Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes one or more sensors for detecting an object in an environment surrounding the autonomous vehicle and a vehicle computing system comprising one or more processors receiving canonical route data associated with at least one canonical route, and controlling travel of the autonomous vehicle based on sensor data from the one or more sensors and the canonical route data associated with the at least one canonical route. The at least one canonical route comprises at least one roadway connected with another roadway in a plurality of roadways in a geographic location that satisfies at least one route optimization function derived based on trip data associated with one or more traversals of the plurality of roadways in a geographic location by one or more autonomous vehicles.

Abstract: Thermal presses and methods for operating thermal presses in the fabrication of finished articles from a web of thermoplastic material. In one embodiment, a thermal press includes a primary frame, a drive shaft rotatably attached to the frame, and a first arm projecting away from the drive shaft. The drive shaft can extend from one side of the frame to another to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and the drive shaft can have a load area spaced apart from the primary frame. The first arm projects from the drive shaft at the load area, and the first arm is connected to the drive shaft to rotate with the drive shaft. The first arm includes a connecting point configured to pivotally attach the first arm to a second link that is rotatably attached to a first forming assembly. The rotation of the drive shaft rotates the first arm and the second link to move the first forming assembly along a travel path between an engage position and a disengage position.

Abstract: Thermal presses and methods of their operation to fabricate finished articles from a web of thermoplastic material. In one embodiment, a thermal press includes a primary frame, a drive shaft rotatably attached to the frame, and a first arm projecting away from the drive shaft. The drive shaft can extend from one side of the frame to another to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The drive shaft can have a load area spaced apart from the primary frame. The first arm projects from the drive shaft at the load area, and rotates with the drive shaft. The first arm includes a connecting point configured to pivotally attach the first arm to a second link that is rotatably attached to a first forming assembly. The rotation of the drive shaft rotates the first arm and the second link to move the first forming assembly along a travel path between an engage position and a disengage position.