Abstract: A system for managing vehicle body and wheel motion control with a dual clutch differential includes sensors and actuators disposed on the vehicle, the sensors measuring real-time static and dynamic data and the actuators altering static and dynamic behavior of the motor vehicle. A control module executes program code portions stored in memory. The program code portions receive the real-time static and dynamic data; selectively prioritize torque output from a prime mover of the vehicle through the differential to driven wheels of the vehicle to control a body and the driven wheels; model and estimate clutch torque for each clutch of the dual clutch differential; model and estimate a joint clutch torque, a tire force, and corner torque; and generate a torque output for each clutch of the dual clutch differential that is selected to maintain one or more of body control, wheel control, and stability of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for a mobile configurable robot for use in a large workspace including a set of base fixtures located around a perimeter of the large workspace and a moving platform. Each base fixture and the moving platform is connected via a two-arm boom system whereby the two-arm boom system is controlled by a set of actuators.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at an apparatus for an active converter dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a system to connect a first trailer towed behind a towing vehicle to a second trailer. The apparatus further includes a kinetic energy recovery device for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer. The active dolly is operable in a number of modes to increase vehicle performance and efficiency.

Abstract: A method for determining a tire tread wear estimation of a tire includes receiving, by a controller, a direct tire tread wear measurement, when available, performing an indirect tire tread wear estimation, performing a data fusion of the indirect tire tread wear estimation with the direct tire tread wear measurement when available, estimating a percentage tire life remaining and a mileage to end of tire life, and estimating a refined tire tread wear calibration coefficient for performing future indirect tire tread wear estimations.

Abstract: A universal machine learning based system for estimating a vehicle state of a vehicle includes one or more controllers executing instructions to receive a plurality of dynamic variables and corresponding historical data. The controllers execute a sensitivity analysis algorithm to determine a sensitivity level for each dynamic variable and corresponding historical data and select two or more pertinent dynamic variables based on the sensitivity level of each dynamic variable and the corresponding historical data. The controllers standardize the two or more pertinent dynamic variables into a plurality of generic dynamic variables, wherein the plurality of generic dynamic variables are in a standardized format that is applicable to any configuration of vehicle, and estimate the vehicle state based on the plurality of generic dynamic variables by one or more machine learning algorithms.

Abstract: A method for modeling an identification model of a tire capacity, including: obtaining tire test data, wherein the tire test data comprises a tire angular velocity, a wheel effective radius, a tire slip angle, a wheel center velocity, a tire longitudinal force, a tire lateral force and a tire vertical force; obtaining a total slip ratio and a normalized tire force according to the tire test data; obtaining a tire capacity corresponding to the total slip ratio and the normalized tire force according to the tire test data; and performing training using the total slip ratio, the normalized tire force, and the tire capacity through a machine learning algorithm to complete the modeling of the identification model of the tire capacity.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for an active convertor dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a system to connect a tractor to a trailer. The apparatus further includes a charge generating system for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for an active convertor dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a system to connect a tractor to a trailer. The apparatus further includes a charge generating system for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer.

