the parking area; and a control unit that controls the vehicle such that the vehicle speed becomes the calculated first target vehicle speed for each control cycle.

Abstract: A control system for a power steering system includes an error module that generates an error signal based on a difference of an estimated output vector and an output vector, a scaling module that calculates a feedback correction signal based on the error signal and an observer gain value, an extended state vector estimation module that determines an extended state vector estimate based on the feedback correction signal and a motor torque command, and a gain module that applies a gain to the extended state vector estimate to generate an estimated driver torque signal, the estimated driver torque signal is applied in control of the power steering system.

Abstract: An electronic start system for an agricultural machine is configured to enable the machine to stop the engine while continuing to power onboard electronics and start the engine so long as one or more sensed conditions are met. The system can include a key lock operated by a physical key held by an operator and a button which can be pressed by the operator. The system can also include one or more sensors disposed on the machine for detecting various conditions. When the key is turned on, power can be provided to the onboard electronics, regardless of the state of the engine. Thereafter, when the button is pressed, the engine can be turned on if the one or more sensed conditions are satisfied, such as detecting a closed door, an operator in a seat, an activated brake, and so forth.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a current object position module, an expected position module, and an object position comparison module. The current object position module can determine a first position of an object with respect to a position of a vehicle based upon sensor data generated by a first object detection sensor within the vehicle and determines a second position of the object with respect to the position of the vehicle based upon sensor data generated by a second object detection sensor. The expected object position module can determine an expected position of the object with respect to the position of the vehicle based upon the first position of the object. The object position comparison module can determine whether at least one object detection sensor is improperly installed within the vehicle based upon comparing the second position of the object with the expected position.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for providing and deploying a power harvesting drone are described herein. A power harvesting drone includes a motor assembly; an energy replenishment coupler; a processor communicatively coupled to the energy replenishment coupler; and a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the processor to: operate the power harvesting drone to navigate a predetermined path; determine that a power supply used to operate the power harvesting drone is below a threshold of remaining power; identify an opportunistic energy source; and deviate from the predetermined path to replenish at least a portion of the power supply from the opportunistic energy source using the energy replenishment coupler onboard the power harvesting drone.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for monitoring a moving vessel using a detachable drone coupled to the moving vessel. An event is identified that triggers detachment of the detachable drone from the moving vessel. The detachable drone is detached from the moving vessel. The detachable drone is moved to a predetermined location. A beacon based on beacon data is transmitted from the detachable drone. In response to the detachable drone receiving a request for the data, data collected from monitoring the moving vessel is delivered.

Abstract: This vehicle monitoring system provides a plurality of sensors in the vehicle recording performance of the vehicle. A processor (remote or on-board) receives data from the sensors. The processor classifies the data from the at least one sensor as an event in one of a plurality of classifications. The processor associates at least one parameter with the classification.

Abstract: A method for controlling a machine operating at a worksite is provided. The worksite includes a pit region having a crest node and a low wall. The low wall is an incline having a positive slope. The method includes identifying a location of the crest node and activating a low wall detection module at the location of the crest node as the machine moves past the crest node towards the pit region. The low wall detection module is operable within a defined low wall detection gap to detect the low wall.

Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling a vehicle are capable of recognizing a driving situation upon autonomous driving, and of controlling components when a dangerous situation is sensed to thereby enable safe autonomous driving. The vehicle includes: a driver monitor configured to sense a driver's physical condition; an information collector configured to collect information about surroundings of the vehicle required for autonomous driving of the vehicle; and a controller to control an operation state of the vehicle based on a driving situation of the vehicle, if determining that the driver is out of control, based on the driver's physical condition, upon autonomous driving of the vehicle, and, if deriving the driving situation of the vehicle from the information about the surroundings of the vehicle, to determine that the driving situation of the vehicle is a situation of travelling on a slippery road.

Abstract: The invention is a modular vehicle that is intended for a variety of operations including both military and civilian operations. The vehicle addresses the issue of performing special purpose tasks that the vehicle is asked to do. Such tasks can be accomplished by configuring the vehicle as an ambulance, as a fire-fighting vehicle, as a communications van, as a command and control vehicle, etc. Thus, the vehicle is readily adapted using standardized and customized modules that are readily attached to a standardized platform that includes an appropriate interconnection means.

Abstract: Provided are a cruise control system and method for an autonomous apparatus having a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) device. The cruise control system is implemented by at least one hardware processor and includes an input unit configured to receive scanning information from the LIDAR device, the scanning information related to peripheral environment of the autonomous apparatus; and a main controller configured to determine a scannable region of the peripheral environment and an unscannable region of the peripheral environment based on the scanning information, and to generate obstacle information by detecting a first sunken region in the scannable region and a second sunken region in the unscannable region.

Abstract: A driver is prevented from carrying out hands-free driving while lane keeping assist control is being carried out, thereby appropriately determining an abnormal state of the driver. When a steering wheel no-operation state continues for a first period or more, a driving support ECU sets a control mode of LKA to a “weaker mode”, thereby decreasing a control amount of the LKA. As a result, an own vehicle swerves within a travel lane, and the driver neglecting the steering wheel operation can be prompted to operate the steering wheel. Further, when the no-driving operation state continues for a second period or more, the driving support ECU establishes determination that the driver is in an abnormal state, returns the LKA to a “normal mode”, and decelerates and stops the own vehicle.

Abstract: A method for recognizing movements of objects in a parking area for vehicles by processing images acquired by at least one camera. At least two images acquired by a camera are compared in order to recognize the movements of an object, differences between the two images being evaluated. If it is recognized in this context that a movement of an object has ended, the position of the object is stored in a memory.