Abstract: An example method includes determining, by a flight planning system, a perceived noise at a surface location based on acoustic noise emitted by an aerial vehicle at an aerial location. The aerial location corresponds to a waypoint along a proposed trajectory. Further, determining the perceived noise includes estimating propagation of the acoustic noise from the aerial location to the surface location based on environmental features of the environment or weather data. The flight planning method also includes determining, by the flight planning system using a noise-abatement function, a noise-abatement value of the proposed trajectory for the aerial vehicle based on the perceived noise at the surface location. In addition, the flight planning method includes determining, by the flight planning system, a flight plan for the aerial vehicle based on the noise-abatement value of the proposed trajectory, and outputting the flight plan for use in navigating the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method and system for sensor protection. A sensor protection system includes an assembly having a first structure embedded in a second structure, wherein a sensor is firmly placed in the first structure for sensing information through the assembly and protected from negative impact of outside environment, and one or more devices mounted on the second structure for providing means to clean a slanted surface of the second structure through which the sensor senses the surrounding information, wherein the one or more devices can be individually or jointly activated as needed to clean the slanted surface in order to prevent degradation of information sensed by the sensor through the assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the effectiveness of vehicle safety features are provided. Vehicle build information (VBI) for vehicles manufactured by a plurality of OEMs may be obtained. The VBI may contain OEM-specific terminology for smart safety features associated with each vehicle. The obtained VBI may be analyzed to generate an ontology model mapping each feature to any OEM-specific terminology associated with the feature. The ontology model may be applied to the VBI to generate translated VBI for each vehicle, such that the OEM-specific terminology associated with each feature is replaced with OEM-agnostic terminology for the feature. Vehicle accident record information may be obtained for each vehicle, including, e.g., the number, frequency, severity, etc. of accidents associated with each vehicle.

Abstract: A handheld computing device comprises: a display; a camera operable to capture image data representing a scene, the scene comprising a UAV; an RF receiver configured to receive identification data wirelessly from the UAV as a result of the UAV having broadcast the identification data; and a controller configured to cause the received identification data and/or data based on the received identification data to be displayed on the display at the same time as a representation of the UAV.

Abstract: A method includes receiving geolocation data from a subject vehicle with respect to a transporter vehicle. The method further includes determining a subject vehicle has entered a geofence around a transporter vehicle based on the geolocation data. The method further includes determining a destination location within the transporter vehicle at which the subject vehicle is to park in response to determining the subject vehicle has entered the geofence around the transporter vehicle.

Abstract: A low visibility aid device includes a main body having a front end, a back end, a middle section and an interior space. A mounting bracket extends outward from the main body for securing the device onto a manned aircraft for use during flight. A sensor suite is positioned within the main body to capture flight data information including audiovisual information, altitude information, attitude information and heading information of the aircraft during flight. A control unit having a wireless communication unit is positioned within the main body and selectively transmits the flight data information to a user device. A power generation unit generates power for use by the system components during device operation.

Abstract: An automated steering device is provided usable in conjunction with power equipment machines. By way of example, the automated steering device can provide user-assisted steering for a power equipment machine to maintain tight parallel paths. The user-assisted steering can be defined relative to an initial vector traversed through user directed operation of the power equipment machine, independent of or at least in part independent of a predefined area of operation for the power equipment machine. Position location data refined by local terrestrial positioning system correction devices, or onboard rotational correction devices can be provided to obtain high positioning accuracy, and minimal path deviation. As a result, highly accurate pathing can be provided by way of the disclosed automated steering devices.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring a driver's actual driving behaviors (e.g., acceleration, deceleration) in a manual driving mode to determine their preferred driving style, and then causing an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to operate itself, within limits, in accordance with the drivers' driving style when operating in a self-driving mode, thereby providing a more familiar and comfortable driving experience for the driver. Data is collected on the actual driving behavior, any pre-existing data is accessed on the actual driving behavior, and the collected data and the pre-existing data are combined. A custom control is then created based upon the combined data, and the custom control is applied to manage the self-driving behavior of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle in a self-driving mode. Additional data continues to be collected on the actual driving behavior, and the custom control is adjusted based upon the collected additional data.

Abstract: A method for controlling flight includes displaying, in a real-time manner, a picture photographed and sent by a photographing device carried by an aerial vehicle; determining a no-clicking area in the picture based on a position of an obstacle or a no-fly zone; receiving a click operation of a user on the picture; and controlling a flight of the aerial vehicle based on the click operation. Controlling the flight of the aerial vehicle based on the click operation includes invalidating the click operation in response to determining a click location of the click operation being in the no-clicking area; and controlling the flight of the aerial vehicle based on a position of the click location in response to determining the click location being not in the no-clicking area.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method distilling three-dimensional structure to a two-dimensional raster with multiple discrete planes for purposes of safe and accurate route planning including a map generator, pixel encoder, map transformer, and route generator. The map generator generates a raster map by populating a blank map canvas with raster and vector data on a per-pixel basis and obtains values for pixels from the pixel encoder. The pixel encoder encodes type, plane, and elevator information of features into pixels. The map transformer converts the map produced by the map generator into a weighted graph of nodes and edges suitable for route generation. The route generator generates routes using the graph produced by the map transformer.

