Abstract: An automated-driving device causes a test body which is either a vehicle or part of a vehicle to perform automated-driving using a plurality of types of actuators. This automated-driving device includes a plurality of connectors to which the actuators are connected, and a control device that controls movements of the actuators that are connected to the connectors. When one of the actuators is connected to one of the connectors, the control device identifies the type of actuator that is connected.

Abstract: An automated-driving device causes a test body which is either a vehicle or part of a vehicle to perform automated-driving using a plurality of types of actuators. This automated-driving device includes a plurality of connectors to which the actuators are connected, and a control device that controls movements of the actuators that are connected to the connectors. When one of the actuators is connected to one of the connectors, the control device identifies the type of actuator that is connected.

Abstract: A robot for driving a vehicle safely stops the vehicle's engine even in the event of an accident such as an electric power failure or operating error. A robot body is provided with an ignition key-operating actuator consisting of a holder member for holding an ignition key of an automobile, a shaft for turning the holder member, and a motor for driving the shaft. An actuator for operating an accelerator pedal may be returned to a zero point by an emergency power source provided within a control unit, after which the key actuator operates the ignition key to stop the engine, for example, when a power source for the control unit is turned off. In this case, if it is dangerous to stop the engine, it is not necessary to do so.

Abstract: A heat-treating apparatus for practicing a method in which when red-hot iron pipes produced by a centrifugal casting machine are cooled, the pipes are slowly cooled over the temperature range of 800.degree. to 700.degree. C. to ferritize the pipes without separately annealing the pipes. A heat-treating furnace disposed close to one end of the rotary mold of the casting machine has furnace chambers each provided with pairs of rotatable rollers for supporting the pipe in rotation to prevent the deformation of the pipe. Each of the chambers has heating burners or a cooling heat exchanger for adjusting the temperature and cooling speed of the pipe placed in the chamber. According to a preferred embodiment, the furnace chambers are separated by openable partition members of circular-arc section, and each of the chambers has turnable levers for transferring the pipe to another chamber adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A method of heat-treating and, particularly, annealing, a ductile cast iron pipe in the form as centrifugally held against the wall of a centrifugal casting mold. The casting within the mold is heat-treated by introducing a hot gas of elevated temperature into the hollow of the casting. At the initial stage, the casting within the mold is in red-hot condition and, therefore, introduction of the hot gas into the hollow of the casting results in control of the dissipitation of heat energies from the red-hot casting to delay or slow down a cooling rate of the casting.

Abstract: A product and method of producing a spheroidal graphite cast iron pipe of ferritic structure by casting in a non-chilled condition and by providing a controlled low rate of dissipation of the self-heat of the pipe within a heat dissipation rate controlling furnace or a sealed or insulated centrifugal casting mold.

Abstract: A refining means for obtaining high duty spheroidal graphite cast iron through heating molten pig iron in an arc furnace to above the decomposition temperature of silicon oxide in the presence of carbon, such as 1500.degree.C, whereupon a refining agent containing quick lime, graphite powder, calcium silicate, and calcium carbonate is allowed to react in refining through deoxidation and de-sulphurization.