Abstract: A method for determining a movement state of a rigid body relative to an environment using a multiplicity of measurement data sets relating to objects in the environment around the body. Each measurement data set includes a measurement time, a Doppler velocity, and an azimuth angle in relation to a respective sensor reference system. The method includes determining a movement state of the body relative to the environment as a velocity vector and an angular velocity vector in a body reference system. At least one set of conditions that includes a plurality of measurement data sets is created. A function dependent on Doppler velocity deviations between estimated Doppler velocities and the Doppler velocities of the measurement data sets included in the set of conditions is minimized in a regression analysis for the set of conditions. The estimated Doppler velocities are regarded as dependent variables in the regression analysis.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for autonomously estimating the position and orientation (“pose”) of an aircraft relative to a target site are disclosed herein, including a system including a plurality of beacons arranged about the target site, wherein the plurality of beacons collectively comprise at least one electromagnetic radiation source and at least one beacon ranging radio, a sensor system coupled to the aircraft including an electromagnetic radiation sensor and a ranging radio configured to determine a range of the aircraft relative to the target site, and a processor configured to determine an estimated pose of the aircraft based on at least: (i) detected electromagnetic radiation, and (ii) time-stamped range data for the aircraft relative to the target site.

Abstract: A method for creating digital maps with the aid of a control unit. Measured data of surroundings are received during a measuring run. A SLAM method is carried out for ascertaining a trajectory of the measuring run based on the received measured data. The received measured data are transformed into a coordinate system of the trajectory. The transformed measured data are used for the purpose of creating an intensity map. Features are extracted from the intensity map and are stored in a feature map. A method for carrying out a localization, a control unit, a computer program as well as a machine-readable memory medium are also described.

Abstract: A method for creating a surroundings map for use in the autonomous navigation of a mobile robot in a map-based localization system in a logistics environment. Mobile objects of a merchandise management system having a known position are incorporated into the process of creating the surroundings map.

Abstract: A method is for performing state estimation of position and orientation of a plurality of modules of a common system, which are movable relative to one another via joints, using inertial sensors that are arranged on the modules. At least one vector pair is determined, which represents kinematic relationships of at least one of the joints and of two of the modules connected to the at least one joint, and which is included in the state estimation.

Abstract: A computer system determines contingency landing sites for an aircraft, piloted or autonomous. The computer system decomposes data from various types of maps into multiple separate risk maps, which can include: one for the risk to people being present on the ground at the landing site; one for the risk of damage to property on the ground at the landing site; one for the risk of damage to the aircraft; and/or one for the risk to people on-board the aircraft. From these maps, the computer system generates a contingency landing site map that the aircraft can use to determine an appropriate landing site in the case of an emergency. The computer system can also perform landing simulations to determine the various risks.

Abstract: A state estimation system that utilizes long-range stereo visual odometry that can degrade to a monocular system at high-altitude, and integrates GPS, Barometer and IMU measurements. The system has two main parts: An EKF that is loosely fused and a long-range visual odometry part. For visual odometry, the system takes the EKF information for robust camera pose tracking, and the visual odometry outputs will be the measurement for EKF state update.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a time-of-flight ranging sensor that scans in two or more directions relative to the apparatus over a series of scanning cycles. A processor computes, and to communicates to the time-of-flight ranging sensor, a pulse repetition rate (PRR) for the time-of-flight ranging sensor for each of the two or more directions based on information about surrounding terrain of the apparatus and a sensor pointing schedule for the time-of-flight ranging sensor that indicates directions that the time-of-flight ranging sensor is scheduled to point at time during the scanning cycles. In addition or lieu of computing the PRR, the processor(s) matches returns from pulses of the time-of-flight ranging sensor to the pulses probabilistically based on a current map of the vehicle's surroundings and scan coherence analysis for shapes in the returns. The current map can then be updated based on the matched returns for the next iteration.

Abstract: A computerized, on-board flight system for an aircraft has a landing-zone evaluation system for evaluating a landing zone for the aircraft based on sensory data from numerous sensing systems, including lidar, radar, and/or various cameras, to identify potential, suitable landing sites in the landing zone. Based on data from these sensory systems, the landing-zone evaluation system geometrically and semantically evaluates the landing zone's terrain, as well as identifies moving and stationary objects in the landing zone to identify the suitable landing sites for the aircraft.

Abstract: A robust localization approach for UAVs that fuses measurements from inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a rotating laser scanner is described. An Error State Kalman Filter (ESKF) is used for sensor fusion and is combined with a Gaussian Particle Filter (GPF) for measurements update. Additionally, a new method to evaluate localizability of a given 3D map is described to show that the computed localizability can precisely predict localization errors, thus helping to find safe routes during flight.

Abstract: A state estimation system that utilizes long-range stereo visual odometry that can degrade to a monocular system at high-altitude, and integrates GPS, Barometer and IMU measurements. The system has two main parts: An EKF that is loosely fused and a long-range visual odometry part. For visual odometry, the system takes the EKF information for robust camera pose tracking, and the visual odometry outputs will be the measurement for EKF state update.

Abstract: Provided is a specimen carrier supply and delivery device having at least one specimen carrier magazine with separate compartments for receiving interchangeably specimen carriers and a magazine lift, which is adjustable in height in a magazine carrier frame for receiving interchangeably specimen carrier magazines. Two pairs of bars, which stand vertically and parallel to one another, are arranged in the magazine carrier frame, wherein the magazine lift is guided in a height adjustable manner on the two complementary first bars of the bar pairs. An equal-sided coupling frame, which is aligned vertically to the plane formed by the first bars, with a bridge, which is arranged parallel to the plane, is mounted in a sliding manner on the two complementary second bars of the pairs of bars. A linear scale, which is aligned parallel to the direction of the bars, is fastened to the magazine lift.

Abstract: Provided is a specimen carrier supply and delivery device having at least one specimen carrier magazine with separate compartments for receiving interchangeably specimen carriers and a magazine lift, which is adjustable in height in a magazine carrier frame for receiving interchangeably specimen carrier magazines. Two pairs of bars, which stand vertically and parallel to one another, are arranged in the magazine carrier frame, wherein the magazine lift is guided in a height adjustable manner on the two complementary first bars of the bar pairs. An equal-sided coupling frame, which is aligned vertically to the plane formed by the first bars, with a bridge, which is arranged parallel to the plane, is mounted in a sliding manner on the two complementary second bars of the pairs of bars. A linear scale, which is aligned parallel to the direction of the bars, is fastened to the magazine lift.