Abstract: A method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method including receiving notifications from a plurality of agents, the notifications being associated with the plurality of agents sensing aspects of an environment; determining, based at least in part on the received notifications from the plurality of agents, a situational model of the environment from the notifications; determining a status of the environment based on the situational model; and reporting the status of the environment to at least one of the plurality of agents.

Abstract: A system includes a machine assembly, an imaging sensor, an encoder, and one or more processors. The machine assembly is movable to actuate a brake lever of a vehicle in order to open a valve of an air brake system of the vehicle. The imaging sensor acquires perception information of a working environment that includes the brake lever. The encoder detects a displaced position of the machine assembly relative to a reference position of the machine assembly. The one or more processors detect a position of the brake lever relative to the machine assembly based on the acquired perception information and the detected displacement of the arm. The one or more processors generate a motion trajectory for the machine assembly that provides a path to the brake lever. The one or more processors drive movement of the machine assembly along the motion trajectory towards the brake lever.

Abstract: A ranging system captures successive point clouds from moving freight, and a tracking system tracks successive positions and orientations of the moving freight. A computing device correlates each successive point cloud with each successive position and orientation and time of the moving freight, combines the correlated point clouds to obtain a composite point cloud of the moving freight, and processes the composite point cloud to dimension the moving freight. Once the freight is dimensioned, it may, for example, be efficiently loaded into a container.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a machine assembly, a first imaging sensor, an encoder, and one or more processors. The machine assembly is movable to actuate a brake lever of a vehicle in order to open a valve of an air brake system. The first imaging sensor is positioned to acquire two-dimensional perception information of a working environment that includes the brake lever during movement of the machine assembly towards the brake lever. The encoder detects a displacement of the machine assembly relative to a reference position of the machine assembly. The one or more processors estimate a target position of the brake lever relative to the machine assembly during movement of the machine assembly based on the two-dimensional perception information and the displacement. The one or more processors drive the movement of the machine assembly towards the target position of the brake lever.

Abstract: A system includes first and second robotic machines and a task manager. The first and second robotic machines have respective first and second sets of capabilities for interacting with a surrounding environment. The task manager selects the first and second robotic machines from a group to perform a task based on the first and second sets of capabilities of the robotic machines. The task involves manipulating and/or inspecting a target object of a vehicle. The task manager assigns a first sequence of sub-tasks to be performed by the first robotic machine and a second sequence of sub-tasks to be performed by the second robotic machine. The first and second robotic machines are configured to coordinate performance of the first sequence of sub-tasks by the first robotic machine with performance of the second sequence of sub-tasks by the second robotic machine to accomplish the task.

Abstract: A collaboration system may include a first computing device that may communicate with at least one other computing device via a computing network. The computing network may communicatively couple to a number of computing devices and the first computing device may receive inspection data acquired by one or more non-destructive testing (NDT) devices. After receiving the inspection data, the first computing device may determine at least one of a workflow for analyzing the inspection data based on the inspection data, a layout configured to display the inspection data, or a set of tools configured to analyze the inspection data. The first computing device may then implement the workflow, display the inspection data according to the layout, and/or display the set of tools. The workflow may include one or more processes that may be used to analyze the inspection data.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a controller configured to obtain image data from one or more optical sensors and to determine one or more of a location and/or pose of a vehicle component based on the image data. The controller also is configured to determine a model of an external environment of the robotic system based on the image data and to determine tasks to be performed by components of the robotic system to perform maintenance on the vehicle component. The controller also is configured to assign the tasks to the components of the robotic system and to communicate control signals to the components of the robotic system to autonomously control the robotic system to perform the maintenance on the vehicle component.

Abstract: A robotic system includes one or more optical sensors configured to separately obtain two dimensional (2D) image data and three dimensional (3D) image data of a brake lever of a vehicle, a manipulator arm configured to grasp the brake lever of the vehicle, and a controller configured to compare the 2D image data with the 3D image data to identify one or more of a location or a pose of the brake lever of the vehicle. The controller is configured to control the manipulator arm to move toward, grasp, and actuate the brake lever of the vehicle based on the one or more of the location or the pose of the brake lever.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a processing system comprising at least one processor. The processor generates a plan to monitor the asset. The plan comprises one or more tasks to be performed by the at least one robot. The processor receives sensor data from at least one sensor indicating one or more characteristics of the asset. The processor adjusts the plan to monitor the asset by adjusting or adding one or more tasks to the plan based on one or both of the quality of the acquired data or a potential defect of the asset. The adjusted plan causes the at least one robot to acquire additional data related to the asset when executed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, via at least one sensor of a robot, sensor data indicating one or more characteristics of an asset. The method includes detecting, based on the sensor data, an existing or imminent defect of the asset. The method includes fabricating a part suitable for use in correcting the defect. The structure of the part is derived using one or both of a digital representation of the asset generated using the sensor data or stored reference data related to the asset.

