Abstract: A control device associated with an autonomous vehicle detects that a person is altering traffic on a road using a hand signal. The control device determines an interpretation of the hand signal. The control device determines a proposed trajectory according to the interpretation of the hand signal. The control device transmits the proposed trajectory to an oversight server. The oversight server determines whether the hand signal is in use to alter the traffic. The oversight server also determines whether the proposed trajectory causes the autonomous vehicle to go out of a pre-mapped area where the autonomous vehicle is able to autonomously travel. In response to determining that the hand signal is in use and that the proposed trajectory does not cause the autonomous vehicle to go out of the pre-mapped area, the oversight server transmits an instruction that indicates to perform the proposed trajectory to the control device.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example system for an AV includes a communications gateway device. The communications gateway device includes a plurality of modules each configured for different communication mediums or applications. In particular, the plurality of modules includes a first module for communicating with a remote computer. Via the first module, vehicle operational data is reported to the remote computer, and instructional data is received from the remote computer. The modules further include a second module for communicating with devices located within a vicinity external to the vehicle, and a third module configured to communicate with subsystems located within the vehicle. The example AV system includes a second communications gateway device that is configured to be redundant.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. Example embodiments disclosed herein provide enhanced high-precision operation of an AV in low-speed environments, such as a toll booth facility or heavy traffic. One example method disclosed herein includes a control computer identifying a starting point of the toll booth facility on the roadway and a plurality of toll lanes associated with the toll booth facility; selecting a particular toll lane; determining a trajectory for the AV that extends through the particular toll lane; and in response to the autonomous vehicle arriving at the starting point for the toll booth facility, transmitting, over a subsystem interface to one or more drive subsystems of the AV, instructions configured to cause the drive subsystems to operate together to cause the AV to travel according to the trajectory.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example method for operating an AV includes receiving, from a sensor located on the AV, sensor data that captures a road sign located at a distance from the AV that is operating on a roadway; obtaining, from the sensor data, roadway information indicated by the road sign that corresponds to a segment of the roadway associated with the road sign that is ahead of a current position of the AV on the roadway; determining trajectory-related information for the AV for the distance that is based on the roadway information obtained from the sensor data; and causing the AV to travel in accordance with the trajectory-related information until a determination that the AV has arrived within the segment of the roadway associated with the road sign.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example method for operating the AV includes determining a trajectory related information of a vehicle operating on a roadway on which the AV is operating; receiving sensor data of a first area that includes the vehicle; determining an additional trajectory related information for the AV by comparing the trajectory related information of the vehicle to a current trajectory related information of the AV, wherein the additional trajectory related information is based on a category to which the vehicle belongs, and wherein the additional trajectory related information allows the AV to maintain at least a distance between the AV and the vehicle; and causing the AV to operate in accordance with the additional trajectory related information.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example method for operating an AV includes receiving, by a computer located in the AV, sensor data that indicates a condition of one or more devices in the AV or of a roadway on which the autonomous vehicle is operating; and causing, by the computer and based on the sensor data, the autonomous vehicle to operate in accordance with a maneuver by sending instructions to one or more devices in the autonomous vehicle, wherein the maneuver is configured to bring the autonomous vehicle to a complete stop. In some embodiments, the maneuver may be selected from a plurality of maneuvers in response to determining an occurrence of a fault condition based on the sensor data.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example system for an AV includes obtaining, by a computer located in the AV, an image from a camera located on the AV, where the image characterizes an area towards which the AV is driven on a lane on a road or a highway; determining, from the image, that a pedestrian or a cyclist is located next to the lane on the road or the highway; and in response to the determining, performing driving operations on the AV such as steering from a center of the lane to a first side of the lane that is away from the center of the lane and away from a location of the pedestrian or the cyclist, and/or slowing down the AV in response to certain conditions.

Abstract: A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect a road closure. The processor overrides driving instructions of the lead AV, such that the lead AV is stopped at first location coordinates. The processor sends a first message to an operation server, indicating that the road closure is detected. The operation server update the first portion of the map data, reflecting the road closure. The operation server determines whether re-routing is possible for each AV. If re-routing is possible is possible for that AV, the operation server sends re-routing instructions to the AV. If re-routing is not possible is possible for that AV, the operation server sends pulling over instructions to the AV.

Abstract: A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect a construction zone. The processor sends a first message to an operation server, indicating that the construction zone is detected. The processor updates driving instructions of the lead AV to navigate around the construction zone. While navigating around the construction zone, the processor sends sensor data associated with the construction zone to the operation server. The operation server determines an extent of the construction zone. If the operation server determines that the construction zone is extensive, it sends re-routing instructions to the AVs. If the operation server determines that the construction zone is not extensive, it sends instructions to navigate around the construction zone to the AVs.

Abstract: A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect an unknown object within the field of view by comparing sensor data received from the sensor and a map data. The processor determines a lane occupied by the unknown object. The processor sends a first message to the following AVs comprising location coordinates of the unknown object and instructions to divert the lane. The processor instructs the lead AV to navigate around the unknown object. While navigating around the unknown object, the processor sends a plurality of second messages to an operation server, comprising sensor data related to the unknown object. The operation server updates the map data, indicating the unknown object at the location coordinates.

