Abstract: A method comprises receiving a first set of data associated with a plurality of retroreflective features from a vehicle; retrieving a digital map comprising vectorized data associated with the plurality of retroreflective features and a location associated with the plurality of retroreflective features, the map previously generated based on monitoring a second set of data retrieved from a sensor of a second vehicle where the second set of data is associated with the plurality of retroreflective features near a road being driven by the second vehicle; generating a score for each retroreflective feature indicating a match between each retroreflective feature as indicated within the digital map and a location of each retroreflective feature as identified within the first set of data; and localizing the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an offshore anchor system comprising two or more helical anchors, each having a predetermined length; and a template acting as a base connecting the two or more helical anchors. Some embodiments further comprise a skirt protruding from the periphery of the template in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the two or more helical anchors thereby providing additional lateral support.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform. The articulation subsystem includes an articulation joint that has a plurality of concentric discs and a center beam assembly. A distal end of the center beam assembly couples the plurality of concentric discs to the end effector. The proximal end of the center beam assembly couples the plurality of concentric discs to the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform. A maypole tube is further provided, around which one or more articulation cables can wrap when the end effector is rotated.

Abstract: Systems and methods of predicting a grade of a road upon which a vehicle is traveling are disclosed. An autonomous vehicle system can receive sensor data from a sensor measuring a response from at least one mechanical component of the autonomous vehicle as the autonomous vehicle navigates a road; detect a speed of the autonomous vehicle; determine a predicted grade of the road based on the sensor data and the speed; and navigate the autonomous vehicle based on the predicted grade of the road.

Abstract: A method comprises monitoring, by a processor, using a sensor of a first vehicle, data associated with a retroreflective feature near a road being driven by the first vehicle; vectorizing, by the processor, the data associated with the retroreflective feature; generating, by the processor, a digital map including vectorized data associated with the retroreflective feature and a location associated with the retroreflective feature; receiving, by the processor, data associated with the retroreflective feature from a second vehicle; and executing, by the processor, a localization protocol to identify a location of the second vehicle using the digital map.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform. The end effector includes a jaw. The end effector includes an anvil coupled to the jaw and movable between an open position, a grasping position, and a clamping position. The end effector includes a knife slidably coupled to the anvil to move the anvil between the open position, the grasping position, and the clamping position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a group anchor system, subsea installation tool and method of install such group anchor systems. The group anchor system includes a template through which a plurality of vertical piles, such as helical piles, are passed, drilled into the seabed at one end and secured to the template at the other to provide a mooring anchor for an offshore asset. The installation tool is a modular tool designed to mate with the group anchor system. Each module including drive mechanism for engaging and driving a pile. The piles may be driven simultaneously, individually, or in groups as required for proper placement and leveling. Methods of using the installation tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: A truck bed camping and storage platform is provided. The platform is capable of being installed and removed from the rear (tailgate) of the pickup truck without the need to enter the truck bed. The platform is capable of providing cargo storage space between the platform support legs below, and a surface to sleep on above that is not constrained by the wheel wells in the truck bed. There may also be small side compartments for storage outside the legs of the baseframe of the platform and in front of and/or behind one or more of the wheel wells of the truck. The platform has the capability to be disassembled when not in use for easier storage and transportation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a group anchor system, subsea installation tool and method of install such group anchor systems. The group anchor system includes a template through which a plurality of vertical piles, such as helical piles, are passed, drilled into the seabed at one end and secured to the template at the other to provide a mooring anchor for an offshore asset. The installation tool is a modular tool designed to mate with the group anchor system. Each module including drive mechanism for engaging and driving a pile. The piles may be driven simultaneously, individually, or in groups as required for proper placement and leveling. Methods of using the installation tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a group anchor system, subsea installation tool and method of install such group anchor systems. The group anchor system includes a template through which a plurality of vertical piles, such as helical piles, are passed, drilled into the seabed at one end and secured to the template at the other to provide a mooring anchor for an offshore asset. The installation tool is a modular tool designed to mate with the group anchor system. Each module including drive mechanism for engaging and driving a pile. The piles may be driven simultaneously, individually, or in groups as required for proper placement and leveling. Methods of using the installation tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an offshore anchor system comprising two or more helical anchors, each having a predetermined length; and a template acting as a base connecting the two or more helical anchors. Some embodiments further comprise a skirt protruding from the periphery of the template in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the two or more helical anchors thereby providing additional lateral support.

