Abstract: A modular robot is provided. The modular robot includes a sweeper module having a container for collecting debris from a surface of a location. The sweeper module is coupled to one or more brushes for contacting the surface and moving said debris into said container. Included is a robot module having wheels and configured to couple to the sweeper module. The robot module is enabled for autonomous movement and corresponding movement of the sweeper module over the surface. A controller is integrated with the robot module and interfacing with the sweeper module. The controller is configured to execute instructions for assigning of at least two zones at the location and assigning a work function to be performed using the sweeper module at each of the at least two zones. The controller is further configured for programming the robot module to activate the sweeper module in each of the two zones. The assigned work function is set for performance at each of the at least two zones.

Abstract: A method and a system generate global path planning of a robot according to a node specification principle that is defined based on social norms for an indoor space using an indoor map to assist human-friendly navigation of the robot.

Abstract: A production system comprising: an industrial device being self-movable; and circuitry configured to; control the industrial device to prepare for a next job before the industrial device arrives at a next location; and control the industrial device to perform the next job when the industrial device arrives at the next location and a preparation for the next job is completed.

Abstract: In resource sharing by autonomous devices in an environment, first and second autonomous devices send first and second reservation requests, respectively, to a reservation controller for access to a resource in the environment required to perform first and second tasks. The first and second reservation requests include first and second requested utilizations, respectively, for usage of the resource. The first autonomous device receives a first permit with a first granted utilization, and the second autonomous device receives a second permit with a second granted utilization, for usage of the resource. Using the resource, the first autonomous device performs the first task according to the first granted utilization, and the second autonomous device performs the second task according to second granted utilization, where second granted utilization does not conflict with the first granted utilization.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tracking system for tracking a position and orientation of an object, the tracking system including: a tracking base provided in an environment, the tracking base including: a tracking head support; and, at least three tracking heads mounted to the tracking head support, a target system including at least three targets mounted to the object, each target including a reflector that reflects a radiation beam to the base sensor of a respective tracking head; and, a control system that: causes each tracking head to track a respective target as it moves throughout the environment; determines a position of each target with respect to a respective tracking head; determines an orientation of the target system using at least in part the determined position of each target; and, determines the position and orientation of the object using at least in part the position and orientation of the target system.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes accessing image information for a scene in a movement path of a mobile robot. The image includes image information for each of a plurality of pixels of the scene, the image information comprising respective intensity values and respective distance values. The method includes analyzing the image information to determine whether to modify the movement path of the mobile robot. The method includes initiating, in response to determining according to the image information to modify the movement path of the mobile robot, sending of a command to a drive subsystem of the mobile robot to modify the movement path of the mobile robot.

Abstract: A tailsitter aircraft includes an airframe, a thrust array attached to the airframe and a flight control system. The thrust array includes propulsion assemblies configured to transition the airframe from a forward flight orientation to a VTOL orientation at a conversion rate for an approach to a target ground location in a forward flight-to-VTOL transition phase. The flight control system implements an adaptive transition system including a transition parameter monitoring module configured to monitor parameters including a ground speed and a distance to the target ground location. The adaptive transition system includes a transition adjustment determination module configured to adjust the conversion rate of the airframe from the forward flight orientation to the VTOL orientation based on the ground speed and the distance to the target ground location such that the airframe is vertically aligned with the target ground location in the VTOL orientation of the forward flight-to-VTOL transition phase.

Abstract: Autonomous or automated mobile robots can be configured for transport and logistics applications. Systems for docking of such robots with wheeled carts can be used in methods for operation of such robots.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a moving robot, a moving robot system, and a method for moving to a charging system of the moving robot, wherein the moving robot moves to the charging system based on a reception result obtained by receiving a plurality of transmission signals transmitted from the charging station and a sensing result obtained by sensing a magnetic field state.

Abstract: Provided is a wheel loader capable of automatically decreasing vehicle speed without making an operator feel discomfort during a loading operation. A wheel loader 1 mounted with a torque converter type traveling drive system comprises a controller 5 configured to control shifting of a transmission 32. When a vehicle body travels forward at vehicle speed corresponding to a second speed stage set greater by one speed stage than the lowest speed stage of the transmission 32 while operating the lift arm 21 upwardly, the controller 5 sets, as a gear ratio of the transmission 32, an intermediate gear ratio between a gear ratio corresponding to the second speed stage and a gear ratio corresponding to a first speed stage, and outputs a signal for selecting a combination of a plurality of gears corresponding to the set gear ratio to each first to fifth solenoid control valves 32A to 32E.