Abstract: A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect a road structural change on the particular road. The processor updates driving instructions of the lead AV to navigate through the structural change using driving instructions related to the structural change. The processor sends a first message to the operation server indicating that the structural change is detected. The operation server updates the first portion of the map data, reflecting the structural change. The operation server sends the updated map data to the one or more following AVs.

Abstract: A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect a road closure. The processor overrides driving instructions of the lead AV, such that the lead AV is stopped at first location coordinates. The processor sends a first message to an operation server, indicating that the road closure is detected. The operation server update the first portion of the map data, reflecting the road closure. The operation server determines whether re-routing is possible for each AV. If re-routing is possible is possible for that AV, the operation server sends re-routing instructions to the AV. If re-routing is not possible is possible for that AV, the operation server sends pulling over instructions to the AV.

Abstract: An electrical relay device includes a housing, a wire coil, an actuator assembly, and a shell. The housing extends between a closed end and an open end and defines a chamber. The wire coil and the actuator assembly are within the chamber. The actuator assembly is configured to move between a first position, in which a movable contact is spaced apart from at least one stationary contact, and a second position, in which the movable contact engages the at least one stationary contact, based on a magnetic field induced by current through the wire coil. The shell seals the open end of the housing to seal the chamber. The shell has a pressure relief valve in flow communication with the chamber. The pressure relief valve is configured to open in response to a pressure within the chamber exceeding a threshold set pressure to reduce the pressure within the chamber.

Abstract: An electrical relay device includes a housing, a wire coil, an actuator assembly, and a shell. The housing extends between a closed end and an open end and defines a chamber. The wire coil and the actuator assembly are within the chamber. The actuator assembly is configured to move between a first position, in which a movable contact is spaced apart from at least one stationary contact, and a second position, in which the movable contact engages the at least one stationary contact, based on a magnetic field induced by current through the wire coil. The shell seals the open end of the housing to seal the chamber. The shell has a pressure relief valve in flow communication with the chamber. The pressure relief valve is configured to open in response to a pressure within the chamber exceeding a threshold set pressure to reduce the pressure within the chamber.

Abstract: A virtual lug loader includes a lug loader for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor, wherein the workpieces are transversely oriented relative to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors for conveying the workpieces downstream, wherein each pair of endless conveyors in the array include first and second endless conveyors. The first and second endless conveyors are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction. Each are aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array forms a continuous upper surface in the flow direction for supporting the workpieces translating downstream in the flow direction. Each pair of endless conveyors in the array overlap adjacent pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array include independently actuable first and second drives independently driving their corresponding first and second endless conveyors.

Abstract: An edging attachment for riding lawn mowers is operable to control the height of an edging blade relative to a ground surface while an operator steers the mower in a desired direction. In one embodiment, the edging attachment is coupled to the mowing deck of a mower and the mowing deck is adjusted using a foot control. The foot control can be manipulated while the operator simultaneously steers the mower using a hand-operable steering controls. Because the edging attachment is coupled to the mowing deck, adjustment of the edging blade height is also effected using the foot control. In another embodiment, a hand-manipulated control is mounted proximate the steering controls to facilitate adjustment of the edging blade while simultaneously steering the mower.

Abstract: A virtual lug loader includes a lug loader for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor, wherein the workpieces are transversely oriented relative to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors for conveying the workpieces downstream, wherein each pair of endless conveyors in the array include first and second endless conveyors. The first and second endless conveyors are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction. Each are aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array forms a continuous upper surface in the flow direction for supporting the workpieces translating downstream in the flow direction. Each pair of endless conveyors in the array overlap adjacent pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array include independently actuable first and second drives independently driving their corresponding first and second endless conveyors.

Abstract: A virtual lug loader includes a lug loader for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor, wherein the workpieces are transversely oriented relative to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors for conveying the workpieces downstream, wherein each pair of endless conveyors in the array include first and second endless conveyors. The first and second endless conveyors are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction. Each are aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array forms a continuous upper surface in the flow direction for supporting the workpieces translating downstream in the flow direction. Each pair of endless conveyors in the array overlap adjacent pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array include independently actuable first and second drives independently driving their corresponding first and second endless conveyors.

Abstract: HIV-1 is a slow virus that has a genome that requires the removal of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and of selenium, cysteine, glutamine and tryptophan from its host as it is replicated. Although various clinical trials have improved the health of AIDS patients by correcting one or more of these nutritional deficiencies, they have never been addressed together. The current invention combines selenium, cysteine, tryptophan, and glutamine in powder, capsule, or pill form for the creation of glutathione and glutathione peroxidasae by the patient and the correction of deficiencies of other biochemical substances that require selenium, cysteine, tryptophan, and glutamine as precursors. Such a treatment protocol will prevent HIV-1 seropositive individuals from developing AIDS and reverse most of the symptoms of AIDS in those with this disorder.

Abstract: A virtual lug loader includes a lug loader for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor, wherein the workpieces are transversely oriented relative to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors for conveying the workpieces downstream, wherein each pair of endless conveyors in the array include first and second endless conveyors. The first and second endless conveyors are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction. Each are aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array forms a continuous upper surface in the flow direction for supporting the workpieces translating downstream in the flow direction. Each pair of endless conveyors in the array overlap adjacent pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array include independently actuable first and second drives independently driving their corresponding first and second endless conveyors.