Abstract: A metal-air battery includes an anode and a passivation layer formed on the anode. The passivation layer functions as electrolyte and cathode, so that no additional electrolyte or cathode is included. During discharge, metal cations derived from oxidation of the anode migrate across the passivation layer, and react with nucleophilic gas and electrons received from a gas diffusion layer. The metal-air battery, by virtue of having no added electrolyte or cathode, is compact and contains no volatile materials.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to selectively processing sensor data to perceive aspects of a surrounding environment of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to identifying attributes of the surrounding environment from sensor data of one or more sensors, selecting a perception technique from a plurality of perception techniques according to a human-based perception model that correlates the plurality of perception techniques with the attributes to identify which of the plurality of perception techniques efficiently process the sensor data. The method includes analyzing the sensor data using the perception technique to perceive characteristics of the surrounding environment that pertain to autonomously controlling the vehicle. The method includes autonomously controlling the vehicle according to the characteristics to navigate through the surrounding environment.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to identifying human-based perception techniques for analyzing a driving scene. In one embodiment, a method includes generating the driving scene as a simulated environment of a vehicle. The method includes modifying the simulated environment according to a visualization algorithm that approximates a machine vision technique to transform the simulated environment into a modified environment with redacted information in comparison to the simulated environment. The method includes displaying the modified environment on an electronic display to an operator to assess how the operator perceives the modified environment when operating the vehicle.

Abstract: A computing system for an autonomous vehicle includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing system, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to: evaluate a first command regime received from a first teleoperator responsive to a predetermined driving situation of the autonomous vehicle; evaluate a second command regime received from a second teleoperator responsive to the predetermined driving situation; responsive to evaluation of the first and second command regimes, select an command regime for implementation by the computing system in response to the predetermined driving situation; and control the autonomous vehicle to implement the selected command regime.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems for object recognition using optimal experimental design. Using detection information from the sensor systems, a detection hypothesis can be generated for the detected object. The detection hypothesis can include 3D models, which have distinctive locations. The distinctive locations can be compared to identified distinctive locations using location estimators. Distinctive locations allow for rejection of a hypothesis, should any distinctive location not have an identified distinctive location on the detected object or within the detection information. In this way, recognition of objects can be performed more quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for direct conversion of chemical energy into mechanical energy are provided. The system can have a flow of ions, such as between an anode and a cathode. In between the flow of ions, is a membrane, either synthetic or biologically derived. Proteins are bound to that membrane. Further, the proteins are responsive to the ions and undergo a conformational shift, thus using the presence or absence of ions for creating movement. This portion can be referred to as a “kinetic cell”. A portion of the proteins, such as the aqueous portion, can be tethered to a moveable substrate, which translates the motion in the kinetic cell to the exterior. Multiple kinetic cells can be used in coordination to increase the kinetic force generated, analogous to a battery stack.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems for dynamic object recognition. Using location and information from the recognition process, historical data for a dynamic object, and associated data from secondary objects, a more complete data set can be generated for the dynamic object. The dynamic object data set can then be stored for later recognition and a more complete and human-like understanding of the dynamic object, useful in a variety of automated tasks.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems for discrete mobile object monitoring. Using location and information from the recognition process, historical action information about a discrete mobile object, and associated object statistical information derived from the historical action information, a hypothesis can be generated for future actions and movements of the discrete mobile object. The information can then be stored for later hypothesis derivation, thus providing a more human-like understanding of the discrete mobile object, useful in a variety of automated tasks.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to a device for providing mobility assistance to a user. In one embodiment, a mobility system includes a support component including at least a waist device that is configured to secure the mobility system to the user at a waist area of the user. The mobility system includes a limb attached to the support component and extendable from the support component to a floor when the user is in a standing position. The limb is configured to support the user by providing a rigid structure between the floor and the user. The limb is configured to assist the user in transitioning from a seated position to the standing position by applying a substantially upward force to the user through the support component when transitioning to the standing position.

Abstract: A metal-air battery includes an anode and a passivation layer formed on the anode. The passivation layer functions as electrolyte and cathode, so that no additional electrolyte or cathode is included. During discharge, metal cations derived from oxidation of the anode migrate across the passivation layer, and react with nucleophilic gas and electrons received from a gas diffusion layer. The metal-air battery, by virtue of having no added electrolyte or cathode, is compact and contains no volatile materials.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to a low-profile vehicle. In one embodiment, the low-profile vehicle includes a vehicle body having a profile that is substantially continuous around an outer perimeter of the vehicle. The profile is comprised of a fin extending outward from a lower edge of the vehicle body and meeting a ramp of the vehicle body at a concave curve. The ramp continues from the concave curve into a convex curve where the ramp transitions into a top surface of the vehicle body. The profile has an exaggerated s-shape. The low-profile vehicle includes a hatch disposed within the top surface. The vehicle includes a passenger compartment disposed within the vehicle body and accessible through the hatch. The passenger compartment is shaped to provide for a passenger to occupy the vehicle in a substantially lying down position.