Abstract: A method is disclosed for inspecting electrical components within a housing. The method may be useful for identifying dust, grime, corrosion, tree-like structures, edges and/or slots on electrical components. The method includes capturing two optical images of an electrical component and comparing the images. Variations in pixels between the two images may be used to generate warnings.

Abstract: A submersible vehicle which includes a plurality of cameras can be used to collect visual images of an object of interest submerged in a liquid environment, such as in a tank (e.g. transformer tank). In one form the submersible vehicle is remotely operated such as an ROV or an autonomous vehicle. Image information from the submersible along with inertial measurements in some embodiments is used with a vision based modelling system to form a model of an internal object of interest in the tank. The vision based modelling system can include a number of processes to form the model such as but not limited to tracking, sparse and dense reconstruction, model generation, and rectification.

Abstract: An unmanned rail vehicle for surveillance, inspection, and/or maintenance of an industrial site is provided. The rail vehicle includes at least two carry rollers adapted for engaging on an upper rail side of a rail, wherein the center of gravity of the rail vehicle is vertically below the upper rail side; and at least one support roller connected to the chassis and adapted for rolling against a lateral rail side of the rail to laterally displace the center of gravity of the rail vehicle with respect to the upper rail side.

Abstract: A charging connection is provided for charging electric vehicles. The first connector is coupled to an electric charging station with an electric cable. The second connector is coupled to the electric vehicle. The first connector has at least two openings slide onto at least two posts of the second connector. When the first and second connectors are coupled together, an electric potential supplies power from the first connector to the second connector.

Abstract: Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of package identification are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method for package identification comprising performing a set of initial inspection operations on a package; determining a portion of a plurality of possible packages based on the set of initial inspection operations and a data structure including initial inspection characteristics for the plurality of possible packages; performing a set of package movement inspection operations by moving the package using a robot; determining a set of movement characteristics based on the package movement inspection operations; and identifying which one of the portion of the plurality of possible packages corresponds to the package using the set of movement characteristics.

Abstract: An inspection vehicle operable for performing one or more maintenance and repair operations in a housing filled at least partially with a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The inspection vehicle includes a propulsion device operable in the liquid medium and includes at least one sensor operable for sensing and transmitting data associated therewith. A control system including an electronic controller is in electronic communication with the inspection vehicle to transmit and receive communication signals to/from the inspection vehicle. One or more maintenance tools operable with the inspection vehicle are configured to perform maintenance and/or repair operations within the liquid filled housing.

Abstract: A system for charging commercial electric vehicles, including buses and trucks. The system can include a charging station that outputs a supply of relatively high voltage electrical power, and a cable suspension post having a support post and a suspension arm. The suspension arm can be suspended away from the support post at a vertical height that is higher than the height of typical commercial vehicles. At least a portion of a charging cable is electrically coupled to the charging station and suspended from the suspension arm. A charging connector can be free-hanging from the suspended portion of the charging cable, and therefore be swingingly displaceable into electrical engagement with a mating connector of the vehicle. The suspension arm can be rotatably displaced relative to the support post and/or another portion of the suspension arm such that a vertical height and/or other position of the suspended arm can be adjusted.

Abstract: A system for servicing a data center using an autonomous vehicle (AV) is provided. The system comprises the AV and the AV is configured to: receive a task to perform within the data center, wherein the data center comprises a plurality of servers associated with a plurality of enterprise organizations; navigate from an initial location within the data center to a new location within the data center along a path extending through a portion of the data center, the path being determined automatically; and while navigating the path and in response to encountering a movable barrier disposed along the path, performing a procedure to bypass the movable barrier such that the AV can continue navigating along the path.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software for automated electrical connector positioning for electric vehicle (EV) charging are provided. Using, for example, the disclosed automatic charging device, a method for charging an EV includes capturing an image of at least a portion of a pattern positioned in a fixed location in a landing zone of an EV-side electrical connector in a fixed position on or in an underside of the EV. The method includes determining, based on the image, a displacement of a charger-side electrical connector from an initial position to a final position, the final position corresponding to the charger-side electrical connector matingly engaged with the EV-side electrical connector. The method includes actuating the charger-side electrical connector from the initial position to the final position according to the displacement.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, manipulating and displaying inspection data obtained by sensors associated with submersible inspection vehicle within a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. A control system including an electronic controller is operably coupled with the inspection vehicle and is configured to display data transmitted from the sensor and overlay input data from an operator on the display to facilitate real time analysis during the inspection event.

