Abstract: A vehicle for transporting goods, a tractor-trailer system for transporting goods, and a method of operating a power management system for powering a transport refrigeration unit. The vehicle for transporting goods includes: an axle; a transport refrigeration unit; and a power management system for supplying power to the transport refrigeration unit. The power management system includes: a generator configured to be selectively coupled to an axle of the vehicle, wherein the generator is configured to generate electricity when coupled to the axle; and a controller configured to monitor a speed of the vehicle and to selectively couple and decouple the generator from the axle. The controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is in a first state and decouple the generator from the axle when the vehicle is in the first state, wherein the speed of the vehicle is increasing in the first state.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously separating and sorting a plurality of individual articles from a pile of laundry articles into two or more sorted loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting and separating system includes a stationary surface configured to receive thereon at a first location the pile of laundry articles. A plurality of actuatable grippers are disposed at spaced apart positions adjacent the stationary surface and comprise a first actuatable gripper configured to grasp, hoist, and deposit at a second location at least one of the plurality of individual articles within reach of a second actuatable gripper. A terminal gripper comprising at least one of the second actuatable gripper and another actuatable gripper is configured to release an individual article into one of the two or more sorted loads. At least one controller is in operable communication with the grippers.

Abstract: An automatic charging vehicle, a method for operating the automatic charging vehicle, and an automatic charging system. The automatic charging vehicle includes: an automatic traveling module, which is configured to move, according to a route between the automatic charging vehicle and a device to be charged, to the device to be charged; a power module, which is configured to store and provide electric energy; and an automatic docking and separating device, which is configured to execute docking and separating between a first connector and a second connector capable of being in electrical contact with the first connector, the first connector and the second connector being used for transmitting electric energy.

Abstract: An autonomous work machine that works in a work area while autonomously traveling in the work area, comprises a plurality of magnetic detection sensors each configured to detect a magnetic field during energization of a station wire which is configured to guide the autonomous work machine to a charging station for power supply, and a specification unit configured to specify, when the autonomous work machine is to move from a charging position of the charging station to the work area or when the autonomous work machine is to move from the work area to the charging position, an angle of the autonomous work machine with respect to the charging station based on a comparison of detection results of the magnetic detection sensors.

Abstract: A control system, method and computer program product cooperate to assist control for an autonomous robot. An interface receives recognition information from an autonomous robot, said recognition information including candidate target objects to interact with the autonomous robot. A display control unit causes a display image to be displayed on a display of candidate target objects, wherein at least two of the candidate target objects are displayed with an associated indication of a target object score.

Abstract: An indicator related to work performed through a plurality of hierarchical processes is predicted efficiently with high accuracy. The information processing device stores sample data in association with each parameter representing work, the sample data including an indicator generated by execution of lower-level simulation based on a lower-level model set for a lower-level process, and the information processing device predicts an indicator related to predicted work by performing higher-level simulation using the sample data associated with a parameter similar to a parameter representing the predicted work, the higher-level simulation being based on a higher-level model which is set for a higher-level process. If sample data associated with a parameter similar to the parameter representing the predicted work is not stored, the information processing device complements sample data by performing lower-level simulation and performs higher-level simulation using the complemented sample data.

Abstract: A computer-assisted device includes an articulated arm configured to support an end effector and a control unit. When coupled to the articulated arm and a table, the control unit is configured to detect movement of the articulated arm caused by movement of the table, determine a movement of the table based on motion data received from the table, and drive one or more first joints of the articulated arm based on the movement of the articulated arm and the determined movement of the table.

Abstract: One embodiment can provide a robotic system. The system can include a machine-vision module, a robotic arm comprising an end-effector, a robotic controller configured to control movements of the robotic arm, and an error-compensation module configured to compensate for pose errors of the robotic arm by determining a controller-desired pose corresponding to a camera-instructed pose of the end-effector such that, when the robotic controller controls the movements of the robotic arm based on the controller-desired pose, the end-effector achieves, as observed by the machine-vision module, the camera-instructed pose. The error-compensation module can include a machine learning model configured to output an error matrix that correlates the camera-instructed pose to the controller-desired pose.

Abstract: A mobile robotic device is disclosed which includes a plurality of one-dimensional (1D) time-of-flight (ToF) sensors. Each 1D ToF sensor of the plurality of 1D ToF sensors may be mounted at a fixed position and orientation on the mobile robotic device. Each pair of 1D ToF sensors of the plurality of 1D ToF sensors may be fixed at respective positions and orientations relative to each other such that respective cones of coverage of the pair of 1D ToF sensors are non-overlapping.

