Abstract: A method for monitoring a ground clearance beneath a motor vehicle is disclosed. On the underbody of the motor vehicle, a plurality of ultrasonic transceivers are arranged spaced apart from one another. The method includes sending a transmission signal from a first ultrasonic transceiver, receiving a reflected transmission signal with a second ultrasonic transceiver, repeating the sending and receiving steps, determining a profile of a ground beneath the vehicle based on the echo signals, and determining a minimum ground clearance by comparing the ground profile with the underbody profile of the motor vehicle. Different pairs consisting of a first and a second ultrasonic transceiver are selected to receive a respective echo signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an ultrasonic sensor device (2) for monitoring an underbody region (12) of a motor vehicle (1), wherein ultrasonic signals (U) are emitted into the underbody region (12) by means of at least one ultrasonic sensor (4, 5, 6, 7) of the ultrasonic sensor device (2), and the reflected ultrasonic signals (U) are received and analyzed. After the motor vehicle (1) is parked at a first point in time (t1), a reference measurement curve (13) for the underbody region (12) is generated on the basis of at least one ultrasonic signal (U) and is stored, wherein a measurement region (18) is determined in the reference measurement curve (13) in which the monitoring process of the underbody region (12) is analyzed, and the measurement region (18) is determined on the basis of the decay time (16) of the ultrasonic sensor (4, 5, 6, 7) and a ground reflection (19) on the ground surface (11).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically removing pieces of luggage that have different surface properties and dimensions and getting the pieces of luggage ready for further transport by means of a gripper that is hingedly connected to a robot arm is described. The method includes: a) moving the gripper and the container that is to be emptied close together; b) determining the first piece of luggage to be removed; (c) gripping the piece of luggage using a horizontal suction elements (3) and withdrawing the luggage horizontally; d) if the vertical suction elements (4) are not yet able to sufficiently grip the luggage, the vertical suction elements (4) are repositioned and turned off, the vertical suction elements (5) are repositioned, and then turned on to re-grip the piece of luggage.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for automatically removing pieces of luggage that have different surface properties and dimensions and getting said piece of luggage ready for further transport by means of a gripper which is hingedly connected to a robot arm and is equipped with suction elements. Said method and apparatus have the following features: a) the gripper and the container that is to be emptied are moved close to each other; b) the first piece of luggage that is to be removed and is determined based on specific criteria, e.g.