Abstract: An endograft (102) includes a stent structure. An optical shape sensing (OSS) system (104) is associated with the endograft and is configured to measure shape, position and/or orientation of the stent structure. The OSS system (104) is connected to the stent structure and removable in a plurality of ways. Methods for deployment and removal of the OSS system are also provided.

Abstract: A charge head is connected to a charge inlet of an electric vehicle to supply an electric charge to recharge the battery of the vehicle. The charge head is attached to a connecting device that moves the charge head to the charge inlet. A sensor is provided to sense the locations of the tires of the vehicle. The system then uses the relative location of the charge inlet to the tires to determine the location of the charge inlet in order to move the charge head.

Abstract: A charge head is connected to a charge inlet of an electric vehicle to supply an electric charge to recharge the battery of the vehicle. The charge head is attached to a connecting device that moves the charge head to the charge inlet. Multiple light detectors are provided on the charge head to sense light emitted from the vehicle. The system then uses a difference in the amount of light received by different light detectors to determine a direction to move the charge head toward the charge inlet.

Abstract: A charging connection is provided for charging a battery of a vehicle using an external power source. The first connector is coupled to the external power source with an electric cable. The second connector is coupled to the vehicle. The first connector is automatically guided for connection to the second connector using radio frequency signals to couple the first and second connectors so that electrical energy is supplied to the vehicle from the first connector to the second connector.

Abstract: A plug connection system that autonomously charges an electric vehicle (EV) is provided. The method includes: adjusting configuration settings of an image capturing device; capturing an image using the image capturing device, wherein a portion of the image comprises an optically distinctive object associated with a charging portal of the EV, and wherein the image comprises a plurality of pixels; applying a pixel value threshold associated with a pixel metric to the image to filter the plurality of pixels of the image to a first subset of pixels; determining, based on filtering the plurality of pixels to the first subset of pixels, a location of the optically distinctive object associated with the charging portal of the EV within the image; and providing information to maneuver a robotic arm to a physical position associated with the location of the optically distinctive object within the image.

Abstract: A system and method for applying a coating to a surface. The coating can include any typical coating, but in some examples includes a styrenated acrylic coating. The coating is first applied. Thereafter, a quick-set formula which includes a brine solution is applied atop the first coating. The quick-set formula sets the first coating. Thereafter, a second coating, or multiple coatings, can be applied atop the first coating. Due to the quick-set formula, the second coating can be applied in less than 15 minutes.

Abstract: A charging device autonomously charges an electric vehicle. The charging device includes: a main body and an arm coupled to the main body. The main body is controllably moveable, and the arm is controllably extendable and retractable in a longitudinal direction. A charging plug is included at a distal end of the arm. The charging plug is controllably moveable and insertable into a charging portal of the electric vehicle. The arm comprises: a rigid chain, the rigid chain being compliant in a first direction from a neutral axis and resistant in an opposite second direction past the neutral axis, or at least one scissor arm.

Abstract: A robotic unit for manipulating items and products may receive assistance from a product management system if an exception occurs indicating the robotic unit cannot complete a given task with respect to handling the product. The product management system may be associated with a plurality of different assistance centers and response centers providing different types or levels of assistance. The product management system can classify the exception according to hierarchal tiers to determine the type of assistance required. The product management system can then generate and direct an intervention request to one of the response centers based on the classification. The assistance and response centers may be equipped and staffed to provide particularized assistance to the robotic unit. In an example, the robotic unit may store data and instructions received from the assistance and response center for future implementation.

Abstract: A system and method for filling pot holes. The system includes transferring aggregate from an aggregate tank. Activator is likewise transferred from an activator tank. The activator is mixed with the aggregate to form a homogenized mixture. A liquid is introduced into a homogenized mixture to form a slurry and then a pot hole filler. The pot hole filler is directed through an exit end of a mixing tube.

Abstract: A launching tube for use with a liquid filled tank can be sized to accommodate a submersible vehicle for dispensing into the liquid tank. The tank can be an electrical transformer or any other liquid containing tank such as but not limited to a chemical tank. The launching tube can include a valve for insertion into a launching chamber, and a tank side valve for launching of the submersible into the tank. In one form the launching tube includes an antenna for communication with the submersible and/or a base station. The launching tube can also include a sensor such as a camera, as well as an agitator. The agitator can be used to facilitate bubble removal from the inside of the launching tube.