Abstract: A photographic payload augmentation device is provided. The photographic payload augmentation device comprises a ring including a ring body, wherein the ring body comprises a magnetic material, and wherein the ring is configured to mount onto a photographic payload device. The device further includes a plurality of weight units, wherein at least one of the plurality of weight units is magnetically mountable onto the magnetic material of the ring body. The another embodiment, the photographic payload augmentation device comprises a ring including a ring body, wherein the ring comprises a ferromagnetic metal material, and wherein the ring is configured to mount onto a photographic payload device. Further, this embodiment includes a plurality of magnetized weight units, wherein at least one of the plurality of magnetized weight units is magnetically mountable onto the magnetic material of the ring body.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for assessing similarity between audio files, such as music files. The system converts test audio files and training audio files from a first format to a second format that includes audio metric identifiers. The system further generates training a graph database and a test graph database using associations between a first set of converted training or test files and a second set of training or test files. The training graph database is used to train a neural network. The neural network generates a set of associations between the first and second sets of the test audio files as part of creating a neural graph database. The system compares the test graph database to the neural graph database to assess a similarity that is used to update the neural network.

Abstract: A photographic payload augmentation device is provided. The photographic payload augmentation device comprises a ring including a ring body, wherein the ring body comprises a magnetic material, and wherein the ring is configured to mount onto a photographic payload device. The device further includes a plurality of weight units, wherein at least one of the plurality of weight units is magnetically mountable onto the magnetic material of the ring body. The another embodiment, the photographic payload augmentation device comprises a ring including a ring body, wherein the ring comprises a ferromagnetic metal material, and wherein the ring is configured to mount onto a photographic payload device. Further, this embodiment includes a plurality of magnetized weight units, wherein at least one of the plurality of magnetized weight units is magnetically mountable onto the magnetic material of the ring body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vaporizable substance application tool having an integrated ideal temperature indicator. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an applicator, a thermocouple, and a temperature indicator. The applicator is positioned on a first end of the apparatus to apply a vaporizable substance onto a heatable surface. The thermocouple is positioned on a second end of the apparatus. The temperature indicator is positioned between the applicator and the thermocouple. In addition, the temperature indicator of the apparatus visually indicates different temperature states. In a first state, a background of the temperature indicator illuminates in a first color when the temperature is below an ideal range. In a second state, the background of the temperature indicator illuminates in a second color when the temperature is within the ideal range. In a third state, the background of the temperature indicator illuminates in a third color when the temperature exceeds the ideal range.

Abstract: A photographic payload augmentation device includes a ring defining a ring body for mounting onto a photographic payload device and a plurality of weight plugs. The ring body has a plurality of recesses so that a respective weight may be selectively inserted within a respective recess. The ring body may be cylindrically shaped and may also include an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall, a top face and a bottom face. Each recess is defined by a recess sidewall and terminates at a bottom wall located intermediate the top face and the bottom face. The ring body may still further define a plurality of apertures wherein a respective aperture is located between respective recess sidewalls of adjacent recesses of the plurality of recesses. The bottom wall may also define a plurality of slots wherein a respective slot communicates with a respective recess of the plurality of recesses.

Abstract: Devices can be configured to substantially maintain the serving temperature of a beverage, such as individual beers in a beer flight. In one or more arrangements, a device can include a housing portion and an insert portion. The insert portion can be selectively received in a passage in the housing portion. The insert portion can include an insert body, a cover, and a cold pack. The cover can be attached to the insert body. The cold pack can be received in a space substantially enclosed by the insert body and the cover. A portion of the cover can be exposed to an exterior of the device. When a drinking vessel is directly supported on an exposed portion of the cover, the cold pack can draw thermal energy from a beverage in the drinking vessel across the cover. In some cases, the device can be configured as a beer flight paddle.