Abstract: A new controller for use in robots with kinematic loops as well as in most other types of robots (such as those with fully actuated kinematic trees). The controller includes an inverse kinematics (IK) module that implements a versatile IK formulation for retargeting of motions, including expressive motions, onto mechanical systems (i.e., robots with loops and/or without loops). Further, the controller is configured to support the precise control of the position and orientation of end effectors and the center of mass (CoM) (such as of walking robots). The formulation of the algorithms carried out by the IK module safeguards against a disassembly when IK targets are moved outside the workspace of the robot. A regularizer is included in the controller that smoothly circumvents kinematic singularities where velocities go to infinity.

Abstract: A robot design and control system including a procedural animation engine and a graphical animation editor that enable animators to author stylized walking gaits achievable by physical robotic characters, including bipedal robots of varying design. The animation engine generates dynamically feasible reference trajectories for omnidirectional walking given a desired walking velocity that may be input from a joystick or an artificial intelligence (AI) planner. This allows a legged robot to walk along an arbitrary path while expressing a custom animation “style,” e.g., a happy walk, a sneaky walk, or other manner of walking. The stylized walking motion or gait is generalized by the animation engine from a small number of animation samples that are defined at key walking velocities and tracked using a whole-body controller. The set of samples that are used as input to define a walking style is authored by an animator using the animation editor.

Abstract: A system includes a computing platform having processing hardware, one or more sensor(s), and a memory storing perception software and animation software, as well as an augmented reality (AR) headset including another processing hardware. The computing platform is configured to obtain an environmental data using the sensor(s), determine the location and orientation of the AR headset using the perception software and the environmental data, identify an action for execution by the computing platform, using the animation software and the location and orientation of the AR headset, and transmit performative data corresponding to the identified action to the AR headset. The AR headset is configured to receive, from the computing platform, the performative data, and to render at least one AR effect corresponding to the identified action using the performative data.

Abstract: A system includes a computing platform having processing hardware, one or more sensor(s), and a memory storing perception software and animation software, as well as an augmented reality (AR) headset including another processing hardware. The computing platform is configured to obtain an environmental data using the sensor(s), determine the location and orientation of the AR headset using the perception software and the environmental data, identify an action for execution by the computing platform, using the animation software and the location and orientation of the AR headset, and transmit performative data corresponding to the identified action to the AR headset. The AR headset is configured to receive, from the computing platform, the performative data, and to render at least one AR effect corresponding to the identified action using the performative data.

Abstract: A new controller for use in robots with kinematic loops as well as in most other types of robots (such as those with fully actuated kinematic trees). The controller includes an inverse kinematics (IK) module that implements a versatile IK formulation for retargeting of motions, including expressive motions, onto mechanical systems (i.e., robots with loops and/or without loops). Further, the controller is configured to support the precise control of the position and orientation of end effectors and the center of mass (CoM) (such as of walking robots). The formulation of the algorithms carried out by the IK module safeguards against a disassembly when IK targets are moved outside the workspace of the robot. A regularizer is included in the controller that smoothly circumvents kinematic singularities where velocities go to infinity.

Abstract: A robot actor, or character mobility hardware platform, adapted to unleash or provide a wide variety of characters in the physical world. The robot actor enables the often screen-constrained characters to become life-like, interactive participants with nearby people in ways not presently achievable. The robot actor is an untethered, free-roaming robot that is has two (or more) legs, is adapted for high dexterity, is controlled and designed to be self-balancing, and, due to this combination of characteristics, the robot can provide characters with an illusion of life and, in many cases, in correct proportion and scale. The hardware and software of the robot actor will become a new generation of animatronic figures by providing a hardware platform capable of continuously evolving to become more capable through advances in controls and artificial intelligence (AI).

