Abstract: It is prevented that a communication relay apparatus in an upper airspace, which is suitable for constructing a three-dimensional network, falls by a strong wind. A communication relay apparatus is provided with a relay communication station that performs a radio communication with a terminal apparatus, and is capable of flying in an upper airspace by an autonomous control or an external control. This communication relay apparatus includes a flight control section that controls a flight of the communication relay apparatus based on flight control information determined so as to reduce an influence of a strong wind generated around the communication relay apparatus. The flight control information may include information for controlling at least one of a flight direction, velocity, altitude, attitude, flight route and flight pattern of the communication relay apparatus.

Abstract: A method of determining a mode of transportation includes: collecting trip data utilizing sensors included in a mobile device during a trip; receiving contextual data related to a transportation system; forming one or more segments using the collected trip data; determining that at least one of the one or more segments is not associated with an airplane; determining that the at least one of the one or more segments is not associated with a train; determining that the at least one of the one or more segments is not associated with a bus; marking the at least one of the one or more segments as associated with a car.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining one or more behavior models used by an autonomous vehicle to predict the behavior of detected objects. The autonomous vehicle may collect and record object behavior using one or more sensors. The autonomous vehicle may then communicate the recorded object behavior to a server operative to determine the behavior models. The server may determine the behavior models according to a given object classification, actions of interest performed by the object, and the object's perceived surroundings.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for dynamically adjusting effective sensor coverage coordinates of a sensor used to assist in navigating an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) in response to environmental conditions that may affect the ideal operation of the sensor. An ADV includes a navigation system and a safety monitor system that monitors some, or all, of the navigation system, including monitoring: dynamic adjustment of effective sensor coverage coordinates of a sensor and localization of the ADV within a high-definition map. The ADV safety monitor system further determines safety-critical objects surrounding the ADV, determines safe areas to navigate the ADV, and ensures that the ADV navigates only to safe areas. An automated system performance monitor determines whether to pass-through ADV navigation control commands, limit one or more control commands, or perform a fail-operational behavior, based on the ADV safety monitor systems.

Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system includes a steering wheel contact position detector, a steering torque detector, a driving mode setting calculator, and a steering override determiner. The driving mode setting calculator is configured to set a driving mode including a first driving assist mode, a second driving assist mode, and a manual driving mode. The driving mode setting calculator is configured, while traveling in a current driving mode that is the first driving assist mode or the second driving assist mode, to allow the current driving mode to continue in a case where the steering override determiner has determined that a steering torque detected by the steering torque detector is a false detection or to cause the driving mode to make a transition to the manual driving mode in a case where the steering override determiner has determined that the steering torque is a steering override intended by a driver.

Abstract: A range maximization system for a vehicle accounting for external factors may include a tire pressure sensor and a load carry sensor configured to detect information relevant to a load on the vehicle. A vehicle control unit may be configured to receive detected information from the tire pressure and load carry sensor, and configured to determine a) an expected range for the vehicle with the detected information relevant to the load and the detected tire pressure, b) a contribution of the detected information relevant to the load and the detected tire pressure to the vehicle range, and c) braking parameters, chassis parameters, and engine parameters that maximize vehicle range based on the load and tire pressure. The system may also include a display configured to display the contribution of the detected load and the detected tire pressure to the vehicle range.

Abstract: A method for operating a self-driving motor vehicle includes changing from a self-driving mode into a manual-driving mode, monitoring a footwell of the motor vehicle with a gesture recognition device, and checking whether at least one specified gesture is present.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for receiving, by a processor having addressable memory, data representing a geographical area for imaging by one or more sensors of an aerial vehicle; determining one or more straight-line segments covering the geographical area; determining one or more waypoints located at an end of each determined straight-line segment, where each waypoint comprises a geographical location, an altitude, and a direction of travel; determining one or more turnarounds connecting each of the straight-line segments, where each turnaround comprises one or more connecting segments; and generating, by the processor, a flight plan for the aerial vehicle comprising: the determined one or more straight-line segments and the determined one or more turnarounds connecting each straight-line segment.

Abstract: A no/low visibility automatic takeoff system for an aircraft obtains a runway reference centerline and aircraft pointing direction (via the aircraft's sensors) and automatically controls the aircraft pointing direction to track the runway reference centerline. An initial vector is obtained based on the initial position of the aircraft the first piloted initiation of the takeoff roll. After the system obtains a centerline, it automatically tracks the centerline and corrects aircraft trajectory so the aircraft heading closely matches the runway centerline as the aircraft proceeds down the runway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for estimating a position of an ego vehicle for autonomous driving including the steps of: receiving first sensor inputs from first sensors to extract visual road information; allowing the extracted visual road information to match first map data to produce a first matching score group; receiving second sensor inputs from second sensors; allowing the received second sensor inputs to match the second map data to produce a second matching score group; checking whether the first matching score group is consistent to the second matching score group; and estimating any one of the position candidates in the position candidate group of the ego vehicle as the position of the ego vehicle according to the consistency checking result.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to autonomous vehicles and associated mechanical, electrical and electronic hardware, computer software and systems, and wired and wireless network communications to provide an autonomous vehicle fleet as a service. More specifically, systems, devices, and methods are configured to manage a fleet of autonomous vehicles. In particular, a method may include determining destination locations for autonomous vehicles, calculating, at an autonomous vehicle service platform, delivery locations to which the autonomous vehicles are directed, identifying data to implement a delivery location associated with an autonomous vehicle, and transmitting data representing a command to the autonomous vehicle. The command may be configured to cause navigation of the autonomous vehicle to the delivery location.

