Abstract: A system and method for autonomously transporting and delivering one or more commodities from drop-off point to recipient preferred environment, is disclosed. The system is configured to analyze an authorized person's voice command or request and executes the request. The system provides at least two modes of operation to deliver the commodities comprising mapped location delivery mode and human following delivery mode. The system is configured to analyze the command and extract the delivery location. The system is further configured to identify the location of the point of the interest based on object detection system and environment understanding system, to deliver the commodities. At human following delivery mode, the ADV follows the recipient and saves the location or path data once the preferred environment is located. At mapped location delivery mode, ADV maneuvers itself to the destination location by retrieving information on recipient's previous history of delivering commodities.

Abstract: A travel-lane estimation system includes: a GNSS receiver; a vehicle-speed calculator; an angular-velocity measurement mechanism; a subject-vehicle-position positioner calculating a vehicle's reference coordinate and reference orientation from a GNSS coordinate, and calculating time series data of vehicle's positions; a map information storage storing positional information about a division line of each lane; and a lane estimator calculating, as an optimal correction amount, an error pattern having a highest posterior probability among plural error patterns, correcting the time series data using the optimal correction amount, and comparing the corrected time series data with the division line, to estimate a vehicle's travel lane, the posterior probability calculated with the product of prior occurrence probability of the time series data by the plural error patterns and a likelihood calculated, under condition that the error pattern has occurred, based on a relative positional relationship between the correct

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for ballistically estimating vehicle data. The system may include a communication interface configured to receive a first vehicle measurement taken at a first time point and a second vehicle measurement taken at a second time point. The system may further include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to compute a first set of vehicle data based on the first vehicle measurement, and estimate a second set of vehicle data for the second time point based on the first set of vehicle data and a model. The at least one processor may be further configured to compute a third set of vehicle data based on the second vehicle measurement. The at least one processor may also be configured to update the model based on a comparison between the second set of vehicle data and the third set of vehicle data.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle simulation system for analyzing motion planners is disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: receiving map data corresponding to a real world driving environment; obtaining perception data and configuration instructions and data including pre-defined parameters and executables defining a specific driving behavior for each of a plurality of simulated dynamic vehicles; generating simulated perception data for each of the plurality of simulated dynamic vehicles based on the map data, the perception data, and the configuration instructions and data; receiving vehicle control messages from an autonomous vehicle control system; and simulating the operation and behavior of a real world autonomous vehicle based on the vehicle control messages received from the autonomous vehicle control system.

Abstract: Methods described herein relate to using vision-based mapping to provide augmented reality of objects in the environment of the vehicle in response to objects being obscured. Methods may include: receiving sensor data from a vehicle traveling along a road segment; identifying a location of the vehicle on the road segment; retrieving map data from a map database of an environment of the road segment at the location of the vehicle on the road segment; identifying an object in the sensor data representing an obscured object in an environment of the vehicle; and providing for display of at least one object from the map data in an augmented reality of the environment, where the at least one object appears overlaid on the obscured object to a driver of the vehicle. The object in the sensor data may include a road sign having information relating to driving along the road segment.

Abstract: Examples generate a route point radius for a geofence. A point of interest (POI) is identified. The coordinates for a route point on a navigational path associated with the POI is obtained. A distance from the coordinates of the route point to the POI is determined to generate a radius. An extension amount to encompass at least a portion of the navigational path is added to the radius to generate a route point radius. A contextual environment of a user traveling on the navigational path is utilized to adjust the route point radius. The contextual environment includes the mode of travel and/or the direction of travel of the user. A geofence is generated based on at least one route point radius associated with the POI. An alert is triggered when a user crosses a perimeter of the geofence encompassing the portion of the navigational path.

