Abstract: A method directed to at least partially automated control of a motor vehicle while entering or exiting a parking space, including determining a destination position for the motor vehicle following the automated entering or exiting of a parking space; determining a trajectory the motor vehicle to reach the destination position from a starting position of the motor vehicle; providing data representing ground-level obstacles along the trajectory. If ground-level obstacle is detected along the trajectory, determining at least one longitudinal control parameter of the motor vehicle for driving over the ground-level obstacle. At least partially automated movement of the motor vehicle from the starting position until reaching the destination position long the determined trajectory by the at least one longitudinal control of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an unmanned automated hook-fastening device including a device coupler, a propulsion unit, a transmitter, a receiver, hook pliers, and an unloading transmitter. The propulsion unit adjusts the position of the hoisting unit with respect to the object, on the basis of the position signal transmitted by the transmitter and received by the receiver, and adjusts the position of the hoisting unit coupled to the object, on the basis of the position signal transmitted by the unloading transmitter and received by the receiver. It is possible to easily track the position of a hook of the object to be hoisted, automatically fasten the hook pliers to the hook, and automatically fasten the hook to a crane without a monitoring system.

Abstract: Many different types of systems are utilized or tasks are performed in a marine environment. The present invention provides various configurations of unmanned vehicles, or drones, that can be operated and/or controlled for such systems or tasks. One or more unmanned vehicles can be integrated with a dedicated marine electronic device of a marine vessel for autonomous control and operation. Additionally or alternatively, the unmanned vehicle can be manually remote operated during use in the marine environment. Such unmanned vehicles can be utilized in many different marine environment systems or tasks, including, for example, navigation, sonar, radar, search and rescue, video streaming, alert functionality, among many others. However, as contemplated by the present invention, the marine environment provides many unique challenges that may be accounted for with operation and control of an unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: A method for package delivery includes identifying a plurality of delivery locations for package delivery. The method includes determining a driving route for an automated ground vehicle to optimize delivery to the delivery locations using one or more automated aerial vehicles. The method includes controlling the automated ground vehicle to navigate the delivery route. The method further includes determining timing for release of the one or more automated aerial vehicles during navigation of the delivery route to deliver packages to the plurality of delivery locations.

Abstract: A radio controlled (RC) vehicle includes a receiver configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from a remote control device. The RF signal indicates command data in accordance with a first coordinate system. The command data includes yaw-velocity command data. The RC vehicle includes motion sensors configured to generate motion data. The RC vehicle includes a processor coupled to the motion sensors and to the receiver. The processor is configured to transform the command data into control data based on the motion data and in accordance with a second coordinate system from a perspective of the RC vehicle. The control data includes yaw-velocity control data. The yaw-velocity control data is related to the yaw-velocity command data. The RC vehicle includes control devices coupled to the processor and configured to control motion of the RC vehicle based on the control data.

Abstract: Many different types of systems are utilized or tasks are performed in a marine environment. The present invention provides various configurations of unmanned vehicles, or drones, that can be operated and/or controlled for such systems or tasks. One or more unmanned vehicles can be integrated with a dedicated marine electronic device of a marine vessel for autonomous control and operation. Additionally or alternatively, the unmanned vehicle can be manually remote operated during use in the marine environment. Such unmanned vehicles can be utilized in many different marine environment systems or tasks, including, for example, navigation, sonar, radar, search and rescue, video streaming, alert functionality, among many others. However, as contemplated by the present invention, the marine environment provides many unique challenges that may be accounted for with operation and control of an unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: A location and mapping service is described that creates a global database of indoor navigation maps through crowd-sourcing and data fusion technologies. The navigation maps consist of a database of geo-referenced, uniquely described features in the multi-dimensional sensor space (e.g., including structural, RF, magnetic, image, acoustic, or other data) that are collected automatically as a tracked mobile device is moved through a building (e.g. a person with a mobile phone or a robot). The feature information can be used to create building models as one or more tracked devices traverse a building.

Abstract: A damping element for a rail vehicle including a first section for fastening to a rail vehicle and a second section for introducing a force acting horizontally upon the rail vehicle. A monitoring system for the dampening element including a sensor attached to the dampening element for sensing a change in a distance between the first section and the second section, a data memory, a processing unit designed to determine information regarding the change in the distance and to store said information in the data memory and a local energy supply device for the autonomous supply of the processing unit.

Abstract: A vehicle control method can include enabling a temporary parking mode of a first vehicle parked at a first temporary parking location, in which a first detection sensor of the first vehicle is in an enabled mode. A trigger feature within a preset range of the first vehicle can be detected based on the first detection sensor. The trigger feature can indicate occurrence of an event associated with a second vehicle or a human appears within the preset range. The first vehicle can be moved to a second parking location in the parking area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for checking a collision between a driverless transport vehicle (1) and a further driverless transport vehicle during planning of a movement of at least the driverless transport vehicle (1). The invention further relates to a driverless transport vehicle (1) and to a system having a plurality of driverless transport vehicles.

