Abstract: An electrical energy system containing fuel cells and a method for operating an electrical energy system for a motor vehicle are provided.

Abstract: A drive unit usable in an electrically assisted wheelchair includes a controller to acquire an output signal from a torque sensor and an output signal from a speed sensor; measure a time period in which a first state, where the output signal from the torque sensor indicates that a forward-direction torque applied to a hand rim has a value no smaller than a first predetermined value, continues; and when the measured time period is a first time period or longer, start control of an electric motor in a cruise control mode by which the electrically assisted wheelchair runs while keeping a running speed at a target speed.

Abstract: A working machine may include a battery box and a battery detachably attached to the battery box. The battery box may include a top cover, and a battery cover having a shape that covers the battery attached to the battery box and being pivotable about a pivot axis with respect to the top cover. When the battery box is viewed in a top plan view in an open state in which the battery cover is open, the battery cover and the top cover may at least partially overlap with each other. When the battery box is viewed in the top plan view in a closed state in which the battery cover is closed, the battery cover and the top cover may at least partially overlap with each other.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for docking a mobile robot to a dock using distinct visual fiducial markers on the dock are disclosed. A mobile robot system is provided that includes a dock and a mobile cleaning robot. The dock includes a first fiducial marker in a first plane on the dock and second one or more fiducial markers in a second plane different from the first plane. The mobile cleaning robot includes a visual system to detect the first and the second one or more fiducial markers, and a controller circuit to recognize the dock, and to determine a pose or heading direction of the mobile cleaning robot based on the detected first and the second one or more fiducial markers. The mobile drive system can adjust its heading direction, and drive to the dock according to the adjusted heading direction.

Abstract: When an autonomous mobile robot is acquires enters a stuck state in which the autonomous mobile robot cannot autonomosly move, an autonomous mobile apparatus control system according to the present disclosure transmits an autonomous cancel notification for notifying the higher-level management apparatus that the autonomous mobile robot cannot autonomosly move, waits for an operation instruction from the higher-level management apparatus after the transmission of the autonomous cancel notification. The higher-level management apparatus gives an operation instruction to the autonomous mobile robot in response to receiving the autonomous cancel notification based on information acquired from at least one of the plurality of environment cameras. The autonomous mobile robot is configured to resume autonomous driving in response to safety confirmation based on a proximity sensor provided in the autonomous mobile robot after operating in accordance with the operation instruction.

Abstract: A robot uses controlled omni-wheels and an arm assembly coupled to a gripper to facilitate the opening of doors. The gripper is rotatable around at least one of its axis to engage and rotate a door handle to unlatch a door. The omni-wheels are driven to move the robot along a curved path to open the door.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating steering controls between towing vehicles and towed vehicles provide more cohesive parking experiences during towing events, including bidirectional charging towing events. The towed vehicle may be controlled to provide assistive parking steering maneuvers to assist the towing vehicle when parking during the towing event. The assistive parking steering maneuver may include maneuvering a drive wheel of the towed vehicle either toward or away from a detected curb or detected traffic, for example.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle (UV) is provided for transmitting data to a payload device connected to the UV. The UV comprises a processor configured to control operations of the UV, a first and a second communication interface for connecting to a payload device, a third communication interface for communicating with a remote station, and a non-transitory memory device storing instructions configured to cause the processor to to receive and transmit data. The processor is configured to receive one or more data packets through the third communication interface from the remote station, transmit the one or more data packets to the payload device through the first communication interface when the one or more data packets are designated for the first communication interface, and transmit the one or more data packets to the payload device through the second communication interface when the one or more data packets are designated for the second communication interface.

