Abstract: Autonomous robot guidance systems and related methods are disclosed. An example autonomous robot includes processor circuitry to detect a first fiducial based on image data collected while the robot is in a first drive mode, the first drive mode corresponding to an autonomous drive mode; cause the robot to switch from the first drive mode to a second drive mode responsive to the detection of the first fiducial, the robot to move in the second drive mode in a direction corresponding to a position of the first fiducial relative to the robot; generate navigation data for the robot, the navigation data indicative of a position of the robot in an environment; and cause the robot to switch from the second drive mode to the first drive, the robot to travel in the first drive mode based on the navigation data after the switch from the second drive mode.

Abstract: Autonomous robot guidance systems and related methods are disclosed. An example autonomous robot includes processor circuitry to detect a first fiducial based on image data collected while the robot is in a first drive mode, the first drive mode corresponding to an autonomous drive mode; cause the robot to switch from the first drive mode to a second drive mode responsive to the detection of the first fiducial, the robot to move in the second drive mode in a direction corresponding to a position of the first fiducial relative to the robot; generate navigation data for the robot, the navigation data indicative of a position of the robot in an environment; and cause the robot to switch from the second drive mode to the first drive, the robot to travel in the first drive mode based on the navigation data after the switch from the second drive mode.

Abstract: Autonomous robot guidance systems and related methods are disclosed. An example autonomous robot includes processor circuitry to detect a first fiducial based on image data collected while the robot is in a first drive mode, the first drive mode corresponding to an autonomous drive mode; cause the robot to switch from the first drive mode to a second drive mode responsive to the detection of the first fiducial, the robot to move in the second drive mode in a direction corresponding to a position of the first fiducial relative to the robot; generate navigation data for the robot, the navigation data indicative of a position of the robot in an environment; and cause the robot to switch from the second drive mode to the first drive, the robot to travel in the first drive mode based on the navigation data after the switch from the second drive mode.

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles including ladders and related methods are disclosed. An example system includes an autonomous vehicle including an integrated ladder and a processor to detect a state of the ladder as being in one of a stowed state, a deployed state, or a use state; in response to detecting that the ladder is in the stowed state, cause the autonomous vehicle to operate in a first drive mode and a second drive mode; in response to detecting that the ladder is in the deployed state, cause the autonomous vehicle to operate in the second drive mode and to restrict from operating in the first drive mode; and in response to detecting that the ladder is in the use state, cause the autonomous vehicle to refrain from operating in the first drive mode and the second drive mode.

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles including ladders and related methods are disclosed. An example system includes an autonomous vehicle including an integrated ladder and a processor to detect a state of the ladder as being in one of a stowed state, a deployed state, or a use state; in response to detecting that the ladder is in the stowed state, cause the autonomous vehicle to operate in a first drive mode and a second drive mode; in response to detecting that the ladder is in the deployed state, cause the autonomous vehicle to operate in the second drive mode and to restrict from operating in the first drive mode; and in response to detecting that the ladder is in the use state, cause the autonomous vehicle to refrain from operating in the first drive mode and the second drive mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for simultaneously and economically providing high speed and precision robotic operations with operational safety include directly performing training movements of a desired task on a collaborative robot, recording data corresponding to the training movements, and transmitting the recorded data to a conventional robot to cause the conventional robot to autonomously execute the training movements in accordance with the received data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for simultaneously and economically providing high speed and precision robotic operations with operational safety include directly performing training movements of a desired task on a collaborative robot, recording data corresponding to the training movements, and transmitting the recorded data to a conventional robot to cause the conventional robot to autonomously execute the training movements in accordance with the received data.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a user interface embedded into a robot facilitates robot training via direct and intuitive physical interactions. In some embodiments, the user interface includes a wrist cuff that, when grasped by the user, switches the robot into zero-force gravity-compensated mode.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a user interface embedded into a robot facilitates robot training via direct and intuitive physical interactions. In some embodiments, the user interface includes a wrist cuff that, when grasped by the user, switches the robot into zero-force gravity-compensated mode.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided, which comprises one or more light groupings, each light grouping including one or more light sources, and audio processing circuitry adapted for interpreting an audio file. The audio file includes one or more instrument definitions exclusively assigned to a corresponding one of the one or more light groupings. The audio file further includes one or more note definitions associated with at least one of the one or more instrument definitions exclusively assigned to the corresponding one of the one or more light groupings, where a value associated with each of the one or more note definitions controls the color displayed by the one or more light sources within the associated exclusively assigned light grouping.

