Abstract: The present disclosure provides a train turn-back control method, device and system. The method includes: determining first state information of a train when confirming that a turn-back instruction is received; directly resetting the first state information to obtain second state information; and performing turn-back control on the train according to the second state information. The present disclosure can realize turn-back control on the train based on a single set of vehicle on-board-device, thereby improving the turn-back success rate and turn-back efficiency of the train, and reducing the hardware consumption.

Abstract: Dynamic online and real-time virtual humans exhibit behaviors associated with inputs and outputs of an autonomous control system. To foster the awareness and trust, the virtual humans exhibit situational awareness via apparent (e.g., rendered) behaviors based on inputs such as direct system measures, functions of the measures, estimates of state based on measures, and estimates of state based on a priori constraints. The virtual humans also exhibit situational control via apparent behaviors associated with outputs such as direct control of devices, functions of control, actions based on high-level goals, and the optional use of virtual versions of conventional physical controls. A dynamic virtual human who continually exhibits awareness of the system state and relevant contextual circumstances, along with the ability to directly control the system, is used to reduce negative feelings associated with the system such as uncertainty, concern, stress, or anxiety on the part of real humans.

Abstract: A vegetative health mapping system which creates two- or three-dimensional maps and associates moisture content, soil density, ambient light, surface temperature, and/or additional indications of vegetative health with the map. Moisture content is inferred using radar return signals of near-field and/or far-field radar. By tuning various parameters of the one or more radar (e.g. frequency, focus, power), additional data may be associated with the map from subterranean features (such as rocks, soil density, sprinklers, etc.). Additional sensors (camera(s), lidar, IMU, GPS, etc.) may be fused with radar returns to generate maps having associated moisture content, surface temperature, ambient light levels, additional indications of vegetative health (as may be determined by machine learned algorithms), etc. Such vegetative health maps may be provided to a user who, in turn, may indicate additional areas for the vegetative health device to scan or otherwise used to recommend and/or perform treatments.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes an object-detector, a location-detector, a configuration-map, and a controller-circuit. The object-detector is configured to detect objects proximate to a host-vehicle. The location-detector is configured to indicate a location of the host-vehicle. The configuration-map is configured to indicate a configuration of the object-detector for the location of the host-vehicle when the host-vehicle is operated in an automated-mode. The controller-circuit is in communication with the location-detector, the configuration-map, and the object-detector. The controller-circuit is configured to operate the object-detector in accordance with the configuration for the location of the host-vehicle when the host-vehicle is operated in an automated-mode, detect a human-override of the automated-mode at the location, and update the configuration-map for the location in accordance with objects detected and in response to the human-override of the automated-mode.

Abstract: A smart refueling service for vehicles which predicts when a vehicle will need refueling based on vehicle sensors and historical and/or predictive information. When analysis indicates the vehicle has insufficient fuel to reach a destination, and there are no refueling stations along the route, a drone is dispatched to refuel the vehicle. The service is a subscription service which registers and authenticates a vehicle and monitors the vehicle based on user preferences. The user preferences may be to refuel at a desired time of day, day of the week or at a desired location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for determining the runway configuration of an airport. The method may include retrieving recorded surveillance data including instances of aircraft positions at an airport; determining a plurality of three-dimensional surveillance cells at each end of one or more runways of the airport; computing a count of the number of aircraft positions within each surveillance cell; and determining a current configuration for each runway based on the count computed for the surveillance cells of the runway. The predicted runway configuration of the airport can be used for updating the flight plan of an aircraft to reduce the total flight duration and minimize fuel consumption.

Abstract: An operation method of a robot for leading a follower to a destination within an open space includes: calculating a distance between the follower and the robot; when it is determined that the distance is not greater than a threshold, determining a pre-movement location of the robot in the open space and an orientation of the robot, and calculating a linear speed and an angular speed for the robot based on the pre-movement location and the orientation of the robot and the destination; moving according to the linear speed and the angular speed; determining whether the robot has arrived at the destination according to the current position; and repeating the previous steps when it is determined that the robot has not arrived at the destination.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and systems for determining usage of a vehicle. A vehicle monitoring system may include, a memory, at least one processor coupled to the memory, and a sensory system that generates vehicle trip data during a monitoring window. The vehicle monitoring system may partition the trip data into a base group and a contrast group. The vehicle monitoring system may calculate a similarity score between the contrast group and the base group. The vehicle monitoring system may determine that the vehicle has been used for commercial purposes in response to the similarity score satisfying a threshold.

Abstract: A truck is provided that includes a bed section located rear of a cab section. The bed section is bounded on each side by opposing first and second upward-extending sidewalls, respectively. The truck also includes a truck bed cover that sits over the bed section on at least the first and second upward-extending sidewalls, and includes a door portion to create selective accessibility to the bed section of the pickup truck. The door portion is movable with respect to the first and second upward-extending sidewalls between open and closed positions via an automatic bed cover drive assembly that moves the door portion between open and closed positions according to a plurality of velocities within a predetermined variance.