Abstract: A set of sensor information may include first sensor information generated based on a first sensor of a first vehicle and second sensor information generated based on a second sensor of a second vehicle. Individual sensor information may characterize positions of objects in an environment of individual sensors. Relevant sensor information for a vehicle may be determined based on the set of sensor information and a position of the vehicle. The relevant sensor information may characterize positions of objects in a maneuver environment of the vehicle. A desired navigation of the vehicle in the maneuver environment of the vehicle may be determined based on the relevant sensor information. An instruction may be provided to the vehicle based on the desired navigation of the vehicle. The instruction may characterize one or more maneuvers to be performed by the vehicle to execute the desired navigation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that illustrate how to determine whether an image includes a travel way, and if so how to determine an angle between a longitudinal axis of a vehicle and a longitudinal axis of a travel way line, and a shortest distance between a reference point on a vehicle and a longitudinal axis of the travel way line.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for determining average lane travel speeds is disclosed. A plurality of vehicles traveling in a same direction as the ADV in a plurality of lanes are identified. Over a first time period, the plurality of vehicles is tracked. At least a first quantity of representative vehicles within the plurality of vehicles that are representative of vehicles traveling in the lane over the first time period are identified. For each of the plurality of lanes, an average speed over the first time period of the representative vehicles associated with the lane is determined. A trajectory is planned for the ADV, wherein the planned trajectory moves toward a lane whose representative vehicles have a fastest average speed. Thereafter, control signals are generated to control operations of the ADV based on the planned trajectory.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a multi-sectional show robot. The multi-sectional show robot includes a primary robot with a controller and one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to acquire feedback indicative of an environment surrounding the primary robot. The multi-sectional show robot also includes a secondary robot configured to removably couple to the primary robot to transition the multi-sectional show robot between a disengaged configuration, in which the primary robot is decoupled from the secondary robot, and an engaged configuration, in which the primary robot is coupled to the secondary robot. The controller is configured to operate the primary robot based on the feedback and a first control scheme with the multi-sectional show robot in the disengaged configuration and to operate the primary robot based on a second control scheme with the multi-sectional show robot in the engaged configuration.

Abstract: A domestic robotic system includes a moveable robot having an image obtaining device for obtaining images of the exterior environment of the robot, and a processor programmed to detect a predetermined pattern within the obtained images. The processor and image obtaining device form at least part of a first navigation system for the robot which can determine a first estimate of at least one of the position and orientation of the robot. A second navigation system for the robot determines an alternative estimate of the at least one of the position and orientation of the robot. Calibration of the second navigation system can be performed using the first navigation system.

Abstract: A robot may include an input interface configured to obtain an image of a surrounding environment of the robot, and at least one processor configured to rotate the robot in place for localization, and estimate at least one of a position or a pose in a space, based on a plurality of sequential images obtained by the input interface during the rotation of the robot. The position or the pose of the robot may be estimated based on inputting the plurality of sequential images obtained during the rotation of the robot into a trained model based on an artificial neural network. In a 5G environment connected for the Internet of Things, embodiments of the present disclosure may execute an artificial intelligence algorithm and/or a machine learning algorithm.

Abstract: A force sensor that quantitatively detects an external force. The force sensor comprises a base unit, a displacement unit displacing by an external force, a first displacement sensor pair including two sets of sensors detecting a relative displacement between the base unit and the displacement unit in a first direction, and a second displacement sensor pair including two sets of sensors detecting a relative displacement between the base unit and the displacement unit in a second direction. Among four quadrants divided by two straight lines along each of the first direction and the second direction wherein, the straight lines passing through a midpoint of the two sets of sensors composing the first displacement sensor pair, the two sets of sensors composing the second displacement sensor pair are respectively disposed in two quadrants in which the two sets of sensors composing the first displacement sensor pair are respectively disposed.

Abstract: A gripping assembly for use with an automated sorting or manufacturing assembly is disclosed. The gripping assembly includes two or more fingers and alignment attributes for precisely picking up objects (e.g., objects placed in a random orientation). The gripping assembly includes the intrinsic ability to retrieve and align objects predictably by including fingers machined to specific characteristics, such that when roughly located to pick up the object, the closing of the fingers orients the object precisely allowing further manipulation of the object from a known object orientation. The fingers of the device can be aligned with precision using optional alignment features such as sliding within tabs fixed to one finger or sliding along a stabilizing pin fixed to one finger.

Abstract: A sensor retrieval system includes a self-propelled unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) having a control system including a navigation controller, an excavator controller and an extractor controller. The navigation controller has instructions to move the UGV to proximate a geodetic position of a sensor disposed proximate a surface of the ground. The UGV further comprises a sensor position locator arranged to determine distance, direction and relative elevation of the sensor with respect to the UGV. An extractor is in signal communication with the extractor controller. The extractor comprises means for lifting the sensor from the ground to a predetermined depth. An excavator is in signal communication with the excavator controller. The excavator comprises means for removing overburden from above the sensor to leave the overburden to at most the predetermined depth.

Abstract: A robot collision avoidance motion planning technique using a worst state search and optimization. The motion planning technique begins with a geometric definition of obstacles, start and goal points, and an initial set of waypoints which may be sparsely spaced. Given an inter-point interpolation method such as linear or spline, a continuous trajectory can be described as a function of the waypoints and an arc length parameter. A worst state search is then performed which finds a location between each adjacent pair of waypoints having a worst state of distance to obstacle, considering all parts of the robot and tool. A collision avoidance constraint is defined using the worst state locations, and an optimization of the waypoint locations is then performed to improve the worst states until all collisions are eliminated and an obstacle avoidance minimum distance criteria is met.