Abstract: Robots for autonomous harvesting of hydroponically grown organic matter with different harvesters are disclosed. The autonomous harvesting involves using one or more robots to (1) navigate a hydroponics arrangement or environment to arrive at locations of harvestable organic matter, (2) identify mature organic matter for harvesting from under-ripe or over-ripe organic matter using the robot's sensors, (3) identify the irregular positions and the irregular extraction points at which the mature organic matter is to be correctly harvested using the robot's sensors, (4) harvest the organic matter at the identified positions using the robot harvester, and (5) place the extracted organic matter into a storage bay for delivery to a packaging or shipment station. The harvester includes one or more of a vacuum, gripper, cutting saw, or clipping shears disposed about a distal end of an extendable or mechanical arm mounted atop a lift.

Abstract: A method controls a hybrid transmission for a motor vehicle that can operate according to at least two kinematic modes involving various connections of at least one internal combustion engine, at least one electric motor, and at least two drive wheels. The method includes controlling the transition between kinematic modes in accordance with the current kinematic mode during the start of the transition and a kinematic mode setting, if it is determined that the current kinematic mode is not equal to the kinematic mode of the transition and that the kinematic mode setting is not equal to the final kinematic mode, making a decision regarding the suitability of a transition interruption, during a change of request of the driver during which it is determined whether an interruption of the action is underway, and then continuing the transition or undertaking a new transition according to the result.

Abstract: A system for monitoring marine vessels using a satellite network may include a plurality of satellite payloads to be carried by respective satellites. Each satellite payload may include a communications interface configured to communicate via the satellite network, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to communicate with the plurality of marine vessels, and a controller cooperating with the communications interface and the RF transceiver. The controller may obtain automatic identification system (AIS) data including vessel position and call sign information via the RF transceiver, and communicate the AIS system data via the communications interface. The system may further include a terrestrial station configured to receive the AIS data, process aerial marine imagery using a fractal algorithm to assign respective vessel classifications to a plurality of marine vessels, and correlate the vessel classifications with AIS data.

Abstract: A keyless entry and start system for a vehicle includes a vehicle subsystem configured to control at least one of access to an interior compartment of the vehicle and starting of the vehicle. The system further includes an actuator movable between first and second positions and a switch coupled to the actuator. The switch assumes a first state when the actuator is in the first position and a second state when the actuator is in the second position. The system further includes a controller coupled to the switch and configured to detect an actuation sequence of the actuator, the actuation sequence corresponding to an access code. The controller is further configured to compare the access code to an authorization code and generate a control signal configured to cause the vehicle subsystem to switch states when the entry code corresponds to the authorization code.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting a target ground speed of a machine includes receiving data from a sensor, at a work monitor unit of an electronic control module of the machine, analyzing the data received from the sensor on the work monitor unit, receiving the data from the work monitor unit at a target model unit of the electronic control module, calculating, at the target model unit based on the data, ground engagement data for the machine, receiving the ground engagement data for the machine at a work monitor library unit of the electronic control module, calculating, at the work monitor library unit, the target ground speed, and adjusting a speed of the machine to the target ground speed.

Abstract: The movement direction-and-speed determiner of an autonomous movement device determines the direction and speed for an autonomous movement based on information on the plurality of picked-up images by an image picker. A feature point obtainer obtains a feature point from the picked-up image by the image picker. A map memory stores the position of the obtained feature point by the feature point obtainer. A corresponding feature-point number obtainer obtains the number of correspondences between the obtained feature point by the feature point obtainer and the feature point having the position stored in the map memory. When the obtained number of corresponding feature points by the corresponding feature-point number obtainer is equal to or smaller than a threshold, in order to increase the number of corresponding feature points, a moving direction-and-speed changer changes the moving direction and speed to those determined by the movement direction-and-speed determiner.

Abstract: A parking system adaptively controlling a vehicle during a parking maneuver using a park assist system, for example an active park assist (APA) or trailer backup assist (TBA). Control of the park assist system based on previous speed profiles at a geographic location where the same park assist system was previously activated. The parking system including an activation system that, based on vehicle speed and geographic location, activates the park assist system when preconditions for park assist system operation are met. The activation system may cooperate with the park assist system based on default or previously stored drive history profiles associated with the current geographic location.

Abstract: A vehicle guidance system, including: surface-mounted pressure sensors mounted on a vehicle; an air data estimation controller including: a preprocessor that sets initial values for angle of attack and sideslip angle, determines a converged value for the angle of attack using the initial values and values of one or more first sets of three sensors, each first set of sensors are located among three different planes that are parallel to the ground, and provides a converged sideslip angle value based on the converged value and values of one or more second sets of three sensors, each second set of sensors located among three different planes that are perpendicular to the ground; a processor that estimates air data based on the converged value for the angle of attack and the converged sideslip angle value; and processor that provides an output for adjusting orientation of a vehicle based on the air data.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes an engine and a first electric machine each configured to selectively provide torque to propel the vehicle. The propulsion system also includes a second electric machine coupled to the engine and configured to start the engine from an inactive state. A high-voltage battery powers both of the first electric machine and the second electric machine over a high-voltage bus. The vehicle further includes a controller programmed to issue a command to start the engine using the second electric machine in response to a threshold acceleration demand following a period of reduced acceleration demand.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to identifying and displaying traffic lanes that are available for autonomous driving. This information may be displayed to a driver of a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode, in order to inform the driver of where he or she can use the autonomous driving mode. In one example, the display may visually distinguishing between lanes that are available for auto-drive from those that are not. The display may also include an indicator of the position of a lane (autodrive or not) currently occupied by the vehicle. In addition, if that lane is an autodrive lane the display may include information indicating how much further the vehicle may continue in the autonomous driving mode in that particular lane. The display may also display information indicating the remaining autodrive distance in other lanes as well as the lane with the greatest remaining autodrive distance.

