Abstract: Methods and systems for determining and modeling admissible gripper forces are described. An example method may involve receiving data representative of a plurality of trajectories along which a robotic manipulator, while gripping one or more physical objects, previously moved the one or more objects without dropping the one or more objects. The method may also involve determining set of force vectors corresponding to the trajectories. The method may also involve determining a three-dimensional virtual model of the set, where boundaries of the model represent constraints on magnitudes of forces that are applied in a given direction to perform the trajectories. The method may then involve determining one or more subsequent trajectories that correspond to a subsequent set of force vectors that are within the boundaries of the model and along which the robotic manipulator can move a subsequent physical object at particular accelerations without dropping the subsequent object.

Abstract: A brake control system for a motor vehicle having a plurality of wheels, brakes for applying a braking force to one or more of the wheels, sensing means for detecting movement of the vehicle, and one or more selectable drive gears each associated with an intended direction of movement of the vehicle. The system comprises: brake actuation means for actuating the brakes to supply a braking effort; and brake control means for controlling the brake actuation means, wherein the brake control means is arranged to detect the selection of a drive gear and, when a drive gear is selected, to limit a movement of the vehicle in a direction opposed to the intended direction of movement associated with the selected drive gear by ensuring that the brake actuation means supplies a braking effort.

Abstract: There is provided a warning device for detecting attachment integrity issues of a wheel assembly of a vehicle while the vehicle is in motion, the system comprising: a rigid body having: a first side and a second side to define an axis there between; a plurality of circumferentially distributed apertures extending axially between the first side and the second side, such that a spatial distribution of the plurality of circumferentially distributed apertures corresponds to a spatial distribution of wheel hub studs configured to receive a rim of the wheel; a plurality of wheel nut mounting locations positioned about each of the plurality of circumferentially distributed apertures on the first side, each of the plurality of wheel nut mounting locations having a mating surface for mating with an underside of a respective wheel nut; one or more rim mounting surfaces on the second side for mating with an outwardly facing exterior surface of the rim; and a plurality of indicators positioned adjacent to each of the plu

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the relative attitude between an inertial measurement unit (IMU), present on a mobile device, and the frame of reference of the vehicle carrying mobile device is estimated. The estimated relative attitude is used to translate the IMU measurement to the vehicle frame of reference to determine the velocity and position of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle position and velocity are determined accurately in the event of undocking and re-docking of the mobile device from a docking system in the vehicle. The relative attitude is estimated in terms of pitch, roll, and yaw angles.

Abstract: Selection of sensors requires the knowledge of individual sensors mounted on a target machine and the knowledge of mechanical features of the machine. In the past, experts having mechanical knowledge selected the sensors. The present invention involves analyzing sensor data at e of machine failure, extracting features from the sensor data regarding each failure cause, and comparing the extracted features so as to clarify the difference between the sensor data about the failure causes and present an operator with the clarified difference thereby to support sensor selection. The invention makes it possible to select more simply than before the sensors considered effective for classifying failure causes. For example, the sensors deemed effective for classifying failure causes without mechanical knowledge can be selected.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling an engine clutch of a hybrid electric vehicle may include a driving information detector to detect demand information for driving and state information of the hybrid electric vehicle, an engine clutch selectively connecting an engine and a motor generating power, and a controller receiving information from the driving information detector and changing a driving mode of the hybrid electric vehicle by controlling an operation of the engine clutch, in which the controller controls standby hydraulic pressure of the engine clutch differently according to a mode changing condition when the driving mode of the hybrid electric is changed from an Electric Vehicle (EV) mode to a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) mode.

Abstract: A method and system monitor a plurality of operating parameters for a tire over time during usage of the tire as the tire is exposed to actual operating conditions. The system and method may also determine a tire health parameter for the tire that provides an indication of the condition of the tire based upon the data collected for the tire over time during usage of the tire. The plurality of operating parameters includes, in the least, a temperature associated with the tire during usage of the tire and a duration of usage of the tire.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and an electrical system. The electrical system has an auxiliary starter motor connected to a crankshaft of the engine, a high-voltage motor generator unit (MGU) connected to the crankshaft, and a controller. Execution of instructions by a processor causes the controller to determine a set of powertrain conditions in response to a requested autostart of the engine, e.g., state of charge and/or power limits of a high-voltage energy storage system (HV-ESS), torque limits of the MGU, and/or a crank angle of the engine. The controller determines whether the requested autostart may not succeed relative to a time or noise standard using the set of powertrain conditions, and transmits an autostart command to the MGU when the requested autostart may succeed. The controller transmits the autostart command to the auxiliary starter motor when the requested autostart will not succeed.

