Abstract: A localization system within a vehicle in one embodiment includes a global position system (GPS) receiver, a radar sensor, a data storage device including program instructions stored therein, a symbolic map stored within the data storage device, and a controller operatively coupled to the data storage device, the GPS receiver, and the radar sensor, the controller configured to execute the program instructions to analyze data from the GPS receiver, data from the radar sensor, and data from the stored symbolic map, and determine a probabilistic vehicle location based upon the analysis.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided which may include an energy conversion device, an energy source to supply power to the energy conversion device, and at least one controller in communication with an interface. The controller may be programmed to output a distance to empty (DTE) to the interface based on conditions of vehicle components and the energy source compensated by a distance correction factor. The controller may further include a DTE prediction architecture including a feed-forward energy consumption estimator, an energy consumption learning filter, a distance compensator, and a DTE calculator. A method for estimating distance to empty for a vehicle is also provided which may output a DTE modified by a predicted DTE range loss selected to include a distance correction factor corresponding to and correcting for the noise factor.

Abstract: Uncommanded steering detection in a machine can be performed by comparing commanded and actual steering positions of an electro-hydraulic steering cylinder along with a velocity of movement of the cylinder to understand a steering error and whether the actual steering position is moving toward the commanded steering position. A steering error, when above a predetermined threshold, may be cumulatively summed and, if the cumulative sum exceeds a predetermined limit, an alarm may be triggered and the machine may be forced to a safe state (slowed or stopped). The steering error for the actual steering position may be increased if the velocity of movement is not toward the commanded steering position so that the alarm will be triggered sooner. In either case, the response of the machine to steering uncommanded motion will be swifter when the uncommanded motion is more severe (greater error and/or steering in the wrong direction).

Abstract: A control apparatus of an electrically-driven vehicle controls an electrically-driven vehicle including a motor transmitting a drive force to wheels, an inverter driving the motor, and a battery supplying power to the inverter. The control apparatus includes battery storage amount estimation means for estimating a storage amount of the battery and motor rotation speed detection means for detecting a rotation speed of the motor. Output terminals of the inverter are short-circuited when the rotation speed of the motor reaches or exceeds a predetermined rotation speed while the storage amount estimated by the battery storage amount estimation means is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A diagnostic display device is coupled to a vehicle data bus and receives vehicle identification information which is used to identify one or more expected onboard systems installed on the vehicle. Expected systems are queried to determine that they are present and operating properly. Presence and operation status information are stored and/or presented to a user to facilitate automated vehicle system inspection.

Abstract: A navigation system includes: a map information acquiring unit 31 for acquiring map information; an HOV lane decision unit 38 for deciding whether an HOV lane is included in a road represented by the map information acquired by the map information acquiring unit 31 or not; a road number processing unit 43 for performing, when the HOV lane decision unit 38 decides that the HOV lane is included, processing of adding information representing the HOV lane to a road number of the road including the HOV lane; and a display processing unit 44 or a voice information unit 46 for causing the road number passing through the processing by the road number processing unit 43 to be displayed on the guide map or output in voice.

Abstract: A first vehicle may receive at least one message from a second vehicle, the message including data provided by the second vehicle. A computing device in the first vehicle is configured to analyze the data of the at least one message to determine that the second vehicle can operate as a lead vehicle. The computing device in the first vehicle is further configured to implement at least one operation in the first vehicle according to the data from the lead vehicle.

Abstract: An operation platform (1), comprising: a platform base (20); a movement mechanism (26) connectable to said platform base and, when so connected, configured for displacement of the platform base; at least one operation tool zone (30) on said platform base configured for accommodating thereat at least one operation tool (50); and at least one boom assembly (10) having a first end fixable to said platform base (20), and a second free end (14), the boom assembly being controllable for displacing said second free end towards at least said one operation tool zone (30), coupling the second free end (14) to at least said one operation tool (50) accommodated within the operation tool zone (30), and maneuvering said second free end (14) with at least said one operation tool coupled thereto.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved systems and methods for matching scenes. In one embodiment, a processor for implementing robust feature matching between images comprises: a first process for extracting a first feature set from a first image projection and extracting a second feature set from a second image projection; a memory for storing the first feature set and the second feature set; and a second process for feature matching using invariant mutual relations between features of the first feature set and the second feature set; wherein the second feature set is selected from the second image projection based on the identification of similar descriptive subsets between the second image projection and the first image projection.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a connection of a high-voltage source of a motor vehicle to a high-voltage network of the motor vehicle, first at least one test value for an electrical operating variable of the high-voltage network is determined by means of a control device of the motor vehicle after a connection command is received. The electrical operating variable depends on a capacitance actually effective at a connection of the high-voltage source to the high-voltage network. Only when the at least one test value meets a predefined safety condition, is a precharge current of the high-voltage source conducted via a first precharge resistor, which limits the precharge current, to the connection and into the high-voltage network to charge up a capacitor of the high-voltage network. Otherwise the precharge current is blocked.

