Abstract: A method of passing an object on the side of the road by receiving a first signal from a first sensor configured to detect a presence of the object positioned on a shoulder of a road; determining a first value; assigning a first confidence value to a confidence level, wherein the first confidence value is associated with the first value; responsive to the first confidence value exceeding a confidence threshold, adjusting a first operating parameter of a vehicle; responsive to entering a threshold range of the object, receiving a second signal from a second sensor; determining a second value associated with the second signal; assigning a second confidence value to the confidence level, wherein the second confidence value is associated with the second value; responsive to the second confidence value exceeding a second confidence threshold, adjusting a second operating parameter of the vehicle.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, an energy storage device, a body, a first electric power take-off system, and a second electric power take-off system. The energy storage device is supported by the chassis and is configured to provide electrical power to a prime mover. Activation of the prime mover selectively drives the refuse vehicle. The body is supported by the chassis. The first electric power take-off system is coupled to at least one of the body and the chassis, and includes a first motor that is configured to drive a first hydraulic pump to convert electrical power received from the energy storage device into hydraulic power. The second electric power take-off system is coupled to at least one of the body and the chassis, and includes a second motor that is configured to drive a second hydraulic pump to convert electrical power received from the energy storage device into hydraulic power.

Abstract: A thermal monitor control system for a refuse vehicle includes a plurality of onboard devices including a first onboard device and a second onboard device, a plurality of sensors including a first sensor configured to collect a first data set and a second sensor configured to collect a second data, and a processing circuit configured to receive the first data set from the first sensor and the second data set from the second sensor, define a normal operating profile, receive a third data set from the first senor and a fourth data set from the second sensor, compare the third data set and the fourth data set to the normal operating profile, and cause the onboard messaging system to display the alert to the operator in response to determining that the third data set or the fourth data set differs from the normal operating profile.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include systems and methods of generating lane selection cost values to control autonomous vehicles to accommodate merging vehicles in a tapering lane (or merge lane). An autonomy system can identify a tapering lane in map data and detect a merging vehicle situated in the tapering lane using perception sensor data. The autonomy system includes a lane-selection cost function that generates lane-selection cost values for the lanes available to the automated vehicle, which the autonomy system references to determine whether to continue traveling a current lane or change lanes into an adjacent lane. The lane-selection cost function may apply a courtesy weight when detecting the merging vehicle, such that the autonomy system causes the automated vehicle to change lanes as a courtesy to the merging vehicle, but without overriding other safety-related factors of the lane-selection cost function or trajectory planning functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods of generating lane selection cost maps to control autonomous vehicles are disclosed. An autonomous vehicle system can receive a plurality of cost values from a plurality of components of an autonomous vehicle; generate a lane selection cost map based on the plurality of cost values; determining that the autonomous vehicle should change lanes based on the lane selection cost map; and transmit a command that causes the autonomous vehicle to change lanes responsive to determining that the autonomous vehicle should change lanes.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include systems and methods of generating lane selection cost values to control autonomous vehicles to accommodate merging vehicles in a tapering lane (or merge lane). An autonomy system can identify a tapering lane in map data and detect a merging vehicle situated in the tapering lane using perception sensor data. The autonomy system includes a lane-selection cost function that generates lane-selection cost values for the lanes available to the automated vehicle, which the autonomy system references to determine whether to continue traveling a current lane or change lanes into an adjacent lane. The lane-selection cost function may apply a courtesy weight when detecting the merging vehicle, such that the autonomy system causes the automated vehicle to change lanes as a courtesy to the merging vehicle, but without overriding other safety-related factors of the lane-selection cost function or trajectory planning functions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an automated apparatus extending from the vehicle and a projection system. The projection system includes a projector positioned on the vehicle. The projector is configured to operate to provide a projection onto a ground surface, the projection covering a zone. The automated apparatus is configured to operate within the zone.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis supporting a plurality of wheels, a vehicle body supported by the chassis and defining a receptacle for storing refuse therein, a lifting system coupled to the vehicle body and movable relative to the receptacle, wherein the lifting system is configured to lift a refuse container and empty refuse in the refuse container into the receptacle, at least one sensor configured to detect a thermal event in or near the refuse container, wherein the lifting system is configured to stop lifting the refuse container in response to the thermal event being detected.

