Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for controlling equipment are provided. One of the method includes: acquiring distance data between a current position and a target position of transportation equipment; and controlling operations of the transportation equipment and a lifting device of the transportation equipment according to the distance data, comprising: determining, based on a current elevation of the lifting device, a target elevation of the lifting device, and the distance data, an elevating speed of the lifting device and a travel speed of the transportation equipment; and controlling the lifting device to elevate or lower at the elevating speed from the current elevation to the target elevation, and controlling the transportation equipment to travel at the travel speed.

Abstract: A device includes a capacitive sensor having a hydrogel structure that includes a first surface and a second surface. A first electrode is provided at the first surface of the hydrogel structure, the first electrode including a network of conductive nanoparticles extending into the hydrogel structure. A second electrode is provided at the second surface of the hydrogel structure.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus associated with an electrostatically driven graphene speaker. In one aspect, a device includes a graphene membrane, a first frame on a first side of the graphene membrane, and a second frame on a second side of the graphene membrane. The first frame and the second frame both include substantially circular open regions that define a substantially circular portion of the graphene membrane. A first electrode is proximate the first side of the circular portion of the graphene membrane. A second electrode proximate the second side of the circular portion of the graphene membrane.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using a dual sided MEMS mirror for determining a direction of steered light are disclosed. In one example a MEMS package includes a substrate defining an aperture and a dual sided MEMS mirror is positioned over the aperture. A first surface of the MEMS mirror is used to steer a LiDAR beam that is used to perform LiDAR imaging of an area of interest. As the mirror is moved, a second surface of the mirror reflects a sensing beam onto a detector array. Data from the detector array is used to determine an orientation of the mirror which can then be used to determine a direction of the steered LiDAR beam. The MEMS package can form an enclosure for the MEMS mirror that includes a first and a second transparent window attached to two opposing surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus associated with an electrostatically driven graphene speaker. In one aspect, a device includes a graphene membrane, a first frame on a first side of the graphene membrane, and a second frame on a second side of the graphene membrane. The first frame and the second frame both include substantially circular open regions that define a substantially circular portion of the graphene membrane. A first electrode is proximate the first side of the circular portion of the graphene membrane. A second electrode proximate the second side of the circular portion of the graphene membrane.

Abstract: An LED lamp panel capable of adjusting color temperature includes a first LED lighting circuit, a second LED lighting circuit and a conduction control circuit. The first LED lighting circuit has first color temperature information, the second LED lighting circuit has second color temperature information, and both first and second LED lighting circuits are electrically connected to conduction a control circuit. The LED lamp panel is capable of adjusting the color temperature of the LED lamp panel according to the color temperature information of the manufactured LED light panel, so as to adjust the color temperature of a lamp product. This invention is applicable for changes of market requirements flexibly to reduce the lighting manufacturers' pressure and risk of inventory. Consumers can adjust the color temperature of the lamp by themselves to fit different living or working environments.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an array of micro-mirror assemblies are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises: a light source; a receiver; and a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and a controller, the MEMS comprising an array of micro-mirror assemblies, each micro-mirror assembly comprising: a micro-mirror connected to a substrate of the semiconductor integrated circuit via an elastic connection structure and rotatable around the connection structure to perform at least one of: reflect light from the light source along an output projection path, or reflect input light propagating along an input path to the receiver. The controller is configured to generate a control signal to rotate the micro-mirrors based on a target rotation angle and a spring stiffness of one or more connection structures of the array of micro-mirror assemblies.

