Abstract: Devices are provided for dispensing pillows for use in packaging arranged in web and having relative a relatively thick portion bordered by relatively thin portions that adjoins the individual pillows within the web. The systems can include a transfer unit having a pushing member. The pushing member is configured to engage the web of pillows as the pushing member moves so that the pushing member draws the web into the transfer unit, and moves the web through the transfer unit and toward an exit opening of the transfer unit. The devices further can include a separation unit having a cutting device, and a movable cover that at least partially encloses the cutting device to prevent unintentional contact with the cutting device.

Abstract: A head unit system for controlling an object includes a head unit device that includes shear thickening fluid (STF) and chambers containing the STF coupled by a hinge. The chambers each include gates between a front channel and a back channel. The gates include a bypass opening set. The head unit device further includes pistons housed at least partially radially within the chambers. The gates are configured to control flow of the STF between the front and back channels of the chambers to control rotational movement of the object.

Abstract: A method for execution by a computing entity includes interpreting a fluid flow response from a set of radio frequency wireless field sensors to produce a piston velocity and position of a piston associated with a head unit device that includes a chamber filled with a shear thickening fluid (STF) that includes a combination of a multitude of piezoelectric nanoparticles and a multitude of magnetic nanoparticles. The method further includes determining a shear force based on the piston velocity and the piston position. The method further includes determining a desired response for the STF based on the shear force, the piston velocity, and the piston position. The method further includes generating a wireless field activation based on the desired response for the STF and outputting the wireless field activation to a set of radio frequency wireless field emitters positioned proximal to the chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for packing a shipping container. The methods comprise: detecting, by a computing device, a presence of the shipping container; generating, by a computing device, a 3D point cloud comprising a 3D perspective representation of interior of the shipping container and surfaces of at least one item disposed in the shipping container; analyzing, by a computing device, the 3D point cloud to identify a void area inside the shipping container, the void area being absent of the at least one item; selecting, by the computing device, a percentage from a plurality of possible percentages based on a characteristic of the void area; and causing, by the computing device, protective packaging to be dispensed into the void area such that the selected percentage of the void area is filled with the protective packaging.

Abstract: Systems and methods for packing a shipping container. The methods comprise: detecting, by a computing device, a presence of the shipping container; identifying, by the computing device, a void area inside the shipping container; dividing, by the computing device, the void area into a plurality of void area sections; obtaining, by the computing device, a first amount for a first void area section of the plurality of void area sections and a second amount for a second void area of the plurality of void area sections; and causing, by the computing device, the protective packaging to be dispensed into the void area such that the first amount of the first void area section is filled with the protective packaging and the second amount of the second void area section is filled with the protective packaging.

Abstract: A head unit system for controlling an object includes a secondary object sensor and a head unit device that includes shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber configured to contain the STF. The chamber further includes a front channel and a back channel. The head unit device further includes a piston housed at least partially radially within the piston compartment and separating the back channel and the front channel. The piston includes a first piston bypass and a second piston bypasses to control flow of the STF between opposite sides of the piston. The chamber further includes a set of fluid flow sensors and a set of fluid manipulation emitters to control the flow of the STF to cause selection of one of a variety of shear rates for the STF within the chamber to control motion of the object with regards to a secondary object.

Abstract: A head unit system for controlling an object includes a head unit device that include shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber configured to contain the STF. The chamber further includes a gate between a front channel and a back channel. The gate includes a set of bypass openings. The head unit device further includes a piston housed at least partially radially within the chamber. The gate is configured to control flow of the STF between the front channel and the back channel to control contraction of the chamber to provide the controlling of the object.

Abstract: A method for execution by a computing entity includes interpreting an electric response from a set of electric field sensors to produce a piston velocity and a piston position of a piston associated with a head unit device. The head unit device includes a chamber filled with a shear thickening fluid (STF) that includes a multitude of piezoelectric nanoparticles. The method further includes determining a shear force based on the piston velocity and the piston position. The method further includes determining a desired response for the STF based on the shear force, the piston velocity, and the piston position. The method further includes generating an electric activation based on the desired response for the STF and outputting the electric activation to a set of electric field emitters positioned proximal to the chamber.

Abstract: A head unit system for controlling motion of an object includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber configured to contain a portion of the STF. The chamber further includes a front channel and a back channel. The head unit system further includes a piston housed at least partially radially within the piston compartment and separating the back channel and the front channel. The piston includes a piston bypass to control flow of the STF between opposite sides of the piston. The chamber further includes a set of fluid manipulation emitters to control the flow of the STF to cause selection of one of a variety of shear rates for the STF within the chamber.

Abstract: A method for execution by a computing entity includes interpreting a magnetic response from a set of magnetic field sensors to produce a piston velocity and a piston position of a piston associated with a head unit device. The head unit device includes a chamber filled with a shear thickening fluid (STF) that includes a multitude of magnetic nanoparticles. The method further includes determining a shear force based on the piston velocity and the piston position. The method further includes determining a desired response for the STF based on the shear force, the piston velocity, and the piston position. The method further includes generating a magnetic activation based on the desired response for the STF and outputting the magnetic activation to a set of magnetic field emitters positioned proximal to the chamber.

