Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a train control system are disclosed, and are based on virtualization of train control logic and the use of cloud computing resources. A train control system is configured into two main parts. The first part includes physical elements of the train control system, and the second part includes a virtual train control system that provides the computing resources for the required train control application platforms. The disclosed architecture can be used with various train control technologies, including communications based train control, cab-signaling and fixed block, wayside signal technology. Further, the disclosure describes methodologies to convert cab-signaling and manual operations into distance to go operation.

Abstract: A road load module is configured to determine a road load torque to maintain zero vehicle acceleration. An initialization module is configured to determine an initial torque based on the road load torque. A closed loop (CL) module is configured to: when a CL state transitions from an inactive state to an active state, set a CL torque to the initial torque; and when the CL state is in the active state after transitioning to the active state, adjust the CL torque based on a difference between a target vehicle speed and a vehicle speed. A motor torque module is configured to determine a motor torque command based on the CL torque and a motor torque request determined based on an accelerator pedal position. A switching control module is configured to, based on the motor torque command, control switching of an inverter and apply power to an electric motor.

Abstract: A system and method for providing vehicle collision avoidance at an intersection include determining environmental parameters associated with a vicinity of the intersection. The system and method also include estimating a path of travel of a reference vehicle and a target vehicle, wherein the path of travel of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle are based on the environmental parameters and parameters pertaining to the reference vehicle and the target vehicle. Additionally, the system the method include estimating a probability of collision between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle at the intersection based on the path of travel of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle and providing a collision avoidance response, wherein a type of the collision avoidance response is based on the probability of collision between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle at the intersection.

Abstract: An approach is provided for filtering device location points in a sampled trajectory while maintaining path reconstructability. The approach involves determining a first location point in the sampled trajectory that is an unfiltered location point. The sampled trajectory includes device location points sampled by a device traversing a road network. The approach also involves determining a fastest alternative path from the first location point to a second location point. The approach further involves calculating a sampling time difference between a time at which the first location point was sampled and another time at which the second location point was sampled. The approach further involves designating the second location point as a next unfiltered location point when the sampling time difference is within a threshold value of a free-flow travel time calculated for the fastest alternative path. Otherwise, the second location point is designated as a filtered location point.

Abstract: An interactive system for use in connection with recreational vehicle usage includes a server system, including an off-road trail database containing trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information, as well as a trip mapping system accessible by any of a plurality of riders, allowing a rider to create a route based on the data in the off-road trip database. The server system further includes a trail maintenance interface accessible by users affiliated with an authorized group to edit the trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information associated with the authorized group. The server system includes a location data management system configured to receive location data, allowing a rider to publish location information to one or more other riders, and a user feedback interface configured to receive trip data from riders for publication, including information describing an actual route and user data associated with that route.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes at least one imaging device attached to a vehicle and that captures multiple images, and a control circuit that generates a composite image from the multiple images and displays the composite image on a display unit. The vehicle is operated according to a user operation on a portion of the display unit on which the composite image is being displayed.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The UAV includes a main body, a plurality of motors connected to the main body, each of the plurality of motors having a rotor blade, a plurality of ultrasonic sensors located at least one of the plurality of motors and the main body, and transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a ground surface, and measuring distances from the ground surface, a gyro sensor disposed at the main body and maintaining the UAV in a horizontal state, and a controller disposed at the main body, detecting an unevenness of the ground surface based on the distances from the plurality of ultrasonic sensors to the ground surface, generating a control signal whether to land on the ground surface or not in response to the detection of the unevenness, and transmitting the control signal to the plurality of motors.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various embodiments for steering wheel recoupling for an autonomous vehicle. In an embodiment, a steering system is described. The steering system may comprise a steering wheel, wheels controlled by the steering wheel, and a wheel alignment control module. The wheel alignment control module may be configured to determine the steering wheel is decoupled from the steering system, determine a current angle of the wheels controlled by the steering wheel, activate an indicator, the indicator determined based, at least in part, upon the current angle, determine the steering wheel is positioned for recoupling, and recouple the steering wheel to the steering system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes are described herein. A risk of malfunction and/or cyber-attack may be determined by collecting operating data from a plurality of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes. The operating data may be analyzed to identify occurrences of a component malfunctioning. For each component, a risk associated with malfunctioning and/or cyber-attack may be determined based upon the identified occurrences. Based on the risks, at least one result associated with the malfunction and/or cyber-attack may be determined. A component profile may be generated based upon the determined risk and/or the impact of the determined results.

