Abstract: Techniques for performing multiple simultaneous pose generation for an autonomous vehicle. For instance, a system that navigates the autonomous vehicle can include at least a first component that determines first poses for the autonomous vehicle using at least a first portion of sensor data captured by one or more sensors and a second component that determines second poses for the autonomous vehicle using at least a second portion of the sensor data. The first component may have more computational resources than the second component and determine poses at a different frequency than the second component. The system may generate trajectories for the autonomous vehicle using the first poses when the first component is operating correctly. Additionally, the system may generate trajectories for the autonomous vehicle using the second poses when the first component is not operating correctly.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle based on a prediction from a semantic map is presented. The method includes receiving a snapshot of an environment from one or more sensors. The method also includes generating the semantic map based on the snapshot and predicting an action of a dynamic object in the snapshot based on one or more surrounding objects. The method still further includes controlling an action of the vehicle based on the predicted action.

Abstract: Remote controlling of a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, may sometimes be more efficient and/or reliable. Such control, however, may require processes for ensuring safety of surrounding persons and objects. Aspects of this disclosure include using onboard sensors to detect objects in an environment and alter remote commands according to such objects, e.g. by reducing a maximum permitted velocity of the vehicle as a function of distance to detected objects. In some examples described herein, such remote controlling may be performed by using objects in the environment as control objects, with movements of the control objects resulting in movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: Remote controlling of a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, may sometimes be more efficient and/or reliable. Such control, however, may require processes for ensuring safety of surrounding persons and objects. Aspects of this disclosure include using onboard sensors to detect objects in an environment and alter remote commands according to such objects, e.g. by reducing a maximum permitted velocity of the vehicle as a function of distance to detected objects. In some examples described herein, such remote controlling may be performed by using objects in the environment as control objects, with movements of the control objects resulting in movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: Remote controlling of a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, may sometimes be more efficient and/or reliable. Such control, however, may require processes for ensuring safety of surrounding persons and objects. Aspects of this disclosure include using onboard sensors to detect objects in an environment and alter remote commands according to such objects, e.g. by reducing a maximum permitted velocity of the vehicle as a function of distance to detected objects. In some examples described herein, such remote controlling may be performed by using objects in the environment as control objects, with movements of the control objects resulting in movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques for performing multiple simultaneous pose generation for an autonomous vehicle. For instance, a system that navigates the autonomous vehicle can include at least a first component that determines first poses for the autonomous vehicle using at least a first portion of sensor data captured by one or more sensors and a second component that determines second poses for the autonomous vehicle using at least a second portion of the sensor data. The first component may have more computational resources than the second component and determine poses at a different frequency than the second component. The system may generate trajectories for the autonomous vehicle using the first poses when the first component is operating correctly. Additionally, the system may generate trajectories for the autonomous vehicle using the second poses when the first component is not operating correctly.

Abstract: An animatronic eye with fluid suspension, electromagnetic drive, and video capability. The eye assembly includes a spherical, hollow outer shell that contains a suspension liquid. An inner sphere is positioned in the outer shell in the suspension liquid to be centrally floated at a distance away from the shell wall. The inner sphere includes painted portions providing a sclera and iris and includes an unpainted rear portion and front portion or pupil. The shell, liquid, and inner sphere are have matching indices of refraction such that interfaces between the components are not readily observed. A camera is provided adjacent a rear portion of the outer shell to receive light passing through the shell, liquid, and inner sphere. A drive assembly is provided including permanent magnets on the inner sphere that are driven by electromagnetic coils on the outer shell to provide frictionless yaw and pitch movements simulating eye movements.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention described herein provide an apparatus and method for networked vending. According to embodiments described herein, a vending machine is provided that may be installed and managed by the venue in which it is installed. Consumers may purchase vending products from the vending machine using cashless accounts managed by an external device in communication with the vendor. The venue may manage the inventory for the vending machine by placing orders for single product inserts to be loaded in the vending machine.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and method for autonomously or semi-autonomously landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a landing pad. The landing pad can include features configured to correct misalignment of the UAV on the landing pad. The landing pad can additionally include one or more markers than can be identified by the UAV to aid the UAV in locating the landing pad and determining the location of the UAV relative to the landing pad.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention described herein provide an apparatus and method for networked vending. According to embodiments described herein, a vending machine is provided that may be installed and managed by the venue in which it is installed. Consumers may purchase vending products from the vending machine using cashless accounts managed by an external device in communication with the vendor. The venue may manage the inventory for the vending machine by placing orders for single product inserts to be loaded in the vending machine.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and method for autonomously or semi-autonomously landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a landing pad. The landing pad can include features configured to correct misalignment of the UAV on the landing pad. The landing pad can additionally include one or more markers than can be identified by the UAV to aid the UAV in locating the landing pad and determining the location of the UAV relative to the landing pad.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention described herein provide an apparatus and method for networked vending. According to embodiments described herein, a vending machine is provided that may be installed and managed by the venue in which it is installed. Consumers may purchase vending products from the vending machine using cashless accounts managed by an external device in communication with the vendor. The venue may manage the inventory for the vending machine by placing orders for single product inserts to be loaded in the vending machine.