Abstract: A method of maneuvering a work machine is disclosed comprising receiving a signal indicative of an actual position of a work machine, and determining a route to maneuver the work machine from the actual position to a target position. When a distance between the actual location and the target location is greater than a straight-distance threshold, the route comprises a curved portion between the actual position and a straight-distance threshold point and a straight portion between the straight-distance threshold point and the target position. When the distance between the actual location and the target location is less than the straight-distance threshold, the route comprises the straight portion. The method further includes displaying a determined path and an indicator.

Abstract: A method includes: retrieving an initial flight path for a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the initial flight path being from a geographical point A to a geographical point B; generating a projected initial energy consumption of the first UAV for completion of a flight along the initial flight path; retrieving a flight path of a second UAV; generating a projected revised energy consumption of the first UAV for completion of a flight along an altered flight path, the altered flight path being a flight path from point A to point B where the first UAV aerodynamically drafts the second UAV for at least a portion of the altered flight path; comparing the projected revised energy consumption to the projected initial energy consumption to determine which of the projected revised energy consumption and the projected initial energy consumption is lower.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems comprising vehicle fleet management systems are disclosed. One embodiment is a method that provides a plurality of predetermined powertrain trim templates, where each of the plurality of predetermined powertrain trim templates specifies a plurality of powertrain trim parameters implementable by an electronic powertrain control system to control one or more operational response characteristics of the powertrain. The method includes selecting one of the plurality of predetermined powertrain trim templates and one of a plurality of vehicles of a vehicle fleet to receive the selected one of the plurality of predetermined powertrain trim templates. In response to the act of selecting one of the plurality of predetermined powertrain trim templates, the method transmits via a telematics network one or more modified powertrain trim parameters.

Abstract: A system includes a network of a plurality of sensing/control/identification devices distributed throughout a machine, each of the sensing/control/identification devices associated with at least one sub-system component of the machine and operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. Shielding surrounds at least one of the sensing/control/identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the at least one sub-system component. A communication path is integrally formed in a component of the machine to route a portion of the electromagnetic signals through the component and a remote processing unit operable to communicate with the network of the sensing/control/identification devices through the electromagnetic signals, wherein at least a portion of the sensing/control/identification devices comprise a wide band gap semiconductor device and wherein at least a portion of the sensing/control/identification devices comprise an on-chip antenna.

Abstract: An overall machine operational state (such as a problem state, field state, machine state, other non-problem state, etc.) is identified, and exit and entry conditions are monitored to determine whether the machine transitions into another operational state. When the machine transitions into a problem state, a multiple input, multiple output control system uses a state machine to identify the problem state and a solution is identified. The solution is indicative of machine settings that will return the machine to an acceptable, operational state. Control signals are generated to modify the machine settings based on the identified solution.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a localization and/or mapping component to understand what surrounds the autonomous vehicle and where it is in relation to the surroundings. The localization and/or mapping component may receive sensor data from sensor(s) of the vehicle and generate a map and/or position and/or orientation from the sensor data according to parameters that configure the way the localization and/or mapping component generates the map and/or position/orientation. A computing device may dynamically adjust these parameters, thereby changing the way the map and/or position/orientation are generated. This adjustment may be based on a condition detected from the sensor data and may increase a clarity (e.g., degree of distinctness/clarity) of the generated map and/or position/orientation.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes a display interface. The vehicle includes a controller configured to execute commands to transport a passenger from a pickup location to a destination and display a brand name or logo associated with a brand identifier during at least a portion of the transport. The execution is responsive to a request for transportation service including the brand identifier, the pickup location, and the destination.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for remote diagnostics of automobiles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include the steps of reading, by a mobile device, a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a vehicle, transmitting, by the mobile device, the VIN to a diagnostic database, receiving, by the mobile device, an indication that an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) diagnostic tool is required for a diagnosis of the vehicle, and selecting the OEM diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of the vehicle in response to the indication that an OEM diagnostic tool is required for the diagnosis of the vehicle.

Abstract: The hybrid vehicle is configured to control an engine and a motor, such that the vehicle is driven in one drive mode among a plurality of drive modes including a Charge Depleting or CD mode in which electric power in a power storage device is consumed and a Charge Sustaining or CS mode in which state of charge of the power storage device is sustained. When a sequential position is selected by a driver in an accelerator-off state, the hybrid vehicle narrows a range of a braking torque applicable to the vehicle in the CD mode as the drive mode, compared with in the CS mode as the drive mode.

Abstract: A robot includes a controller configured to: detect a virtual wall signal; identify a virtual wall according to a signal threshold and the virtual wall signal; and when the virtual wall is identified, adjust the signal threshold, and control the robot to travel along an outer side of the virtual wall according to an adjusted signal threshold and the virtual wall signal, such that a driving wheel of the robot is located at the outer side of the virtual wall when the robot is traveling along the outer side of the virtual wall; wherein the outer side of the virtual wall is a side of the virtual wall within an active region of the robot.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for automatically responding to at least partial submersion of a vehicle in water. The system includes a sensor configured to detect sensor data indicating whether the vehicle is at least partially submerged in water. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) connected to the sensor. The ECU is configured to determine that the vehicle is at least partially submerged in water based on the sensor data. The ECU is also configured to adjust at least one feature of the vehicle in response to the determination that the vehicle is at least partially submerged in water.