Abstract: Disclosed is a robot apparatus with a capable and highly maneuverable drive system incorporating two differential swerve drive pods. The robot apparatus further includes a claw mechanism for grasping an object, a passthrough mechanism for moving the object horizontally and a lift mechanism for moving the object vertically. The robot apparatus allows for rapid manipulation and movement of objects such as cones.

Abstract: A container system (10, 110) and a method for calculating (S6) a current fill status (64_CURR) of a container (30) using a plurality of presence sensor interactions (34) is disclosed. The container system (10, 110) comprises a presence sensor arrangement (32, 132) for calculating (S6) the plurality of presence sensor interactions (34) with the container (30); a local counting unit (40) for recording (S2) numbers of the plurality of presence sensor interactions (34) as presence sensor interaction data (36); and a local communication unit (60) for transmitting (S3) the presence sensor interaction data (36) to a remote processing unit (55) for calculating (S6) the current fill status (64 CURR).

Abstract: A brush seal for a rotating machine, intended to be disposed between a first part and a second part of the rotating machine, the first and second parts being movable relative to each other about an axis, extending along an axial direction, the brush seal comprising a body intended to be attached to the first part, and a brush attached to the body, intended to be in contact with the second part, wherein the brush comprises at least a first group of bristles and a second group of bristles, at least one parameter of the bristles of the first group of bristles being different from the corresponding parameter of the bristles of the second group of bristles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling a robot via a foot-operable controller. The foot-operable controller includes a grid of large pressure-sensitive tiles that are responsive to being stepped on. Signals from the pressure-sensitive tiles are provided to a controller interface that converts the signals to control messages compatible with existing robot control interfaces, such as a universal serial bus. The foot-operable controller may be used to control various robots, including for example a robot equipped with a claw arm or a robot equipped with a ring launcher.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receiving from a first computing device associated with a first user, a request to register a group trip comprising at least one trip item, the request including parameters for the group trip, and receiving authorization from a second computing device associated with a second user to be included in the group trip. The systems and method further providing for receiving from the first computing device, a request to book a trip item for the group trip, approving the request to book the trip item for the group trip based on determining that the trip item meets the parameters for the group trip, and automatically charging a payment device associated with the first user and a payment device associated with the second user according to the parameters related to the group trip.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receiving from a first computing device associated with a first user, a request to register a group trip comprising at least one trip item, the request including parameters for the group trip, and receiving authorization from a second computing device associated with a second user to be included in the group trip. The systems and method further providing for receiving from the first computing device, a request to book a trip item for the group trip, approving the request to book the trip item for the group trip based on determining that the trip item meets the parameters for the group trip, and automatically charging a payment device associated with the first user and a payment device associated with the second user according to the parameters related to the group trip.

Abstract: A brush seal for a rotating machine, intended to be disposed between a first part and a second part of the rotating machine, the first and second parts being movable relative to each other about an axis, extending along an axial direction, the brush seal comprising a body intended to be attached to the first part, and a brush attached to the body, intended to be in contact with the second part, wherein the brush comprises at least a first group of bristles and a second group of bristles, at least one parameter of the bristles of the first group of bristles being different from the corresponding parameter of the bristles of the second group of bristles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receiving from a first computing device associated with a first user, a request to register a group trip comprising at least one trip item, the request including parameters for the group trip, and receiving authorization from a second computing device associated with a second user to be included in the group trip. The systems and method further providing for receiving from the first computing device, a request to book a trip item for the group trip, approving the request to book the trip item for the group trip based on determining that the trip item meets the parameters for the group trip, and automatically charging a payment device associated with the first user and a payment device associated with the second user according to the parameters related to the group trip.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first component with a first surface and a second component with a second surface, wherein the first and second components can undergo relative movement. The first surface and the second surface face each other. The first surface accommodates a barrier system to provide a barrier to reduce or prevent an inflow of ambient gas into a protected volume of gas between the first and second surfaces. The barrier system includes a curtain opening adapted for a flow of curtain gas therefrom for establishing a gas curtain enclosing part of the protected volume, and an inner entrainment opening, located inward of the curtain opening with respect to the protected volume, adapted for a flow of inner entrainment gas therefrom for being entrained into the flow of curtain gas. The apparatus is configured such that the inner entrainment gas flow is less turbulent than the curtain gas flow.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first component with a first surface and a second component with a second surface, wherein the first and second components can undergo relative movement. The first surface and the second surface face each other. The first surface accommodates a barrier system to provide a barrier to reduce or prevent an inflow of ambient gas into a protected volume of gas between the first and second surfaces. The barrier system includes a curtain opening adapted for a flow of curtain gas therefrom for establishing a gas curtain enclosing part of the protected volume, and an inner entrainment opening, located inward of the curtain opening with respect to the protected volume, adapted for a flow of inner entrainment gas therefrom for being entrained into the flow of curtain gas. The apparatus is configured such that the inner entrainment gas flow is less turbulent than the curtain gas flow.