Abstract: Transaction processing in an offline environment for a prepaid product comprising a portable consumer device includes responding to presentation of the prepaid product at a reader for offline processing by initiating operation of the prepaid product, receiving data from the prepaid product at the reader that indicates the prepaid product is associated with a prepaid account balance, determining that the prepaid product is in a negative balance condition, and taking preventive action in response to the negative balance condition such that future acceptance of the prepaid product at a reader is prevented.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and is at least partially propelled by a fraction battery and a traction motor. A clutch is configured to be coupled to the traction motor. An electrical and/or mechanical pump provides pressure to control the clutch. At least one controller determines if the clutch is slipping. In response to the clutch slipping, the at least one controller commands an increase in speed of an input of the clutch such that the available line pressure to control the slipping of the clutch is increased. The line pressure is then applied to the clutch in order to control the slipping of the clutch.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for recognizing driving environment for an autonomous vehicle. The apparatus includes a controller configured to receive navigation information from a satellite navigation receiver. The controller is further configured to receive map data from a map storage and image data from an image sensor regarding captured images from around a vehicle and distance information from a distance sensor regarding sensed objects positioned around the vehicle. The controller is also configured to determine a fusion method for information measured by the image sensor and the distance sensor based on a receiving state of the satellite navigation receiver and precision of the map data to recognize the driving environment.

Abstract: A robot system includes: a robot including a hand configured to hold a thin plate-shaped workpiece and an arm configured to move the hand; and a robot controller configured to control the robot. The robot controller controls the robot to perform a transfer of the workpiece at a predetermined workpiece transfer position in such a way that the hand is moved in a horizontal direction while being moved in a vertical direction after the hand has reached the workpiece transfer position.

Abstract: Example systems and methods are disclosed for implementing vehicle operation limits to prevent vehicle load failure during vehicle teleoperation. The method may include receiving sensor data from sensors on a vehicle that carries a load. The vehicle may be controlled by a remote control system. The load weight and dimensions may be determined based on the sensor data. In order to prevent a vehicle load failure, a forward velocity limit and an angular velocity limit may be calculated. Vehicle load failures may include the vehicle tipping over, the load tipping over, the load sliding off of the vehicle, or collisions. The vehicle carrying the load may be restricted from exceeding the forward velocity limit and/or the angular velocity limit during vehicle operation. The remote control system may display a user interface indicating to a remote operator the forward velocity limit and the angular velocity limit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a processor that executed a procedure, the procedure including: detecting a moving vehicle as the moving vehicle approaches a vehicle queue based on a signal from a sensor, acquiring a position and a speed of the moving vehicle based on the signal, calculating a stop position of the moving vehicle based on a change in the position and the speed of the moving vehicle, and calculating a length of the vehicle queue based on the stop position of the moving vehicle.

Abstract: A reference value for controlling a vehicle's speed is obtained by: receiving a choice from two selectable driving modes, each driving mode having a unique set of settings that influence the calculation of the reference value; making a first prediction, based on an engine torque Tret that retards the vehicle as compared with conventional cruise control, and a second prediction based on an engine torque Tacc that accelerates the vehicle as compared with conventional cruise control; comparing the first and second predictions with a lower limit value and/or an upper limit value, which delineate a speed range within which the speed should be; and determining the reference value based on the mode choice and on at least one of the comparisons and said first prediction and second prediction of the speed along the horizon, such that the reference value is within the speed range.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying visually distinguishing characteristics if an aircraft is below a minimum altitude or beyond a maximum distance when executing a procedure turn. A procedure turn icon, an aircraft icon indicating the aircraft's present location, terrain/obstacles, and the visually distinguishing characteristics are displayed on a moving map.

Abstract: Parking lot (18, 20) locations and geometries are discerned from probe data (22) and integrated with a digital map (12) for use in navigation and other map-related activities. The steps of this invention include: identifying the positions in the probe data (22) where cars are probably parked, detecting the positions of parking lots (18, 20), determining the extension and shape of the detected parking lots (18, 20), and adjusting the parking lots (18, 20) into the road network (14). Optionally, the parking lot (18, 20) can be classified and additional attributes computed. Finally, a topological connection of the parking lot (18, 20) is made to the road network (14) during which entrances (34) and exits (36) are identified.

Abstract: A system for configuring a trailer model for a trailer maneuvering system is disclosed. The system comprises a controller having a memory and being operable to communicate with the trailer maneuvering system. The controller is configured to receive trailer dimensional data from a mobile device. The trailer dimensional data may then be stored in the memory as a first trailer profile. The controller is operable to access the trailer dimensional data in the first trailer profile to determine at least one vehicle operation configured to maneuver the trailer.

Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling the vehicle using voice guidance is provided. The vehicle includes a body that defines an appearance of the vehicle and a vehicle sensor that is configured to sense various driving-related situations of the vehicle. A driving guide system is then configured to analyze vehicle driving data including vehicle sensing information received form the vehicle sensor and driving-related information and prioritize the vehicle driving data. In addition, the driving guide system is configured to generate driving guide information in a scenario format based on a priority and output the driving guide information by voice guidance.

Abstract: An embedded Tire Pressure Monitoring sensor is incorporated into vehicular wheels and a secured central server is used to track the unique identification code of each sensor. The TPMS is installed by the vehicular manufacturer in accordance with the federally mandated TREAD Act of 2000. When a vehicle enters the radius of a first encrypted TPM sensor detection transceiver, its TPM sensor identification codes are recorded and time-stamped via an encrypted TPM sensor detection transceiver. If the vehicle enters the area of a second encrypted TPM sensor detection transceiver, the sensor codes will be recorded and time-stamped a second time, encrypted and sent to the secured central server. Using the two encrypted, time-stamped signals, the secured central server calculates traffic flow data.