Abstract: The steering control device includes an automatic steering controller that generates an automatic steering control amount and a manual steering controller that generates a manual steering control amount, and selects either one of an automatic steering mode and a manual steering mode to control an electric motor. When steering torque exceeds a predetermined value during the control in the automatic steering mode, the manual steering controller generates a manual steering control amount change based on the change in the manual operation amount with reference to the time of exceeding, generates the manual steering control amount based on the steering torque, controls the electric motor based on a control amount obtained by adding the manual steering control amount change to the automatic steering control amount at the time of exceeding, and then controls the electric motor in the manual steering mode.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing control over a drone and an active-payload carried by the drone to loosely coupled drone controller and payload controller, are disclosed. The active-payload includes a self-embedded payload controller and at least one controllable thrust source or moving weight. The drone controller identifies a current active-payload type that is coupled to the drone for performing one or more tasks and selects a control-type, which defines degrees of freedom (DOFs) to be controlled by the drone controller and released DOFs to be controlled by the payload controller, accordingly. The drone and active-payload perform the one or more task, wherein the drone controller controls maneuver instructions in drone controller controlled DOFs and simultaneously and asynchronously the payload controller controls maneuver instructions in the released DOFs by exerting controllable force or torque in the released DOFs by the at least one thrust source and/or moving weight.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool includes a processor, display, and memory storing instructions to perform scan tool functions (STF) including transmitting a message to a vehicle. The STF include first STF for a first system of the vehicle. Additional stored instructions are executable to display a first user-interface screen (UIS) including a first user-selectable control (USC) including an indicator of a first scanner job performable on the vehicle, and to display a second UIS instead of the first UIS in response to a selection of the first USC. The second UIS incudes: a second USC including an indicator of the first STF for the first system of the vehicle, and guidance for performing a procedure of the first scanner job. The stored instructions are executable to transmit a first vehicle data message to a component of the first system in response to a selection of the second USC.

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems are described that determine when to automatically transfer telemetry data from a UAV to a ground-based computing device by monitoring one or more context states of the UAV. In some examples, a UAV system includes a UAV; a ground-based computing device; and processing circuitry configured to acquire data from one or more sensors on the UAV; store the data at a local storage device on the UAV; maintain a state machine configured to monitor one or more context states of the UAV system; determine, based on the one or more context states, that a current situation of the UAV system meets minimum criteria for transferring the data from the UAV to the ground-based computing device; and automatically transfer, based on the determination, the data from the UAV to the ground-based computing device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus a drone for installing sensors. A method includes determining to emulate a view of a camera at a particular location with a drone, deploying the drone to the particular location, obtaining an image captured by a drone, and emulating the view of the camera with the image.

Abstract: An agricultural mowing assembly that includes an agricultural vehicle and at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle. The at least one mowing device includes a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame. The cutter bar is configured for mowing a crop material in a field. The agricultural mowing assembly also includes a cut quality detection system that includes a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and configured for sensing color variations on the field and a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors and receiving the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured for determining a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field.

Abstract: A wide-area motion imaging system provides 360° persistent surveillance with a camera array that is small, light-weight, and operates at low power. The camera array is mounted on a tethered drone, which can hover at heights of up to 400?, and includes small imagers fitted with lenses of different fixed focal lengths. The tether provides power, communication, and a data link from the camera array to a ground processing server that receives, processes and stores the imagery. The server also collects absolute and relative position data from a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) carried by the drone. The server uses this position data to correct the rolling shutter effect and to stabilize and georectify the final images, which can be stitched together and shown to a user live or in playback via a separate user interface.

Abstract: A system for inspecting an aircraft includes a drone, a base station, and a controller. The drone includes one or more cameras. The base station has a storage compartment configured to store the autonomous drone therein. The controller has a processor and a memory. The memory has instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor, cause the base station to drive to a first predetermined location relative to the aircraft, and cause the drone to fly from the storage compartment of the base station to a first predetermined position relative to the aircraft so that the drone can record image data of at least portions of the aircraft with the one or more cameras.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus, comprises an unmanned vehicle configured to be disposed with a vehicle and a processor operatively coupled to the unmanned vehicle. The processor is configured to receive a first signal indicating a stop of the vehicle without a user request and a second signal indicating a location of the vehicle. The processor is configured to determine, based on the location of the vehicle, a target location in a pre-defined area surrounding the vehicle. The processor is configured to send a third signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to move to the target location to alert other vehicles via a warning regarding occurrence of the stop.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a combined aerial and ground sortation system. That is, the system can include both an aerial sortation system and a ground sortation system that work together to sort items (e.g., packages) in a warehouse or building. In one embodiment, the combined aerial and ground sortation system includes a leading sorter that identifies which packages should be sorted using the aerial sortation system and which should be sorted by the ground sortation system. The aerial sortation system may use drones to fly the package to one of the containers and drop the package into the container while the ground sortation system may use drive units that move along a floor of the warehouse to deposit the packages into the container. In another embodiment, the aerial sortation system performs a first, primary sort of the items while the ground sortation system performs a secondary sort.