Abstract: A hybrid ECU reads mode information during regenerative braking, and gradually decreases regenerative braking force when a friction braking force control in accordance with a preparatory mode is started. Thereby, sudden change of deceleration of a vehicle can be prevented. The hybrid ECU 50 makes regenerative braking force disappear immediately when a friction braking force control in accordance with a collision avoidance braking mode is started during regenerative braking. Thereby, the vehicle can be slowed down with a deceleration for collision avoidance.

Abstract: A baler for forming crop bales and releasing or dropping the bales at targeted drop locations in a field includes a bale-forming chamber, a bale carrier rearward of the bale forming chamber, a geographic location sensor, and a control system. The bale-forming chamber forms the bales and the bale carrier supports at least one crop bale thereon and releases the bale therefrom when actuated. The geographic location sensor outputs signals corresponding with a geographic location of the baler. The control system has a plurality of targeted bale drop locations stored therein, and is configured to calculate a distance from the current baler position to a first targeted drop position and calculate a distance from the current baler position to a second targeted drop position and compare the distances to determine a desired drop location to generate a signal to command the bale carrier to release the crop bale therefrom.

Abstract: A system for determining a deceleration rate of an aircraft, in various embodiments, includes at least one component capable of transmitting a first deceleration rate. The system also includes a brake control unit coupled to the at least one component and having a brake controller that is configured to receive the first deceleration rate from the at least one component and to determine a likely accurate deceleration rate based on the first deceleration rate, a second deceleration rate and a hierarchy of sources of deceleration rates.

Abstract: An artificial marker combination to be read by an autonomous mobile device comprises at least two artificial markers arranged in order. Each artificial marker is different and the artificial marker combination is used as a group of artificial markers. A computer vision positioning system used in connection with the artificial marker combination utilizes the individual meanings in the multiple markers as instructions for the mobile device markers along its route. A method for the computer vision positioning system is also provided.

Abstract: A power demand anticipation system for a rotorcraft includes an engine subsystem having an engine with a power output. The power demand anticipation system also includes one or more sensors including a cyclic control sensor. The one or more sensors are operable to detect one or more flight parameters of the rotorcraft to form sensor data including a cyclic control position. A power demand anticipation module is in data communication with the engine subsystem and the one or more sensors. The power demand anticipation module is operable to anticipate a power demand of the engine using the sensor data to form a power demand anticipation signal. The engine subsystem is operable to adjust the power output of the engine based on the power demand anticipation signal received from the power demand anticipation module.

Abstract: A new automotive collision repair technology is provided, including system and data flow architectures that are designed to provide enhanced data and enhanced data flow in the context of vehicle diagnosis and repair, particularly when repairs are necessary due to collisions. In some examples, the data flow through the network is streamlined, to avoid network congestion, to use fewer computer and network resources and/or to enable the utilization of smaller databases. In other examples, enhanced access to data in real-time and near real-time enabled by a Workflow Module supports more accurate and timely decisions on vehicle repair. An advantage of this new automotive collision repair technology is that it enables proper and proven repairs, which in turns increases operation safety of repaired vehicle and people safety.

Abstract: A vibration control system for a rotor hub provides vibration attenuation in an aircraft by reducing the magnitude of rotor induced vibratory. The system can include a force generating device attached to a rotor hub which rotates along with the rotor at the rotational speed of the rotor. Vibratory shear force is generated by rotating unbalanced weights each about an axis non-concentric with the rotor hub axis at high speed to create large centrifugal forces. The rotational speed of the weights can be a multiple of the rotor rotational speed to create shear forces for canceling rotor induced vibrations. The amplitude of the generated shear force is controlled by indexing the positions of the unbalanced weights relative to each other, while the phase of the shear force is adjusted by equally phasing each weight relative to the rotor.

Abstract: A robot includes a three-dimensional shape detecting sensor to detect a three dimensional shape of a travel surface existing in a forward travelling direction of the robot, a posture stabilizer to stabilize a posture of a body of the robot, a feature data generator to generate feature data of the detected three dimensional shape, an inclination angle prediction generator to generate a prediction value of an inclination angle of the body when the robot is to reach a position on the travel surface in the forward travelling direction at a future time point based on the feature data and a prediction model, and an overturn prevention controller to control the posture stabilizer to prevent an overturn of the robot based on the prediction value.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a time of activation of a restraint system in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a seat belt associated to a seat, the restraint system being a reversible restraint system, the method comprising the steps of a) determining a current length (L) of pulled out seat belt, b) detecting a collision or an imminent collision involving the vehicle, c) predicting a time (T0) when the collision is predicted to affect a user of the seat belt, d) activating the reversible restraint system a selectable time period (?1) before the time (T0) when the collision is predicted to affect the user of the seat belt, wherein a length of the selectable time period (?1) is a function of the determined current length (L) of pulled out seat belt. The disclosure further relates to a safety arrangement of a vehicle.

Abstract: A shovel includes a lower traveling body; an upper swivel body that is mounted on the lower traveling body; an electric motor for swiveling that drives the upper swivel body in a swiveling manner; a mechanical brake that holds a swiveling stopped state of the upper swivel body; an engine; a hydraulic pump that discharges hydraulic oil with the power of the engine; a hydraulic actuator that is driven by the hydraulic oil discharged by the hydraulic pump; a pressure detecting unit that detects the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump; and a control device that controls the mechanical brake on the basis of information on the discharge pressure detected by the pressure detecting unit.