Abstract: A personal care device that is capable of two-way communication is provided. In some embodiments, the personal care device operates in a first mode and a second mode depending on whether a signal has been received from a networked computing device, thus allowing a single human-machine interface (HMI) device to both control the personal care device and to cause signals to be sent to the networked computing device. In some embodiments, the personal care device is configured to present media streamed from the networked computing device, and/or to stream audio detected by the personal care device to the networked computing device.

Abstract: End effectors and systems including end effectors including embedded batteries and auxiliary components powered by the batteries are described. In an example, the end effector includes a base portion coupleable to a motor carried by an appliance that is separate from the end effector; and a battery disposed in the base portion configured to power an auxiliary component of the end effector.

Abstract: A personal care device that is capable of two-way communication is provided. In some embodiments, the personal care device operates in a first mode and a second mode depending on whether a signal has been received from a networked computing device, thus allowing a single human-machine interface (HMI) device to both control the personal care device and to cause signals to be sent to the networked computing device. In some embodiments, the personal care device is configured to present media streamed from the networked computing device, and/or to stream audio detected by the personal care device to the networked computing device.

Abstract: Phototherapy systems and methods of phototherapy are described. In an example, the phototherapy system includes a therapeutic light source configured to emit phototherapeutic light towards a subject; and a placebo light source configured to emit placebo light towards the subject. In an embodiment, the light, including the phototherapeutic light and the placebo light, emitted by the phototherapy system is configured to be visually perceived by the subject as continuous light. In an embodiment, the placebo light is a metameric match of the phototherapeutic light. In an embodiment, the method includes emitting the placebo light in a wavelength range and at an intensity configured to be visually perceived by the user as the phototherapeutic light, such as where the placebo light is a metameric match of the phototherapeutic light.

Abstract: In some embodiments, usage of a personal care device in compliance with a recommended use is improved. A usage monitor computing device may detect and store records of use of the personal care device. The usage monitor computing device may transmit the records of use to a monitoring server device via a network. The usage monitor computing device may determine whether the records of use indicate that the personal care device has been used as directed by the recommendations, and if so, may determine whether one or more rewards for use should be provided to the user. The usage monitor computing device may receive notifications of the rewards, and may present notifications of the rewards to the user.

Abstract: A computer system creates time lapse video of a live subject to help assess effects of skin treatments, use of cosmetics, or personal care routines over time. In one aspect, the computer system obtains a set of digital source images (e.g., from video or a series of still images) of a region of interest of a live subject (e.g., the face of the live subject or a portion thereof) captured in a first time period; normalizes the set of digital source images; obtains a first representative image that includes the region of interest by synthesizing or selecting it from the set of digital source images; and combines the first representative image with additional representative images from other time periods to form a time lapse video of the region of interest of the live subject.

Abstract: A computer system creates time lapse video of a live subject to help assess effects of skin treatments, use of cosmetics, or personal care routines over time. In one aspect, the computer system obtains a set of digital source images (e.g., from video or a series of still images) of a region of interest of a live subject (e.g., the face of the live subject or a portion thereof) captured in a first time period; normalizes the set of digital source images; obtains a first representative image that includes the region of interest by synthesizing or selecting it from the set of digital source images; and combines the first representative image with additional representative images from other time periods to form a time lapse video of the region of interest of the live subject.

Abstract: In some embodiments, usage of a personal care device in compliance with a recommended use is improved. A usage monitor computing device may detect and store records of use of the personal care device. The usage monitor computing device may transmit the records of use to a monitoring server device via a network. The usage monitor computing device may determine whether the records of use indicate that the personal care device has been used as directed by the recommendations, and if so, may determine whether one or more rewards for use should be provided to the user. The usage monitor computing device may receive notifications of the rewards, and may present notifications of the rewards to the user.

