Abstract: A robot control apparatus (3) for controlling tasks to be executed by a plurality of robots which are capable of moving. The robot control apparatus (3) includes: a battery level determination device (330) which determines a battery level of each robot from a predetermined plurality of battery levels based on a remaining amount of charge in a battery of each robot; a task manager (340) which sets a task executive plan to be executed by each robot for the plurality of robots and rearranges the task executive plan for one or more tasks registered in the task executive plan in accordance with a process predetermined for each battery level; an executive instruction generator (350) which generates executive instructions requesting the robots to execute the tasks that are set in the task executive plans; and a transmitter which transmits the executive instructions to the robots.

Abstract: In a control system of a legged mobile robot having a body and legs connected to the body and driven by a leg actuator, there is provided an operation controller which identifies a human being like visitor to be conducted in a company building and the like, and controls operation of the leg actuator to conduct the identified visitor to a destination such as a reception room in the company building space along a route determined based on a map stored in a map database, while keeping pace with the visitor, thereby enabling to establish better communication with the visitor.

Abstract: A workpiece picking device and method for reducing the cycle time of a picking operation of workpieces, by omitting or reducing the movement of a robot manipulator when an image of the workpieces is captured. An image processor of the picking device includes a camera controlling part for reading image data from a camera, a memory for storing the image data, a workpiece detecting part for extracting one or more images from the memory and detecting one or more workpieces in the image, and a workpiece selecting part for selecting a workpiece to be picked among the workpieces detected by the workpiece detecting part. The image processor further includes a stacked condition judging part for determining whether the condition of the stacked workpieces in a container is changed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for computing position using instantaneous Doppler measurements from satellites is described. In one example, instantaneous Doppler measurements are measured for a plurality of satellite signals relative to a satellite signal receiver. The instantaneous Doppler measurements are transmitted to a server. Position of the satellite signal receiver is computed at the server using the instantaneous Doppler measurements. In another example, at least one fractional pseudorange is measured between the satellite signal receiver and a respective at least one satellite. At least one instantaneous Doppler measurement is measured for a respective at least one satellite signal relative to the satellite signal receiver. The at least one pseudorange and the at least one instantaneous Doppler measurement are sent to a server. Position of the satellite signal receiver is computed at the server using the at least one pseudorange and the at least one instantaneous Doppler measurement.

Abstract: A taught point correcting device for correcting a taught point in an operation program of a robot. The device includes a judging section judging whether position data of any of a plurality of different taught points, previously taught and included in an operation program, has been corrected or not; and a data correcting section correcting, when the judging section judges that position data of a first taught point among the different taught points has been corrected, position data of a correlative taught point having a relative positional relationship with the first taught point, in accordance with a taught-point rule previously prescribing the relative positional relationship between the different taught points. The device may also include a storing section storing the taught-point rule. The taught-point rule may include a rule prescribing a distance between any two taught points among the different taught points.

Abstract: A collision predicting apparatus detects subject targets present in the traveling course of the own vehicle by using the relative distance and the relative velocity, etc. The apparatus also calculates the predicted collision time of each subject target on the basis of the relative distance and the relative velocity. The apparatus also detects the relative lateral position of each subject target, and corrects the relative lateral position. The apparatus then executes a collision-predicted target selecting routine, in which the predicted collision time of each subject target that does not meet a predetermined condition is set at a predetermined maximum value. The apparatus selects a subject target that meets the predetermined condition as a collision subject target, and predicts whether the collision subject target will collide with the own vehicle.

Abstract: A virtual track or rail system and method is described for execution by a robot. A user, through a user interface, generates a desired path comprised of at least one segment representative of the virtual track for the robot. Start and end points are assigned to the desired path and velocities are also associated with each of the at least one segment of the desired path. A waypoint file is generated including positions along the virtual track representing the desired path with the positions beginning from the start point to the end point including the velocities of each of the at least one segment. The waypoint file is sent to the robot for traversing along the virtual track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the vehicle speed of a motor vehicle, wherein a provisional first speed value is determined for high speeds and a provisional second speed value is determined for low speeds and the vehicle speed is determined as a function of the determined provisional first speed value either from the provisional first speed value or from the provisional second speed value, or from a combination of the first and second speed values.

Abstract: When a CPU 11 controls a drawing control and storage unit 14 according to an operation performed on an operation unit 3 not to perform any navigation display on a monitoring unit 2, the CPU controls a switch SW1 to an off state during a time period during which the CPU does not perform this navigation display, and stops the supply of electric power to a secondary storage unit 13 to stop the operation of this secondary storage unit 13, thereby reducing the consumption of the secondary storage unit.

Abstract: A device and a method for automatically setting an interlock based on a suitable interference area obtained by executing an offline simulation in relation to a system including a plurality of robots. The device executes the simulation on the offline programming system based on a motion program so as to determine a moving path of the robots and a two-dimensional interference area between the robots. Next, the device calculates a first three-dimensional interference area by moving the two-dimensional area in the vertical direction and calculates an accurate second three-dimensional interference area within the first interference area, using three-dimensional models of the robots.

Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system. Similar movement planners exist for moving trains in yards or terminals. Coordination is achieved and system efficiency improved by interfacing the line of road and yard planners.

Abstract: A navigation device and the like capable of harmonizing a navigation route for guiding a mobile body set on the basis of a support route search result by a navigation server and a navigation route for also guiding the mobile body set independently of the navigation route, from a view point of guiding the mobile body smoothly. In the case where the second navigation route r2 is set in the condition where the first navigation route r1 is set, the second navigation route r2 is set and output so as to include a part dr1 of the first navigation route r1 which takes a position departing from the current position pt of the automobile 2 by a first distance d1.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed wherein motion data which define motions of an end effecter of a robot such as a hand tip can be produced simply and conveniently. The apparatus and method provide a motion editing environment in which motion data for allowing a robot to plot a picture or a character can be edited simply and conveniently based on interactions such as hand-written inputting of a user through a mouse, a tablet or the like. By reproducing the produced motion data on a robot, a motion of plotting an arbitrary character or picture by the robot can be implemented simply.

Abstract: A system and method for providing user-initiated vehicle diagnostic testing and reporting in a telematics-enabled vehicle. In the method, a request for a vehicle diagnostic test is received from the driver through a user interface of a telematics unit on the vehicle. A simplified initial diagnostic check is made and a first voice message is played for the driver that provides information concerning any detected vehicle problem. The method then undergoes a more complete diagnostic check and the resulting diagnostic information is used to select and play a second voice message that provides instructions for taking corrective action to fix the detected problem. Communication with a live advisor is also provided by way of a cellular or other wireless carrier system.

Abstract: When the placement of the elements (mass points, links having inertia, etc.) of a model expressing a robot 1 is determined according to a first geometric restrictive condition from an instantaneous desired motion of the robot 1 that has been created using a dynamic model, this placement is defined as a first placement, and the placement determined according to a second geometric restrictive condition from a corrected instantaneous desired motion that has been obtained by correcting the instantaneous desired motion is defined as a second placement. The corrected instantaneous desired motion is determined such that the moment component calculated from the difference between the first and the second placements approximates a predetermined value. The instantaneous desired motion is created using a dynamic model of the robot.

Abstract: A rail stress monitoring system is disclosed. This system includes a sensor module that further includes a sensing device that is adapted to be mountable directly on a length of rail. The sensing device further includes a generally flat metal shim and at least one, and typically two or more, sensors mounted on one side of the shim. The sensors are typically strain gauges, which are mounted on the shim in a specific, predetermined configuration. At least one data acquisition module is in electrical communication with the sensing device and a data processing module receives and processes information gathered by data acquisition module.

Abstract: A vehicle headlight apparatus receives road data from a navigation system. The apparatus has a first and a second swivel devices for adjusting an optical axis directions of a main light and a sub-light corresponding to one and the other headlights of a right and a left headlights, respectively. The apparatus also has a control unit, which separately controls the first and the second swivel devices, so that a one-eye navigation-cooperated control operation can be carried out which adjusts only the optical axis direction of the main light to be coincident with a road direction calculated based upon the road data.

Abstract: A collision prediction ECU of a collision prediction apparatus estimates a state of presence of a detected front obstacle. At this time, the collision prediction ECU estimates the state of presence on the basis of road shape data supplied from a navigation ECU of a navigation apparatus. Further, the collision prediction ECU checks and corrects the calculated road gradient value. At this time, the collision prediction ECU corrects the gradient value on the basis of road gradient data supplied from the navigation ECU. Further, the collision prediction ECU changes a collision avoidance time on the basis of travel environment data supplied from the navigation ECU. Moreover, the collision prediction ECU obtains an ETC gate pass-through signal from the navigation ECU and determines whether the vehicle is passing through the gate. The collision prediction apparatus performs collation prediction on the basis of the corrected values.

Abstract: A method for driving a robot in a manner of imitation by watching (non-contact manner) based on the movement of a moving object, which has a complicated shape often causing self-occlusion, is provided. A plurality of image data of the robot is associated with pre-arranged operation commands and stored in an image corresponding operation command storing means 11. In order to have the robot perform a movement, the moving objecting caused to perform a desired movement, and at the same time, image data of the moving object are obtained as robot operational image data in time-series.

Abstract: In a specific control state, confirmation is made whether or not the present torque limiter value exceeds a maximal value of an allowed torque value in the specific control state, and in the event that the present torque limiter value exceeds the maximal value of the allowed torque value in the specific control state, the torque limiter value is slowly lowered by subtracting a constant A1 from the present torque limiter value, while in the event of transition from the specific control state to an ordinary control state, the torque limiter value is slowly raised to the maximal torque limiter value in the ordinary control state by adding a constant A2 to the present torque limiter value. Thus, excessive change of torque at transition of a control state can be suppressed, and adverse effects on driving stability and driving performance under the specific control state can be minimized.