Abstract: Electric motors are disclosed. The motors are preferably for use in an automated vehicle, although any one or more of a variety of motor uses are suitable. The motors include lift, turntable, and locomotion motors.

Abstract: A docking station for charging a robot including an electrical charger assembly affixed to the charger docking station and configured to mate with an electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is docked at the docking station for charging. There is at least one compliant member interconnecting the electrical charger assembly to a portion of the docking station to allow movement of the electrical charger assembly relative to the electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is mating with the docking station.

Abstract: A grading control system may have a lift actuator to raise or lower a work implement, and a tilt actuator to tilt the work implement. The grading control system may also have a first sensor that communicates a signal indicative of a position of the work implement, and a second sensor that communicates a signal indicative of a position of the machine frame. The grading control system may have a controller to determine a track plane of the machine and a desired grade relative to the track plane. Further, the controller may determine an orientation of the work implement relative to the track plane to maintain the desired grade based on the sensor signals. The controller may also be configured to actuate one or both of the lift and the tilt actuators to orient the work implement according to the determined orientation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for navigating an autonomous vehicle using reinforcement learning techniques.

Abstract: A parking guidance system and method and an automatic parking system. The method includes: detecting corners of a marked parking space; planning a vehicle's parking path based on the corners; and providing parking guidance based on the parking path. The planned parking path includes: a first straight path the vehicle will travel straight to a first turning point; a first turning path the vehicle will turn a first angle from the first turning point along the circumference of a first turning circle; a second straight path the vehicle will travel from the end point of the first turning path to a second turning point; a second turning path the vehicle will turn a second angle from the second turning point along the circumference of a second turning circle; and an intra-parking-space path the vehicle will travel from the end point of the second turning point to a stop point.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system includes an on-board charger for receiving electrical power from an EVSE. The system includes a memory for storing routine charging location data and a plurality of timer functions. The system includes a sensor for detecting data. The system further includes an ECU for determining whether the on-board charger is located at a routine charging location. The ECU controls the on-board charger to receive the electrical power when the on-board charger is located at a routine charging location and a current time of day is within the time of day defined by the timer function and controls the on-board charger to receive the electrical power when the on-board charger is located at a non-routine charging location regardless of the current time of day. The system includes an output device designed to output data indicating that the on-board charger is receiving the electrical power from the EVSE.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for navigating an autonomous vehicle using reinforcement learning techniques.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes: a rotary electric machine configured to generate a driving force for driving driving wheels; a driving battery storing power to drive the rotary electric machine; a converter connected to the driving battery; an auxiliary battery connected to the driving battery via the converter; and a cooling box connected to the auxiliary battery. When the driving battery has an SOC reduced to be smaller than a prescribed threshold value, the converter is stopped and power remaining in the auxiliary battery is used to drive the cooling box.

Abstract: A method for energy management robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.

Abstract: A work vehicle support system includes: an own vehicle position detecting module configured to detect an own vehicle position of a work vehicle; and a work-unfinished region outer-shape map calculating section configured to calculate, during circulating work-traveling along an outer perimeter of a work scheduled region, an outer-shape map of a work-unfinished region in the work scheduled region, from own vehicle position data acquired by the own vehicle position detecting module.

Abstract: A method of mowing an area with an autonomous mowing robot comprises storing, in non-transient memory of the robot, a set of geospatially referenced perimeter data corresponding to positions of the mowing robot as the mowing robot is guided about a perimeter of an area to be mowed, removing from the set of perimeter data one or more data points thereby creating a redacted data set and controlling the mowing robot to autonomously mow an area bounded by a boundary corresponding to the redacted data set, including altering direction of the mowing robot at or near a position corresponding to data in the redacted data set so as to redirect the robot back into the bounded area.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods, devices, and robotic vehicles that adjust a proximity threshold implemented in a collision avoidance system based on whether a payload is being carried. Methods may include determining whether a payload is carried by the robotic vehicle, setting a proximity threshold for collision avoidance in response to determining that a payload is carried by the robotic vehicle, and controlling one or more motors of the robotic vehicle using the proximity threshold for collision avoidance. Some embodiments may include raising the proximity threshold when a payload is not being carried or decreasing proximity threshold when a payload is being carried. Some embodiments may include determining a classification of a payload and setting the proximity threshold based at least in part on the classification.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating and controlling vehicles, for example heavy trucks, to follow closely behind each other, or linking to form a platoon. In one aspect, on-board controllers in each vehicle interact with vehicular sensors to monitor and control, for example, relative distance, relative acceleration or deceleration, and speed. In some aspects, vehicle onboard systems supply various data (breadcrumbs) to a Network Operations Center (NOC), which in turn provides data (authorization data) to the vehicles to facilitate platooning. The NOC suggests vehicles for platooning based on, for example, travel forecasts and analysis of relevant roadways to identify platoonable roadway segments. The NOC also can provide traffic, roadway, weather, or system updates, as well as various instructions. In some aspects, a mesh network ensures improved communication among vehicles and with the NOC. In some aspects, a vehicle onboard system may provide the authorization data.

