Abstract: Systems and methods of using a common control scheme to autonomously control a vehicle during semi-autonomous and fully autonomous driving modes are provided. In particular, embodiments of the presently disclosed technology incorporate reference tracking for driving input and vehicle state into this common control scheme. In some embodiments, this common control scheme may be implemented using Model Predictive Control (“MPC”).

Abstract: The disclosure generally describes a system and method for determining a preferred steering wheel rate in autonomous and semi-autonomous driving systems that includes measuring a torque applied to the steering wheel by a driver during an autonomous driving mode, measuring the steering wheel position, measuring the steering wheel rate of rotation, wherein the steering position and rate of rotation are measured at the time when the torque was applied to the steering wheel, determining a preferred steering wheel rate of rotation, and adjusting the steering wheel rate of rotation during an autonomous driving maneuver to include the preferred steering wheel rate.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided that includes an elongated shaft that includes a proximal end and a distal end; a cantilever beam is disposed at the distal end of the shaft; an optical fiber extends within a channel that extends within between proximal and distal portions of the cantilever beam; a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the proximal portion of the beam; a second FBG is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the distal portion of the beam.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for determining optimal values for operational parameters for a model predictive controller for controlling a vehicle can receive from a data store or a graphical user interface, ranges for one or more operational parameters. The computer implemented method can determine optimum values for vehicle parameters of the vehicle of one or more other parameters by simulating a vehicle operation across the ranges of the one or more operational parameters by solving a vehicle control problem and determining an output of the vehicle control problem based on a result for the simulated vehicle operation. A vehicle can include a processing component configured to adjust a control input for an actuator of the vehicle according to a control algorithm and based on the optimum values of a parameter as determined by the computer implemented method.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for determining optimal values for controls parameters for a model predictive controller for controlling a vehicle can receive from a data store or a graphical user interface, ranges for one or more operational parameters. The computer implemented method can determine optimum values for controls parameters by simulating a vehicle operation across the ranges of the one or more operational parameters by solving a vehicle control problem and determining an output of the vehicle control problem based on a result for the simulated vehicle operation. A vehicle can include a processing component configured to adjust a control input for an actuator of the vehicle according to a control algorithm and based on the optimum values of the controls parameter as determined by the computer implemented method.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for determining optimal values for operational parameters for a model predictive controller for controlling a vehicle, can receive from a data store or a graphical user interface, ranges for one or more external parameters. The computer implemented method can determine optimum values for external parameters of the vehicle by simulating a vehicle operation across the ranges of the one or more operational parameters by solving a vehicle control problem and determining an output of the vehicle control problem based on a result for the simulated vehicle operation. A vehicle can include a processing component configured to adjust a control input for an actuator of the vehicle according to a control algorithm and based on the optimum values of the vehicle parameter as determined by the computer implemented method.

Abstract: Lifting robot systems and methods for operating the same are disclosed. A lifting robot system includes a sensor device and a robot device. The robot device includes a body, a lifting component movably coupled to the body, and a collection tray coupled to the lifting component. Upon receiving a command to lift an object, the sensor device automatically detects the object, the robot device places the object on the collection tray, and the robot device causes the lifting component to lift the collection tray from a first height to a second height.

Abstract: Lifting robot systems and methods for operating the same are disclosed. A lifting robot system includes a sensor device and a robot device. The robot device includes a body, a lifting component movably coupled to the body, and a collection tray coupled to the lifting component. Upon receiving a command to lift an object, the sensor device automatically detects the object, the robot device places the object on the collection tray, and the robot device causes the lifting component to lift the collection tray from a first height to a second height.

Abstract: A system may include a vehicle having a storage area and a guide rail configured to extend from the storage area. The system may further include a robot having a support portion comprising a placement surface and a base. The robot may also include a plurality of descendible wheels. The robot may also further include a plurality of legs, each connecting the support portion to one of the plurality of descendible wheels.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided that includes an elongated shaft that includes a proximal end and a distal end; a cantilever beam is disposed at the distal end of the shaft; an optical fiber extends within a channel that extends within between proximal and distal portions of the cantilever beam; a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the proximal portion of the beam; a second FBG is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the distal portion of the beam.

Abstract: A non-backdrivable passive balancing system for a single-axle dynamically balanced robotic device includes a body that includes a distal end and a proximal end, a controller module, and an actuator communicatively coupled to the controller module of the single-axle dynamically balanced robotic device. The actuator receives an engagement signal from the controller module, the engagement signal corresponding to an indication that the dynamically balanced robotic device is stationary, and the actuator causes the linkage to move the body from a disengaged position to an engaged position such that the distal end of the body contacts a ground surface and supports the dynamically balanced robotic device in a substantially upright position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided that includes an elongated shaft that includes a proximal end and a distal end; a cantilever beam is disposed at the distal end of the shaft; an optical fiber extends within a channel that extends within between proximal and distal portions of the cantilever beam; a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the proximal portion of the beam; a second FBG is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the distal portion of the beam.

Abstract: Lifting robot systems and methods for operating the same are disclosed. A lifting robot system includes a sensor device and a robot device. The robot device includes a body, a lifting component movably coupled to the body, and a collection tray coupled to the lifting component. Upon receiving a command to lift an object, the sensor device automatically detects the object, the robot device places the object on the collection tray, and the robot device causes the lifting component to lift the collection tray from a first height to a second height.

Abstract: A system may include a vehicle having a storage area and a guide rail configured to extend from the storage area. The system may further include a robot having a support portion comprising a placement surface and a base. The robot may also include a plurality of descendible wheels. The robot may also further include a plurality of legs, each connecting the support portion to one of the plurality of descendible wheels.

Abstract: A non-backdrivable passive balancing system for a single-axle dynamically balanced robotic device includes a body that includes a distal end and a proximal end, a controller module, and an actuator communicatively coupled to the controller module of the single-axle dynamically balanced robotic device. The actuator receives an engagement signal from the controller module, the engagement signal corresponding to an indication that the dynamically balanced robotic device is stationary, and the actuator causes the linkage to move the body from a disengaged position to an engaged position such that the distal end of the body contacts a ground surface and supports the dynamically balanced robotic device in a substantially upright position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided that includes an elongated shaft that includes a proximal end and a distal end; a cantilever beam is disposed at the distal end of the shaft; an optical fiber extends within a channel that extends within between proximal and distal portions of the cantilever beam; a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the proximal portion of the beam; a second FBG is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the distal portion of the beam.

Abstract: A manufacturing process and composition of acrylic composite materials with mineral charges with high thermal, mechanical and processing properties is provided for manufacturing kitchen covering, washstands, sinks, shower bases, tables, bars, counters, and furniture in general. A prepolymer composition in addition to methyl methacrylate in equilibrium contains, comonomers and elastomers that provide optimized and specific properties to the final products, such as high impact strength, product transformability in order to allow superior drilling, screwing and bending actions, as well as higher thermoforming possibility. The resulting component is a polymer matrix surrounding discrete particles of the elastomer and the mineral component.

Abstract: A procedure for the production of a modified acrylic sheet with high impact resistance, of the type in which a prepolymerization is done of a mix of monomers with a polymer of dissolved dienic monomers. The procedure is done in batches at low temperatures without there being a separation of the polymer of dienic monomers from the rest of the mix. The procedure facilitates obtaining a modified acrylic sheet with high impact resistance whose transmittance is kept after being subjected to an accelerated degradation, and whose impact properties are not reduced more than 50% after said accelerated degradation.