Abstract: A comprehensive software system and a method for performing a comprehensive reliability analysis of an aircraft are provided. For example, an aircraft systems database is analyzed to extract information corresponding to an aircraft. A plurality of goodness-of-fit tests may be performed based upon the information using a plurality of statistics and a plurality of significance levels to generate a plurality of results of the plurality of goodness-of-fit tests. The plurality of results may be analyzed to determine a distribution model associated with a fit establishing a criteria. The distribution model may be applied to the information to determine a set of reliability indexes. A reliability report may be generated for a part of the aircraft based upon the set of reliability indexes. Maintenance of the part of the aircraft may be facilitated based upon the reliability report and/or illustrations generated based upon the set of reliability indexes.

Abstract: A method for avoiding likely one-way segments of roads in route planning is described. In selecting an optimal route, the cost of a possible route is computed by adding the costs associated with the segments along the route. Cost is a metric that is associated with the total expense to traverse a route in order to determine whether the route should be chosen over another. Each segment of a road is associated with a cost factor that represents the traffic condition of the segment. For a given segment, automobile traces that traveled the segment are counted. A ratio of traces traveled in one direction to traces traveled in the opposite direction is determined. If the ratio is below a certain threshold, the segment of the road is regarded as likely one-way. The original cost factor is replaced with a new cost factor that penalizes the segment in routing calculations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an autonomous driving robot apparatus and an autonomous driving method. The autonomous driving method of the autonomous driving robot apparatus includes receiving task information for autonomous driving from a server device for supporting autonomous driving; creating a route for autonomous driving based on the task information and performing autonomous driving; and selecting an autonomous driving operation corresponding to any one of moving, waiting, and wandering when arriving at a preset destination by performing autonomous driving along the route.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle incorporating a multimodal multi-technique signal fusion system is described herein. The signal fusion system is configured to receive at least one sensor signal that is output by at least one sensor system (multimodal), such as at least one image sensor signal from at least one camera. The at least one sensor signal is provided to a plurality of object detector modules of different types (multi-technique), such as an absolute detector module and a relative activation detector module, that generate independent directives based on the at least one sensor signal. The independent directives are fused by a signal fusion module to output a fused directive for controlling the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A device includes: a reference confidence degree calculation unit configured to calculate a reference confidence degree in estimating the position of the host vehicle at a candidate passing position of the host vehicle set in advance based on the position information on the object on the map; a shield information acquisition unit configured to acquire shield information based on a result of detection; a shielding influence degree calculation unit configured to calculate a shielding influence degree in estimating the position of the host vehicle at the candidate passing position based on the shield information; and a confidence degree calculation unit configured to calculate a confidence degree in estimating the position of the host vehicle at the candidate passing position based on the reference confidence degree and the shielding influence degree.

Abstract: An on-board computing system for a vehicle is configured to generate and selectively present a set of autonomous-switching directions within a navigation user interface for the operator of the vehicle. The autonomous-switching directions can inform the operator regarding changes to the vehicle's mode of autonomous operation. The on-board computing system can generate the set of autonomy-switching directions based on the vehicle's route and other information associated with the route, such as autonomous operation permissions (AOPs) for route segments that comprise the route. The on-board computing device can selectively present the autonomy-switching directions based on locations associated with anticipated changes in autonomous operations determined for the route of the vehicle, the vehicle's location, and the vehicle's speed. In addition, the on-board computing device is further configured to present audio alerts associated with the autonomy-switching directions to the operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques are described for using sensor-based objection recognition and property condition monitoring techniques to automate and improve methods of navigating a property during a property tour. In some implementations, sensor data is received from one or more sensors that are located within a property. Property data that identifies characteristics of the property is received. A model of the property is generated. Authentication data that identifies users who are authorized to access the property is received. Data identifying a visiting user is received. The data identifying the visiting user is compared to the authentication data. The visiting user is determined to be authorized to access the property. Preference data that indicates preferences of the visiting user is accessed. A path to guide the user around the property is generated based on the model of the property and the preferences of the visiting user.

