Abstract: A control system that is operable to control a vehicle in an autonomous or semi-autonomous mode includes a processor that processes data captured by a plurality of exterior sensing sensors. When the control system is operating in the autonomous or semi-autonomous mode and responsive to a determination of an upcoming event that requires the system to hand over control of the vehicle to a driver before the vehicle encounters the event, the control determines (i) a total action time until the vehicle encounters the event, (ii) an estimated time for the driver to take over control and (iii) an estimated handling time for the vehicle to be controlled before the vehicle encounters the event. Responsive to the determinations, the control system (i) allows the driver to take over control of the vehicle or (ii) controls the vehicle to slow down and stop the vehicle before the vehicle encounters the event.

Abstract: A method of applying an automated parking brake of a motor vehicle includes at least two phases. In a first preceding phase, no clamping force is produced by the parking brake. In a second following phase, a clamping force is produced by the parking brake via a controllable parking brake actuator configured to produce the clamping force. The method further includes detecting a transition from the first phase to the second phase based on a temporal progression of a specific parameter of a control of the parking brake actuator. A control unit is configured to perform according to the method, and a parking brake is configured to perform according to the method.

Abstract: A telematics platform including a telematics service and a telematics device interfacing with an on-board electronic system of a vehicle, performs a compatibility workflow with respect to the vehicle-telematics device compatibility and data accuracy. The compatibility workflow may include multiple phases in which telematics data is assessed for compatibility or inaccuracies based on pre-established compatibility data obtained from a population of other vehicle-telematic device interactions, user-reported compatibility data, and vehicle-specific compatibility data. Incompatibility or inaccuracies in telematics data may be used to activate/deactivate or continue/discontinue interactions between the vehicle and the telematics device, and to inform users of the incompatibility of the vehicle-telematics device pair, or inaccuracies in the telematics data.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle control device includes an emergency vehicle stop switch that detects or estimates an emergency situation; an accelerator operation detector that detects whether or not an accelerator is being operated; and a cruise controller that executes vehicle speed maintaining control or inter-vehicle distance maintaining control for a preceding vehicle. In the case where an emergency situation is detected or estimated by the emergency vehicle stop switch while a vehicle is running, execution of control by the cruise controller is prohibited, and when an accelerator non-operation state lasting for an accelerator non-operation time threshold value or longer since the prohibition of the control is detected by the accelerator operation detector, the vehicle is automatically stopped.

Abstract: A boat that operate autonomously or by remote control, and may be operated without on-board personnel (unmanned) or may be operated in conjunction with onboard personnel, and to methods of using such boats at sea.

Abstract: A method for creating a visualization of a parcel or garden may include receiving information indicative of position data of a robotic vehicle transiting a parcel and corresponding image data captured by the robotic vehicle at one or more locations on the parcel. The method may further include generating a model of the parcel based on the information received, providing a graphical representation of the parcel based on the model, and enabling an operator to interact with the graphical representation to view one or more content items associated with respective ones of the one or more locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving vehicle state data, high-definition map data, and vehicle object environment data, generating a trajectory path that is optimal with respect to the received data, determining whether to update the trajectory path using Bézier curves based on the received data, performing an assessment of the trajectory using properties of Bézier curves, and generating an updated trajectory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a monitored space include producing a first audio signal from received acoustic energy. The first audio signal is then processed against a whitelist of acoustic profiles and, based on lack of substantial correspondence with any of the acoustic profiles, a drone is navigated toward an apparent position of an apparent source. While in-flight, additional acoustic energy is received and a second audio signal is produced from the additional acoustic energy. The second audio signal is processed against the whitelist and, based on lack of substantial correspondence with any of the acoustic profiles of the whitelist, an investigate mode of the drone is initiated. The investigate mode includes notifying a remote monitor and supplying the remote monitor with an audiovisual feed. Responsive to a characterization by the remote monitor, an entry of the whitelist may be updated, added or replaced.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for controlling a movable object using multiple sensors. In one aspect, a method for calibrating one or more extrinsic parameters of a movable object having a plurality of sensors in an initial configuration is provided. The method can comprise: detecting that the initial configuration of the plurality of sensors has been modified; receiving inertial data from at least one inertial sensor during operation of the movable object; receiving image data from at least two image sensors during the operation of the movable object; and estimating the one or more extrinsic parameters based on the inertial data and the image data in response to detecting that the initial configuration has been modified, wherein the one or more extrinsic parameters comprise spatial relationships between the plurality of sensors in the modified configuration.

Abstract: Managing a brake system of a vehicle includes collecting sensor data from one or more sensors in or around the vehicle, calculating brake effectiveness values based on the sensor data, calibrating the brake effectiveness values based on environmental context data associated with the vehicle, accumulating the calibrated brake effectiveness values as a dataset, generating a prediction curve or formula based the dataset, and scheduling a maintenance alarm for the brake system based on the brake effectiveness values.