Abstract: In a magnetic marker system including a magnetic marker disposed in a travel environment so as to be detectable by a magnetic sensor attached to a vehicle and a server apparatus which acquires detection information of the magnetic marker from each vehicle, the detection information uploaded from a vehicle side to the server apparatus includes marker information, which is identification information of a corresponding magnetic marker, and the server apparatus estimates the state of the magnetic marker based on the detection information from each vehicle.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a vehicle includes hardware systems configured to support the autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of the vehicle. Hardware systems may include a main compute, a brain stem computer (BSC), and an aggregator/compute arrangement or redundant autonomy compute. Such hardware systems may cooperate to allow the vehicle to operate autonomously, and typically provide capabilities, e.g., redundant and/or backup capabilities, configured to enable the vehicle to continue to operate in the event that a primary system is not functioning as expected. The aggregator/compute arrangement may further be comprised of two substantially identical modules or computing assemblies, each configured to process sensor data and perform backup autonomy functionalities and/or teleoperations functionalities.

Abstract: A baby rocking device, adapted to impart a reciprocating cycling rocking movement to a perambulator, push-chair or the like, comprising a single roller, having an electric motor arranged inside the roller, the roller configured for rolling on a floor. The roller includes an inner non-rotating core having two ends portions projecting from opposite ends of the roller and connected to two receiving and supporting members configured for receiving two respective wheels of the perambulator or push-chair, so that the perambulator or push-chair is placed astride the single roller, and a cylindrical outer shell for contact with the floor, which is rotatably mounted on the inner core. The electric motor is carried by the inner core and is provided for actuating the rotation of the outer shell alternately in two opposite directions of rotation, so as to cause rolling of the single roller on the floor alternately in two opposite directions.

Abstract: Energy consumption for a vehicle may be reduced based at least in part on an environment characteristic associated with the environment through which the vehicle travels or an operation characteristic associated with operation of the vehicle, thereby increasing an operational time of the vehicle. In some situations, reducing energy consumption may be associated with operation of one or more of a sensor (e.g., turning the sensor off, reducing a frequency or resolution of the sensor, etc.) and/or one or more processors associated with the vehicle (e.g., turning a processor off, reducing a rate of computation, etc.) based at least in part on one or more of the environment characteristic signal or the operation characteristic signal.

Abstract: An air-pulse generating device includes a membrane structure, a valve structure, and a cover structure. A chamber is formed between the membrane structure, the valve structure and the cover structure. An air wave vibrating at an operating frequency is formed within the chamber. The valve structure is configured to be actuated to perform an open-and-close movement to form at least one opening. The at least one opening connects air inside the chamber with air outside the chamber. The open-and-close movement is synchronous with the operating frequency.

Abstract: A process of providing dynamic industrial vehicle feedback comprises storing in memory, data identifying a vehicle-based event that characterizes an operation of an industrial vehicle. Further, the process comprises storing into memory, operation information collected from an electronic component on the industrial vehicle that is associated with the identified event. The collected operation information characterizes a current operating state of the industrial vehicle as the industrial vehicle is being operated. The process further comprises detecting that the event has occurred based upon the collected operation information and generating an output message based on the detected event and the collected operation information. The output message is then conveyed on the industrial vehicle.

Abstract: A method for providing visual information about at least part of an environment on a display device is disclosed. The method involves detecting a first vehicle travelling ahead by a sensor device, requesting and receiving the visual information about the environment, a view onto which is concealed partly by the first vehicle, capturing an image of a certain part of the environment including at least part of the first vehicle, and displaying the image of the certain part of the environment and the received visual information as a video stream embedded in the image on the display device. When it is determined that an object different from the first vehicle is present in the certain part of the environment and that the object cannot be driven over, the displaying of the visual information is modified so that the at least one object is clearly visible for a driver.

Abstract: A autonomous robotic golf caddy which is capable of following a portable receiver at a pre-determined distance, and which is capable of sensing a potential impending collision with an object in its path and stop prior to said potential impending collision.