Abstract: A personal care device that is capable of two-way communication is provided. In some embodiments, the personal care device operates in a first mode and a second mode depending on whether a signal has been received from a networked computing device, thus allowing a single human-machine interface (HMI) device to both control the personal care device and to cause signals to be sent to the networked computing device. In some embodiments, the personal care device is configured to present media streamed from the networked computing device, and/or to stream audio detected by the personal care device to the networked computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning, drying, and thermally managing vehicle components are described herein. In some embodiments, the vehicle components can include various sensors and, more particularly, the surfaces of cameras, LIDAR sensors, etc., that need to be clean to effectively perceive the environment around the vehicle. In one embodiment, a cleaning system includes a central delivery system configured to route fluid, such as washer fluid, along one or more delivery channels to remote holding chambers. The holding chambers can hold and/or heat the fluid before delivering the fluid to nozzles that spray the fluid on nearby vehicle components to clean the components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning, drying, and thermally managing vehicle components are described herein. In some embodiments, the vehicle components can include various sensors and, more particularly, the surfaces of cameras, LIDAR sensors, etc., that need to be clean to effectively perceive the environment around the vehicle. In one embodiment, a cleaning system includes a central delivery system configured to route fluid, such as washer fluid, along one or more delivery channels to remote holding chambers. The holding chambers can hold and/or heat the fluid before delivering the fluid to nozzles that spray the fluid on nearby vehicle components to clean the components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning, drying, and thermally managing vehicle components are described herein. In some embodiments, the vehicle components can include various sensors and, more particularly, the surfaces of cameras, LIDAR sensors, etc., that need to be clean to effectively perceive the environment around the vehicle. In one embodiment, a cleaning system includes a central delivery system configured to route fluid, such as washer fluid, along one or more delivery channels to remote holding chambers. The holding chambers can hold and/or heat the fluid before delivering the fluid to nozzles that spray the fluid on nearby vehicle components to clean the components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning, drying, and thermally managing vehicle components are described herein. In some embodiments, the vehicle components can include various sensors and, more particularly, the surfaces of cameras, LIDAR sensors, etc., that need to be clean to effectively perceive the environment around the vehicle. In one embodiment, a cleaning system includes a central delivery system configured to route fluid, such as washer fluid, along one or more delivery channels to remote holding chambers. The holding chambers can hold and/or heat the fluid before delivering the fluid to nozzles that spray the fluid on nearby vehicle components to clean the components.

Abstract: A helmet testing apparatus includes a sensor configured to be selectively positionable within an interior head cavity of a helmet to acquire compliance data regarding a liner of the helmet and a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.

Abstract: A helmet testing apparatus including a movable member, a sensor coupled to the movable member and configured to acquire compliance data regarding a liner disposed within a shell of a helmet through engagement of the sensor with the liner, and a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.

Abstract: A system for providing a joint for connecting a first object and a second object includes a data acquisition device configured to acquire joint parameter data regarding the first object and the second object, and a controller coupled to the data acquisition device and configured to provide joint design data regarding a design of the joint based on the joint parameter data.

Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain includes a magnetic bearing. The vehicle drivetrain includes a motor configured to provide a rotational driving force. The rotational driving force is received by a shaft, and the magnetic bearing is configured to support the shaft. The shaft is configured to drive a wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface and one or more sensors configured to detect an operating condition of the device. Fluid-directing structures may modulate flow or retain fluid in response to the sensors. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.

Abstract: A system for providing a joint for connecting a first object and a second object includes a data acquisition device configured to acquire joint parameter data regarding the first object and the second object, and a controller coupled to the data acquisition device and configured to provide joint design data regarding a design of the joint based on the joint parameter data.

Abstract: A pasteurization system includes a liquid inlet configured to receive a liquid to be pasteurized. The system also includes a pump coupled to the liquid inlet for pressurizing the liquid. Further, the system includes a counter flow heat exchanger coupled to the liquid inlet and the pump, the counterflow heat exchanger configured to heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature for at least a predetermined time and configured to exchange heat between a flow of liquid in a first direction in a first channel with the flow of liquid in a second direction opposite the first direction in a second channel. A heating section that heats the liquid flow is integrated into the heat exchanger and heats at least a portion of the first channel or the second channel.