Abstract: A mechanical flywheel used to power an aircraft system. In one example, the flywheel is used to rotate a rotor shaft in the aircraft's engine and prevent bowing of the rotor shaft caused by a thermal gradient. In another example, the mechanical flywheel provides electrical power at peak demand times. In yet another example, the flywheel is used as a load source or sink by the engine's control system so as to aid engine operability and engine acceleration rates during abnormal flight conditions.

Abstract: A system has a drone session server to collect drone session information. A drone user machine is in a client relationship with the drone session server. A drone control machine is in a client relationship with the drone session server and a peer-to-peer relationship with the drone user machine. The drone control machine is configured to relay video data from a drone to the drone user machine via a peer-to-peer connection. The drone control machine evaluates user commands collected by the drone user machine that are relayed to the drone control machine via the peer-to-peer connection to produce enforced limits commands to maintain the drone within a three-dimensional geographical fence. The drone control machine sends autopilot commands to the drone to transport the drone from the three-dimensional geographical fence to a land site to complete a drone session.

Abstract: A variety of methods, controllers and algorithms are described for controlling a vehicle to closely follow one another safely using automatic or partially automatic control. The described control schemes are well suited for use in vehicle platooning and/or vehicle convoying applications, including truck platooning and convoying controllers. In one aspect, a power plant (such as an engine) is controlled using a control scheme arranged to attain and maintain a first target gap between the vehicles. Brakes (such as wheel brakes) are controlled in a manner configured to attain and maintain a second (shorter) target gap. Such control allows a certain degree of encroachment on the targeted gap (sometimes referred to as a gap tolerance) before the brakes are actuated. The described approaches facilitate a safe and comfortable rider experience and reduce the likelihood of the brakes being actuated unnecessarily.

Abstract: In an example, an indication system includes a plurality of light sources communicatively coupled with a control system. The indication system can be used with a refueling system, including a hose for supplying fuel to a receiver aircraft. Each light source is configured to simultaneously emit visible light and infrared light, and is operable at a dim setting and a bright setting. The control system receives refueling data from the refueling system. The refueling data includes position data indicating a position of the receiver aircraft relative to the refueling system. The control system is configured to, when the refueling data indicates that the position of the receiver aircraft is in a refueling range, activate at least one refueling light source of the plurality of refueling light sources at the bright setting and activate a remainder of the refueling light sources at the dim setting.

Abstract: A system and method for planning activities for a driver of a vehicle, where a scheduled route is planned for the vehicle, include an assignment unit configured for assigning a pilot assisted driving mode to a first part of the scheduled route and assigning an autonomous driving mode a second part of the scheduled route, the assignment of the driving mode determined based on a first parameter. An interface is configured for indicating the first and second parts of the scheduled route to the driver, and a proposal unit is configured for, upon execution of the assigned driving mode in the vehicle, proposing a first activity to the driver for the first part of the scheduled route and a second activity for the second part of the scheduled route, the proposal of an activity determined based a second parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control unit for a windscreen wiper system for a rail vehicle, comprising an operating function interface, a sensor interface, a control device, a control output, and a supply voltage terminal. The operating function interface is configured to receive an information via an operating mode of the windshield wiper system. The sensor interface is configured to receive at least one analog and/or digital sensor signal. Utilizing the information, the control device is configured to provide at least one control signal for the windshield wiper system via the operating mode and/or the sensor signal. The control output is configured to emit the at least one control signal. The supply voltage terminal is configured to provide an applied voltage, interfaces, and devices of the control unit, in particular to the control device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authorizing drones with access to airborne fulfillment centers (AFCs) and other warehouse facilities are described. For example, the systems and methods perform multiple authentication processes, including a physical authentication process and a virtual or electronic authentication process, when determining whether a drone is authorized to access an AFC. Once authorized, the drone may access the AFC to pick up and/or deliver packages or other products, to recharge, to seek repairs, to be housed, and so on.

Abstract: In a navigation device for the autonomously driving vehicle, a continuation degree of autonomous driving on the paths found by a path searcher is calculated by a continuation degree calculator. In addition, a path for the host vehicle to travel is selected by the path selector from the paths found by the path searcher based on the degree of continuation of the autonomous driving. Therefore, it is possible to select a path for the host vehicle travelling by autonomous driving while including the degree of continuation of the autonomous driving in conditions for selecting the path.

Abstract: For the input of navigational target data into a navigation system by way of a facility for a mobile radio voice link, voice signals or signals derived therefrom, transmitted via the mobile radio voice link, are processed by a voice recognition device for recognizing spoken words. By way of at least one word recognized during this process, a comparison of targets with navigational target entries in a navigation database takes place. In the case of a positive result of the comparison, the corresponding navigational target entry is provided for input as navigation target in the navigation system.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to correct clear vision errors in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first sensor and a second sensor to measure a current position of a steering column and a current position of a steering wheel in a vehicle steering system. The example apparatus further includes a non-uniformity manager to map the current position to an offset, and an active steering system to apply the offset to adjust the current position of the steering wheel to a nominal position of the steering wheel to compensate for a clear vision error.