Abstract: An airport congestion detection apparatus includes a predictor input module coupled to a multiple airport information system. The input module obtains from the multiple airport information system weather data for a current point in time and flight information for a predetermined airport. A controller coupled to the input module determines one or more of a number of predicted flight departures from the predetermined airport and a number of predicted flight arrivals to the predetermined airport within a future predetermined time period based on the weather data for the current point in time and the flight information, and determines, from the predictions, a congestion index for the predetermined airport. A user interface coupled to the controller presents to an operator of the airport congestion detection apparatus the congestion index so that one or more of a flight plan characteristic or an aircraft loading characteristic is modified based on the congestion index.

Abstract: A map data correcting method for correcting map data used in a vehicle using a controller includes executing a first correction process of uniformly offsetting the map data as a whole to reduce a first error that is a general position error of the map data and executing a second correction process of reducing a second error that is a position error still remaining in the map data even after uniformly offsetting the map data as a whole.

Abstract: A navigation control system for an autonomous vehicle comprises a transmitter and an autonomous vehicle. The transmitter comprises an emitter for emitting at least one signal, a power source for powering the emitter, a device for capturing wireless energy to charge the power source, and a printed circuit board for converting the captured wireless energy to a form for charging the power source. The autonomous vehicle operates within a working area and comprises a receiver for detecting the at least one signal emitted by the emitter, and a processor for determining a relative location of the autonomous vehicle within the working area based on the signal emitted by the emitter.

Abstract: An automation apparatus includes a mechanism having a machine coordinate system and configured to work on a work which moves in the machine coordinate system, a sensor configured to successively detect positions of the work as the work moves, and a processor. The processor is configured to calculate a plurality of machine coordinate positions of the work in the machine coordinate system successively based on the positions successively detected by the sensor, and is configured to determine, based on the plurality of machine coordinate positions of the work, a working position at which the mechanism is configured to work on the work.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a first sensor on a robot, first sensor data indicative of an environment of the robot. The method also includes identifying, based on the first sensor data, an object of an object type in the environment of the robot, where the object type is associated with a classifier that takes sensor data from a predetermined pose relative to the object as input. The method further includes causing the robot to position a second sensor on the robot at the predetermined pose relative to the object. The method additionally includes receiving, from the second sensor, second sensor data indicative of the object while the second sensor is positioned at the predetermined pose relative to the object. The method further includes determining, by inputting the second sensor data into the classifier, a property of the object.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for controlling a robotic cleaner. According to an example of the method, an environment image of an area may be acquired, and a sub-area to be swept in the area may be determined based on the environment image. Then, the robotic cleaner may be controlled to reach the sub-area to be swept and perform a sweeping task in the sub-area to be swept.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices related to robotic point capture and motion control. A robotic device may synchronize one or more robotic device axes with one or more axes of a handheld control device. The robotic device may establish a connection between a robotic device and the handheld control device, wherein the robotic device is capable of moving along the one or more robotic device axes. The robotic device may receive a control signal comprising an indication to transition to a point in space along travel path, wherein the travel path is based on information relating to one or more locations and one or more orientations of the handheld control device. The robotic device may cause to transition an end effector of the robotic device to the point in space based on the indication in the control signal.

Abstract: A robot has a horn (gripping portion). A main body portion of the robot includes a direction determining unit that determines a direction of movement, a drive mechanism that executes a determined movement, a power supply unit that supplies power to the drive mechanism, and an interrupting mechanism that interrupts a supply of power from the power supply unit when the horn (gripping portion) is pulled out. When the horn is pulled out, a spring terminal and a conductor change to a state of non-contact, and a power line is physically disconnected, because of which the robot performs an emergency stop.

Abstract: A surgical suturing tracking system configured for use with a suturing needle is disclosed. The surgical suturing tracking system comprises a spectral light emitter, a waveform sensor, and a control circuit coupled to the waveform sensor. The control circuit is configured to cause the spectral light emitter to emit spectral light waves toward a suturing needle and a tissue structure, receive an input corresponding to the spectral light waves reflected by the needle and the tissue structure and determine a distance between the needle and the tissue structure based on the received input.