Abstract: A transporter vehicle management system includes: a loading weight data acquisition unit that acquires loading weight data indicating a loading weight of a load on a transporter vehicle; a vehicle speed data acquisition unit that acquires vehicle speed data indicating a traveling speed of the transporter vehicle; a road surface data acquisition unit that acquires road surface data indicating a condition of a road surface on which the transporter vehicle travels; a current damage amount calculation unit that calculates a current damage amount of the transporter vehicle on the basis of the loading weight, the traveling speed, and the condition of the road surface; a target amount calculation unit that calculates a target loading weight or a target traveling speed in which the current damage amount is set to a predetermined value; and an output unit that outputs the target loading weight or the target traveling speed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an autonomous cart is provided. The method includes determining a mission type for the autonomous cart and determining a power system for powering the autonomous cart based on the mission type. The method further includes determining a drive system suitable for converting a power delivered by the power system into motive power suitable for moving the autonomous cart based on the power system and the mission type. The method further includes installing the power system onto a chassis of the autonomous cart and installing the drive system onto the chassis of the autonomous cart, wherein the autonomous cart comprises a control system configured to drive the autonomous cart autonomously via the power system and the drive system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media are provided for determining routes within a location. Location information for a location may be obtained. The location information may include terrain information for the location. A set of restricted regions within the location may be determined based on the location information. A set of paths within the location may be determined based on the set of restricted regions. An interface through which information describing the set of paths within the location is accessible may be provided.

Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a vehicle control apparatus or a rear-end collision avoidance apparatus, and may optimally set a reactivation condition for performing reactivation of a rear emergency braking function based on whether an engine operates after the rear emergency braking function is deactivated by a driver's braking input in an operation such as backward parking or the like, a vehicle speed and vehicle traveling distance after the rear emergency braking function is deactivated, a separation distance from an initial stoppage position to an obstacle after the rear emergency braking function is deactivated, and the like, thereby securing both convenience and safety of the driver.

Abstract: A communication system, including: a trailer module disposed on a cargo trailer, the trailer module including a trailer identification number for the cargo trailer; a tractor module disposed on a cargo tractor, the tractor module to electrically couple to the trailer module; and a communications bus to couple the trailer module to the tractor module when the trailer is coupled to the tractor, wherein, when coupled to the tractor module, the trailer module communicates the trailer identification to the tractor module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for reducing a user-sensed weight of a wireless vacuum cleaner including a suctioning pipe and a suction motor disposed on a top of the suctioning pipe, the device comprising: a case disposed adjacent to the suction motor and having a space defined therein, and a rotatable assembly received in the space, wherein the rotatable assembly receives therein a motor and a battery, wherein the rotatable assembly is configured to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise when the motor is activated.

Abstract: A controller in a first vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive a first electrical signal, based on a presence of a first service brake demand associated with a first brake valve on the first vehicle, and a second electrical signal, based on a presence of a second service brake demand associated with a second brake valve on the first vehicle. The controller is capable of determining if at least one of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal indicates the respective presence of the first service brake demand and the second service brake demand. An electrical output port is adapted to transmit an electrical deceleration signal based on the presence of the at least one of the first service brake demand and the second service brake demand. A speed reducing mechanism on a second vehicle is applied based on the electrical deceleration signal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method consisting in using at least one vehicle camera (8, 10, 12) to automatically check whether certain elements of the vehicle (2) are in a safe condition before starting off and in informing the driver of the check results, for example by displaying the check results on the vehicle dashboard.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, and medium, for operating a vehicle. Real-time data related to the vehicle are received. A current mode of operation of the vehicle and a state of the driver present in the vehicle are determined. A first risk associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle is evaluated based on the real-time data and the state of the driver in accordance with a risk model. In response to the first risk satisfying a first criterion, a second risk associated with switching the current mode to a different mode of operation of the vehicle is determined based on the state of the driver. The vehicle is switched from the current mode to the different mode when the second risk satisfies a second criterion.

Abstract: A system includes one or more sensor systems, a controller-circuit, a first module, and a second module. The sensor systems are configured to determine position relationship data between a roadway and a host vehicle. The sensor system includes at least one of a computer-vision system, a radar system, and a LIDAR system. The controller-circuit is configured to receive and transform the position relationship data to effect steering control of the host vehicle. The first module is controlled by the controller-circuit to effect the steering control when the steering control transitions from a manual-mode to an automated mode. The second module is controlled by the controller-circuit to effect steering control of the host vehicle after control by the first module and upon meeting a prescribed condition.

