Abstract: In one embodiment, a visual-assist robot includes a housing defining a base portion, an imaging assembly, a motorized wheel assembly positioned at the lower surface of the base portion, a processor disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the imaging assembly and the motorized wheel assembly, and a non-transitory memory device disposed within the housing. The imaging assembly generates image data corresponding to an environment, and at least a portion of the imaging assembly is configured to be disposed above the upper surface of the base portion. The non-transitory memory device stores machine-readable instructions that cause the processor to provide a drive signal to the motorized wheel assembly such that the motorized wheel assembly moves the visual-assist robot to a desired location within the environment, determine objects from the image data received from the imaging assembly, and transmit message data for receipt by a user.

Abstract: A suspension device includes damper interposed between vehicle body and wheel in vehicle and exerted damping force for suppressing vertical movements of vehicle body and wheel, damping force adjustment mechanism adjusts damping force, control device controls damping force adjustment mechanism, lateral acceleration detection unit detects an lateral acceleration acting on vehicle body, roll angular velocity detection unit detects roll angular velocity of vehicle body, and steering angular velocity detection unit detects steering angular velocity of steering wheel.

Abstract: A numerical control device includes an NC program storing unit, a parameter change unit configured to change parameter based on parameter change operation by an operator, a parameter change monitoring unit configured to detect change of the parameter by monitoring the parameter change unit and output command for starting the NC program based on the change of the parameter, and an NC program execution unit configured to execute the NC program based on command from the parameter change monitoring unit.

Abstract: An intelligent navigation device is provided for actively collecting data about a user and the surrounding environment, drawing helpful inferences, and actively aiding the user in navigation, environmental awareness, and social interaction. The intelligent navigation device may include cameras for detecting image data regarding the surrounding environment. The intelligent navigation device may include a GPS unit, an IMU, and a memory for storing previously determined user data. The intelligent navigation device may include a processor for determining a desirable action or event based on the image data, data detected by the GPS unit or the IMU, or a recognized object in the surrounding environment. The processor may further determine a destination and provide navigation assistance to the user for reaching the destination. The intelligent navigation device may convey output data using a display, a speaker, a vibration unit, a mechanical feedback unit, or an electrical stimulation unit.

Abstract: A clip includes an IMU coupled to the clip and adapted to detect inertial measurement data and a GPS coupled to the device and adapted to detect location data. The clip further includes a camera adapted to detect image data and a memory adapted to store data. The clip further includes a processor adapted to recognize an object in the surrounding environment by analyzing the data. The processor can determine a desirable action based on the data and a current time or day. The processor can determine a destination based on the determined desirable action. The processor can determine a navigation path based on the determined destination and the data. The processor is further adapted to determine output based on the navigation path. The clip further includes a speaker adapted to provide audio information to the user.

Abstract: Eyeglasses include a left lens, a right lens and an IMU sensor and a GPS unit. A camera and a memory are coupled to the eyeglasses. A processor is connected to the IMU, the GPS unit and the at least one camera and is adapted to recognize objects by analyzing image data based on the stored object data and inertial measurement data or location data. The processor is also adapted to determine a desirable event based on the object, previously determined user data, and a time. The processor is also adapted to determine a destination based on the determined desirable event and determine a navigation path for navigating the eyeglasses to the destination based on the determined destination, image data, and inertial measurement data or location data. The processor is also adapted to determine output data based on the determined navigation path. A speaker is also provided.

Abstract: An intelligent earpiece to be worn over an ear of a user is described. The earpiece includes a processor connected to the IMU, the GPS unit and the at least one camera. The processor can recognize an object in the surrounding environment by analyzing the image data based on the stored object data and at least one of the inertial measurement data or the location data. The processor can determine a desirable event or action based on the recognized object, the previously determined user data, and a current time or day. The processor can determine a destination based on the determined desirable event or action. The processor can determine a navigation path for navigating the intelligent guidance device to the destination based on the determined destination, the image data, the inertial measurement data or the location data. The processor can determine output data based on the determined navigation path.

Abstract: An intelligent navigation device is provided for actively collecting data about a user and the surrounding environment, drawing helpful inferences, and actively aiding the user in navigation, environmental awareness, and social interaction. The intelligent navigation device may include cameras for detecting image data regarding the surrounding environment. The intelligent navigation device may include a GPS unit, an IMU, and a memory for storing previously determined user data. The intelligent navigation device may include a processor for determining a desirable action or event based on the image data, data detected by the GPS unit or the IMU, or a recognized object in the surrounding environment. The processor may further determine a destination and provide navigation assistance to the user for reaching the destination. The intelligent navigation device may convey output data using a display, a speaker, a vibration unit, a mechanical feedback unit, or an electrical stimulation unit.

Abstract: Provided are high thermal conductive boehmite, which has the characteristics of boehmite such as flame retardancy and high filling and yet has an improved thermal conductivity, and a method for manufacturing the high thermal conductive boehmite. The high thermal conductive boehmite is characterized by having thermal conductivity calculated in accordance with the following Mathematical Formula 1 of 11.

Abstract: Disclosed is a numerical controller that recognizes a range between a machining command for a tool number previously designated by an NC program for machining control and a machining command for the next tool number as a single machining process, generates a machining cycle command from the recognized single machining process, and generates an NC program in which the single machining process on the NC program is replaced by the generated machining cycle command.

Abstract: A transport apparatus includes a transport roller having a first supported portion and a second supported portion at positions separated in a first direction, and configured to abut against a sheet, rotate in a second direction about a rotation axis extending in the first direction, and transport the sheet; a first support member configured to rotatably support the transport roller, the first support member having a first receiving portion which is in the form of a circular arc and configured to abut against a portion in a circumferential direction of an outer periphery of the first supported portion; and a second support member configured to rotatably support the transport roller, the second support member having a second receiving portion which is in the form of a circular arc and configured to abut against a portion in a circumferential direction of an outer periphery of the second supported portion.