Abstract: A robot actor, or character mobility hardware platform, adapted to unleash or provide a wide variety of characters in the physical world. The robot actor enables the often screen-constrained characters to become life-like, interactive participants with nearby people in ways not presently achievable. The robot actor is an untethered, free-roaming robot that is has two (or more) legs, is adapted for high dexterity, is controlled and designed to be self-balancing, and, due to this combination of characteristics, the robot can provide characters with an illusion of life and, in many cases, in correct proportion and scale. The hardware and software of the robot actor will become a new generation of animatronic figures by providing a hardware platform capable of continuously evolving to become more capable through advances in controls and artificial intelligence (AI).

Abstract: A slide pull attachment for use on a slide of a semi-automatic pistol comprises a flexible, unitary sheet member having a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline, an adhesive material disposed on a rear surface of the sheet member for adhering the sheet member to a slide, and a contoured pull tab projecting upwardly from an upper surface of the sheet member. The contoured pull tab is located rearward of the lateral centerline and adjacent a first side edge of the sheet member. The attachment further comprises a plurality of spaced, parallel relief grooves extending longitudinally in the upper surface of the sheet member between a rearward edge of the sheet member and a forward edge thereof, and a plurality of spaced, parallel relief grooves extending laterally in the upper surface of the sheet member from a second side edge of the sheet member towards the first side edge.

Abstract: A robot actor, or character mobility hardware platform, adapted to unleash or provide a wide variety of characters in the physical world. The robot actor enables the often screen-constrained characters to become life-like, interactive participants with nearby people in ways not presently achievable. The robot actor is an untethered, free-roaming robot that is has two (or more) legs, is adapted for high dexterity, is controlled and designed to be self-balancing, and, due to this combination of characteristics, the robot can provide characters with an illusion of life and, in many cases, in correct proportion and scale. The hardware and software of the robot actor will become a new generation of animatronic figures by providing a hardware platform capable of continuously evolving to become more capable through advances in controls and artificial intelligence (AI).

Abstract: A wire rope lubricant having a base fluid as a majority component, and a wax or polymer as a minority component wherein at least one of the base fluid and the wax, or polymer, is biodegradable. A method of forming a wire rope having a plurality of wire strands, the method including the step of applying the wire rope lubricant between the wire strands.

Abstract: A defence system 2, 60, 70, 100 comprising a net layer 4, 62, 72 and a buffer layer 6, 64, 74 wherein the buffer layer 6, 64, 74 is provided in front of the net layer 4, 62, 72.

Abstract: A pivoting firearm handgrip allows a user to pivot the handgrip relative to the firearm into various locked positions. The pivoting handgrip includes a grip base and a grip body that are selectively locked together by a spring biased shaft having key formations. The key formations on the shaft engage keyway formations on finger structures of the grip body. The key structures of the shaft also selectively engage locking formations on supporting structures on the grip base. A spring is captured between the head portion of the shaft and the grip body so that the key formations of the shaft are spring biased to engage the locking formations of the grip base. In use, a user depresses one end of the shaft to disengage the key formations of the shaft from the locking formations of the grip base, and then freely pivots the grip body about the base.

Abstract: An article to move one or more packages that are slidable on a rail so that the front package is at the front of the peg rail and subsequent packages are one behind the other without significant unnecessary space. The article has a handle, a portion for engaging the peg rail and package so that upon movement forward of the engaging portion the package is brought forward, and a body portion connecting the handle and the portion for engaging the rail and package. The handle may include a lined scale for measuring distance, an orifice to facilitate hanging, and a box opener at one end.

Abstract: An airline baggage cart includes a wheeled chassis, a mounting assembly, and a cart body. The mounting assembly includes angle brackets for attachment to the chassis and to dampened runner members. The cart body includes a base frame and four corner posts secured to the base frame, roof supports secured to the corner posts, and corrugated metal wall panels secured to the posts. A roof panel formed from a single sheet of metal is secured to the roof supports, and a floor panel formed from a single sheet of metal is secured to the base frame. The runners may be raised by the angle brackets above the chassis frame by a sufficient distance to allow a forklift fork to enter between the chassis frame and the runners for lifting the baggage cart with improved stability and decreased likelihood of damage to the cart.