Abstract: An approach for providing a lower cost real time location system in less trafficked areas of a building. This approach uses on-board audio capabilities of a mobile device to receive a room response trace resulting from a self-generated acoustic signal. By comparing the room response trace to a modeled room response trace, the location of the mobile device is determined.

Abstract: Various aspects of a system, a method, and a computer program product for determining a distance to the object on a road are disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment, the system includes a memory and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive visual data, location data and motion data of the vehicle corresponding to the first instance in time, and map data corresponding to the location data. The processor may be configured to calculate a distance of the vehicle from the object based on the visual data. The processor may be further configured to validate the location data, the motion data, and the calculated distance of the vehicle from the object, based on the map data. The processor may be further configured to generate output data corresponding to the object, based on the validated location data, the validated motion data, and the validated distance of the vehicle from the object.

Abstract: A driver assistance system and method are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for actively modifying a field of view of an autonomous vehicle in view of constraints are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example method is disclosed that includes causing a sensor in an autonomous vehicle to sense information about an environment in a first field of view, where a portion of the environment is obscured in the first field of view. The example method further includes determining a desired field of view in which the portion of the environment is not obscured and, based on the desired field of view and a set of constraints for the vehicle, determining a second field of view in which the portion of the environment is less obscured than in the first field of view. The example method further includes modifying a position of the vehicle, thereby causing the sensor to sense information in the second field of view.

Abstract: Each of a pair of left and right vehicle head lamps includes a plurality of optical units in a lamp chamber. A variable light distribution type optical unit that changes a light distribution mode of a high beam depending on a surrounding state and a traveling state of a vehicle is disposed in a first vehicle head lamp on a passenger seat side, and a figure drawing optical unit capable of forming a desired figure on a road surface in front of the vehicle by emitted light is disposed at a position symmetrical to the variable light distribution type optical unit in a second vehicle head lamp on a driver seat side.

Abstract: An automated lawn mower has a frame that is attached to a conventional lawn mower to retrofit the conventional lawn mower for automated lawn cutting operations. In some embodiments, one or more wheels of the conventional lawn mower are removed, and the frame is coupled to the lawn mower at one or more connection points for the removed wheels. The frame is coupled to a motor, a controller, and a plurality of wheels. During operation, the motor drives the wheels under the control of the controller in order to move the automated lawn mower over a lawn for grass cutting operations.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for ground distance calculations using sanitized location data. One method comprises a service provider obtaining: (i) a geographic zone identifier of multiple predefined geographic zones of a first location of a user, and (ii) a first distance between the first location of the user and multiple reference points that define boundaries of the predefined geographic zones; the service provider obtaining: (i) a geographic zone identifier of the multiple predefined geographic zones of a second location of the user, and (ii) a second distance between the first location of the user and the multiple reference points; and computing a ground distance between the first location and the second location by selecting a subset of the multiple reference points based at least in part on the relative geographic zones of the current and second locations. The user may: (i) estimate the first location and calculate the first distance; and/or (ii) compute the first and second distances.

Abstract: When an industrial vehicle encounters a geo-feature, one or more messages for conveyance on the industrial vehicle are determined based on a current operating state of the industrial vehicle and an expected operating condition associated with the encountered geo-feature. In an example implementation, the geo-feature can implement aisle control in a warehouse or similar environment to ensure that only authorized vehicles are permitted to enter the aisle. Here, authorization may be predicated upon an assigned task from a warehouse management system. In another example implementation, the industrial vehicle includes a display that provides a graphical representation of the geo-feature.

Abstract: A method for determining kinematics of a target includes generating a measured trace of a target position, speed, and angle of a target relative to an ego vehicle. The radius of the curve that the target is taking is calculated, using the generated trace. A number of paths possible to be followed by the target are projected, expressed as abstract movement functions of a polynomial degree and using as input the calculated radius. At each further cycle, higher probabilities are added to the paths projected in a previous measuring cycle which are equal with the newly projected ones. The projected paths are kept if the radius remains the same as in the previous measuring cycle. The current kinematics values are computed by smoothing filtering as predicted kinematics values, which are compared with the kinematics values resulted from the projected paths, to determine the final kinematics values.

