Abstract: In some examples, an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. The unmanned aerial vehicle may include a propulsion device, a sensor device, and a management system. In some examples, the management system may be configured to receive sensor information associated with visible human gestures via the sensor device and, in response, instruct the propulsion device to perform an action associated with an identified visible human gesture.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing a run-away state of an industrial machine. Joints of the industrial machine are monitored in order to determine if the industrial machine is in danger of entering a run-away state. If a joint parameter exceeds a threshold value, which is indicative of the potential to enter a run-away state, then a force or torque limit is increased so that the industrial machine has additional force or torque to slow down the industrial machine when decelerating. This additional torque prevents the industrial machine from entering the run-away state.

Abstract: A vehicle may include: a sensor configured to detect an object in a vicinity of the vehicle; a driver state detector configured to identify a driver state of a driver of the vehicle; and a controller operably coupled to the sensor and the driver state detector, the controller configured to determine whether the driver is incapable of controlling the vehicle based on the identified driver state, and to determine a driving stop position and a driving stop timing based on at least one of a type of a road on which the vehicle is driving and a driving environment of the vehicle when it is determined that the driver is incapable of controlling the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing spoofing of vehicle identification number (VIN) provisioning service. The system includes a memory that stores instructions for executing processes for preventing spoofing of vehicle identification number (VIN) provisioning service. The system also includes a processor configured to execute the instructions. The instructions cause the processor to receive enrollment information including a VIN and a hardware identifier for enrollment in a provisioning service for a vehicle. The instructions also cause the processor to verify whether the VIN is associated with the hardware identifier. The instructions further cause the processor to transmit a message to the vehicle based on the verification of the VIN being associated with the hardware identifier.

Abstract: A collision mitigation system makes use of ladar sensors to identify obstacles and to predict unavoidable collisions therewith, and a duplex radio link in communication with secondary vehicles, and a number of external airbags deployable under the control of an airbag control unit, to reduce the forces of impact on the host vehicle, secondary vehicles, and bipeds and quadrupeds wandering into the roadway. A suspension modification system makes use of ladar sensors to identify road hazards, and make adaptations to a number of active suspension components, each with the ability to absorb shock, elevate or lower the vehicle, and adjust the spring rate of the individual wheel suspensions.

Abstract: A vehicle for producing trenches in the ground is provided. The vehicle generally includes a chassis having a motor unit, a controllable digging device mounted on the chassis to dig a trench, and a controllable suctioning and collecting device configured to suction and collect rubble produced during the digging of the trench. The vehicle may include a driver station for the movement on the ground of the vehicle during a transfer phase, and a portable and remote control unit configured to enable an operator to remotely control the digging device, the suctioning and collecting device, and the advancing of the vehicle during digging in the course of a working phase.

Abstract: A moving system comprising a master controller for monitoring and controlling a master operation comprising one or more individual movers such that each mover arrives at predefined end point at selected times. Each mover includes a mover control system that interacts with the master controller and has a predefined virtual vector path with one or more defined end points. The predefined virtual vector path comprises a plurality of discrete points, wherein each discrete point has a vector axis for use by the master controller and the mover control system to direct the mover to move such that it arrives at each defined end point at a selected time. In operation, the master controller functions to modify the predefined virtual path and sends commands to the mover control system in response to changes in the master operations.

Abstract: Drivable path plan systems and methods for autonomous vehicles disclosed herein may receive original path plan data, including a first path element tangentially connected to a second path element at a transition connection point. A drivable path plan may be calculated for the autonomous vehicle between the first path element and the second path element using a clothoid spline. An initial connection point may be identified, as well as an initial heading and an initial curvature along the first path element, and a final connection point, a final heading, and a final curvature along the second path element. The clothoid spline may be inserted between the initial connection point along the first path element and the final connection point along the second path element.

Abstract: A steering control apparatus includes a microcomputer configured to control driving of a motor based on a steering torque so as to generate, for a steering mechanism, an assist force as power for turning front wheels. The microcomputer calculates an assist component indicating the assist force to be generated in the motor based on the steering torque, acquires steered moments about axes extending in a vertical direction of the front wheels from hub units that rotatably support the front wheels and include front wheel sensors configured to detect forces applied to the front wheels, respectively, and compensates for the assist component by using the acquired steered moments so as to generate, in the motor, a vibration suppressing force for suppressing a reverse input vibration.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a mapping application that has a novel way of displaying traffic congestion along roads in the map. The mapping application in some embodiments defines a traffic congestion representation to run parallel to its corresponding road portion when the map is viewed at a particular zoom level, and defines a traffic congestion representation to be placed over its corresponding road portion when the map is viewed at another zoom level. The mapping application in some embodiments differentiates the appearance of the traffic congestion representation that signifies heavy traffic congestion from the appearance of the traffic congestion representation that signifies moderate traffic congestion. In some of these embodiments, the mapping application does not generate a traffic congestion representation for areas along a road that are not congested.

Abstract: A method for operating a controlled object that is embedded in a changing environment. The controlled object and its environment are periodically observed using sensors. Independent data flow paths (“DFP”) are executed based on the data recorded through the observation of the controlled object and its environment. A first DFP determines a model of the controlled object and the environment of the controlled object and carries out a trajectory planning in order to create possible trajectories that, under the given environmental conditions, correspond to a specified task assignment. A second DFP determines a model of the controlled object and of the environment of the controlled object and determines a safe space-time domain (“SRZD”) in which all safe trajectories must be located. The results of the first and the second DFP are transmitted to a deciding instance to verify whether at least one of the trajectories is safe.

