Abstract: A rear trailer hostler can be used to move a parked trailer without otherwise disengaging pneumatic brakes thereof. For example, the rear trailer hostler can lift the wheels of the trailer off of the ground, thereby allowing a front hostler to move the trailer without a gladhands connection to the trailer pneumatic lines. Alternatively, the rear trailer hostler can move the trailer independently. For example, the trailer can be parked atop the rear trailer hostler and disconnected from the truck. With the rear trailer hostler supporting the locked wheels and the landing gear, the trailer can be moved without requiring the pneumatic brakes to be disengaged. The rear trailer hostler can also provide one or more safety or convenience features, such as a bridging platform or a safety door stop.

Abstract: A ground speed computation system for a vehicle includes ground-oriented RADAR devices, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) device, a communication device, an electronic processing device in communication with the RADAR devices, the IMU device, and the communication device, and a non-transitory memory storing (i) a machine learning (ML) ground speed calculation model and (ii) instructions that when executed by the electronic processing device result in receiving, from the RADAR devices, data descriptive of a ground surface in proximity to the vehicle, receiving, from the IMU device, data descriptive of a movement of the vehicle, computing, by the ML ground speed calculation model and utilizing (i) the data descriptive of the ground surface and (ii) the data descriptive of the movement of the vehicle, to determine an estimated ground speed of the vehicle and outputting, by the communication device, an indication of the estimated ground speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous and safe sterilization, sanitizing, and cleaning, such as automatic sanitizing in autonomous vehicles and modification of autonomous sanitizing and access control upon human presence.

Abstract: Systems and methods for targeted operational disablement that may utilize, for example, UAV-delivered shaped charges coupled to specific features of a target object. A UAV may navigate to, identify, and attach a disabling device to a critical component of a target such as a barrel of a tank main gun, a crew hatch cover, a tank tread, an engine compartment, or a magazine.

Abstract: A metal fused deposition printer can use the thixotropic properties of a metal (e.g., alloy) to control the viscosity of the material being deposited. The viscosity of the metal can be controlled by shearing the metal before, during, or after the deposition process. Use of the thixotropic properties can allow the viscosity of the metal to be controlled independent of the temperature of the metal. This can allow for more precise control of the temperature differential between the layer being deposited and the substrate layer, for example, such that the temperatures are substantially the same.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous sterilization of vehicles includes coded logic or processing instructions to determine (i) when sterilization should occur (or not occur), (ii) where sterilization should occur (or not occur), and/or (iii) how sterilization should occur (e.g., which method to use, how long to conduct, and/or which parameter values/settings to employ). The sterilization system may autonomously determine when it is safe to sterilize an environment/location and/or how such sterilization should be carried out. Autonomous sterilization systems and/or processes described herein may permit facilities and/or services to remain open and/or available at higher rates than current offline processes permit, thereby increasing availability.

Abstract: Described herein is a graphics processor comprising a memory interface and a graphics processing cluster coupled with the memory interface. The graphics processing cluster includes a multi-lane parallel floating-point unit and a multi-lane parallel integer unit. The multi-lane parallel integer unit includes an integer pipeline including a plurality of parallel integer logic units configured to perform integer compute operations on a plurality of input data elements and a format conversion pipeline including a plurality of parallel format conversion units configured to convert a plurality of input data elements from a first one of a plurality of datatype formats to a second one of the plurality of datatype formats, the plurality of datatype formats including integer and floating-point formats.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remote control of one or more autonomous vehicles by a human operator are provided.

Abstract: Described herein is a graphics processor comprising a memory interface and a graphics processing cluster coupled with the memory interface. The graphics processing cluster includes a plurality of processing resources. A processing resource of the plurality of processing resources includes a source crossbar communicatively coupled with a register file, the source crossbar to reorder data elements of a source operand and a format conversion pipeline to convert a plurality of input data elements specified by the source operand from a first format of a plurality of datatype formats to a second format of the plurality of datatype formats, the plurality of datatype formats including integer and floating-point formats.

Abstract: Described herein is a graphics processor comprising an instruction cache and a plurality of processing elements coupled with the instruction cache. The plurality of processing elements include functional units configured to provide an integer pipeline to execute instructions to perform operations on integer data elements. The integer pipeline including a first multiplier and a second multiplier, the first multiplier and the second multiplier configured to execute operations for a single instruction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selective and/or opportunistic GNSS/GPS navigation that actively mask or filter satellite signals based on identified “clear sky” or “obstructed sky” regions.