Abstract: An automatic driving vehicle is appropriately fielded into a travel route. Provided is an automatic driving vehicle that is controlled by an operation management center, and has an automatic mode to automatically travel along a set travel route. An input to shift to the automatic mode is performed by an operator, a travel start instruction is received from the operation management center, a state of waiting for a start manipulation by the operator is provided, and in the start manipulation waiting state, in a case where the start manipulation is performed and a case where the start manipulation is not performed and a predetermined time elapses, start is performed to start travel in the automatic mode.

Abstract: A robotic assistant comprises a plurality of sensors in a compact and unobtrusive form. One or more sensors may be emplaced upon a mast that may be selectively raised and lowered. The mast allows the robotic assistant to acquire images or other sensor data from a greater height, without substantially increasing the bulk of the robotic assistant. For ease of transport from one floor to another or from one building to another, the robotic assistant may deploy a handhold that a human may use to pick up and carry the robotic assistant. Floor characterization sensors may be used to determine characteristics of the floor such as if the floor is wet or dry. The robotic assistant may be used to provide a user with access to network services, to monitor a facility, provide telepresence services, and so forth.

Abstract: The technology provided herein relates to a roadside infrastructure sensing system for Intelligent Road Infrastructure Systems (IRIS) and, in particular, to devices, systems, and methods for data fusion and communication that provide proactive sensing support to connected and automated vehicle highway (CAVH) systems.

Abstract: A disclosed vehicle guidance system includes a transceiver receiving information indicative of operating conditions of other vehicles along a roadway and a controller within a primary vehicle. The controller utilizes the received information indicative of operating conditions to determine a recommended vehicle path along the roadway responsive to the operation of the other vehicles, the position of the primary vehicle and a scenario selected based on both the information of operation of other vehicles and the position of the primary vehicle received by the controller. A communication device communicates the recommended vehicle path to the operator of the primary vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic driving vehicle is appropriately fielded into a travel route. Provided is an automatic driving vehicle that is controlled by an operation management center, and has an automatic mode to automatically travel along a set travel route. An input to shift to the automatic mode is performed by an operator, a travel start instruction is received from the operation management center, a state of waiting for a start manipulation by the operator is provided, and in the start manipulation waiting state, in a case where the start manipulation is performed and a case where the start manipulation is not performed and a predetermined time elapses, start is performed to start travel in the automatic mode.

Abstract: Various examples of a controller, method and system for determining positions of a tractor-trailer vehicle train are disclosed. In one example a tractor controller is manually-initiated or a user-initiated tractor controller and includes an electrical control port for receiving an electrical start signal, and a communications port for receiving data. A processing unit of the tractor controller includes control logic and is in communication with the electrical control port. The control logic is capable of receiving, in response to the electrical start signal, a data signal at the communications port which includes a GPS signal and a unique identification which corresponds to the towed vehicle. At a predetermined response time, the tractor controller determines the position of the towed vehicle in the tractor-trailer vehicle train based on the data received from the towed vehicles.

Abstract: An automated valet parking system identifies a node section where a target vehicle is located based on position information on nodes corresponding to passages in a parking place and on a vehicle position, identifies target nodes that are a predetermined number of the nodes including a next-passing node that is one of not-yet-passed nodes of the target vehicle and is the node that the target vehicle will pass next on a target route, acquires node information associated with the target nodes based on the target nodes and parking place map information, and gives an instruction to the target vehicle by sending the node information on driving boundaries and targets associated with the target nodes to the target vehicle based on the results of a node information acquisition unit, a node section identification unit, and a target node identification unit.