Abstract: An audio file format is provided, which includes definitions for one or more instruments that are associated with one or more light groupings, where each light grouping includes one or more light sources. Received commands present in the audio file, and associated with an instrument definition, are compared to determine if the associated instrument definition corresponds to one of the one or more light groupings. If the associated instrument definition corresponds to a light grouping, then the commands are mapped to corresponding display effects, and the illumination of the one or more light sources of the respective light grouping is controlled. If the associated instrument definition of the received command corresponds to an audio instrument, then an audible output is controlled in accordance with the received command.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus (10) for training the abdominal muscles of a user (41) comprises a lever frame (11) linked to a support frame (12) at a pivot (13). The lever frame (11) has first and second arms (14, 15) joined at a central junction (16) which also forms a fulcrum for the lever frame (11). The support frame (12) consists of a base member (19) having a seat portion (21) associated therewith. The apparatus (10) is adapted to support a user (41 ) in a half-kneeling position so as to promote neutral pelvic alignment during the performance of abdominal muscle training exercise. In use, the exercise apparatus (10) is operated by the user (41) pushing the first arm (14) away from his or her body so as to cause the lever frame (11) to rotate about its fulcrum (16). This lifts the second arm (15), which in turn causes the seat portion (21) associated with the base member (19) to lift and/or tilt. The user's abdominal muscles are thus exercised in lifting his or her own body mass.

Abstract: A method is provided for encoding device independent multi-modal content including an arrangement comprising one or more of a plurality of tokens, where each token corresponds to a standard predefined effect. The method includes defining a token for one or more standard predefined effects, wherein the token is adapted for being mapped to one or more effect producing elements in a target device. One or more tokens are then composed for playback together as an arrangement.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (100) and method of operation thereof are provided. The wireless communication device includes a first housing portion (102) and a second housing portion (106). The second housing portion (106) is rotatably coupled to the first housing portion (102). The wireless communication device (100) is adapted to provide a simultaneous translational and rotational motion between the second housing portion (106) and the first housing portion (102).

Abstract: An input roller device (50) includes a roller (58), an eccentric rotating mass (59) within the roller, a drive mechanism (54, 56 and 57) causing the eccentric rotating mass to rotate within the roller, and a processor (52) coupled to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism can also optionally include a drive link (57) if not directly driven by the shaft of the motor. The input roller device 50 can further include a rotary encoder (60) coupled to the roller such that the rotary encoder can provide data to the processor on a rotation of the roller. Note, the processor can be programmed to cause the input roller to provide a varied tactile feedback to the user to correspond to different events or to cause the input roller to provide a rolling resistance that varies in coordination with inputs from a user interface.

Abstract: A tag is provided, which can be associated with one or more individuals and/or a connection to a predetermined network resource, and which can be used to facilitating interaction of the wireless communication device with the corresponding individual(s) and/or resource. The tag includes a transmitter and a storage element including an ID value, which associates the tag with the individual(s) and/or resource. In at least some instances the tag will additionally include a trigger element, such as a user actuatable switch, which will enable an action to be initiated in the nearby wireless communication device, relative to the associated individual(s) and/or resource, in response to an actuation of the trigger element in the tag.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) comprises a housing (112), an input (118, 122) coupled mechanically to the housing for receiving data, an output (114, 118) coupled mechanically to the housing for presenting information to a user of the electronic device in at least one of an audio and visual mode, an electronic circuit (210) coupled mechanically to the housing for providing intelligent operations that receives the data from the input and provides the information to the output, and at least two electromechanical transducers (226), each providing a tactile alert to the user in response to the data, the tactile alerts occurring simultaneously or in succession.

Abstract: A keypad and method for detecting the selection of one of a plurality of key inputs associated with a single key is provided. The keypad includes one or more keys having a primary input selection and three or more secondary input selections. Each secondary input selection has a corresponding switch, where if only one of the switches is engaged when the key is actuated, the corresponding secondary input selection is indicated. If any combination of a plurality of switches are engaged, when the key is actuated, the primary input selection is indicated.