Abstract: A system for managing vehicle body and wheel motion control with a dual clutch differential includes sensors and actuators disposed on the vehicle, the sensors measuring real-time static and dynamic data and the actuators altering static and dynamic behavior of the motor vehicle. A control module executes program code portions stored in memory. The program code portions receive the real-time static and dynamic data; selectively prioritize torque output from a prime mover of the vehicle through the differential to driven wheels of the vehicle to control a body and the driven wheels; model and estimate clutch torque for each clutch of the dual clutch differential; model and estimate a joint clutch torque, a tire force, and corner torque; and generate a torque output for each clutch of the dual clutch differential that is selected to maintain one or more of body control, wheel control, and stability of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a high-density warehousing system that includes a set of high-density racking structures, each of the high-density racking structures including a set of compartments for housing a set of bins. The system can also include an automated picker for retrieving a requested bin or returning a returned bin to a designated compartment within the set of high-density racking structures and a control system for communicating compartment location information, the compartment location information associated with the designated compartment. Based on the compartment location information, the automated picker retrieves or returns the bin to the designated compartment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for integrated path planning and path tracking control of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes: obtaining five input control variables and eleven system state variables of an autonomous vehicle at current time; constructing a vehicle path planning-tracking integrated state model according to the obtained variables at the current time; enveloping external contours of two autonomous vehicles using elliptical envelope curves to determine elliptical vehicle envelope curves of the two autonomous vehicles, respectively; determining time to collision (TTC) between the vehicles according to elliptical vehicle envelope curves and vehicle driving states; establishing an objective function of a model prediction controller (MPC) according to the model; and solving the objective function based on the TTC, and determining input control variables to the MPC at the next time. Autonomous vehicle collision avoidance can be achieved according to the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for integrated path planning and path tracking control of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes: obtaining five input control variables and eleven system state variables of an autonomous vehicle at current time; constructing a vehicle path planning-tracking integrated state model according to the obtained variables at the current time; enveloping external contours of two autonomous vehicles using elliptical envelope curves to determine elliptical vehicle envelope curves of the two autonomous vehicles, respectively; determining time to collision (TTC) between the vehicles according to elliptical vehicle envelope curves and vehicle driving states; establishing an objective function of a model prediction controller (MPC) according to the model; and solving the objective function based on the TTC, and determining input control variables to the MPC at the next time. Autonomous vehicle collision avoidance can be achieved according to the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method for determining a tire tread wear estimation of a tire includes receiving, by a controller, a direct tire tread wear measurement, when available, performing an indirect tire tread wear estimation, performing a data fusion of the indirect tire tread wear estimation with the direct tire tread wear measurement when available, estimating a percentage tire life remaining and a mileage to end of tire life, and estimating a refined tire tread wear calibration coefficient for performing future indirect tire tread wear estimations.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at an apparatus for an active converter dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a system to connect a first trailer towed behind a towing vehicle to a second trailer. The apparatus further includes a kinetic energy recovery device for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer. The active dolly is operable in a number of modes to increase vehicle performance and efficiency.

Abstract: A method and system for a mobile configurable robot for use in a large workspace including a set of base fixtures located around a perimeter of the large workspace and a moving platform. Each base fixture and the moving platform is connected via a two-arm boom system whereby the two-arm boom system is controlled by a set of actuators.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a robotic platform for use in large workspaces. The disclosure includes a moving platform that is controlled by a set of cable actuators via a set of cables. The cables are also connected to at least one of a counterbalancing and/or a counterweight system to reduce the impact of forces being experienced on the moving platform on the set of cable actuators. In one embodiment, at least two of the set of cable actuators are connected with a single closed cable loop.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at an apparatus for an active converter dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a system to connect a first trailer towed behind a towing vehicle to a second trailer. The apparatus further includes a kinetic energy recovery device for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer. The active dolly is operable in a number of modes to increase vehicle performance and efficiency.

Abstract: A method and system for anti-idling management for a vehicle including an anti-idling system (AIS) is disclosed. Based on inputs from different sources associated with the vehicle, the AIS determines when anti-idling management should be enabled in order to control the engine of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the AIS includes an AIS battery that can be used to power auxiliary vehicle components when the vehicle is stopped via anti-idling control management.

Abstract: A method for estimation of a vehicle tire force includes: receiving, by a controller of a vehicle, a measured vehicle acceleration of the vehicle; receiving, by the controller, a measured wheel speed and a measured yaw rate of the vehicle; forming, by the controller, inertia matrices based on an inertia of rotating components of the vehicle; calculating torques at corners of the vehicle using the inertia matrices; estimating tire forces of the vehicle based on the measured vehicle acceleration, the measured wheel speed, and the inertia matrices; and controlling, by the controller, the vehicle, based on the plurality of estimated longitudinal and lateral tire forces.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for controlling a mobile platform via cables is disclosed. Each of the set of cables are connected at one end to the platform at a second end to a cable controlling mechanism, the cable controlling mechanism including a motor to control a length and tension of the cable. At least two of the cables form a constraint, such as a kinematic constraint to the apparatus in order to limit the movement of the platform in certain degrees of freedom.