Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for re-ranking trips from a journey planner using real traveler preferences. A trip request is received that includes an origin, a destination and a departure time. An associated journey planner retrieves a list of candidate trips that correspond to the request. A ranking function, ascertained from actual trips that match the trip request and from which are determined real-world traveler preferences, is applied to the list of candidate trips output by the journey planner, thereby re-ranking the list of candidate trips to reflect real-world traveler's experiences.

Abstract: A method of vehicle navigation guidance includes: receiving at least three satellite positioning data; receiving road marking data from a driver assistance device; calculating a first position of a vehicle according to the at least three satellite positioning data and according to the road marking data; determining a turning action of the vehicle according to the road marking data; determining an acceleration force of the vehicle according to the road marking data; and calculating a second position of the vehicle according to the first position, according to the turning action, and according to the acceleration force.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for visually annotating rendered multi-dimensional representations of robot environments. In various implementations, an entity may be identified that is present with a telepresence robot in an environment. A measure of potential interest of a user in the entity may be calculated based on a record of one or more interactions between the user and one or more computing devices. In some implementations, the one or more interactions may be for purposes other than directly operating the telepresence robot. In various implementations, a multi-dimensional representation of the environment may be rendered as part of a graphical user interface operable by the user to control the telepresence robot. In various implementations, a visual annotation may be selectively rendered within the multi-dimensional representation of the environment in association with the entity based on the measure of potential interest.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system for a motor vehicle, the system being operable in an automatic mode selection condition in which the system is configured to select automatically an appropriate system operating mode and to assume operation in said system operating mode, wherein when operating in the automatic mode selection condition the system is configured to prevent selection of a prescribed one or more operating modes if it is determined that the vehicle is towing a load.

Abstract: A force detection device includes a charge output element that outputs charge in accordance with a received external force, a conversion and output circuit, having a first switching element and a first capacitor, which converts the charge into a voltage and outputs the voltage, a compensation signal output circuit, having a second switching element and a second capacitor, which outputs a compensation signal, and an external force detection circuit that detects an external force on the basis of the voltage which is output from the conversion and output circuit and the compensation signal which is output from the compensation signal output circuit. The capacitance of the second capacitor is smaller than the capacitance of the first capacitor.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media that are related to 3D object detection and pose determination and that may optionally increase the robustness and/or efficiency of the 3D object recognition and pose determination. Some implementations are generally directed to techniques for generating an object model of an object based on model point cloud data of the object. Some implementations of the present disclosure are additionally and/or alternatively directed to techniques for application of acquired 3D scene point cloud data to a stored object model of an object to detect the object and/or determine the pose of the object.

Abstract: A human machine interface linked to the throttle lever of an aircraft used to control the energy of an aircraft is disclosed. The HMI has upper part, which corresponds to the forward stroke of the lever, and a lower part, which corresponds to the rearward stroke of the lever. An upper shutter is positioned over the upper part, and a lower shutter is positioned over the lower part. A “cursor” acts as a visual representation in the HMI of the lever and its handle. The cursor moves forward or backward as the pilot acts on the lever/handle. The cursor indicates an ordered release of more or less aircraft energy, depending on its position on the display. The upper and lower shutters also indicate the ordered release of more or less aircraft energy, depending on the respective lengths of the two shutters.

Abstract: A robotic system that includes a mobile robot linked to a plurality of remote stations. One of the remote stations includes an arbitrator that controls access to the robot. Each remote station may be assigned a priority that is used by the arbitrator to determine which station has access to the robot. The arbitrator may include notification and call back mechanisms for sending messages relating to an access request and a granting of access for a remote station.

Abstract: A robotic applique assembly for incorporation into a manually controlled vehicle to provide unmanned operational capability to the vehicle includes an assembly body configured to be positioned into the vehicle in substantially the same area occupied by a user of the vehicle. The assembly body can have a series of segments including a torso segment, a bench segment and a leg segment. The segments are pivotally coupled one to another to allow adjustment of position of the segments relative to one another.

Abstract: System and computer-implemented methods and processes for data management of a plurality of target devices of a vehicle, the system including a portable computer device programmed for wireless connectivity to a network and data management activities and interaction with the target devices. The system and computer-implemented methods and processes are particularly useful in connection with trains having at least one locomotive, where the train includes multiple target devices, such as a train event recording system and the like.