Abstract: A mobile robot that includes a robot body having a forward drive direction, a drive system supporting the robot body above a cleaning surface for maneuvering the robot across the cleaning surface, and a robot controller in communication with the drive system. The robot also includes a bumper movably supported by a forward portion of the robot body and a obstacle sensor system disposed on the bumper. The obstacle sensor system includes at least one contact sensor disposed on the bumper, at least one proximity sensor disposed on the bumper and a auxiliary circuit board disposed on the bumper and in communication with the at least one contact sensor, the at least one proximity sensor, and the robot controller.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, and a drivetrain supported by the chassis. The drivetrain includes a prime mover and a transmission mechanically linked to the prime mover. At least one dynamically adjustable engine mount connects the drivetrain to the chassis. The at least one dynamically adjustable engine mount includes a selectively adjustable parameter. One or more sensors is associated with the vehicle. The one or more sensors is operable to detect one or more vehicle parameters. A control system is operatively connected to the at least one dynamically adjustable engine mount and the one or more sensors. The control system is operable to alter the selectively adjustable parameter of the at least one dynamically adjustable mount to substantially isolate the chassis from lateral shudder of the drivetrain in response to the one or more vehicle parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a notification of an automated restart of vehicle movement that include determining an automated stoppage of the vehicle based on an operation of a low speed follow functionality of the vehicle. The system and method also include measuring a duration of the automated stoppage of the vehicle and determining at least one countermeasure parameter. The system and method further include providing an impulse acceleration for a duration of time during the automated restart of vehicle movement.

Abstract: A seed planter adjustment system includes at least one component of a seed planter that is adjustable for controlling a seed planting depth. Also included is a controller in operative communication with the at least one component. Further included is a user interface in electronic communication with the controller, the user interface receiving an adjustment command from an operator to remotely adjust the at least one component.

Abstract: This brake ECU executes vehicle downhill control for adjusting the braking force to be applied to a vehicle by actuating a brake actuator such that the vehicle body speed does not exceed a target speed. Also, in cases where the accelerator pedal is being operated in a state where the vehicle downhill control is being executed, the brake ECU changes the target speed such that, the longer the operation duration which is the duration for which the accelerator is operated, the higher the target speed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, autonomous driving control is provided for an autonomous vehicle changing from a source lane to a target lane. Using a topological map, a reference node is selected in the source lane. With respect to the reference node, an earliest node is determined in the source lane at which it is first possible for the vehicle to change lanes and a last node is determined in the source lane after which it is no longer possible to change lanes. A range of the source lane is determined for which the vehicle can change lanes.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus including a torque sensor to detect a steering torque and a motor control unit to control a motor that applies an assist torque to a steering system of a vehicle may include a function to switch a control system of the motor between a torque control system of a torque system to control a motor output torque and a position or speed control system of a steering angle system to control a steering angle of a steering in accordance with a predetermined switching trigger. Each of a steering angle command value and a steering angle speed of the position or speed control system and an assist torque level of the torque control system gradually change sensitive to the steering torque, when shifting from the torque control system to the position or speed control system.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a passenger cabin, an electrically powered heating device configured to heat airflow for conditioning the passenger cabin, and a controller configured to selectively command actuation of the electrically powered heating device based on a target discharge air temperature, an actual discharge air temperature, and an amount of power available.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for navigation of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a navigation system includes: a map database, and a navigation processor. The map database includes a map layer of autonomous road data, and at least one other layer of map data. The navigation processor is configured to determine a route for a vehicle to a destination preferring use of autonomous roads according to a setting for preferring use of autonomous roads and based on the map layer of autonomous road data and the at least other layer of map data; and display a display map for a vehicle through a navigation display unit including highlighting autonomous roads on the navigation display unit, based on the map layer of autonomous road data, together with the at least one other layer of map data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an aerial vehicle are provided. The method includes receiving a first signal from a first input device, wherein the first signal is related to a mode of a flight director. The method includes outputting a parameter on an output device, wherein the parameter is related to the mode. The method includes receiving a second signal from a second input device, wherein the second signal causes the parameter to change to a new parameter. The method includes outputting, by the one or more processors, the new parameter on the output device. The method includes receiving, by the one or more processors, a third signal from a third input device, wherein the aerial vehicle is controlled by the flight director based on the third signal, and wherein the second input device is mechanically coupled to the first input device and the third input device.

Abstract: A control module capable of operating on one of first and second vehicles can include a) a module output table comprising a superset of module output elements comprising a first subset of module output elements related to a first set of hardware devices provided on the first vehicle and a second subset of module output elements related to a second set of hardware devices provided on the second vehicle; b) vehicle function output elements related to vehicle function outputs utilized on the first and second vehicles; and c) a configuration table comprising configuration elements corresponding to the module output elements. The module can also include computer-based structure for determining a value of a vehicle function output element corresponding to a module output element of the module output table, transforming the value to the transformed value, and storing the transformed value based on the corresponding module output element.