Abstract: A plurality of propellers generates vertical thrust at least some of the time. An attachment sub-system detachably couples to a vertical connector, where a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters are configured to detachably couple to the vertical connector in order to transport a load at a bottom end of the vertical connector. There is an opening in a vehicle frame that is configured to: (1) receive the vertical connector prior to the attachment sub-system detachably coupling to the vertical connector and (2) hold the vertical connector while the attachment sub-system is detachably coupled to the vertical connector.

Abstract: A vertical takeoff and landing vehicle which includes an allocation block that receives a set of desired forces or desired moments and a health metric associated with at least one of: (1) a motor controller or (2) a rotor that operates in a vertical takeoff and landing mode at least some of the time. A command signal is determined per a first manner that attempts to satisfy both the set of desired forces or desired moments and the health metric. If the command signal is unable to be determined in the first manner, a second manner is used that prioritizes flight control associated with one or more of a roll axis or a pitch axis over flight control associated with a yaw axis where the axes are mutually orthogonal. The command signal is output to the motor controller that controls the rotor using the command signal.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a motor controller includes a rotor strike detector and a drive and control unit. The motor controller generates a plurality of phase-shifted sinusoidal signals. The rotor strike detector detects a rotor strike including by comparing a commanded control signal and an adaptive control signal. The adaptive control signal is associated with controlling the rotor and includes the phase-shifted sinusoidal signals. A rotor strike is detected based on a change in a plurality of sinusoidal signals. The drive and control unit, in response to detecting that the aircraft is above a threshold altitude and detecting the rotor strike, sets a value of the adaptive control signal to keep the aircraft airborne, and reduces a striking force applied to an object being struck by the rotor including by prioritizing the keeping the aircraft airborne over the reducing the striking force applied to the object being struck by the rotor.

Abstract: A plurality of propellers generates vertical thrust at least some of the time. An attachment sub-system detachably couples to a vertical connector, where a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters are configured to detachably couple to the vertical connector in order to transport a load at a bottom end of the vertical connector. There is an opening in a vehicle frame that is configured to: (1) receive the vertical connector prior to the attachment sub-system detachably coupling to the vertical connector and (2) hold the vertical connector while the attachment sub-system is detachably coupled to the vertical connector.

Abstract: A commanded control signal is compared against an adaptive control signal in order to detect a rotor strike by a rotor included in an aircraft, wherein the adaptive control signal is associated with controlling the rotor and the adaptive control signal varies based at least in part on the commanded control signal and state information associated with the rotor. In response to detecting the rotor strike, a control signal to the rotor is adjusted in order to reduce a striking force associated with the rotor.

Abstract: A vertical takeoff and landing vehicle which includes an allocation block that receives a set of desired forces or desired moments and a health metric associated with at least one of: (1) a motor controller or (2) a rotor that operates in a vertical takeoff and landing mode at least some of the time. A command signal is determined per a first manner that attempts to satisfy both the set of desired forces or desired moments and the health metric. If the command signal is unable to be determined in the first manner, a second manner is used that prioritizes flight control associated with one or more of a roll axis or a pitch axis over flight control associated with a yaw axis where the axes are mutually orthogonal. The command signal is output to the motor controller that controls the rotor using the command signal.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for defining, at a computing device, psychometric data for a user. An interactive virtual assistant, selected from a plurality of interactive virtual assistants, may be provided on the computing device based upon, at least in part, the psychometric data defined for the user. The user may be prompted, via the interactive virtual assistant, with one or more options.

Abstract: A method of obtaining psychometric information about a user is disclosed. A psychometric graphical object is provided to the user by a personalized user management module. User interaction with the psychometric graphical object is measured by a psychological traits evaluation module. At least a first wider portion of the psychometric graphical object is labeled with a first keyword related to a psychological trait. At least a second wider portion of the psychometric graphical object is labeled with a second keyword related to the psychological trait.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amino acid sequences that block the interaction between (a target on) an antigen presenting cell (APC) and (a target on) a T-cell. More particularly, the present invention relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against (as defined herein) a target on an APC (also referred to herein as “APC target”) or a target on a T-cell (also referred to herein as “T-cell target”). The invention further relates to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences.