Abstract: A method for detecting an oil leakage of a main pump during a stopping process of an internal combustion engine, where the oil leakage is caused by a reversal of a direction of rotation of a crankshaft of a vehicle including an electric auxiliary pump and the main pump, where the main pump is driven by the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. The method includes determining whether a rotational speed of the electric auxiliary pump exceeds a predefined threshold value, and when the rotational speed of the electric auxiliary pump exceeds the predefined threshold value for the rotational speed, detecting that the main pump is leaking, recording an error in an error memory of the vehicle, and demanding an engine start.

Abstract: A collision preventing ECU 10 selects an obstacle point which has probability of colliding with an own vehicle, and calculates a collision time periods (TTC) of the obstacle point. When the minimum collision time period is equal to or shorter than a threshold time period, the collision preventing ECU 10 determines that a specific condition is established, and performs a collision preventing control to prevent the own vehicle from colliding with the an obstacle. When the obstacle which includes the obstacle point whose collision time period is minimum is a continuous structure, the collision preventing ECU 10 calculates a continuous structure angle, and memory a calculation number corresponding to an angle range within which a magnitude of the continuous structure angle falls. When there is no angle range whose calculation number is more than a threshold number, the collision preventing control is prohibited.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying, based on map data, an area for pick-up or drop-off of a user by an autonomous vehicle. The method also includes determining, based on autonomous-vehicle sensor data that represents an external environment of the autonomous vehicle, one or more potential pick-up or drop-off locations within the area. The method also includes calculating, based at least in part on the autonomous-vehicle sensor data and historical data a viability score for each of the potential pick-up or drop-off locations. The historical data includes past pick-up or drop-off locations for one or more past users. The method also includes providing for display a visual representation of at least a portion of the area for pick-up or drop-off that indicates at least one of the one or more potential pick-up or drop-off locations.

Abstract: Enhanced systems and methods for collision avoidance of a high value asset with reflective beacons around it using multi-sensor data fusion on a mobile industrial vehicle. The system has a sensing processing system with a LiDAR and camera sensors, and a multi-processor module responsive to the different sensors. The sensing processing system fuses the different sensor data to locate the reflective beacons. A model predictive controller on the vehicle determines possible control solutions where each defines a threshold allowable speed for the vehicle at discrete moments based upon an estimated path to a breaching point projected from the reflective beacons, and then identifies an optimal one of the control solutions based upon a performance cost function and associated with an optimal threshold allowable speed. The system has a vehicle actuator configured to respond and alter vehicle movement to avoid a collision when the vehicle exceeds the optimal threshold allowable speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting when users deviate from a provided transportation route and for correcting the transportation route in response to such user deviations is presented. In one embodiment, a method is provided including detecting a changed condition for a transportation route between a first location and a second location. The transportation route may include multiple transportation segments. A first transportation segment designating a first modality may be identified, wherein the changed condition decreases a likelihood that vehicles associated with the first modality will be available to service the first transportation segment. In response, a second transportation segment designating a second modality different from the first modality is generated. The first transportation segment is then replaced with the second transportation segment in the transportation route.

Abstract: An aerial drone parcel delivery/transfer management system includes an aerial drone parcel delivery/transfer management server (ADPTMS) and a plurality of aerial drone landing pads (ADLPs). Each ADLP has a corresponding ADLP address with a unique ADLP identifier (e.g., a manufacturing serial number); most-recently known ADLP geolocation data (e.g., geospatial coordinates); and possibly most-recently known ADLP elevation data. The ADPTMS communicates with order management/fulfillment servers associated with online stores, which communicates with aerial drone parcel delivery/transfer services for dispatching aerial drones to particular ADLPs corresponding to particular ADLP addresses as part of online orders fulfillment. An ADLP presents a machine readable code such as a quick response (QR) code that is captured by an aerial drone and processed to verify the ADLP's identity. An ADLP can output local RF and/or optical guiding signals to aid aerial drone navigation to the ADLP.

Abstract: A vehicle system including a propulsion system coupled to a drive wheel and a friction brake configured to apply braking torque to a vehicle wheel is described. Operation thereof includes an instruction set that is executable to monitor vehicle speed, vehicle grade, and an operator braking request, and execute instructions upon achieving a vehicle speed that is less than a threshold speed. The instructions include controlling, via the friction brake, the braking torque to achieve a desired vehicle speed, and determining an operator acceleration request and the vehicle grade. The controller determines a minimum vehicle grade-based operator acceleration request, and releases the friction brake only when the operator acceleration request is greater than the minimum vehicle grade-based operator acceleration request.

Abstract: Example implementations associated with the aspects of the present invention include a low altitude aircraft identification system composed by three components: a small aircraft electronic identification box with an embedded logger, a ground identification equipment to automatically identify the aircraft just pointing at it, and an identification code database. The identification code can be transmitted by a visible light color sequence or by a radio frequency signal. The ground identification device is capable of recognizing both kinds of code.

Abstract: A method of performing diagnostic communication with a vehicle using a diagnostic device includes: acquiring a certificate revocation list (CRL) corresponding to a certificate of the diagnostic device from an external device, verifying a validity of the certificate using the acquired CRL, performing authentication with the vehicle when the validity of the certificate is verified, and starting diagnostic communication between the diagnostic device and the vehicle when the authentication is performed.