Abstract: A system can have an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) detection and ranging (DAR) device, such as a LIDAR device. A shock mount can couple the EMR DAR device to a vehicle. The shock mount can isolate the EMR DAR device from impulse shocks experienced by the vehicle. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) can be coupled to the EMR DAR device or a first portion of the shock mount. The IMU can measure movement of the EMR DAR device. Alternatively or additionally, the EMR DAR can detect locations of a reference feature of the vehicle at different times and can use the detected locations to determine movement of the EMR DAR relative to the vehicle. Data of the EMR DAR device indicative of detected features can be adjusted based at least in part on the movement measured by the IMU.

Abstract: A navigation system comprises at least one processor, a receiver in communication with the at least one processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor results in receiving, by at least two antennas coupled to a receiver, a plurality of signals from a plurality of different remote transmitters, transmitting, from a first antenna and for a first time instance, a first input signal to the receiver, the first input signal associated with a first group of the plurality of signals, transmitting, from a second antenna and for a second time instance subsequent to the first time instant, a second input signal to the receiver, the second input signal associated with a second group of the plurality of signals and determining, based partly on the first and second input signals, an indication associated with bearing or location of a craft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic and efficient intersection traffic control for autonomous or semi-autonomous ground vehicles. In accordance with some embodiments, the systems and methods comprise a centralized controller associated with an intersection that comprises a sensor for detecting data corresponding to ground vehicles approaching the intersection and a controller for generating and transmitting an instruction to at least one of the ground vehicles approaching the intersection, the instruction for causing the at least one vehicle to adjust at least one of its speed and path in order to avoid a collision with another of the ground vehicles.

Abstract: A system can autonomously or semi-autonomously guide a driver to a dock or parking location. The system can include a sensor or sensors that collect data to create a map of the dock or parking location, a user interface that allows the driver to select a dock or a feature in the map and to determine the final pose of the tractor and trailer, and a planner that creates a kinematically-correct and obstacle-free trajectory from the current location to the dock or parking location. The system can provide user aids, such as a ground guide avatar or avatars, that provide the distance to the dock, speed and turning directions, or other guidance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selective and/or opportunistic GNSS/GPS navigation that actively mask or filter satellite signals based on identified “clear sky” or “obstructed sky” regions.

Abstract: An autonomous truck loading system can have a database that stores a plurality of elementary behaviors for various phases of a process of loading the autonomous truck by the one or more loaders. The stored elementary behaviors can include predetermined maneuvers for the autonomous truck, sensing behaviors; and logic behaviors. An operator can select multiple ones of the stored behaviors via user interface. A controller can assemble the selected behaviors together into an operation script for loading of the autonomous truck by a loader. The controller can control the autonomous truck to perform the operation script.

Abstract: A punch item management tool may be provided that coordinates and guides the process of taking a punch item from creation to completion. As one possibility, the punch item management tool may coordinate and guide the interactions between a creator of a punch item, a punch item manager for the punch item, and one or more assignees that are expected to perform work on the punch item. As another possibility, the punch item management tool may coordinate and guide the interactions between an individual serving the dual role of creator and punch item manager for a punch item and one or more assignees that are expected to perform work on the punch item. In either case, the punch item management tool may provide a user interface including various views through which these individuals may interact with one or more punch items.

Abstract: Battery powered quadrotors or drones have a limited operation time. To extend operation time, a powered tether can be used. This tether provides power to the drone allowing it to stay up indefinitely. Most tethered drones are captured to the base station. The tether can reel in and out as the drone moves, but the drone can't go higher or further than the maximum length of the tether. If the tether can be automatically disconnected, the drone could fly off for some remote mission, assuming the drone had an onboard power source such as rechargeable batteries. The present invention relates to a self-powered drone tether that comprises a rechargeable drone in flight which is referred to as the rechargeable drone, a drone that carries a powered tether which is referred to as the tether drone, a coupling mechanism between the rechargeable drone and the tether drone, and a base station with a powered tether and tether deployment system.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle can comprise winter servicing equipment, such as a snowplow, salt spreader, etc. A controller can be supported by the vehicle and can be operatively coupled thereto. The controller can be configured to control the vehicle to autonomously move through an area along a planned route to effect servicing (e.g., snow removal or remediation) of the area. For example, the controller can be configured to discretize the area into a plurality of cells and to determine a quantity of snow in each cell. The route through the area can be planned by the controller based at least in part on simulated movements of the snow quantities in the cells.