Abstract: A head unit system for controlling an object includes a head unit device that include shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber configured to contain the STF. The chamber further includes a set of gates between a front channel and a back channel. The set of gates includes a bypass opening set. The head unit device further includes a piston housed at least partially radially within the chamber. The set of gates is configured to control flow of the STF between the front channel and the back channel to control rotational movement of the object. An accessory module assists in control of the object.

Abstract: A power shunt for shunting rotary power from a load device includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber containing the STF. The power shunt further includes a drive shaft housed radially within a drive side section of the chamber protruding outward from an end of the chamber for coupling to a lock preventing rotation of the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load shaft housed radially within a load side section of the chamber protruding outward through a shaft collar from another end of the chamber for coupling to the load device. The power shunt further includes a drive turbine housed radially within the drive side section coupled to the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load turbine housed radially within the load side section at an adjustable operational distance from the drive turbine and coupled to the load shaft.

Abstract: A door closer system to control motion of a door includes a shear thickening fluid (STF), a chamber for the STF, and a piston within the chamber. The door closer system further includes a plunger coupled to the piston and to a spring with a motion conversion aspect to mechanically join motion of the door with movement of the piston and to provide compression of the spring based on an opening motion of the door. The motion conversion aspect is further configured to cause the spring to hold stored energy as a result of the opening motion of the door, the spring to release the stored energy to facilitate a closing motion of the door, and regulating a velocity of the closing motion of the door as a result of the piston causing an increasing viscosity of the STF to provide a soft close feature.

Abstract: A head unit system for controlling motion of an object includes an environment sensor and a head unit that include shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber to contain the STF. The chamber further includes front and back channels. The head unit further includes a piston housed radially within the piston compartment and separating the back channel and the front channel. The piston includes a first piston bypass and a second piston bypass to control flow of the STF between opposite sides of the piston. The chamber further includes a set of fluid flow sensors and a set of fluid manipulation emitters to control the flow of the STF to cause selection of one of a variety of shear rates for the STF within the chamber to abate an internal factor of concern associated with an internal environment as sensed by the environment sensor.

Abstract: A head unit system for controlling motion of an object includes a secondary object sensor and a head unit that includes shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber configured to contain the STF. The chamber further includes a front channel and a back channel. The head unit further includes a piston housed at least partially radially within the piston compartment and separating the back channel and the front channel. The piston includes a first piston bypass and a second piston bypass to control flow of the STF between opposite sides of the piston. The chamber further includes a set of fluid flow sensors and a set of fluid manipulation emitters to control the flow of the STF to cause selection of one of a variety of shear rates for the STF within the chamber to control motion of the object with regards to a secondary object.

Abstract: A head unit system for controlling an object includes a secondary object sensor and a head unit device that include shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber configured to contain the STF. The chamber further includes a front channel and a back channel. The head unit device further includes a piston housed at least partially radially within the piston compartment and separating the back channel and the front channel. The piston includes a first piston bypass and a second piston bypasses to control flow of the STF between opposite sides of the piston. The chamber further includes a set of fluid flow sensors and a set of fluid manipulation emitters to control the flow of the STF to cause selection of one of a variety of shear rates for the STF within the chamber to control motion of the object with regards to a secondary object.

Abstract: A head unit system for controlling motion of an object includes a head unit module of a set of head unit devices and a ramp shaped plate that contacts the head unit module using an engagement approach. Head unit devices of the head unit module include shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber configured to contain the STF. A piston moves through the chamber as a result of the motion of the object and the STF resists the movement of the piston to control the motion of the object.

Abstract: A head unit system for controlling an object includes a head unit device that includes shear thickening fluid (STF) and chambers containing the STF coupled by a hinge. The chambers each include gates between a front channel and a back channel. The gates include a bypass opening set. The head unit device further includes pistons housed at least partially radially within the chambers. The gates are configured to control flow of the STF between the front and back channels of the chambers to control rotational movement of the object.

Abstract: A method for execution by a computing entity includes interpreting a fluid flow response from fluid flow sensors to produce a piston position of a piston associated with a head unit device. The head unit device includes a chamber filled with a shear thickening fluid (STF). The method further includes determining a door position based on the piston position. The method further includes determining parameters for wireless signals based on the door position. The method further includes facilitating utilization of the parameters for the wireless signals to promote successful communication of status and/or control of the door via the wireless signals.

Abstract: A head unit system for controlling motion of an object includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber configured to contain a portion of the STF. The chamber further includes a front channel and a back channel. The head unit system further includes a piston housed at least partially radially within the piston compartment and separating the back channel and the front channel. The piston includes a first piston bypass and a second piston bypasses to control flow of the STF between opposite sides of the piston. The chamber further includes a set of fluid manipulation emitters to control the flow of the STF to cause selection of one of a variety of shear rates for the STF within the chamber.