Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locating a pair of components relative to one another using complex surfaces. One component has a complex surface, where the complex surface is smoothly contoured. Another component is shaped to be connected with the first component. A fixture locates the first component relative to the second component. The fixture includes a locator with a complex surface region shaped to mate with the complex surface of the one component to locate the fixture relative to that component. The fixture includes another locator to locate the fixture relative to the second component.

Abstract: A system and method of enhanced automated welding of a first workpiece and a second workpiece are provided. The method comprises providing a system for intelligent robot-based welding of the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The method further comprises determining a geometrical location of the first workpiece and the second workpiece to be welded at a welding sequence based a predetermined process variable. The method further comprises adjusting the predetermined process variable based on the geometrical location of the first and second workpieces to define an actual process variable. The method further comprises welding a first portion of the first and second workpieces with the actual process variable to define a first welded portion. The method further comprises determining a weld quality of the first welded portion.

Abstract: A component assembly system comprises a first robot arm having a first end-of-arm tool mounted thereon and adapted to grasp a first subcomponent; a second robot arm having a second end of arm tool mounted thereon and adapted to grasp a second subcomponent. A system controller is adapted to control the first and second robot arms and first and second end-of-arm tools to position the first and second subcomponents relative to one another. A first interlocking mechanism is mounted onto the first end-of-arm tool and a second interlocking mechanism is mounted onto the second end-of-arm tool, wherein the first and second interlocking mechanisms engage one another and lock the first end-of-arm tool to the second end-of arm tool, thereby locking the first and second subcomponents into an initial position relative to one another.

Abstract: A part manufacturing system and a method of manufacturing are provided. The system includes one or more part-moving robots, each having an end effector that grips a part. An operation robot performs an operation on the part while the part-moving robot holds the part. A fixed vision system is located apart from the robots and has at least one fixed vision sensor that senses an absolute location of the part and/or the end effector and generates a fixed vision signal representative of the absolute location. A controller collects the fixed vision signal and compares the absolute location with a predetermined desired location of the part and/or the end effector. The controller sends a repositioning signal to the part-moving robot if the absolute location varies from the predetermined desired location by at least a predetermined threshold, and the part-moving robot is configured to move the part upon receiving the repositioning signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locating a pair of components relative to one another using complex surfaces. One component has a complex surface, where the complex surface is smoothly contoured. Another component is shaped to be connected with the first component. A fixture locates the first component relative to the second component. The fixture includes a locator with a complex surface region shaped to mate with the complex surface of the one component to locate the fixture relative to that component. The fixture includes another locator to locate the fixture relative to the second component.

Abstract: A clamp system and method for measurement and control of welding a first substrate to a second substrate is provided. The system comprises a squeeze clamp having to a first end and a second end. The system further comprises a motor connected to the squeeze clamp such that the first and second ends are movable to clamp the first substrate to the second substrate. The system further comprises at least one of an electromagnetic flux sensor, a current sensor, a position sensor, and a gap sensor disposed on one of the first and second ends for determining a first measured variable between the first and second substrates. The system further comprises a controller to control the motor to clamp the first substrate to the second substrate based on the first measured variable. The controller is in communication with the electromagnetic flux sensor, the current sensor, and the gap sensor.

Abstract: A method for identifying distracted pedestrians. The method includes determining operating conditions of a vehicle using a plurality of vehicle controllers. Pedestrian parameters for a pedestrian in a vicinity of the vehicle are acquired using a plurality of vehicle sensors. The pedestrian parameters include at least one of face positions, body positions, gait and hand gestures. Information related to an environment surrounding the vehicle is acquired. Pedestrian awareness level is determined based on the acquired pedestrian parameters and based on the information related to the environment surrounding the vehicle. A determination is made whether the pedestrian awareness level is below a predefined threshold. The pedestrian is classified as distracted, in response to determining that the pedestrian awareness level is below the predefined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method of enhanced automated welding of a first workpiece and a second workpiece are provided. The method comprises providing a system for intelligent robot-based welding of the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The method further comprises determining a geometrical location of the first workpiece and the second workpiece to be welded at a welding sequence based a predetermined process variable. The method further comprises adjusting the predetermined process variable based on the geometrical location of the first and second workpieces to define an actual process variable. The method further comprises welding a first portion of the first and second workpieces with the actual process variable to define a first welded portion. The method further comprises determining a weld quality of the first welded portion.

Abstract: A welding block for a welding system secures together first and second components of a workpiece for a motor vehicle to reduce distortion of the first and second components during a welding process. The welding block includes a jig mechanism that has a proximal surface for receiving a load from an arm of the welding system. The jig mechanism further includes a distal surface for engaging the first component and securing the first and second components to one another during the welding process. The jig mechanism defines a passage, such that heat flows from the distal surface to a coolant flowing through the passage. The welding block further includes a sensor coupled to the jig mechanism for detecting a measured variable associated with at least one of the first and second components.

Abstract: A clamp system and method for measurement and control of welding a first substrate to a second substrate is provided. The system comprises a squeeze clamp having to a first end and a second end. The system further comprises a motor connected to the squeeze clamp such that the first and second ends are movable to clamp the first substrate to the second substrate. The system further comprises at least one of an electromagnetic flux sensor, a current sensor, a position sensor, and a gap sensor disposed on one of the first and second ends for determining a first measured variable between the first and second substrates. The system further comprises a controller to control the motor to clamp the first substrate to the second substrate based on the first measured variable. The controller is in communication with the electromagnetic flux sensor, the current sensor, and the gap sensor.

