Abstract: A battery system includes an electricity storage device including a plurality of battery units. The electronic control device is configured to switch a travel mode of the vehicle between a CD mode and a CS mode. The electronic control device is configured to calculate a vehicle state of charge at a higher value than an average state of charge when the average state of charge is higher than a threshold value, and calculate the vehicle state of charge at a lower value than the average state of charge when the average state of charge is lower than the threshold value. The threshold value is set at a lower value than a center value between an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the vehicle state of charge.

Abstract: A control section is configured to perform a high-degree abnormal state control in which the control section terminates a specified shifting step for shifting a vehicle to an operable state and shifts the vehicle to an operation inhibiting state when an operation checking section determines that the vehicle is in a predetermined high-degree abnormal state, and the control section is configured to perform a low-degree abnormal state control different from a normal state control without terminating the specified shifting step, when the operation checking section determines that the vehicle is in a predetermined low-degree abnormal state different from the predetermined high-degree abnormal state, and perform the normal state control, when the operation checking section determines that the vehicle has been restored from the predetermined low-degree abnormal state to a state in which the vehicle is operable normally.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the authenticity of vehicle operational data provided by telematics or other devices are provided. Vehicle performance and/or operational data may be collected and the authenticity of the data stream may be determined based on the whether the data stream includes a watermark in a predetermined location of the data stream or whether the data stream includes a data key comprising a predetermined false vehicle performance data reading. A second data recording device may also record vehicle performance and/or operational data. Both the first and second data recording devices may provide the respective vehicle performance data to a computing device. The computing device may compare the vehicle performance data from the first and second data recording devices to determine authenticity of the vehicle measurement data.

Abstract: There is provided a medical system that includes a multi-joint slave arm; a master arm having a joint structure structurally similar to the slave arm; and a control unit that can switch between a first control mode for controlling the rotational motion of each joint of the slave arm on the basis of the amount of rotation of each joint of the master arm so that the slave arm takes a shape similar to the master arm and a second control mode for controlling the rotational motion of each joint of the slave arm on the basis of a displacement of a predetermined region of a distal end section of the master arm so that a predetermined region of a distal end section of the slave arm follows the movement of the predetermined region of the distal end section of the master arm.

Abstract: A robot and method for controlling an industrial robot, which has a first robot arm, a second robot arm, a joint defining a kinematic pair between the first and second robot arms, an actuator for generating relative movement between the first and second robot arms, and a robot controller for controlling the movements of the actuator. The method includes the steps of: determining a presence of a first torque indication at the actuator to be interpreted as a first command to the robot controller; repeatedly obtaining an external torque value (?ext) to obtain an external torque behavior; comparing the external torque behavior with the first torque indication; and executing a robot function corresponding to the first command upon detecting that the external torque behavior corresponds to the first torque indication. The obtained external torque behavior depends on a reference torque value (?ref) obtained from a dynamic model of the robot.

Abstract: A robot control device controls the operation of a robot including a base; a robot arm that has at least three links, at least three joint portions, and at least three drive sources; an inertia sensor; and at least three angle sensors. The robot control device includes a first coordinate system vibration calculation unit; a second coordinate system vibration calculation unit; a weighting unit; a third coordinate system vibration calculation unit; a correction value calculation unit that obtains correction values for correcting the respective drive commands of the drive sources based on vibration information in a third coordinate system, and the respective detected results of the angle sensors; and a drive source control unit that controls the operations of the drive sources based on the respective drive commands of the drive sources, the correction values, and the respective detected results of the angle sensors.

Abstract: An auto re-directing robot able to adjust its moving paths automatically and a method thereof are disclosed in present invention. The auto re-directing robot has a control module, which may generate a signal standard value according to the bounced-back signals from an obstacle. Then, the control module determines a keep-away distance between the robot and the obstacle. In the case, the robot needs not to touch the obstacle repeatedly for determining whether it should change its moving path. In addition, when the robot encounters obstacles with different properties, the robot can adapt to change its paths automatically based on the properties of the obstacles.

Abstract: A method of programming at least one robot by demonstration comprising: performing at least one demonstration of at least one task in the Held of view of at least one fixed camera to obtain at least one observed task trajectory of at least one manipulated object, preferably at least one set of observed task trajectories; generating a generalized task trajectory from said at least one observed task trajectory, preferably from said at least one set of observed task trajectories; and executing said at least one task by said at least one robot in the field of view of said at least one fixed camera, preferably using image-based visual servoing to minimize the difference between the executed trajectory during said execution and the generalized task trajectory.

Abstract: An operation program creating method comprises performing, with a computer, a speed setting step that creates an operation program of a robot in such a manner that speeds at a plurality of teaching points are set, and in the speed setting step, the speed at a specified teaching point on the designed movement path is set based on a position change or a posture change in a plurality of teaching points including the specified teaching point, a teaching point which is upstream of the specified teaching point on the designed movement path, and/or a teaching point which is downstream of the specified teaching point on the designed movement path.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a continuously flexible device and an actuation mechanism that acts to bend and straighten the continuously flexible device. The apparatus also includes a sensor apparatus that generates bend information about at least a portion of the continuously flexible device. The apparatus also includes an electronic data processor. The electronic data processor generates (i) external force information about at least one of a magnitude or a direction of an external force applied to the continuously flexible device, or (ii) both the external force information and internal force information about a bending force applied to the continuously flexible device by the actuation mechanism from (a) the generated bend information and (b) information representing at least one mechanical property of the continuously flexible device.

