Abstract: A soil monitoring system includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to instruct an actuator to drive a shank to move upwardly and downwardly, such that at least one soil monitoring sensor coupled to a lateral side of the shank moves in a cyclical pattern through soil as the shank is driven to move through the soil along a direction of travel. The controller is also configured to receive multiple sensor signals from the at least one soil monitoring sensor while the at least one soil monitoring sensor is at respective depths within the soil, in which each sensor signal is indicative of at least one soil property. In addition, the controller is configured to determine a vertical profile of the at least one soil property based on the sensor signals.

Abstract: An auto clean machine, comprising: an optical sensor; a light source, configured to generate a first light pattern; and a processing circuit, configured to determine which light pattern is the first light pattern if the optical sensor senses more than one light pattern. The present invention also discloses an optical navigation device with a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor.

Abstract: A driving control device that is mounted on a vehicle including an electric motor and an internal combustion engine as power sources includes a processor. The processor is configured to: acquire a destination of the vehicle; acquire a past driving history from a point of departure to the destination; acquire a desired state of charge that is a state of charge of a battery desired when the vehicle arrives at the destination; estimate a predicted amount of regenerative energy based on the driving history; set a first section and a second section based on the predicted amount of regenerative energy and the desired state of charge; and control driving of the vehicle based on the first section and the second section.

Abstract: A system includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a processor of a portable user device, cause the processor to acquire data from a reader of the portable user device regarding an identifier on a machine, perform a verification process to verify that a user of the portable user device has access to the machine based on the identifier, wirelessly connect the portable user device to the machine in response to the user being verified to access the machine, display a control interface for the machine on a user interface of the portable user device, receive a user input through the control interface regarding operation of a controllable component of the machine, and provide a command to the machine based on the user input to facilitate remote operation of the controllable component of the machine.

Abstract: A system and method generates and recommends a short and pleasant path between a source s and destination d in a geo-location such as a city or city center. The routes are not only short but emotionally pleasant, offering an engaging user experience, going beyond just showing paths on a map.

Abstract: A bicycle with an electric pedal assist motor capable of driving a chainring independent of cranks includes wheel speed sensors and crank cadence sensors. The wheel speed sensors and the crank cadence sensors measure wheel speed and crank cadence, respectively, and provide the measured wheel speed and crank cadence to controller of the bicycle. The controller activates motor overdrive based on the measured wheel speed and/or the measured crank cadence.

Abstract: A sunshade device and management system for mitigating the effects of climate change to help reduce the risk of extinction of plants, animals, and humans. The sunshade device has a canopy, which will collapse when lifted into the atmosphere by lifting devices, and open when the lifting devices are turned down or off, to provide shade. The canopy is preferably formed of a flexible lightweight solar panel film containing solar cells, which charge a battery power system which operates electrically powered propeller-driven lifting devices attached to a central portion of the canopy. The sunshade management device controls the lifting devices to manage the sunshade device elevation, angle and geolocation. The sunshade management device is provided with artificial intelligence and machine learning whereby it is able to make determinations regarding sunshade device takeoff and shutdown, and positioning of the elevation and angle of the canopy relative to the ground below, to maximize the shade effects of the canopy.

Abstract: The described systems and methods determine a driver's fitness to safely operate a moving vehicle based at least in part upon observed UVB exposure patterns, where the driver's UVB exposure levels may serve as a proxy for vitamin D levels in that driver's body. A smart ring, wearable on a user's finger, continuously monitors user's exposure to UVB light. This UVB exposure data, representing UVB exposure patterns, can be utilized, in combination with driving data, to train a machine learning model, which will predict the user's level of risk exposure based at least in part upon observed UVB exposure patterns. The user can be warned of this risk to prevent them from driving or to encourage them to get more sunlight exposure before driving. In some instances, the disclosed smart ring system may interact with the user's vehicle to prevent it from starting while exposed to high risk due to deteriorated psychological or physiological conditions stemming from insufficient UVB exposure.

Abstract: A regenerative braking control system for a vehicle can include one or more user interface elements located in a cabin of the vehicle. The user interface element(s) can correspond to a plurality of regenerative braking settings. Each of the regenerative braking setting(s) can correspond to a different amount of regenerative braking torque to apply to the wheel(s) of the vehicle. The system can include a processor operatively connected to the user interface element(s). The processor can be configured to detect a condition, the condition being at least one of a weight of the vehicle, a center of gravity of the vehicle, a weight of a trailer operatively connected to the vehicle, and a center of gravity of a trailer operatively connected to the vehicle. The processor can be configured to cause the amount of regenerative braking torque for the regenerative braking setting(s) to be adjusted based on the condition.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for processing inputs using slice-based dynamic neural networks. One of the methods includes receiving a new input for processing by a neural network that includes a first conditional neural network layer that has a set of shared parameters and a respective set of slice parameters for each of a plurality of slices. One or more slices to which the new input belongs are identified. The new input is processed to generate a network output, including: receiving a layer input to the first conditional neural network layer; and processing the layer input using the set of shared parameters, the respective one or more sets of slice parameters for the identified one or more slices, but not the respective sets of slice parameters for any other slices to which the new input does not belong.