Abstract: A method of assembling a plurality of subcomponents to form a finished component comprises gripping a first subcomponent with a first end-of-arm tool, wherein the first end-of-arm tool is attached to a first robot arm and grasping a second subcomponent with a second end-of-arm tool, wherein the second end-of-arm tool is attached to a second robot arm. Moving the first and second end-of-arm tools to position the first subcomponent relative to the second subcomponent in a pre-assembly position and then moving the first and second end-of-arm tools to engage interface surfaces of the first and second subcomponents. Forming a joint between the first subcomponent and the second subcomponent with a joining tool attached to a joining robot arm to thereby assemble the finished component.

Abstract: A method for improving pedestrian safety is provided. The method includes determining operating conditions of a vehicle using a plurality of vehicle sensors. A path of the vehicle is predicted based on the determined operating conditions. Pedestrian parameters for a pedestrian in a vicinity of the vehicle are acquired using the plurality of vehicle sensors. The pedestrian parameters include at least one of a position, a speed of the pedestrian, gait, body posture and a level of distractedness. A determination is made whether a notification of the pedestrian is necessary based on the determined vehicle operating conditions and the acquired pedestrian parameters. A mode of notification of the pedestrian is selected from a plurality of modes of notification, in response to determining that the notification of the pedestrian is necessary. The pedestrian is notified using the selected mode of notification.

Abstract: A method of assembling a secondary component to a primary component comprises grasping a primary component with a first end-of-arm tool, wherein the first end-of-arm tool is attached to a first robot arm and grasping a secondary component with a second end-of-arm tool, wherein the second end-of-arm tool is attached to a second robot arm. Moving the primary component to an interfacing position, wherein interfacing surfaces on the primary component are presented at a proper position and orientation for the secondary component to be attached thereto. Moving the second end-of-arm tool to bring the secondary component into engagement with the interface surfaces of the primary component, and forming a joint between the primary component and the secondary component with a joining tool attached to a joining robot arm.

Abstract: A method for optimal notification of a relevant object in a potentially unsafe situation includes training a machine learning model using a plurality of object parameters and a plurality of vehicle state parameters to generate a trained machine learning model. Output data is predicted using the trained machine learning model. The output data represents an optimal mode of notification and a set of notification parameters for a specific state of interaction between the vehicle and the relevant object.

Abstract: A vehicle information system for projecting images with respect to a vehicle is provided. The vehicle information system includes an image projection device disposed on the vehicle. The image projection device is operable to project an image on a surface with respect to the vehicle. The vehicle information system also includes a vehicle-based portion that receives information regarding a status of the vehicle and determines whether the projecting images is acceptable. The vehicle-based portion also causes the image projection device to project the image on the surface with respect to the vehicle when projecting images is acceptable.

Abstract: A method for improving pedestrian safety is provided. The method includes determining operating conditions of a vehicle using a plurality of vehicle sensors. A path of the vehicle is predicted based on the determined operating conditions. Pedestrian parameters for a pedestrian in a vicinity of the vehicle are acquired using the plurality of vehicle sensors. The pedestrian parameters include at least one of a position, a speed of the pedestrian, gait, body posture and a level of distractedness. A determination is made whether a notification of the pedestrian is necessary based on the determined vehicle operating conditions and the acquired pedestrian parameters. A mode of notification of the pedestrian is selected from a plurality of modes of notification, in response to determining that the notification of the pedestrian is necessary. The pedestrian is notified using the selected mode of notification.

Abstract: A method for identifying distracted pedestrians. The method includes determining operating conditions of a vehicle using a plurality of vehicle controllers. Pedestrian parameters for a pedestrian in a vicinity of the vehicle are acquired using a plurality of vehicle sensors. The pedestrian parameters include at least one of face positions, body positions, gait and hand gestures. Information related to an environment surrounding the vehicle is acquired. Pedestrian awareness level is determined based on the acquired pedestrian parameters and based on the information related to the environment surrounding the vehicle. A determination is made whether the pedestrian awareness level is below a predefined threshold. The pedestrian is classified as distracted, in response to determining that the pedestrian awareness level is below the predefined threshold.

Abstract: A component assembly system comprises a first robot arm having a first end-of-arm tool mounted thereon and adapted to grasp a first subcomponent; a second robot arm having a second end of arm tool mounted thereon and adapted to grasp a second subcomponent. A system controller is adapted to control the first and second robot arms and first and second end-of-arm tools to position the first and second subcomponents relative to one another. A first interlocking mechanism is mounted onto the first end-of-arm tool and a second interlocking mechanism is mounted onto the second end-of-arm tool, wherein the first and second interlocking mechanisms engage one another and lock the first end-of-arm tool to the second end-of arm tool, thereby locking the first and second subcomponents into an initial position relative to one another.

Abstract: A method of assembling a plurality of subcomponents to form a finished component comprises gripping a first subcomponent with a first end-of-arm tool, wherein the first end-of-arm tool is attached to a first robot arm and grasping a second subcomponent with a second end-of-arm tool, wherein the second end-of-arm tool is attached to a second robot arm. Moving the first and second end-of-arm tools to position the first subcomponent relative to the second subcomponent in a pre-assembly position and then moving the first and second end-of-arm tools to engage interface surfaces of the first and second subcomponents. Forming a joint between the first subcomponent and the second subcomponent with a joining tool attached to a joining robot arm to thereby assemble the finished component.

Abstract: A method of assembling a secondary component to a primary component comprises grasping a primary component with a first end-of-arm tool, wherein the first end-of-arm tool is attached to a first robot arm and grasping a secondary component with a second end-of-arm tool, wherein the second end-of-arm tool is attached to a second robot arm. Moving the primary component to an interfacing position, wherein interfacing surfaces on the primary component are presented at a proper position and orientation for the secondary component to be attached thereto. Moving the second end-of-arm tool to bring the secondary component into engagement with the interface surfaces of the primary component, and forming a joint between the primary component and the secondary component with a joining tool attached to a joining robot arm.