Abstract: A monocular camera system for a vehicle includes a front mono camera, a side mono camera, and one or more controllers in electronic communication with the front mono camera and the side mono camera. The one or more controllers execute instructions to determine an ideal lagged distance the vehicle travels between a current time step and a previous time step as two asynchronous camera frames are captured by the front mono camera and the side mono camera, determine a number of delayed frames captured by either the front mono camera or the side mono camera between the current time step and the previous time step based on the ideal lagged distance. The controllers determine a direction of travel of the vehicle that indicates which mono camera is selected to provide a previous camera frame captured at the previous time step.

Abstract: A monocular camera system for a vehicle includes a front mono camera, a side mono camera, and one or more controllers in electronic communication with the front mono camera and the side mono camera. The one or more controllers execute instructions to determine an ideal lagged distance the vehicle travels between a current time step and a previous time step as two asynchronous camera frames are captured by the front mono camera and the side mono camera, determine a number of delayed frames captured by either the front mono camera or the side mono camera between the current time step and the previous time step based on the ideal lagged distance. The controllers determine a direction of travel of the vehicle that indicates which mono camera is selected to provide a previous camera frame captured at the previous time step.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for determining one or more states of an autonomous vehicle for positioning when transitioning between two or more different environments are disclosed herein. The systems and methods disclosed herein can include a positioning system that includes two or more different positioning subsystems operable to generate positional data representing a current position of the autonomous vehicle.

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: 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 system for learning-model predictive control (LMPC) with multi-step prediction for motion control of a vehicle includes sensors and actuators. One or more control modules each having a processor, a memory, and input/output (I/O) ports are in communication with the sensors and actuators, the processor executing program code portions stored in the memory. The program code portions cause the sensors and actuators to obtain vehicle state information, receive a driver input, and generate a desired dynamic output based on the driver input and the vehicle state information. A program code portion estimates actions of the actuators based on the vehicle state information and the driver input, and utilizes the vehicle state information, the driver input, and the estimated actions of the actuators to select one or more models of a physics-based vehicle model and a machine-learning model of the vehicle to selectively adjust commands to the actuators.

Abstract: An air spring with adjustable stiffness and a vehicle air suspension system are disclosed, belonging to the technical field of vehicle shock absorption device. The air spring comprises a main body consisting of an upper sealing plate, a lower sealing plate and a main air spring bellow, wherein an air spring bellow for adjustment is arranged in the main body, the air spring bellow for adjustment divides an inner space of the main body into different regions, with a region out of the air spring bellow for adjustment being a first region and a region inside the air spring bellow for adjustment being a second region. The first region and the second region are respectively connected to a high-pressure gas source, and a gas pressure in the first region and in the second region can be individually controlled.

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: 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 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.