Abstract: A vehicle system is provided and includes a modular dynamically allocated capacity storage system (MODACS) and an active management module. The MODACS includes blocks of cells. The active management module is configured to: detect a first state of a first block of cells of the blocks of cells; determine whether a safety fault condition exists with the first block of cells based on the first state of the first block of cells; in response to detecting existence of the safety fault condition, isolate the first block of cells from other ones of the blocks of cells; subsequent to isolating the first block of cells, actively discharge and detect a second state of the first block of cells; and based on the second state, continue isolating the first block of cells or reconnecting the first block of cells such that the first block of cells is no longer isolated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an elongate device are provided herein. In some embodiments, a robotic system may comprise a manipulator assembly configured to drive an elongate device and a control device configured to receive user input commanding the elongate device. The robotic system may also comprise a control system communicatively coupled to the manipulator assembly and the control device. The control system may be configured to monitor movement of the elongate device during a plurality of intervals, monitor user input received by the control device during the plurality of intervals, and adjust a property of the elongate device based on at least one of the monitored movement or the monitored user input.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgical system includes a function selection system configured to detect an actuation and a de-actuation of a user input mechanism associated with a user control mechanism for controlling a surgical instrument coupled to a manipulator arm of a computer-assisted surgical system, the user input mechanism configured to facilitate activation and deactivation of a clutch mode of operation in which the user control mechanism is decoupled from controlling the surgical instrument. Based on the detecting of the actuation and the de-actuation of the user input mechanism, the function selection system determines information associated with the user input mechanism and the user control mechanism, compares the information to a set of defined criteria, and performs, when the information satisfies the set of defined criteria, a function associated with a different mode of operation of the computer assisted surgical system.

Abstract: An image-guided robotic intervention system (“IGRIS”) may be used to perform medical procedures on patients. IGRIS provides a real-time view of patient anatomy, as well as an intended target or targets for the procedures, software that allows a user to plan an approach or trajectory path using either the image or the robotic device, software that allows a user to convert a series of 2D images into a 3D volume, and localizes the 3D volume with respect to real-time images during the procedure. IGRIS may include sensors to estimate pose of the imaging device relative to the patient to improve the performance of that software with respect to runtime, robustness, and accuracy.

Abstract: A piece of equipment for on-demand food preparation, for instance on an assembly line, that can use an end-of-arm tool to retrieve and deposit food items on a horizontal surface, such as the surface of a conveyor. The end-of-arm tool may include a peel, in which the peel can be translated from a retracted position to an extended position to transfer food items. The piece of equipment may translate the peel quickly into the extended position to facilitate the retrieval of food items from the horizontal surface. The piece of equipment may be rotated to position the robotic appendage and the peel in a desired direction. The peel may include a push bar that may be movable between a withdrawn position and a push position to selectively push items off of the peel.

Abstract: A robot system includes: a robot; a plurality of operation terminals that receive an input of a password for acquiring operation authority of the robot and an operation input for operating the robot from a user; and a robot controller communicable with the operation terminals. The robot controller drives, in a controlled manner, the robot according to operation from a single operation terminal among the operation terminals. The robot controller includes a password storage unit that stores a password for granting operation authority of the robot to the operation terminal. The robot controller further includes an operation authority grant processing unit that grants operation authority of the robot to a single operation terminal to which a proper predetermined password stored in the password storage unit is first input in a state in which operation authority of the robot is not granted to any operation terminal.

Abstract: A method and an operator control device operate an infotainment system. The operator control device has a control unit, an audio device, an actuating element, and a touch-sensitive display device, which is mounted so as to be movable and is designed to display at least one graphical control element. The touch-sensitive display device moves during an actuating action and thus activates the actuating element. The control unit determines an actuation position of the actuating action on the touch-sensitive display device when the actuating element is activated and compares said actuation position with a display position of the at least one graphical control element. The audio device is actuated to output an audible signal when the actuation position matches the display position.

Abstract: A data processing device includes a command generation unit configured to generate an instruction command for giving an instruction of one or more operations to be executed during a process by a robot provided with at least one arm, wherein the instruction command is generated on a basis of instruction data including image data obtained by capturing one or more images of situations during or after the process, and text data indicating at least one of an object to be utilized in the process or an operation to be executed during the process.

Abstract: An aerial device for operating on energized powerlines is disclosed. The aerial device may have a boom assembly with a lower, electrically non-insulating boom section coupled to an upper, electrically insulating boom section. The lower and upper boom sections may be coupled by a pinned connection that utilizes structural collars and structural pins to handle loads applied to the upper boom section. The upper boom section may articulate relative to the lower boom section using a 4-bar mechanism employing a split pivot pin that enables a greater range of motion for the articulation. A modular sled that can be coupled to various boom assemblies is also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical system is described in which, the system includes a control device having processing circuitry configured to: receive positional information relating to the position of at least a part of a surgical robot; determine a boundary around the surgical robot based on the positional information; and control the generation of a haptic sensation at the boundary.

Abstract: A cleaning route determination apparatus includes a calculation condition inputter that receives a calculation condition including information regarding an inside of a facility, an analyzer that analyzes, on a basis of the calculation condition, behavior of airflow and particles inside the facility, a map generator that generates, on a basis of a result of the analysis, a dust accumulation map indicating dust accumulation areas inside the facility and one or more dust amounts corresponding to the dust accumulation areas, a classifier that selects, on the basis of a certain condition, clusters from among clusters inside the facility, and a route calculator that determines a first route from second routes. Each of the second routes is a route for a cleaner to pass through, within a certain period of time, at least one dust accumulation area included in the clusters selected from among the clusters.