Abstract: A computing system may provide a model of a robot. The model may be configured to determine simulated motions of the robot based on sets of control parameters. The computing system may also operate the model with multiple sets of control parameters to simulate respective motions of the robot. The computing system may further determine respective scores for each respective simulated motion of the robot, wherein the respective scores are based on constraints associated with each limb of the robot and a predetermined goal. The constraints include actuator constraints and joint constraints for limbs of the robot. Additionally, the computing system may select, based on the respective scores, a set of control parameters associated with a particular score. Further, the computing system may modify a behavior of the robot based on the selected set of control parameters to perform a coordinated exertion of forces by actuators of the robot.

Abstract: A method substantially simultaneously plans a path and maps an environment by a robot. The method determines a mean of an occupancy level for a location in a map. The method also includes determining a probability distribution function (PDF) of the occupancy level. The method further includes calculating a cost function based on the PDF. Finally, the method includes simultaneously planning the path and mapping the environment based on the cost function.

Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a power supply sensor and a controller. The power supply sensor detects a power level of a power supply being supplied from the power supply to two electrical bicycle components. The controller operates the two electrical bicycle components in response to receiving at least one signal from at least one input member. The controller operates the two electrical bicycle components at different starting times while the power level is below a prescribed power level. The controller is configured to simultaneously operate the two electrical bicycle components while the power level is above the prescribed power level.

Abstract: An example implementation involves controlling robots with non-constant body pitch and height. The implementation involves obtaining a model of the robot that represents the robot as a first point mass rigidly coupled with a second point mass along a longitudinal axis. The implementation also involves determining a state of a first pair of legs, and determining a height of the first point mass based on the model and the state of the first pair of legs. The implementation further involves determining a first amount of vertical force for at least one leg of the first pair of legs to apply along a vertical axis against a surface while the at least one leg is in contact with the surface. Additionally, the implementation involves causing the at least one leg of the first pair of legs to begin applying the amount of vertical force against the surface.

Abstract: Automated inspections of aerial vehicles may be performed using imaging devices, microphones or other sensors. Between phases of operation, the aerial vehicle may be instructed to perform a plurality of testing evolutions, e.g., in a sequence, at a testing facility, and data may be captured during the evolutions by sensors provided on the aerial vehicle and by ground-based sensors at the testing facility. The imaging and acoustic data may be processed to determine whether any vibrations or radiated noises during the evolutions are consistent with faults or discrepancies of the aerial vehicle such as microfractures, corrosions or fatigue. If no faults or discrepancies are detected, the aerial vehicle may be returned to service without delay. If any faults or discrepancies are detected, however, then the aerial vehicle may be subjected to maintenance, repairs or further manual or visual inspections.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a robotic device enables the device to run autonomously based on previously loaded scheduling information. The method consists of a communication device, such as a hand-held remote device, that can directly control the robotic device, or load scheduling information into the robotic device such that it will carry out a defined task at the desired time without the need for further external control. The communication device can also be configured to load a scheduling application program into an existing robotic device, such that the robotic device can receive and implement scheduling information from a user.

Abstract: Provided is a pedal reactive force controller including: a reaction force adding unit for adding reaction force to a pedal operated by a driver; and an information transmission unit for converting a depression amount of the pedal detected by a stroke sensor into visual information, and conveying the depression amount to the driver by displaying the visual information in an operation amount display section.

Abstract: Provided is a medical system including a first slave arm; a master arm having a joint configuration with a structure similar to that of a joint configuration of the first slave arm; a second slave arm; a manipulation-target switching unit that switches a manipulation target to be manipulated with the master arm between the slave arms; and a controller that is capable of switching between a first control mode and a second control mode in accordance with the joint configuration of the slave arm to be controlled. The first control mode is a mode for controlling rotation of joints of the first slave arm on the basis of rotation amounts of joints of the master arm. The second control mode is a mode for controlling rotation of joints of the second slave arm on the basis of a movement of a predetermined section of the master arm.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using projected patterns to facilitate mapping of an environment are provided herein. A computing system may cause fixedly-posed projectors to each provide, onto a respective area of the environment, a predetermined respective distinct pattern. The system may determine respective poses of the projectors, and further determine a map of the environment that identifies, for each distinct pattern, respective locations on one or more surfaces in the environment on which the distinct pattern is detectable. Based on sensor data the system may identify a portion of a particular distinct pattern in the environment. The system may use the map and the respective pose of a particular projector that is providing the particular pattern to make a determination that the portion is located at a new, different location compared to the map. The system may then transmit an output signal indicating the determination.

Abstract: A substrate conveyance robot has an end effector provided to a robot arm and including a substrate holding unit configured to hold a substrate, arm drive unit configured to drive the robot arm, a robot control unit configured to control the arm drive unit, and a holding force detection unit configured to detect a substrate holding force exerted by the substrate holding unit. The robot control unit controls the arm drive unit based on an upper limit value of at least one of acceleration and speed of the end effector which are determined in accordance with the substrate holding force detected by the holding force detection unit.