Abstract: A power assisted electric bicycle includes a body, a motor, a torque sensor, and a controller. The motor is operated in an operating period. The torque sensor is configured to output a plurality of torque signals corresponding to a pedal force. The controller is coupled to the motor and the torque sensor. The controller is configured to: receive the torque signals from the torque sensor; determine a peak and a valley, which is adjacent to the peak, among the torque signals; compute and determine a pedaling period between the peak and the valley, which is adjacent to the peak, among the torque signals; and generate an error signal associated with the torque sensor if it is determined that the pedaling period and the operating period fail to meet a default ratio.

Abstract: A drive mode hierarchy includes drive mode categories and drive modes belonging to each category. Each drive mode defines values for attributes of the drivetrain and/or suspension of a vehicle. Each drive mode may further have towing and non-towing sub-modes with the towing sub-mode being used when a trailer is detected. An interface is provided for selecting drive modes from the hierarchy and modifying the attributes. The vehicle may define a plurality of trailer profiles including attributes of trailers, such as weight and aerodynamic drag. A user may select among trailer profiles and define the attributes of the trailer profiles. Interfaces displayed by the vehicle may vary according to the selected drive mode and may include a chassis view with interface elements displaying real-time information of components of the vehicle, such as wheels, suspension, and battery. Tiles including real-time information may be displayed according to the selected drive mode.

Abstract: A method for detecting malfunctions of a motor vehicle electro-actuated brake apparatus may include the steps of providing, in an electronic control unit, a functional control block and a first functional block having a numerical model representative of the electro-actuated brake caliper. The method may also include providing a target signal to the functional control block for generating the control signal to operate the electro-actuated brake caliper. The method may also include providing the target signal to the first functional block for generating a first signal. In the method, the first signal may be compared with a feedback signal for generating an error signal to be sent to the electronic control unit. Further, the method may include performing, by the second functional block, an error validation check to provide information on the operating state of the electro-actuated brake caliper to the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A display device for a vehicle includes a flexible display configured to be mounted in the vehicle. The display device is configured to extend and retract the flexible display to thereby change a size of a screen area of the flexible display. The display device may include a sensor configured to detect the size of the screen area, and a controller configured to, based on the size of the screen area, control a display state of information output through the flexible display.

Abstract: A method for controlling application of agrichemical products, comprises acquiring remotely sensed digital image data; developing a prescription to apply at least one agrichemical product in a variable manner based on at least the digital image data, wherein the prescription describes a plurality of passes of a particular autonomous vehicle over a field to apply the at least one agrichemical product; applying the at least one agrichemical product to a crop in the variable manner by the particular autonomous vehicle according to the prescription.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for motorized control of a tether, such as for purposes of user interaction and feedback. In particular, a UAV's control system may determine one or more operational parameters of a motor for a winch disposed in the UAV, the winch including the tether and a spool. The control system may then detect in the one or more operational parameters, an operational pattern of the motor that is indicative of an intentional user-interaction with the tether. Based on the detected operational pattern of the motor that is indicative of the intentional user-interaction with the tether, the control system may determine a motor response process. Then, the control system may operate the motor in accordance with the determined motor response process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle that may include a frame to support a power system, such as an engine, and one or more surface supports, such as one or more wheels, to support the frame. The engine may include an internal combustion engine and a fuel supply system therefore. The engine may provide power to drive the wheels.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods including: at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); at least one battery pack comprising at least one battery; and at least one motor of the at least one UAV, where the at least one battery is configured to transfer energy to the at least one motor; where power from the at least one motor is configured to ascend the at least one UAV to a second altitude when the at least one battery is at or near capacity, and where the second altitude is higher than the first altitude; and where power from the at least one motor is configured to descend the at least one UAV to the first altitude after the Sun has set to conserve energy stored in the at least one battery.

Abstract: The present application discloses a smart luggage case and a method for controlling the operation of the assisting luggage case, wherein, the smart luggage case comprises a case body, an auxiliary wheel mounted on the bottom of the case body, a power wheel elevatably mounted on the bottom of the case body, a swinging device connected to the power wheel, and a driving mechanism configured to drive the swinging device to swing and elevate the power wheel; another smart luggage case comprises a case body, a power wheel mounted on the case body, a tension bar provided with a wireless controller signally connected to the control system and configured to control the power wheel, a control system connected to the power wheel and a battery connected to the control system.

Abstract: A brake control device according to an embodiment executes, for an electric braking wheel of either the front wheel and the rear wheel, a brake hold control for driving an electric braking device to move a propulsion shaft toward the braked member to be braked and bring it into contact with a piston, calculating a target braking force for maintaining the stationary state of the vehicle, subtracting a first braking force from the target braking force to calculate a required hydraulic braking force applied to the non-electric braking wheel different from the electric braking wheel, and controlling a differential pressure control valve connected to the non-electric braking wheel of the hydraulic braking device so that the required hydraulic braking force is applied to the non-electric braking wheel.