Abstract: A plurality of propellers generate vertical thrust at least some of the time. An attachment sub-system detachably couples to a vertical connector, where a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters are configured to detachably couple to the vertical connector in order to transport a load at a bottom end of the vertical connector. There is an opening in a vehicle frame that is configured to: (1) receive the vertical connector prior to the attachment sub-system detachably coupling to the vertical connector and (2) hold the vertical connector while the attachment sub-system is detachably coupled to the vertical connector.

Abstract: A commanded control signal is compared against an adaptive control signal in order to detect a rotor strike by a rotor included in an aircraft, wherein the adaptive control signal is associated with controlling the rotor and the adaptive control signal varies based at least in part on the commanded control signal and state information associated with the rotor. In response to detecting the rotor strike, a control signal to the rotor is adjusted in order to reduce a striking force associated with the rotor.

Abstract: 1. A vertical takeoff and landing vehicle which includes an allocation block that receives a set of desired forces or desired moments and a health metric associated with at least one of: (1) a motor controller or (2) a rotor that operates in a vertical takeoff and landing mode at least some of the time. A command signal is determined per a first manner that attempts to satisfy both the set of desired forces or desired moments and the health metric. If the command signal is unable to be determined in the first manner, a second manner is used that prioritizes flight control associated with one or more of a roll axis or a pitch axis over flight control associated with a yaw axis where the axes are mutually orthogonal. The command signal is output to the motor controller that controls the rotor using the command signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amino acid sequences that block the interaction between (a target on) an antigen presenting cell (APC) and (a target on) a T-cell. More particularly, the present invention relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against (as defined herein) a target on an APC (also referred to herein as “APC target”) or a target on a T-cell (also referred to herein as “T-cell target”). The invention further relates to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences.

Abstract: Commands, including a first and second command associated with a first and second rotor module, are determined based at least in part on a set of desired forces or moments and a plurality of health metrics, including by determining a plurality of differences between the plurality of health metrics and a threshold and assigning a lower thrust value to the first command based at least in part on the first difference and a higher thrust value to the second command based at least in part on the second difference, where the first difference indicates a higher degree of wear on the first rotor module than the second difference indicates for the second rotor module. The commands are sent to the rotor modules and after the commands are performed, updated health metrics are determined.

Abstract: A commanded control signal is compared against an adaptive control signal in order to detect a rotor strike by a rotor included in an aircraft, wherein the adaptive control signal is associated with controlling the rotor and the adaptive control signal varies based at least in part on the commanded control signal and state information associated with the rotor. In response to detecting the rotor strike, a control signal to the rotor is adjusted in order to reduce a striking force associated with the rotor.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for defining, at a computing device, psychometric data for a user. An interactive virtual assistant, selected from a plurality of interactive virtual assistants, may be provided on the computing device based upon, at least in part, the psychometric data defined for the user. The user may be prompted, via the interactive virtual assistant, with one or more options.

Abstract: A system for performing necking operations on a can body includes a necker machine and a positioning system. The necker machine includes a frame; a processing arrangement having a plurality of components movable relative to the frame for performing the necking operations on the can body, and a drive motor having a shaft operatively coupled to the processing arrangement for moving the processing arrangement relative to the frame. The positioning system includes: an encoder associated with the drive motor for monitoring a rotational displacement of the shaft and a controller in communication with the encoder and the drive motor. The controller is structured and programmed to: receive an input from a user, the input being indicative of a desired movement of the processing arrangement relative to the frame, and to operate the drive motor using feedback from the encoder such that the desired movement of the processing arrangement is achieved.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against (as defined herein) any of IL-17A, IL-17F and/or IL-17A/F including combinations thereof, as well as to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences.

Abstract: A sensing arrangement for use in a can bodymaker includes a plurality of sensors positioned around, and spaced a radial distance from, a sensing axis. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors is structured to determine a number of characteristics of a can body positioned on a punch of the can bodymaker as the punch passes along the sensing axis during normal operation of the bodymaker producing can bodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof which bind to the human CD70 protein with high affinity and display potent inhibition of tumour cell growth.