Abstract: A lever is used to rotate a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror. The lever can be used to provide more torque from a vertical comb drive. The MEMS mirror can be part of an array of micro mirrors used for beam steering a laser in a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system for an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a micromachined mirror assembly having a mirror-base layer, a first reflective layer on a top surface of the mirror-base layer, and a second reflective layer on a bottom surface of the mirror-base layer. In an example, the first reflective layer is reflective to incident light of the micromachined mirror assembly, and the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer are made of a same material and have same dimensions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a micromachined mirror assembly having multiple coating layers. In one example, the micromachined mirror assembly includes a micro mirror having a first thermal expansion coefficient, a reflective layer having a second thermal expansion coefficient, and a compensation layer having a third thermal expansion coefficient. The reflective layer is disposed on a top surface of the micro mirror and is reflective to incident light of the micromachined mirror assembly. The compensation layer is disposed on the reflective layer and is transparent to the incident light of the micromachined mirror assembly. The first thermal expansion coefficient is between the second thermal expansion coefficient and the third thermal expansion coefficient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a comb drive, a comb drive system, and a method of operating the comb drive to rotate bi-directionally in a MEMS environment. An exemplary comb drive system may include a comb drive, at least one power source, and a controller. The comb drive may include a stator comb having a first electrically conductive layer spaced apart from a second electrically conductive layer. The comb drive may also include a rotor comb having a first electrically conductive layer spaced apart from a second electrically conductive layer. The controller may be configured to apply first and second voltage levels having opposite polarities to the first and second electrically conductive layers of the rotor comb, respectively. The controller may also be configured to apply an intermediate voltage level to one of the first or second electrically conductive layers of the stator comb.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide micromachined mirror assemblies and hybrid driving methods thereof. In one example, a micromachined mirror assembly includes a base and an array of micro mirrors affixed on the base. The base is configured to tilt around a base tilting axis. Each micro mirror in the array of micro mirrors is configured to tilt around a respective mirror tilting axis. Each of the mirror tilting axes is parallel to one another and is nonparallel to the base tilting axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems for light steering are proposed. In one example, an apparatus comprises: a light source; a receiver; a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and a controller. The MEMS comprises: an array of first rotatable mirrors to receive and reflect the light beam from the light source and a second rotatable mirror to receive the light beam reflected by the array of first rotatable mirrors. The controller is configured to rotate, respectively, the array of first rotatable mirrors and the second rotatable mirror to set a first angle of light path with respect to a first dimension and to set a second angle of the light path with respect to a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension to perform at least one of: reflecting light from the light source along the light path, or reflecting input light propagating along the light path to the receiver.

Abstract: An array of micro mirrors is used to beam steer a laser for Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) applications. The array of micro mirrors are driven in a nonlinear motion to synchronize motion of the micro mirrors in the array.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a MEMS apparatus configured to redirect light in a LiDAR system and includes a support frame and a plurality of mirror elements disposed in a linear array within the support frame including a first mirror element and a second mirror element. Each of the plurality of mirror elements can be rotatable on a rotational axis that is perpendicular to a line defined by the linear array of the plurality of mirror elements and bisects the corresponding mirror element into a first portion and a second portion. The apparatus can include a coupling element having a distal end physically coupled to a first portion of the first mirror element and a proximal end physically coupled to a second portion of the second mirror element such that a rotation of the first mirror element causes a synchronous and equal rotation of the second mirror element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system that includes a light source configured to emit a light beam, a first apparatus configured to adjust the light beam and a second apparatus configured to adjust the light beam and receive the reflected light beam from the first apparatus and an object. The first apparatus includes a first rotatable mirror configured to receive and reflect the light beam, and a first actuator configured to rotate the first rotatable mirror. The second apparatus includes a second adjustable mirror configured to receive and propagate the light beam, and a second actuator configured to adjust the second adjustable mirror, and a detector configured to receive the light beam reflected by objects.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a MEMS apparatus configured to redirect light in a LiDAR system and includes a support frame and a plurality of mirror elements disposed in a linear array within the support frame including a first mirror element and a second mirror element. Each of the plurality of mirror elements can be rotatable on a rotational axis that is perpendicular to a line defined by the linear array of the plurality of mirror elements and bisects the corresponding mirror element into a first portion and a second portion. The apparatus can include a coupling element having a distal end physically coupled to a first portion of the first mirror element and a proximal end physically coupled to a second portion of the second mirror element such that a rotation of the first mirror element causes a synchronous and equal rotation of the second mirror element.

Abstract: An array of micro mirrors is used to beam steer a laser for Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) applications. The array of micro mirrors are driven in a nonlinear motion to synchronize motion of the micro mirrors in the array.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to an ultrasonic microphone and an ultrasonic acoustic radio. In one aspect a system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver comprises a membrane. The membrane comprises a single layer or multiple layers of a two-dimensional material. The receiver is operable to receive sound waves in a frequency range, with the frequency range being the ultrasonic frequency range.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a thermoelectric material having a plurality of grains and grain boundaries. The process includes determining a material composition to be investigated for the thermoelectric material and then determining a range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height obtainable for the material composition using current state of the art manufacturing techniques. Thereafter, a range of figure of merit values for the material composition is determined as a function of the range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height. And finally, a thermoelectric material having the determined material composition and an average grain size and grain boundary barrier height corresponding to the maximum range of figure of merit values is manufactured.