Abstract: The invention regards a robotic gardening device comprising driving means for propelling the robotic gardening device, a working tool for performing dedicated gardening work and a controlling unit for controlling said driving means and the working tool and a method for controlling the same. The robotic gardening device further comprises at least one environment sensor generating a signal indicative of objects in the environment of the robotic gardening device, a computing unit for classifying these objects, wherein the classes comprise at least two different classes for objects being determined to be humans. The computing unit is configured to control the driving means and/or the working device according to a predetermined behavior associated with the respective objects class.

Abstract: A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes receiving first sensor data relative to a first coordinate system and second sensor data relative to a second coordinate system from a first sensor and a second sensor, respectively. The first and second sensor data includes first and second obstacle occupancy information indicative of relative locations of a first and a second sets of obstacles in reference to the UAV in the first and second coordinate systems, respectively. The first and second sets of obstacles have at least a subset of obstacles in common. The method further includes converting the first and second sensor data into a single coordinate system using sensor calibration data to generate an obstacle occupancy grid map based on the first and second obstacle occupancy information, and effecting the UAV to navigate using the obstacle occupancy grid map to perform obstacle avoidance.

Abstract: An example system includes a vehicle, a robot, and a controller. The vehicle may include an accelerator operator and a steering operator. The robot may include as accelerator actuator configured to operate the accelerator operator, and a steering actuator configured to operate-the steering operator. The controller is configured to: in response to an accelerator command, send a first signal to the accelerator actuator to operate the accelerator operator of the vehicle, and in response to a steering command, send a second, signal to the steering actuator to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a linkage, an input device, and a processing unit. The linkage moveably supports a surgical tool relative to a base. The input device is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation. The processing unit is in communication with the input device and is operatively associated with the linkage to rotate the surgical tool about a first axis of movement based on a scaled rotation of the input device about the first axis of rotation by a first scaling factor and to rotate the surgical tool about a second axis of movement based on a scaled rotation of the input device about the second axis of rotation by a second scaling factor that is different from the first scaling factor.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a base with a manipulator is attached to the base. At least one sensor is associated with the manipulator. The at least one sensor detects a trajectory of an external disturbance on the manipulator or an external cue from a user. A controller is provided that converts the trajectory detected by the at least one sensor to an input signal or the external cue detected by the at least one sensor to an input signal. A drive system receives the input signal, and in response to the input signal powers the base or to power the base in a trajectory corresponding to the external cue. A method for intuitive motion control of the robotic system is also provided.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot, a robot work environment in which the robot works, and a robot controller including circuitry that stores position information indicating a position of each of measured robot postures in the robot work environment, obtains a measured position of each of the measured robot postures based on a detection result obtained by a sensor, and corrects a movement position of the robot based on the measured position.

Abstract: In a service provision system utilizing a movable device such as a robot, a service is realized, in which an external service device installed at a service location and the movable device cooperate with each other. A position of the movable device as well as an installation position and an availability range of the service devices are managed at a service provision location; when the movable device provides a service, an availability of a service device necessary for the service is determined, and when there is a service device not available, the robot is moved to a position where the service device becomes available.

Abstract: A robotic actuator comprises a mass manufactured bellows, wherein the mass manufactured bellows allows a volume change by localized bending, and wherein the mass manufactured bellows is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis, and an end effector, wherein the end effector is coupled to the manufactured bellows.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a deformable object includes determining respective 3D position of one or more markers on the deformable object held by a robotic manipulator; determining a deformation model of the deformable object by mapping movement of the robotic manipulator and movement of one or more markers; and controlling the robotic manipulator based on the determined deformation model to manipulate the deformable object so as to move the one or more markers into respective target position.

Abstract: A robot system that includes a remote station and a robot face. The robot face includes a camera that is coupled to a monitor of the remote station and a monitor that is coupled to a camera of the remote station. The robot face and remote station also have speakers and microphones that are coupled together. The robot face may be coupled to a boom. The boom can extend from the ceiling of a medical facility. Alternatively, the robot face may be attached to a medical table with an attachment mechanism. The robot face and remote station allows medical personnel to provide medical consultation through the system.

Abstract: A robotic cleaning device and a method for operating the robotic cleaning device to detect a structure of a surface over which the robotic cleaning device moves. The method includes illuminating the surface with structured vertical light, capturing an image of the surface, detecting at least one luminous section in the captured image, and determining, from an appearance of the at least one luminous section, the structure of the surface.