Abstract: An artificial intelligence robot cleaner is provided. The artificial intelligence robot cleaner includes a driving unit configured to drive the artificial intelligence robot cleaner, a cleaning unit configured to remove contaminant, a rear camera configured to photograph a rear area of the artificial intelligence robot cleaner, and a processor configured to determine whether cleaning of an already cleaned area is completed by using the image of the rear area of the artificial intelligence robot cleaner, and if the cleaning is not completed, control the driving unit and the cleaning unit to reclean the area where the cleaning is not completed.

Abstract: An automatic guided vehicles (AGV) can include: motors, wheels, motor controllers, and batteries coupled to an elongated frame. The two wheels can be mounted on opposite sides of the elongated frame. The wheels can be coupled to motors which can be controlled by motor controllers. The motors and motor controllers can be attached to the frame. The center of gravity can be lower than the axis of rotation of the wheels so that the AGV will passively rotated into an upright position. A connector flange can be mounted on top of a payload holder column mounted to a center portion of the AGV frame. Objects can be mounted on or towed by the connector flange.

Abstract: A complex dielectric sensor includes at least two voltage dividers to measure voltage amplitudes in a circuit of at least two impedances connected to a transducer probe. The impedances are configured to reduce amplification of raw error using relatively simple geometric calculations based on mapping the voltage amplitudes as a pair of intersecting circles in a complex admittance space. Instrument sensitivity can be optimized by selecting impedances with moduli in the complex admittance space that are similar in magnitude to the modulus of the sample admittance and by selecting impedances that cause characteristic directions of the voltage dividers (relative to the sample admittance in the complex admittance space) to be oriented as close to perpendicular to each other as possible.

Abstract: An automatic parking system includes a sensor detecting parking areas depending on a size of a subject vehicle and a controller controlling the subject vehicle to be parked in an optimal parking area among the parking areas, in which the sensor may detect the parking areas in consideration of a length and a width of the subject vehicle and detect a spaced distance from surrounding vehicles positioned on a side of the subject vehicle in the optimal parking area and the controller may calculate a moving path between a current position of the subject vehicle and the optimal parking area and compare a predetermined reference distance and the spaced distances to control the subject vehicle.

Abstract: An obstacle avoiding guidance system includes a processing device and a guidance device. The processing device sets a movement range in a certain field. The guidance device is disposed on a vehicle and has a detection module, a positioning module, and a calculation module. The detection module detects the current position of the user. The positioning module detects the current position of the vehicle and generates a position signal. The calculation module compares the position signal with the movement range for controlling the vehicle to follow the user in the movement range. Therefore, the vehicle is prevented from entering an improper area and able to effectively follow the user.

Abstract: A smoke and fire source detection system including a flexible printed circuit board with a film substrate and an electrical conductor layer formed on the film substrate, which includes a two-dimensional conductor path pattern. The flexible printed circuit board includes a first end portion with an electronic control device and a data and energy supply interface coupled to the electronic control device, a second end portion with an ground connection, a data and energy supply conductor path formed in the electrical conductor layer between the data and energy supply interface of the first end portion and a ground connection of the second end portion, and one or more sensor module portions which are arranged at different longitudinal extension positions along the flexible printed circuit board between the first end portion and the second end portion and which each include a temperature sensor and/or smoke detector.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive an instruction to revoke an authorization for an operator to operate a vehicle; after receiving the instruction, permit the operator to operate the vehicle until the vehicle is turned off and a condition is met; and upon the vehicle being off and the condition being met, prevent the operator from operating the vehicle. The condition depends on a status of the vehicle.

Abstract: An autonomous grain cart includes a width less than or equal to a distance from an end of the header of an agricultural vehicle to a lateral side of the agricultural vehicle, wherein the end and the lateral side are on a same longitudinal side of a lateral centerline of the agricultural vehicle, wherein the autonomous grain cart is configured to receive grain from the agricultural vehicle. The autonomous grain cart also includes a controller, comprising a processor and a memory. The autonomous grain cart further includes a drive system communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the drive system to propel the autonomous grain cart. The autonomous grain cart also includes a steering system communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the steering system to steer the autonomous grain cart.