Abstract: An apparatus for outputting platooning information by a platooning vehicle in a platooning group may include: one or more lamps configured to project light onto a road; a communication circuit; a controller configured to control a platooning operation of the vehicle; and a control circuit electrically connected with the one or more lamps, the communication circuit, and the controller. The control circuit may be configured to: control the one or more lamps so as to output on the road a distance range between the platooning vehicle and an outside vehicle that is not part of the platooning group when a request from the outside vehicle to join the platooning group is approved by the platooning vehicle or a leading vehicle of the platooning group. The distance range may be a distance required to join the platooning group.

Abstract: Trajectory planning for an autonomous vehicle is disclosed. A method for planning a trajectory for an autonomous vehicle includes determining a coarse driveline from a first location to a second location; determining a strategic speed plan for the coarse driveline; removing lateral discontinuities in the coarse driveline based on the strategic speed plan to generate an adjusted coarse driveline; and generating lateral constraints around the adjusted coarse driveline and a discrete-time speed plan based on observed objects.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of haptic locomotion use one or more actuators to: 1) determine the properties of contact surfaces to improve various applications that use haptic locomotion; 2) automatically improve power transfer efficiency during wireless charging or cellular or wireless signal reception; 3) increase device accessibility for visually or hearing impaired users; 4) improve speaker and microphone performance; 5) protect a free falling mobile device from impact damage by orienting the mobile device to a low-risk orientation during free fall, or by driving the mobile device away from a high-risk orientation during free fall; and 6) control asymmetric surface friction using a directional magnetic field provided by an actuator to improve haptic locomotion in a desired direction of travel.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes an environment information detecting unit configured to obtain environment information regarding at least a portion of a cleaning area, a first communication unit configured to transmit and receive data to and from a different device positioned within the cleaning area, and a control unit configured to generate a control command regarding the different device in order to adjust the obtained environment information.

Abstract: One variation of a method for detecting and responding to hazards within a store includes: autonomously navigating toward an area of a floor of the store; recording a thermal image of the area; recording a depth map of the area of the floor; detecting a thermal gradient in the thermal image; scanning a region of the depth map, corresponding to the thermal gradient detected in the thermal image, for a height gradient; in response to detecting the thermal gradient in the thermal image and in response to detecting absence of a height gradient in the region of the depth map, predicting presence of a fluid within the area of the floor; and serving a prompt to remove the fluid from the area of the floor of the store to a computing device affiliated with the store.

Abstract: A method for energy management robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an automated driving control device, a system including the automated driving control device, and a method of automated driving control. The automated driving control device may include: a high-precision lane-level road map storage storing a high-precision lane-level road map; a position recognition controller recognizing a current position of a vehicle based on the high-precision lane-level road map, position recognition information, and vehicle control information; and a vehicle controller generating a path for driving to a destination based on the position of the vehicle recognized by the position recognition controller and obstacle recognition information, and controlling driving of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cleaning robot is provided. The cleaning robot includes a sensor configured to sense obstacle information, and a controller configured to generate a map based on sensed values obtained by the sensor, analyze a structure of the generated map by detecting a region segmentation point from the map, and generate a map image based on an analysis result.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for a robot (e.g., cleaning robot) to produce a bird's eye view (planar) map by transforming from a robot camera view and stitching together images tagged by location. The planar map can then be presented on a user interface as a floorplan, showing the location of objects (such as rugs). A camera is mounted in the cleaning robot sufficiently high in the cleaning robot housing to provide an angled view downward at a floor. The camera's field of view is captured as an image, and a portion or segment of that image is cropped. The cropped segment is transformed from the camera perspective to a planar view (before or after cropping), and is combined with other images to form a map of a floorplan.

Abstract: A method of moving an automated guided vehicle (AGV) to a target position relative to an object having two characteristic features, wherein the target position lies on a connecting line between the two characteristic features or is located at a distance from the connecting line. The method includes moving the AGV to a position where distances to the characteristic features can be determined; determining a first distance between the current position and the first characteristic feature, and a second distance between the current position and the second characteristic feature; automatically moving the AGV in translation with a superposed first rotation, wherein the direction of the first rotation depends on the first and second distances; and automatically moving the AGV in translation with a superposed second rotation, wherein the second rotation is opposite in direction to the first rotation. The steps are repeated until a termination condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Provided herein is a robot cleaner. The robot cleaner includes a main body, a driving unit provided in the main body and supplying power for traveling of the robot cleaner, first and second rotary members respectively rotating about first and second rotational axes based on power from the driving unit and allowing cleaners for wet cleaning to be fixed thereto, a sensing unit sensing whether a traveling position of the robot cleaner is below an obstacle, and a controller controlling, when it is determined that the traveling position of the robot cleaner is below the obstacle on the basis of a sensing signal from the sensing unit, the driving unit such that the robot cleaner avoids a lower side of the obstacle.