Abstract: A payload platform includes a platform and a castor assembly coupled to the platform. The castor assembly includes a body, a first wheel coupled to the body, and a second wheel coupled to the body. The first wheel and the second wheel are individually actuatable. A sensor is coupled to the body. A control unit is operably coupled to the sensor and operably coupled to the first wheel and to the second wheel. The sensor detects an area surrounding the platform, determines presence of obstacles, and transmits a signal to the control unit corresponding to the area surrounding the platform. The control unit directs the first wheel and the second wheel to rotate in a prescribed manner so as to achieve a prescribed movement of the platform.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing aggregated weather data (AWD) for deriving road surface condition (RSC) estimates. This system and method supplements road friction estimates (RFEs) made at the vehicle level with AWD in the cloud to form the RSC estimates, which are then transmitted to the vehicles such that more accurate RFEs can be made locally, and so on. Conventional RFE physics-based models are replaced with enhanced RFE trained machine learning (ML) models accordingly. Global RSC estimates are derived for each geographical region using weather and location constraints. Thus, improved autonomous driving and driver assist functions may be implemented, better driver warnings may be provided, and safer road trips may be planned in advance based on a thorough analysis of the drivable conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are a hybrid electric vehicle, which is capable of controlling engine starting in consideration of entry into a specific area, and method of controlling the same. A method of controlling engine starting of a hybrid vehicle includes determining whether catalyst heating is necessary, determining whether a current location corresponds to a specific area associated with exhaust emissions, determining whether a first mode driving is possible, when it is determined that the current position corresponds to the specific area and the catalyst heating is necessary, and performing the first mode driving when the first mode driving is determined to be possible, or a second mode driving when the first mode driving is determined to be impossible. Here, the first mode driving is performed by using an electric motor, and the second mode driving is performed by using at least an engine.

Abstract: A road condition is classified based on spray water occurring at a wheel of the vehicle. To this end, the space around a wheel of the vehicle is imaged by a camera and the image captured by the camera is analyzed to detect spray water therein. A distinction can be made between a dry road, a wet road or a road having a risk of aquaplaning on the basis of the detected spray water, e.g. based on the angle, direction or projection range of the spray water.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for image capture. For example, systems may include an image capture module including an image sensor configured to capture images, a connector, and an integrated mechanical stabilization system configured to control an orientation of the image sensor relative to the connector; an aerial vehicle configured to be removably attached to the image capture module by the connector and to fly while carrying the image capture module; and a handheld module configured to be removably attached to the image capture module by the connector, wherein the handheld module includes a battery and an integrated display configured to display images received from the image sensor.

Abstract: A system for location tracking and sharing of social media data are presented. The system comprises a smart tracking device with a housing. The housing has a plurality of directional windows. At least one light source, e.g. LED, is configured for each of the plurality of directional windows. The directional windows provide compass type guidance, e.g. North, Northeast, East, etc. A GPS transceiver provides local GPS coordinates of the tracker. A private network transceiver is included for communicating with one or more other tracking devices to exchange GPS coordinates information. A microcontroller uses the GPS coordinates of the local tracker and the one or more other tracking devices to compute directional guidance, i.e. navigational, using the plurality of LED light sources to a selected one of one of the one or more other tracking devices. A radio transceiver, e.g. BLE, is provided for communication with a smart device, e.g. smartphone.

Abstract: An autonomous modular robot includes an attachment retention system that for retaining two or more interchangeable attachments for performing unique tasks, e.g., steam cleaning, vacuuming, grass cutting, etc. The attachments may be sequentially positioned in the path of travel of the robot and configured to perform complementary tasks. For example, for cleaning a floor, a first attachment may be configured to vacuum the floor and a second attachment may be configured for steam cleaning the floor. The robot may also include a vertically translatable lift mechanism. The lift mechanism may include the attachment retention system, thereby allowing the attachments to be moved vertically. The lift mechanism may also include a dimension sensor proximate a top of the lift mechanism. The dimension sensor may be utilized to determine the size, e.g., a height and/or a width of the robot with any retained attachments, to help navigate the robot and avoid obstacles.