Abstract: A seat belt status determining system and method for a vehicle that evaluate a seat belt and determine if it is buckled and if it is properly routed on a passenger. In order to evaluate the seat belt status, the system and method use seat belt sensors and cameras inside the vehicle cabin to generate data that is then analyzed in conjunction with machine learning techniques (e.g., supervised machine learning techniques implemented through the use of neural networks) to classify the seat belt status into one or more categories, such as: passenger not present, passenger present/seat belt not being worn, passenger present/seat belt being worn improperly, passenger present/seat belt being worn properly, and blocked view.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of controlling a vehicle, comprising predicting a first parameter of a vehicle state at each of a plurality of points in time in dependence on a first parameter of a current vehicle state and a first model associated with the vehicle, predicting a second parameter of the vehicle state at each of the plurality of points in time in dependence on a second parameter of the current vehicle state, the predicted first parameter of the vehicle state and a second model associated with the vehicle, and determining one or more control inputs for the vehicle at each of the points in time in dependence on the predicted first and second parameters of the vehicle state at each of the plurality of points in time and desired first and second parameters of the vehicle state at each of the plurality of points in time.

Abstract: This provides methods and systems for the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) combined with the dead-reckoning (DR) technique, which is expected to provide a vehicle positioning solution, but it may contain an unacceptable amount of error due to multiple causes, e.g., atmospheric effects, clock timing, and multipath effect. Particularly, the multipath effect is a major issue in the urban canyons. This invention overcomes these and other issues in the DR solution by a geofencing framework based on road geometry information and multiple supplemental kinematic filters. It guarantees a road-level accuracy and enables certain V2X applications which does not require sub-meter accuracy, e.g., signal phase timing, intersection movement assist, curve speed warning, reduced speed zone warning, and red-light violation warning. Automated vehicle is another use case. This is used for autonomous cars and vehicle safety, shown with various examples/variations.

Abstract: Embodiments include techniques for an automated aircraft landing analysis, the techniques includes requesting landing information corresponding to a current landing, wherein the landing information includes historic average landing information, and receiving the landing information. Techniques also include retrieving recorded aircraft system parameters corresponding to the current landing, and calculating a landing distance for the current landing. Techniques include calculating a deviation of the calculated landing distance for the current landing, and displaying results of the calculated deviation.

Abstract: A vehicle travel control method is provided for controlling a host vehicle so as to follow a preceding vehicle. A first area where the host vehicle can possibly travel is calculated from a travel trajectory of the new preceding vehicle upon detecting a new preceding vehicle cutting in between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle. A second area is set to a previous travelable area of the host vehicle that was determined up to a previous time. The first area and the second area are added to define a defined travelable area. A target travel trajectory of the host vehicle is generated within the defined travelable area. The host vehicle is controlled along the generated target travel trajectory.

Abstract: A method for operating a transportation vehicle function based on a natural frequency and/or a moment of inertia of a steering wheel arrangement in a steering system including prespecifying an electromotive steering intervention to move the steering system by providing a steering intervention force or a steering intervention torque; ascertaining a natural frequency and/or a moment of inertia of the steering wheel arrangement depending on the response of the steering wheel arrangement based on the electromotive steering intervention; and operating the transportation vehicle function based on the ascertained natural frequency and/or the ascertained moment of inertia of the steering wheel arrangement.

Abstract: An output signal device and method that provides the operator force feedback similar to a pilot control joystick. These force feedback regions include free play, dead-band start of modulation, modulation, fore-warning bumper and hold near max angle. This output signal device may also vary the fore-warning feel and hold positions to be at any angle. This output signal device uses force sensing as the signal and has force slope changes used as auto-calibration of the output signal. This improves signal accuracy and provides a service prognostic signal. The prognostic signal may be used to activate redundant sensor. The variable force feedback may improve operation on rough terrain. The force feedback, may allow more productive operating positions to be learned. This enables productivity and other important job site criteria such as fuel usage to be optimized by interactive communication with this output signal device.

Abstract: Methods and systems herein can let an autonomous vehicle localize itself precisely and in near real-time in a digital map using visual place recognition. Commercial GPS solutions used in the production of autonomous vehicles generally have very low accuracy. For autonomous driving, the vehicle may need to be able to localize in the map very precisely, for example, within a few centimeters. The method and systems herein incorporate visual place recognition into the digital map and localization process. The roadways or routes within the map can be characterized as a set of nodes, which can be augmented with feature vectors that represent the visual scenes captured using camera sensors. These feature vectors can be constantly updated on the map server and then provided to the vehicles driving the roadways. This process can help create and maintain a diverse set of features for visual place recognition.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a safety system for an unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) enable the safe operation of the UAV within an airspace by, for example, initiating various actions based on the position of the UAV relative to one or more flight zones and/or relative to other aircraft in the airspace.