Abstract: In various embodiments communications latency and/or bandwidth of a communications connection between a device being controlled a remote operator workstation being used to control the device is measured. One or more parameters of the system, e.g., operator control stations and/or the device, e.g., robotic device, being remotely controlled, e.g., teleoperated, are altered in response to one or more of: i) communications latency, ii) communications bandwidth, iii) a task to be performed; and/or iv) environmental conditions. By changing such parameters, things such as maximum speed of device operation, a maximum acceleration or a maximum rate of movement of a device element such as forks of a forklift the device can be controlled or limited.

Abstract: A robot agent (102) includes an electro-mechanical subsystem (202), a sensor subsystem (204) having one or more sensors, and a computer hardware subsystem (206) to execute one or more sets of executable instructions (212, 214, 216, 218, 220). The one or more sets of executable instructions manipulate the robot agent to predict an action to be implemented by the robot agent in performing a task (112) and predict whether the robot agent will fail in performing the action. The one or more sets of executable instructions further manipulate the robot agent to, responsive to predicting the robot agent will fail in performing the action, obtain guidance input (116) for the first action from at least one guidance source, the guidance input representing guidance for performing the action by the robot agent, and manipulate the electro-mechanical subsystem to perform the action using the guidance input.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically maintaining a map of robotic devices in an environment are provided herein. A map of robotic devices may be determined, where the map includes predicted future locations of at least some of the robotic devices. One or more robotic devices may then be caused to perform a task. During a performance of the task by the one or more robotic devices, task progress data may be received from the robotic devices, indicative of which of the task phases have been performed. Based on the data, the map may be updated to include a modification to the predicted future locations of at least some of the robotic devices. One or more robotic devices may then be caused to perform at least one other task in accordance with the updated map.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically maintaining a map of robotic devices in an environment are provided herein. A map of robotic devices may be determined, where the map includes predicted future locations of at least some of the robotic devices. One or more robotic devices may then be caused to perform a task. During a performance of the task by the one or more robotic devices, task progress data may be received from the robotic devices, indicative of which of the task phases have been performed. Based on the data, the map may be updated to include a modification to the predicted future locations of at least some of the robotic devices. One or more robotic devices may then be caused to perform at least one other task in accordance with the updated map.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically maintaining a map of robotic devices in an environment are provided herein. A map of robotic devices may be determined, where the map includes predicted future locations of at least some of the robotic devices. One or more robotic devices may then be caused to perform a task. During a performance of the task by the one or more robotic devices, task progress data may be received from the robotic devices, indicative of which of the task phases have been performed. Based on the data, the map may be updated to include a modification to the predicted future locations of at least some of the robotic devices. One or more robotic devices may then be caused to perform at least one other task in accordance with the updated map.

Abstract: Example methods and systems may provide for a system that includes a control system communicatively coupled to a first robotic device and a second robotic device. The control system may identify a collaborative operation to be performed by a first robotic device and a second robotic device that is based on a relative positioning between the first robotic device and the second robotic device. The control system may also determine respective locations of the first robotic device and the second robotic device. The control system may further initiate a movement of the first robotic device along a path from the determined location of the first robotic device towards the determined location of the second robotic device. The first robotic device and the second robotic device may then establish a visual handshake that indicates the relative positioning between the first robotic device and the second robotic device for the collaborative operation.

Abstract: Example methods and systems may provide for a system that includes a control system communicatively coupled to a first robotic device and a second robotic device. The control system may identify a collaborative operation to be performed by a first robotic device and a second robotic device that is based on a relative positioning between the first robotic device and the second robotic device. The control system may also determine respective locations of the first robotic device and the second robotic device. The control system may further initiate a movement of the first robotic device along a path from the determined location of the first robotic device towards the determined location of the second robotic device. The first robotic device and the second robotic device may then establish a visual handshake that indicates the relative positioning between the first robotic device and the second robotic device for the collaborative operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically maintaining a map of robotic devices in an environment are provided herein. A map of robotic devices may be determined, where the map includes predicted future locations of at least some of the robotic devices. One or more robotic devices may then be caused to perform a task. During a performance of the task by the one or more robotic devices, task progress data may be received from the robotic devices, indicative of which of the task phases have been performed. Based on the data, the map may be updated to include a modification to the predicted future locations of at least some of the robotic devices. One or more robotic devices may then be caused to perform at least one other task in accordance with the updated map.

Abstract: The system enables a consumer to receive promotional offers using a mobile communications device. The mobile communications device includes a client application that enables the consumer to assign preference levels associated with promotional offer categories. The mobile communications device transmits a consumer identifier, a location identifier, and preference levels to an application server. The application server uses the preference levels and other information included in a consumer profile associated with the consumer identifier to select promotional offers that are likely to be of interest to the consumer. The application server transmits map data including indicators of locations of local merchants to the mobile communications device. The client application causes the mobile communications device to display the map data, and enables the consumer to request promotional offers from selected merchants.

Abstract: A turbine blade is manufactured as a single-crystal casting from a metal alloy, without a solution heat treatment step.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in characterising liquids by obtaining a fingerprint of the liquid. This allows one to measure a property of a liquid, and thereby distinguish between liquids. The apparatus comprises means for directing acoustic energy at a sample of the liquid, which is preferably in the form of a drop, and means for deriving a signal related to the interaction of the acoustic energy with the liquid sample. The drop may change in volume or shape during the measurements, to derive additional properties of the liquid. The apparatus and method of the invention are used in distinguishing and analysing a variety of liquid samples.