Abstract: There is provided an antenna. A third transmission antenna is provided at a position shifted in a short direction of a first transmission antenna. A second transmission antenna is provided at a position between the first and third transmission antennas so that a portion of the second transmission antenna in a longitudinal direction is overlapped with a portion of the first and third transmission antennas in the longitudinal direction. A fourth transmission antenna is provided at a position point-symmetrical with respect to the position of the second transmission antenna, about the position of the third transmission antenna. A plurality of reception antennas are provided so that a portion of each of the reception antennas in the longitudinal direction is overlapped with a portion of the second transmission antenna in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing procedure information associated with an aircraft procedure onboard an aircraft. An exemplary method involves obtaining a briefing sequence for the aircraft procedure and providing the procedure information via the output device, wherein the procedure information is provided in accordance with the briefing sequence. When the output device is realized as an audio output device, the procedure information is sequentially provided auditorily via the audio output device. In one or more embodiments, the procedure information is sequentially indicated on a display device onboard the aircraft in concert with the auditorily provided procedure information.

Abstract: Disclosed are a robot cleaner and a method for controlling the same. Firstly, an obstacle may be detected by using a light pattern sensor, and a user's inconvenience due to irradiation of a light pattern may be solved. Secondly, an obstacle may be precisely detected in a three dimensional manner by using the light pattern sensor. This may allow precise creation of a cleaning map. Thirdly, a user's eyes may be prevented from being continuously exposed to a light source. This may enhance the user's convenience.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a navigation application. The navigation application includes an interface for receiving data describing junctures along a route from a first location on a map to a second location on the map. The data for each juncture includes a set of angles at which roads leave the juncture. The navigation application includes a juncture decoder for synthesizing, from the juncture data, instruction elements for each juncture that describe different aspects of a maneuver to be performed at the juncture. The navigation application includes an instruction generator for generating at least two different instruction sets for a maneuver by combining one or more of the instruction elements for the juncture at which the maneuver is to be performed. The navigation application includes an instruction retriever for selecting one of the different instruction sets for the maneuver according to a context in which the instruction set will be displayed.

Abstract: An inverted vehicle control apparatus includes a plurality of driving wheels, a plurality of drive means each of which drives a respective one of the plurality of driving wheels, skid detection means for detecting a skid state between the driving wheels and a road surface, operation information acquisition means for acquiring operation information of a rider, and control means for controlling the drive means to control the driving wheels. The control means controls, based on the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition means, the driving wheel for which no skid is detected by the skid detection means, and the control means controls the driving wheel for which a skid is detected by the skid detection means so that a friction reaction force exerted from the road surface to the driving wheel is exerted in such a direction that the inverted vehicle is raised by the friction reaction force.

Abstract: A roaming sensor system collects data on the condition of roads and bridge decks and identifies and maps defects, including cracks, potholes, debonding, tracking, delamination, surface ice, surface water, and rebar corrosion. Data are collected by a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles driven at normal traffic speeds. The vehicle is outfitted with sensors that collect data using acoustic surface waves, ground penetrating radar, mm wave surface radar, and/or video images. The data are transmitted to a control center for analysis and distribution.

Abstract: Managing routes to meet one or more predetermined conditions, in one aspect, may comprise receiving user information associated with a user via a user's device. Based on the user information, at least a target location to where the user is traveling may be determined. Path information associated with one or more intermediary locations leading to the target location may be received. The path information may be received automatically from one or more sensors installed at the respective intermediary locations for detecting the path information. A route strategy that meets one or more conditions may be estimated by analyzing the user information and the path information. The user information may be obtained automatically from one or more of social network profile data associated with the user, electronic calendar data associated with the user, or historical data associated with the user stored in a user profile database.

Abstract: Agricultural rate adjustments performed by autopilots or farm information displays help eliminate guesswork and improve farm efficiency.

Abstract: Control apparatuses for hybrid vehicles are disclosed which rapidly decrease the voltage of an inverter following a collision. The control apparatus increases a force of engagement of a clutch when an operating speed of an engine is lower than an operating speed of an electric motor after a collision, and reduces the force of engagement of the clutch when the operating speed of the engine is equal to or higher than the operating speed of the electric motor after the collision. Accordingly, the clutch is placed in an engaged state when the engine applies a load to the electric motor, and is placed in a released state when the operating speed of the electric motor is raised by the engine in the engaged state of the clutch so that the operating speed of the electric motor can be rapidly lowered and a voltage of an inverter can be rapidly lowered.

Abstract: A brake light control device that generates a braking force, and is used with a brake device which can control the braking force according to a signal from a brake control unit regardless of the operation of a brake operator includes: a brake light switch that is inserted and arranged into an electrical connection path between a power supply and a brake light, and is opened and closed together with the operation of the brake operator; and a switching switch that is opened and closed in response to braking force control. The brake light control device further includes: a blinking switch that is connected in parallel to the switching switch; and a control unit that, when the brake light is required to be blinked, is configured to keep the switching switch in an OFF state, and blinks the brake light by repeatedly switching on and off the blinking switch.