Abstract: This application relates to improvements in environments for microbial testing. Exemplary embodiments provide a uniquely configured tray containing an environment conditioning material, such as an oxygen scavenger material, for use with a cassette assembly. Furthermore, some embodiments provide a cutting mechanism that allows the tray to be reliably breached, thereby exposing the material inside to the environment. Some embodiments can cut open the material with specially-configured cutter teeth, which can easily be deployed by twisting or pushing two halves of the cassette assembly.

Abstract: This application relates to improvements in environments for microbial testing. Exemplary embodiments provide a uniquely configured tray containing an environment conditioning material, such as an oxygen scavenger material, for use with a cassette assembly. Furthermore, some embodiments provide a cutting mechanism that allows the tray to be reliably breached, thereby exposing the material inside to the environment. Some embodiments can cut open the material with specially-configured cutter teeth, which can easily be deployed by twisting or pushing two halves of the cassette assembly.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes a retractable harness mounted within the vehicle and extendible through an opening in the vehicle body, such as a sun roof. The harness may include a retainer, such as an electromagnet, for engaging a docking structure on an aerial drone. On take-off, the vehicle may reach a desirable take-off speed of the aerial drone, activate the aerial drone, and release the retainer. On landing, the aerial drone and vehicle may synchronize their speeds and locations. The retractable harness may extend and align itself with the aerial drone, which descends and docks with the retractable harness.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base, a cylindrical sensor window fixed to the base, and a helical cleaning member movable between a retracted position in the base and an extended position extending around the sensor window. The cleaning member includes an outlet directed at the sensor window when the cleaning member is in the extended position.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, and a plurality of at least three tubular segments fixed relative to the sensor window. Each tubular segment is elongated circumferentially relative to the axis. The tubular segments collectively form a ring substantially centered around the axis. Each tubular segment includes at least one first nozzle and at least one second nozzle. The first nozzles and second nozzles are arranged in an alternating pattern around the ring. The first nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a first angle with the axis, and the second nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a second angle with the axis, the second angle being different than the first angle.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, and a tubular annular member fixed relative to the sensor window and substantially centered around the axis. The annular member includes a plurality of first nozzles and second nozzles arranged in an alternating pattern around the annular member. The first nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a first angle with the axis. The second nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a second angle with the axis, and the second angle is different than the first angle.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photodiode sensors spaced from one another and mounted to a reflective surface, a transparent layer spaced from and substantially parallel to the reflective surface, and a plurality of photodiode transmitters at least one of mounted to the reflective surface and disposed between the reflective surface and the transparent layer.

Abstract: A device may determine driving routes and transit times for vehicles and drivers. The device may include memory and processing to determine one or more indications of desired departure times and routes for a first user and a second user of a group of users, the routes including a road segment used by the first user and the second user. The device may determine a first signal received from a computer of a first vehicle and a second signal received from a computer of a second vehicle, wherein the first signal indicates traffic associated with the first vehicle, and wherein the second signal indicates traffic associated with the second vehicle. The device may determine a first suggested departure time associated with the first user and a second suggested departure time associated with the second user The device may to send indications of the first and second suggested departure times.

Abstract: Example pedestrian management systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method identifies a pedestrian approaching a known pedestrian crossing location. A pedestrian management system notifies an approaching vehicle that the pedestrian wants to cross a road in front of the approaching vehicle. The approaching vehicle determines whether the pedestrian has sufficient time to cross the road ahead of the vehicle. The pedestrian management system then notifies the pedestrian whether they can cross the road ahead of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, and a tubular annular member fixed relative to the sensor window and substantially centered around the axis. The annular member includes a plurality of first nozzles and second nozzles arranged in an alternating pattern around the annular member. The first nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a first angle with the axis. The second nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a second angle with the axis, and the second angle is different than the first angle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base, a cylindrical sensor window fixed to the base, and a helical cleaning member movable between a retracted position in the base and an extended position extending around the sensor window. The cleaning member includes an outlet directed at the sensor window when the cleaning member is in the extended position.

Abstract: A device may determine driving routes and transit times for vehicles and drivers. The device may include memory and processing to determine one or more indications of desired departure times and routes for a first user and a second user of a group of users, the routes including a road segment used by the first user and the second user. The device may determine a first signal received from a computer of a first vehicle and a second signal received from a computer of a second vehicle, wherein the first signal indicates traffic associated with the first vehicle, and wherein the second signal indicates traffic associated with the second vehicle. The device may determine a first suggested departure time associated with the first user and a second suggested departure time associated with the second user The device may to send indications of the first and second suggested departure times.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes a retractable harness mounted within the vehicle and extendible through an opening in the vehicle body, such as a sun roof. The harness may include a retainer, such as an electromagnet, for engaging a docking structure on an aerial drone. On take-off, the vehicle may reach a desirable take-off speed of the aerial drone, activate the aerial drone, and release the retainer. On landing, the aerial drone and vehicle may synchronize their speeds and locations. The retractable harness may extend and align itself with the aerial drone, which descends and docks with the retractable harness.

Abstract: Upon entry to an indoor parking structure, a vehicle may establish communication with a computer system of the parking structure. The vehicle may receive a path to an available parking spot, the path including checkpoints which may broadcast signals. The vehicle may travel the path autonomously to the parking spot. The vehicle further detects the checkpoints and uses their signals to calibrate the vehicle's position.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to detect water on a ground surface, actuate a vehicle exterior light to illuminate a grid pattern on the ground surface, detect a depression at a location of the detected water based on received reflections of the grid pattern, and move a vehicle based on the detected depression.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a vehicle diagnostic report from a vehicle. The processor is also configured to determine that additional information is required to diagnose a problem indicated by the report. The processor is further configured to compile instructions for a user to gather the additional information and send the instructions to the vehicle in response to determining the additional information is required.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photodiode sensors spaced from one another and mounted to a reflective surface, a transparent layer spaced from and substantially parallel to the reflective surface, and a plurality of photodiode transmitters at least one of mounted to the reflective surface and disposed between the reflective surface and the transparent layer.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a vehicle diagnostic report from a vehicle. The processor is also configured to determine that additional information is required to diagnose a problem indicated by the report. The processor is further configured to compile instructions for a user to gather the additional information and send the instructions to the vehicle in response to determining the additional information is required.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to detect water on a ground surface, actuate a vehicle exterior light to illuminate a grid pattern on the ground surface, detect a depression at a location of the detected water based on received reflections of the grid pattern, and move a vehicle based on the detected depression.

Abstract: A microcatheter for delivery of embolic fluids includes an outer member dimensioned for insertion within a blood vessel adjacent an embolization site. The outer member defines a first longitudinal lumen, and an inner member is selectively positionable within the first longitudinal lumen of the outer member. The inner member defines a second longitudinal lumen and has a delivery port in fluid communication with the second longitudinal lumen for passage and delivery of embolic fluids toward the embolization site. A valve is disposed within the outer member. The valve is dimensioned to establish a substantial seal about the inner member, to minimize entry of the embolic fluids within the first longitudinal lumen of the outer member subsequent to delivery thereof toward the embolization site.