Abstract: A rotary-wing drone and a method of blowing air by an air blowing device integrated with the rotary-wing drone are described. The rotary-wing drone includes a plurality of rotary propellers, an extendable cone, a centrifugal propeller unit, and one or more batteries, in the air blowing device. The rotary-wing drone further includes a camera configured to obtain images of surrounding environment of the rotary-wing drone, and a processing circuitry configured to analyze the images to determine dust characteristics on a solar panel and to obtain one or more parameters of the air blowing device and the rotary-wing drone, to enable the rotary-wing drone to clean the solar panel.

Abstract: Management of available energy among multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is provided by identifying tasks to be completed by the multiple UAVs, and determining energy requirements of one or more UAVs of the multiple UAVs to facilitate completing one or more tasks of the tasks to be completed by the multiple UAVs. Further, the approach includes identifying an energy sharing approach for completion of the task(s) by the UAV(s) where one or more other UAVs of the multiple UAVs transfer energy in transit to the UAV(s) to facilitate completion of the task(s). In operation, the multiple UAVs may be detachably coupled, and the approach may include implementing the energy sharing approach by transferring energy from the other UAV(s) to the UAV(s) to facilitate completion of the task(s), for instance, prior to decoupling of the other UAV(s) from the UAV(s).

Abstract: A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system is disclosed. The suspension system includes an actuator body, a hydraulic pump, an electric motor, a plurality of sensors, an energy storage facility, and a controller. The method includes disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.

Abstract: The vehicle includes a thawing compartment configured to thaw a commodity housed therein, an acquisition device configured to obtain information including a thawing time limit set based on a request from a user, and a controller configured to control the thawing operation of the thawing compartment. The controller controls the thawing compartment so as to complete the thawing operation of the commodity housed therein by the thawing time limit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for powering and controlling flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicles can be used in a networked system under common control and operation and can be used for a variety of applications. Selected embodiments can operate while tethered to a portable control system. A high speed tether management system can be used to facilitate both mobile and static tethered operation. Modular components provide for both tethered and fully autonomous flight operations.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be provided. With a vehicle owner's permission, a vehicle operator identity may be determined; and operating data regarding the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be received from one or more vehicle-mounted sensors. Based upon the received operating data, (i) autonomous operation risk levels associated with autonomous vehicle operation; and (ii) operator risk levels associated with autonomous vehicle operation by the vehicle operator may be determined. Based upon a comparison of the autonomous operation versus vehicle operator risk levels, the autonomous features may be engaged if it is safer for the vehicle to travel autonomously.

Abstract: Autonomously piloting a sea-faring vessel traveling on a pre-defined course at a nominal speed includes: measuring a slamming parameter of the vessel; determining that the slamming parameter is outside an acceptable range; and autonomously decreasing the speed of the vessel until the slamming parameter is within the acceptable range, thereby causing the vessel to enter a reduced-speed mode.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may include identifying a vehicle operator and retrieving an associated vehicle operator profile. Operating data regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be received that includes data from sensors disposed within the vehicle. When a request to enable an autonomous operation feature is received, (i) autonomous operation risk levels associated with vehicle operation by the autonomous operation feature based upon the received operating data, and (ii) operator risk levels associated with vehicle operation by the vehicle operator based upon the vehicle operator profile are determined. Autonomous operation feature enablement may be allowed based upon a comparison of (i) autonomous operation risk levels with (ii) operator risk levels.

Abstract: An operation authority management apparatus manages switching between automatic operation and manual operation of a plurality of actuators (a steering actuator, an accelerator actuator, and a brake actuator) of a subject vehicle. In the operation authority management apparatus, a subject vehicle behavior prediction unit predicts a behavior of the subject vehicle. A determination unit determines, for each individual actuator, whether or not to permit switching of the actuator during the automatic operation to the manual operation on the basis of the behavior of the subject vehicle predicted by the subject vehicle behavior prediction unit. A notification unit notifies a driver of the subject vehicle of a determination result made by the determination unit.

Abstract: A location and mapping service is described that creates a global database of indoor navigation maps through crowd-sourcing and data fusion technologies. The navigation maps consist of a database of geo-referenced, uniquely described features in the multi-dimensional sensor space (e.g., including structural, RF, magnetic, image, acoustic, or other data) that are collected automatically as a tracked mobile device is moved through a building (e.g. a person with a mobile phone or a robot). The feature information can be used to create building models as one or more tracked devices traverse a building, to indicate signal strength throughout different parts of the building mode, and to illustrate a path of each tracked device associated with signal strength and other annotations.