Abstract: In general, aspects of this disclosure are directed towards techniques for using a computing device to perform the functionality of a vehicle key, so that the computing device may be used to automatically unlock the doors of a vehicle and/or to activate a previously-deactivated keyless ignition system. The computing device may be associated with a vehicle, including sending an identifier associated with the computing device to the vehicle via short-range communication. The computing device may also send to the vehicle, via short-range communication, at least one unlock door signal including an access code verifiable by the vehicle, and wherein receipt of the at least one unlock door signal by the vehicle enables the vehicle to unlock one or more of its doors without further user intervention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system for a motor vehicle, the system being operable in an automatic mode selection condition in which the system is configured to select automatically an appropriate system operating mode from a plurality of operating modes whereby the system assumes operation in said system operating mode, the system being further operable to activate an automatic progress control function in which a speed of the vehicle over terrain is controlled automatically by the system, wherein when the system is in the automatic mode selection condition the system is configured to allow the automatic progress control function to be activated only when the system is operating in one of a subset of one or more system operating modes.

Abstract: A mission planner system for a powered system, the mission planner system including a receiving device to collect aspect information as the powered system performs a mission, said aspect information being received from a remote location, a processor to determine a speed limit based at least in part on the aspect information, and a control system connected to the powered system to operate the powered system in response to the speed limit. A method and a computer software code for determining the mission plan with aspect information obtained from a remote location during the mission are also disclosed.

Abstract: An example robotic device includes a mobile base and a base linkage. The base linkage has a first end and a second end where the first end is connected to the mobile base. The robotic device also includes a first end effector connected to the second end of the base linkage. The first end effector includes a shovel tool. The robotic device additionally includes an actuated control arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the actuated control arm is connected to the second end of the base linkage. The robotic device further includes a second end effector connected to the second end of the actuated control arm. The second end effector includes a sweeping tool. The actuated control arm is configured to move the sweeping tool to engage with the shovel tool to sweep one or more objects onto the shovel tool.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the health of a gas turbine engine of at least a pair of engines of an aircraft for example. The method comprising the steps of: a) obtaining steady state readings from predetermined sensors on the engines; b) calculate a percentage difference of the steady state readings from a unique engine linear synthesis model for each engine; c) compare the difference between the percentage differences for each engine and d) where this difference exceeds a predetermined value issue a warning as to an engine health problem. Maintenance of the engine can therefore be advantageously scheduled.

Abstract: An example robotic arm includes a base linkage and a first end effector connected to a second end of the base linkage through a first rotational joint. The robotic arm additionally includes a control arm. The control arm includes a first linkage and a second linkage, each having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first linkage is connected to the second end of the base linkage through a second rotational joint. The first end of the second linkage is connected to the second end of the first linkage through a third rotational joint. The control arm also includes a second end effector connected to the second end of the second linkage through a fourth rotational joint. The first, second, third, and fourth rotational joints are configured to rotate in or parallel to a first plane.

Abstract: A vehicular diagnostic communications system, and components thereof, are provided for an apparatus and technique for communicating vehicular diagnostic information over a cellphone network. The system includes a code reader having a vehicle diagnostic port connector for receiving vehicle diagnostic information from the vehicle diagnostic port. The code reader also has a local connectivity network circuit for communicating vehicle diagnostic information between the vehicle diagnostic port connector and a local connectivity circuit. A cellphone is arranged in communication with the local connectivity network for communicating vehicle diagnostic information between the code reader and a cellular telephone network.

Abstract: A remote workstation for the control of percutaneous intervention devices is provided. The remote workstation includes a control system for remotely and independently controlling at least two percutaneous intervention devices. The control system includes at least one input device to control the percutaneous intervention devices. The control system controls movement of at least one of the percutaneous intervention devices along at least two degrees of freedom. The remote workstation also includes a graphical user interface for displaying icons representative of the operational status of each of the percutaneous intervention devices.

Abstract: A system and method for passively detecting aircraft wingtip strikes includes generating a digital base map represented by a plurality of aerodrome cells. A numeric value representative of the specific wingtip is assigned to each of the aerodrome cells. An index count array is generated that has a separate entry for each numeric value. A digital aircraft structure representative of an aircraft is generated, and is represented by a plurality of aircraft cells. A determination is made as to whether a portion of the aerodrome cells are or would be replaced with the plurality of aircraft cells. Each numeric value of the aerodrome cells that are or would be replaced is counted to determine a replacement count associated therewith and that is entered into the separate entry in the index count array for that numeric value. One or more potential aircraft wingtip strikes are detected based on the replacement counts.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a fault of a component of a vehicle. The method also includes providing a plurality of modes of operation for the vehicle including an engine only mode, an electric only mode, a hybrid mode, a partial engine only mode, a partial electric only mode and a partial hybrid mode. At least two of the plurality of modes of operation that avoid use of the faulty component are displayed on a display screen, and a selection of one of the at least two of the plurality of modes of operation that are displayed on the display screen is received. The method includes activating at least one electric, mechanical or software isolator to isolate or disengage at least one component associated with electric propulsion of the vehicle or at least one component associated with combustion engine propulsion of the vehicle that includes the faulty component.