Abstract: A receiver pin lock for insertion into first and second sized opposed engaging apertures of first and second hitch receivers is shown and described. The receiver pin lock may include a stem, a first stepped portion extend from the stem, and a lock member selectively engageable with the stem, the lock member preventing removal of stem from either of the first and second hitch receivers. In one embodiment, the receiver pin lock may further include a plurality of plunger members axially spaced and radially disposed on the stem. The plurality of plunger members may include a diameter larger than the first stepped portion and selectively engage with the second hitch receiver. In another embodiment, the receiver pin lock may further include an offset portion bent radially outward from the stem. Yet, in some embodiments, the receiver pin lock may further include a spiral portion bent radially outward and extending rotatably from the stem.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes multiple systems, each system including a sensor. The refuse vehicle also includes an automated check system. The automated check system includes processing circuitry configured to obtain sensor data from the sensor of each of the multiple systems, determine which of the multiple systems require manual inspection based on the sensor data, and operate a display screen to prompt a technician to manually inspect one or more of the multiple systems.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body, a lock, a tailgate, an ejector, an actuator, a second actuator, and a processor. The body defines a receptacle for storing refuse. The lock is coupled to the body and is configured to releasably secure a movable tailgate. The receptacle contains the ejector. The ejector can transition from a first position that is spaced from the tailgate to a second position proximate the tailgate. The actuator is configured to transition the ejector from the first position to the second position. The second actuator is configured to move the tailgate. The processor is configured to selectively unlock the tailgate and transition the ejector from the first position to the second position in response to receiving a single input to thereby eject refuse from the receptacle without receiving multiple inputs.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to securing wireless communications for passive keyless entry (PKE) to an asset. In one embodiment, a method includes, responsive to acquiring sensor data about at least a surrounding environment of a vehicle that provides access according to wireless communications with a remote device, analyzing the sensor data to define operating conditions identifying security characteristics of the vehicle and interactions of the remote device with the vehicle. The method includes activating a countermeasure from an available group of countermeasures according to at least the operating conditions. The method includes wirelessly communicating, by the vehicle with the remote device, according to the countermeasure.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel silk fibroin coated articles and methods of preparing same.

Abstract: A wheel shield includes a central disk having a central wheel hub opening surrounded by annularly spaced stud holes that correspond to a pattern presented by a vehicle. The central disk includes an outwardly open fastening surface such as a channel positioned around an outer diameter of the central disk. The wheel shield includes a radially-compressible ring such as radially extending filaments. The radially-compressible ring has an inner diameter attached in the outwardly open fastening surface of the central disk and sized to engagingly contact an inner diameter of a vehicle wheel rim to restrict movement of brake dust to an exposed outer surface of the vehicle wheel rim while still allowing for the movement of air for cooling.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a combined mosquito staging and dissection system are disclosed. The system can include a mosquito staging subsystem; a robotic pick-and-place station; and a dissection, extrusion, collection, and disposal subsystem. The subsystems can include one or more stations to provide orientation, decapitation, extrusion of salivary glands, and disposal of carcasses of the mosquitoes. The resident live sporozoites from the salivary glands can be used to produce Plasmodium SPZ-based vaccines.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to securing wireless communications for passive keyless entry (PKE) to an asset. In one embodiment, a method includes, responsive to acquiring sensor data about at least a surrounding environment of a vehicle that provides access according to wireless communications with a remote device, analyzing the sensor data to define operating conditions identifying security characteristics of the vehicle and interactions of the remote device with the vehicle. The method includes activating a countermeasure from an available group of countermeasures according to at least the operating conditions. The method includes wirelessly communicating, by the vehicle with the remote device, according to the countermeasure.

Abstract: A method of verifying encounters used to populate a customer service survey software, the method including issuing an interaction card having an encounter-specific Quick Response (“QR”) code to a user, scanning the QR code by the user using an electronic device, the user accessing and completing a customer service survey on the electronic device, collecting information of the customer service survey of the user by the customer service survey software, and storing the information as data in a non-transitory computer-based memory in a back-end server.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to securing wireless communications for passive keyless entry (PKE) to an asset. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring operating conditions associated with the asset. The operating conditions identify security characteristics of the asset and interactions of wireless devices with the asset. The method includes selectively activating at least one countermeasure from an available group of countermeasures according to at least the operating conditions. The method includes wirelessly communicating, by the asset with an accessing device, according to the at least one countermeasure.

Abstract: Embodiments include assay devices within a single use, disposable cassette for biochemical assays with at least one fluid well and at least one capillary valve. The capillary valve in combination with motion of porous sheets within the assay leads to addition of liquid reagents at different times to the assay although a user adds the liquid reagents to the cassette simultaneously.

Abstract: Embodiments include assay devices within a single use, disposable cassette for biochemical assays with at least one fluid well and at least one capillary valve. The capillary valve in combination with motion of porous sheets within the assay leads to addition of liquid reagents at different times to the assay although a user adds the liquid reagents to the cassette simultaneously.