Abstract: Airborne unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs) may be used to hover over swimming pools or spas and dispense chemicals (or other materials or devices) directly thereinto. UAVs alternatively or additionally may include sensors designed to identify certain characteristics of pools or spas or of the water therein. The UAVs further may hover over, or land on, pool pads or other areas adjacent or near a pool or spa to deliver or receive parts or other objects.

Abstract: A flying body, which prevents others from measuring precise position of the flying body and allows friends to measure precise position of the flying body, is provided. The flying body (10) is provided with a reflector (100), a controller (300) and an anti-reflection section (200). The reflector (100) is provided with a reflective surface, arranged in an aperture, which reflects a radiated laser. The controller (300) generates a control signal on a basis of a state of the flying body. The anti-reflection section (200) prevents a reflection of the laser by the reflective surface on a basis of the control signal.

Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe with a thrust array attached thereto. The thrust array includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies that are independently controlled by a flight control system. A landing gear assembly is coupled to the airframe and includes a plurality of landing feet. An altitude sensor array includes a plurality of altitude sensors each of which is disposed within one of the landing feet such that when the aircraft is in the VTOL orientation, the altitude sensor array is configured to obtain multifocal altitude data relative to a landing surface. The flight control system is configured to generate a three-dimensional terrain map of the surface based upon the multifocal altitude data.

Abstract: A method in a first wireless communication device for displaying current location information representing a current location of a second wireless communication device. The method entails, from within a communication application executing on a processor of the first wireless communication device, receiving the current location information representing the current location of the second wireless communication device, performing a reverse look-up of the received current location of the second wireless communication device to determine address information, displaying a map from within the communication application, and identifying the received current location information on the displayed map with a name associated with the determined address information.

Abstract: A unified data management system for operating a UAS via an open architecture distributed architecture and use thereof. The system provides for the functional operation of all aspects required for operating a UAS throughout its service life. The system comprises a plurality of modules or individual sub-programs, each of which cooperatively functions with the other modules of the system, such that the system functions as a cooperative whole in the operation of a UAS. The System provides for adaptability to new and yet even unforeseen needs. When such need arises, a module tailored to satisfy such need may be prepared and integrated into the system. Further, in the case where the system is open architecture, third party users may create new modules that may be optionally incorporated into the system. The system allows for simultaneous access and use via a plurality of users in a plurality of remote locations.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to travel planning for a multifunction robot that can travel on a ground surface and can fly over obstacles. In an example embodiment, a controller of the multifunction robot receives an Occupancy Grid map that provides information about a travel area to be traversed by the multifunctional robot. The controller may determine a first cost associated with a first travel route that involves the multifunctional robot driving around a 3D object when moving along the ground from an origination spot to a destination spot in the travel area. The controller may further determine a second cost associated with a second travel route that involves the multifunctional robot flying over the 3D object when moving from the origination spot to the destination spot. The controller may select either the first travel route or the second travel route based on comparing the first cost to the second cost.

Abstract: Various arrangements for managing network channels are presented. A backend system may receive data from one or more data sources. The backend system may determine, based at least in part on the data received from the one or more data sources, a triggering event and a location related to the triggering event. The backend system may transmit, to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), first location data associated with the location related to the triggering event. The backend system can receive, from the UAV, network congestion information associated with a connection between one or more devices and the UAV. Based at least in part on the network congestion information, the backend system may send second location data to the UAV.

Abstract: A self-driving or autonomous vehicle has a traffic-prioritization processor to send or receive a payment to or from a central server to obtain a traffic prioritization for a route or to accept a traffic de-prioritization for the route. The central server receives and distributes payments to other vehicles traveling the route. The vehicle communicates with the central server to receive a plurality of levels of prioritization which range from a highest prioritization to a lowest prioritization, and the costs or payouts associated with each of the levels.

Abstract: A sickle cutting system is mounted on a header for forward travel over ground having a standing crop thereon and includes a cutter bar with a plurality of knife guards and two sickle bars driven at a phase angle difference where the drive system has a phase difference control component operable to drive the first and second sickle bars at a first phase angle difference typically at or around 180 degrees difference to minimize vibration when no cutting action is occurring and at a second phase angle difference which can be at or around 90 degrees to minimize variations in loading applied to the drive system when the cutting action is taking place.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, and medium, for operating a vehicle. Real-time data related to the vehicle are received. A current mode of operation of the vehicle and a state of the driver present in the vehicle are determined. A first risk associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle is evaluated based on the real-time data and the state of the driver in accordance with a risk model. In response to the first risk satisfying a first criterion, a second risk associated with switching the current mode to a different mode of operation of the vehicle is determined based on the state of the driver. The vehicle is switched from the current mode to the different mode when the second risk satisfies a second criterion.