Abstract: A frozen beverage dispensing unit includes a first replaceable frozen beverage module, a second replaceable frozen beverage module, a plumbing module, and a dispensing module. The dispensing module includes a programmable dispensing manifold for preparing frozen beverages in accordance with dispensing profiles. In an embodiment, a rotating turn table turns a beverage container in accordance with a dispensing profile. The dispensing profile includes instructions for layering of contents of different frozen beverage modules being placed in a beverage container. Moreover, the contents of different food add-in modules may also be added to the beverage container based on the selected dispensing profile.

Abstract: An animatronic eye with fluid suspension, electromagnetic drive, and video capability. The eye assembly includes a spherical, hollow outer shell that contains a suspension liquid. An inner sphere is positioned in the outer shell in the suspension liquid to be centrally floated at a distance away from the shell wall. The inner sphere includes painted portions providing a sclera and iris and includes an unpainted rear portion and front portion or pupil. The shell, liquid, and inner sphere are have matching indices of refraction such that interfaces between the components are not readily observed. A camera is provided adjacent a rear portion of the outer shell to receive light passing through the shell, liquid, and inner sphere. A drive assembly is provided including permanent magnets on the inner sphere that are driven by electromagnetic coils on the outer shell to provide frictionless yaw and pitch movements simulating eye movements.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser receives a fluid container at an installation position and includes a data reader configured to scan product indicia on an installed container. Based on data from that scan data, a controller operates a pump and a valve to mix beverage concentrate from the installed container with a diluent that corresponds to the desired beverage. The controller mixes the concentrate and diluent at a ratio that is based on the scan data. The controller may also select the correct diluent based on the scan data.

Abstract: An animatronic eye with fluid suspension, electromagnetic drive, and video capability. The eye assembly includes a spherical, hollow outer shell that contains a suspension liquid. An inner sphere is positioned in the outer shell in the suspension liquid to be centrally floated at a distance away from the shell wall. The inner sphere includes painted portions providing a sclera and iris and includes an unpainted rear portion and front portion or pupil. The shell, liquid, and inner sphere are have matching indices of refraction such that interfaces between the components are not readily observed. A camera is provided adjacent a rear portion of the outer shell to receive light passing through the shell, liquid, and inner sphere. A drive assembly is provided including permanent magnets on the inner sphere that are driven by electromagnetic coils on the outer shell to provide frictionless yaw and pitch movements simulating eye movements.

Abstract: According to certain aspects of the disclosure, embodiments of a product merchandiser incorporating a video display is described. The product merchandiser described herein contemplates the use of a rear projector video system for display of video on a reflective film that is adhered to a glass or other transparent exposed surface on the merchandiser. Aspects of the merchandiser provided herein provide a cost-effective, durable, flexible/adaptable to different merchandiser sizes, and non-static means of displaying advertising or other promotions via video directly on an exposed surface of a product merchandiser.