Abstract: A processing system having at least one processor operatively coupled to at least one memory. The processor receives sensor data from the at least one sensor indicating one or more characteristics of the asset. The processor generates, updates, or maintains a digital representation that models the one or more characteristics of the asset. The processor detects a defect of the asset based at least in part on the one or more characteristics. The processor generate an output signal encoding or conveying instructions to provide a recommendation to an operator, to control the at least one robot to address the defect on the asset, or both, based on the defect and the digital representation of the asset.

Abstract: Method includes executing a dynamic decision-making process that includes (a) receiving environmental data and (b) determining a fused ensemble based on the environmental data and a state parameters of a current state of a machine assembly. The fused ensemble includes communications from a system interface to the operator for the state parameters. The communications inform an operator about the state parameters and includes at least one of a visual signal, an audible signal, or a tactile signal from the system interface. The decision-making process also includes (c) communicating the fused ensemble to the operator through the system interface and (d) repeating (a)-(c) while the machine assembly is in the current state. The fused ensemble is configured to change based on changes in the environmental data.

Abstract: A homogeneous polymerization catalyst system for polymerization or copolymerization of at least one alpha olefin has a Lewis acid, an alkyl aluminum in a hexane or a heptane, and at least one dry metallocene. The at least one dry metallocene has a transition metal compound. The Lewis acid is capable of forming an ion pair with the at least one dry metallocene. The homogeneous polymerization catalyst system produces a poly alpha olefin from alpha olefin monomers or mixed alpha olefins. A produced poly alpha olefin has a kinematic viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius ranging from 1 cSt to 1000 cSt.

Abstract: A solution process for the polymerization or copolymerization of at least one alpha olefin can include adding a Lewis acid to an alkyl aluminum in a hexane or heptane to form a coordination complex, stirring the coordination complex continuously forming a near homogeneous solution in an inert anhydrous environment, adding at least one dry metallocene to the near homogenous solution forming a soluble polymerization initiator, then stirring to form a near homogenous metallocene enriched polymerization initiator, and polymerizing an alpha olefin with the metallocene enriched polymerization initiator and optionally adding additional alkyl aluminum as a moisture scavenger or an impurities scavenger to yield a poly alpha olefin. The at least one dry metallocene can have a transition metal compound. The Lewis acid is capable of forming an ion pair with the at least one dry metallocene.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes computer-readable storage configured to store non-destructive testing inspection data relating to a portion of an object that has been inspected. Further, a processor presents a model associated with the object, associates the inspection data with the related portion of the object; and presents an indication of availability of the inspection data on a portion of the presented model. The portion of the presented model relates to the portion of the object associated with the inspection data.

Abstract: Method includes executing a dynamic decision-making process that includes (a) receiving environmental data and (b) determining a fused ensemble based on the environmental data and a state parameters of a current state of a machine assembly. The fused ensemble includes communications from a system interface to the operator for the state parameters. The communications inform an operator about the state parameters and includes at least one of a visual signal, an audible signal, or a tactile signal from the system interface. The decision-making process also includes (c) communicating the fused ensemble to the operator through the system interface and (d) repeating (a)-(c) while the machine assembly is in the current state. The fused ensemble is configured to change based on changes in the environmental data.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a machine assembly, a first imaging sensor, an encoder, and one or more processors. The machine assembly is movable to actuate a brake lever of a vehicle in order to open a valve of an air brake system. The first imaging sensor is positioned to acquire two-dimensional perception information of a working environment that includes the brake lever during movement of the machine assembly towards the brake lever. The encoder detects a displacement of the machine assembly relative to a reference position of the machine assembly. The one or more processors estimate a target position of the brake lever relative to the machine assembly during movement of the machine assembly based on the two-dimensional perception information and the displacement. The one or more processors drive the movement of the machine assembly towards the target position of the brake lever.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an automation system. The systems and methods calculate a motion trajectory of a manipulator and an end-effector. The end-effector is configured to grasp a target object. The motion trajectory defines successive positions of the manipulator and the end-effector along a plurality of via-points toward the target object. The systems and methods further acquire force/torque (F/T) data from an F/T sensor associated with the end-effector, and adjusts the motion trajectory based on the F/T data.

Abstract: A system includes a machine assembly, an imaging sensor, an encoder, and one or more processors. The machine assembly is movable to actuate a brake lever of a vehicle in order to open a valve of an air brake system of the vehicle. The imaging sensor acquires perception information of a working environment that includes the brake lever. The encoder detects a displaced position of the machine assembly relative to a reference position of the machine assembly. The one or more processors detect a position of the brake lever relative to the machine assembly based on the acquired perception information and the detected displacement of the arm. The one or more processors generate a motion trajectory for the machine assembly that provides a path to the brake lever. The one or more processors drive movement of the machine assembly along the motion trajectory towards the brake lever.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate proximity detection and location tracking. An example method includes receiving messages collected by a badge in an environment, the messages including signal strength and a timestamp. The example method also includes assigning a location in the environment to the badge based on a first subset of the messages. The example method also includes identifying an asset in a second subset of the messages. The example method also includes updating a current location associated with the asset based on a relative proximity of the asset to the badge, wherein the current location corresponds to a first time and the updated location corresponds to a second time, and wherein a change in location between the current location and the updated location indicates movement of the asset in the environment.