Abstract: The processor supplies flight commands to the flight control system by selectively blending pilot input with control signals from the autopilot. The processor generates a projected recovery trajectory through successive iterations, each beginning at the current aircraft location and using a recovery constraint selectable by the processor to influences a degree of flight aggressiveness. A detection system that identifies and invokes a state of threat existence if a threat exists along the projected recovery trajectory. The processor during threat existence in a first iteration commands an initial soft recovery, with permitted blended pilot input. If the threat exists on subsequent iteration, the processor commands a more aggressive recovery while attenuating blended pilot input.

Abstract: A vehicle fault detection system including at least one sensor configured for coupling with a vehicle system, a vehicle control module coupled to the at least one sensor, and being configured to receive at least one time series of numerical sensor data from the at least one sensor, at least one of the at least one time series of numerical sensor data corresponds to a respective system parameter of the vehicle system being monitored, generate a graphical representation for the at least one time series of numerical sensor data to form an analysis image of at least one system parameter, and detect anomalous behavior of a component of the vehicle system based on the analysis image, and a user interface coupled to the vehicle control module, the user interface being configured to present to an operator an indication of the anomalous behavior for the component of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine and a controller. The controller is programmed to responsive to a threshold difference, indicative of wheel slip, between average wheel speed and a vehicle speed that is based on a difference between wheel acceleration and measured vehicle acceleration, command a speed to the electric machine to reduce the wheel slip.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for facilitating delivery, via autonomous ground vehicles, of products ordered by customers of a retailer to customer-specified restricted areas accessible by an entryway openable via an access code.

Abstract: A vehicular collision avoidance system includes a sensor disposed at a vehicle for sensing exterior and forwardly of the vehicle. A processor processes sensor data captured by the sensor to determine the presence of a pedestrian ahead of the vehicle and outside a path of travel of the vehicle. The processor determines a projected path of travel of the pedestrian based on movement of the pedestrian. The processor determines where the forward path of travel of the vehicle intersects the projected path of travel of the pedestrian. The system, responsive at least in part to prediction that the pedestrian will be in the forward path of travel of the vehicle when the vehicle time to intersection elapses, adjusts the speed of the vehicle based at least in part on a driver attentiveness parameter pertaining to a determined attentiveness of a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivering merchandise using autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) in cooperation with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In some embodiments, the system includes: an AGV having a motorized locomotion system, a storage area to hold merchandise, a sensor to detect obstacles, a transceiver, and a control circuit to operate the AGV; a UAV having a motorized flight system, a gripper mechanism to grab merchandise, a transceiver, an optical sensor to capture images; and a control circuit to operate the UAV. The system also includes a control circuit that instructs movement of the AGV along a delivery route; determines if the AGV has stopped due to an obstacle; and in certain circumstances, instructs the UAV to retrieve merchandise from the AGV, calculate a delivery route for the UAV to the delivery location, and instructs the UAV to deliver the merchandise.

Abstract: Techniques for generating simulations for evaluating a performance of a controller of an autonomous vehicle are described. A computing system may evaluate the performance of the controller to navigate the simulation and respond to actions of one or more objects (e.g., other vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, etc.) in a simulation. Actions of the objects in the simulation may be controlled by the computing system (e.g., by an artificial intelligence) and/or one or more users inputting object controls, such as via a user interface. The computing system may calculate performance metrics associated with the actions performed by the vehicle in the simulation as directed by the autonomous controller. The computing system may utilize the performance metrics to verify parameters of the autonomous controller (e.g., validate the autonomous controller) and/or to train the autonomous controller utilizing machine learning techniques to bias toward preferred actions.

Abstract: A data logging device tracks the operation of a vehicle or driver actions. The device includes a storage device, which may be removable or portable, having a first memory portion that may be read from and may be written to in a vehicle and a second memory portion that may be read from and may be written to in the vehicle. The second memory portion may retain data attributes associated with the data stored in the first removable storage device. A processor reads data from an automotive bus that transfers data from vehicle sensors to other automotive components. The processor writes data to the first memory portion and the second memory portion that reflect a level of risk or safety. A communication device links the storage device to a network of computers. The communication device may be accessible through software that allows a user to access files related to a level of risk or safety and other software that may be related to those files.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for determining a flight plan for an aircraft, including: determining one or more regions that intersect an initial flight path and comprise at least one terrain feature having an elevation greater than an elevation threshold; for each respective region: determining a flight area based on the initial flight path and an elevation threshold line; determining one or more segments of the initial flight path that comprise one or more terrain features having an elevation greater than the elevation threshold; and determining a modified flight path for each respective segment by: determining a plurality of descent gradients along the respective segment; and moving the respective segment of the initial flight path in the safe descent direction if any of the plurality of descent gradients would collide with any of the one or more terrain features.

Abstract: A vehicle can have a user profile securely deployed in it according to a security protocol. The vehicle can include a body, a powertrain, vehicle electronics, and a computing system. The computing system of the vehicle can be configured to: retrieve information from a user profile according to a security protocol. The computing system of the vehicle can also be configured to receive a request for at least a part of the retrieved information from the vehicle electronics and send a portion of the retrieved information to the vehicle electronics according to the request. The computing system of the vehicle can also be configured to propagate information sent from the vehicle electronics back into the user profile according to the security protocol. And, the computing system of the vehicle can also be configured to store in its memory, according to the security protocol, information sent from the vehicle electronics.