Abstract: A wearable neck device includes an IMU coupled to the wearable neck device and adapted to detect inertial measurement data and a GPS coupled to the device and adapted to detect location data. The wearable neck device further includes a camera adapted to detect image data and a memory adapted to store data. The wearable neck device further includes a processor adapted to recognize an object in the surrounding environment by analyzing the data. The processor can determine a desirable action based on the data and a current time or day. The processor can determine a destination based on the determined desirable action. The processor can determine a navigation path based on the determined destination and the data. The processor is further adapted to determine output based on the navigation path. The wearable neck device further includes a speaker adapted to provide audio information to the user.

Abstract: A wearable neck device and a method of operating the wearable neck device are provided for outputting optical character recognition information to a user. The wearable neck device has at least one camera, and a memory storing optical character or image recognition processing data. A processor detects a document in the surrounding environment and adjusts the field of view of the at least one camera such that the detected document is within the adjusted field of view. The processor analyzes the image data within the adjusted field of view using the optical character or image recognition processing data. The processor determines output data based on the analyzed image data. A speaker of the wearable neck device provides audio information to the user based on the output data.

Abstract: A wearable neck device for providing environmental awareness to a user, the wearable neck device includes a flexible tube. A first stereo pair of cameras is encased in a left portion of the flexible tube and a second stereo pair of cameras is encased in a right portion of the flexible tube. A vibration motor within the flexible tube provides haptic and audio feedback to the user. A processor in the flexible tube recognizes objects from the first stereo pair of cameras and the second stereo pair of cameras. The vibration motor provides haptic and audio feedback of the items or points of interest to the user.

Abstract: A smart necklace includes a body defining at least one cavity and having a neck portion and first and a second side portions. The necklace includes a pair of stereo cameras that is configured to detect image data including depth information corresponding to a surrounding environment of the smart necklace. The necklace further includes a positioning sensor configured to detect positioning data corresponding to a positioning of the smart necklace. The necklace includes a non-transitory memory positioned in the at least one cavity and configured to store map data and object data. The smart necklace also includes a processor positioned in the at least one cavity, coupled to the pair of stereo cameras, the positioning sensor and the non-transitory memory. The processor is configured to determine output data based on the image data, the positioning data, the map data and the object data.

Abstract: Methods and computer-program products for evaluating grasp patterns for use by a robot are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of evaluating grasp patterns includes selecting an individual grasp pattern from a grasp pattern set, establishing a thumb-up vector, and simulating the motion of the manipulator and the end effector according to the selected individual grasp pattern, wherein each individual grasp pattern of the grasp pattern set corresponds to motion for manipulating a target object. The method further includes evaluating a direction of the thumb-up vector during at least a portion of the simulated motion of the manipulator and the end effector, and excluding the selected individual grasp pattern from use by the robot if the direction of the thumb-up vector during the simulated motion is outside of one or more predetermined thresholds. Robots utilizing the methods and computer-program products for evaluating grasp patterns are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and computer-program products for evaluating grasp patterns for use by a robot are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of evaluating grasp patterns includes selecting an individual grasp pattern from a grasp pattern set, establishing a thumb-up vector, and simulating the motion of the manipulator and the end effector according to the selected individual grasp pattern, wherein each individual grasp pattern of the grasp pattern set corresponds to motion for manipulating a target object. The method further includes evaluating a direction of the thumb-up vector during at least a portion of the simulated motion of the manipulator and the end effector, and excluding the selected individual grasp pattern from use by the robot if the direction of the thumb-up vector during the simulated motion is outside of one or more predetermined thresholds. Robots utilizing the methods and computer-program products for evaluating grasp patterns are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and computer program products for generating robot grasp patterns are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for generating robot grasp patterns includes generating a plurality of approach rays associated with a target object. Each approach ray of the plurality of approach rays extends perpendicularly from a surface of the target object. The method further includes generating at least one grasp pattern for each approach ray to generate a grasp pattern set of the target object, calculating a grasp quality score for each individual grasp pattern of the grasp pattern set, and comparing the grasp quality score of each individual grasp pattern with a grasp quality threshold. The method further includes selecting individual grasp patterns of the grasp pattern set having a grasp quality score that is greater than the grasp quality threshold, and providing the selected individual grasp patterns to the robot for on-line manipulation of the target object.

Abstract: A robotic cane may include a grip handle, a cane body extending from the grip handle at a first end, a motorized omni-directional wheel coupled to a second end of the cane body, a balance control sensor, and a controller module. The balance control sensor provides a balance signal corresponding to an orientation of the robotic cane. The controller module may receive the balance signal from the balance control sensor and calculate a balancing velocity of the motorized omni-directional wheel based at least in part on the balance signal and an inverted pendulum control algorithm. The controller module may further provide a drive signal to the motorized omni-directional wheel in accordance with the calculated balancing velocity. The calculated balancing velocity is a speed and direction of the motorized omni-directional wheel to retain the robotic cane in an substantially upright position.

Abstract: Robotic posture transfer assist devices for assisting a posture transfer of a patient in a bed may include a device body, a stabilizer coupled with the device body and the bed, and at least one robotic arm having a plurality of degrees of freedom, wherein the robotic arm may be coupled with the device body. Robotic posture transfer assist devices may further include an end-effector removably coupled with the robotic arm, a controller module that provides a control signal to the robotic arm to control a movement of the robotic arm about the plurality of degrees of freedom, and a user input device that provides a command signal to the controller module to command the movement of the robotic arm, wherein the control signal provided by the controller module corresponds with the command signal.