Abstract: A method for autonomous operation of a compression apparatus for compressing a ground, the method comprising the steps: choosing a surface to be processed of the ground; preparing the compression apparatus or at least a portion of the surface to be processed so that the compression apparatus automatically processes the surface to be processed in an autonomous operation so that substantially each spot of the surface to be processed is processed at least once; moving a position-determination device along a path which represents at least a portion of an outer boundary of the surface to be processed and capturing position data by the position determination device at least in an intermittent manner while moving the position determination device along the path; generating electronic information regarding a position of the outer boundary of the surface to be processed based on captured position data of the path.

Abstract: A navigation system for a host vehicle is provided. The system may comprise at least one processing device programmed to receive, from a camera, a plurality of images representative of an environment of the host vehicle; analyze the plurality of images to identify a navigational state associated with the host vehicle; determine a first predefined navigational constraint and a second predefined navigational constraint implicated by the navigational state; determine, based on the identified navigational state, a first navigational action for the host vehicle where both the first predefined navigational constraint and the second predefined navigational constraint can be satisfied; determine, based on the identified navigational state, a second navigational action for the host vehicle where the first predefined navigational constraint and the second predefined navigational constraint cannot both be satisfied; and cause at least one adjustment of a navigational actuator of the host vehicle.

Abstract: A manual robot control by which a reference point of the robot is moved continually in space or positioned on an adjacent snap point depending on the control input.

Abstract: Unmanned vehicles can be terrestrial, aerial, nautical, or multi-mode. Unmanned vehicles may be used to survey a property in response to or in anticipation of damage to the property. For example, an unmanned vehicle may analyze information about the property and based on the information initiate an insurance claim for damage to the property.

Abstract: A transport system includes a track, overhead transport vehicles, and a controller. The controller provides a traveling command to travel to a destination point, to a first overhead transport vehicle that is able to receive a transport command to acquire a FOUP from a station and that is less than a first distance from the station. When a second of the overhead transport vehicles that is able to receive the transport command and is less than the first distance from the station, is detected before providing the transport command to the overhead first transport vehicle, the controller provides the traveling command to the second overhead transport vehicle. Then, the controller provides the transport command to the one of the first and second overhead transport vehicles that first passes through the destination point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for charging an auxiliary battery of a vehicle including a driving motor. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for charging an auxiliary battery of a vehicle including a driving motor, includes: a driving distance detector detecting a driving distance of the vehicle; a timer detecting time lapsing from a specific time; a main battery SOC detector detecting a state of charge (SOC) of a main battery; an auxiliary battery SOC detector detecting an SOC of the auxiliary battery; and a controller operated by a program set to control an operation of a DC converter based on signals of the driving distance detector, the timer, the main battery SOC detector, and the auxiliary battery SOC detector.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for managing I/O requests to a storage array of storage devices in a machine having a processor node and device adaptor. In response to initiating a rebuild of data in the storage array, the device adaptor determines whether a remaining fault tolerance at the storage array comprises a non-zero fault tolerance that permits at least one further storage device to fail and still allow recovery of data stored in the storage array. In response to determining that the remaining fault tolerance is a zero fault tolerance that does not permit at least one storage device to fail and allow recovery of data, the device adaptor sends a message to the processor node to cause the processor node to initiate an emergency protocol to terminate a mission critical operation when the processor node is performing the mission critical operation.

Abstract: In one aspect, a mobile robot includes a chassis, a shell moveably mounted on the chassis by a shell suspension system, and a sensor assembly configured to sense a distance and a direction of shell movement relative to the chassis. The sensor assembly includes a magnet disposed on an underside of the shell. The sensor assembly further includes three or more Hall effect sensors disposed on the chassis in a triangular pattern at fixed distances such that the three or more Hall effect sensors are positioned beneath the magnet when no force is applied to the shell, wherein relative motion between the magnet and the Hall effect sensors causes the sensors to produce differing output signals. The mobile robot also includes a controller configured to receive output signals from the Hall effect sensors and to determine a distance and a direction of movement of the shell relative to the chassis.

Abstract: An autonomous machine for the application of paint to a targeted application area. The autonomous machine operates with complete autonomy to paint a room without guidance or intervention. The autonomous machine includes a propulsion system to generate movement along a surface, a sensor system that generate signals representative of conditions during the painting to a targeted application area, and a control system that is in communication with the propulsion system and applicator system. In operation the autonomous machine automatically moves to and along walls that need to be painted. The autonomous machine detects the boundaries of the walls. A sensor head on the autonomous machine scans the walls, detecting and accommodating for any obstacles such as windows and windows trim present on the walls. Pressurized paint is then moved from a reservoir in the autonomous machine to the applicator and the applicator begins applying paint to the targeted application area.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus includes a position detection device, and an autonomous mobile body. The position detection device includes input means for inputting route data, a distance sensor, map data, position identification means, and relative route calculation means for calculating a relative position and a relative angle to a position of the target point from the position data and the route data of the mobile body. The autonomous mobile body includes a controller that controls an autonomous travel of the autonomous mobile body itself by using the relative position and the relative angle received from the position detection device as control signals.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a battery, a host processing complex, and a management system. The battery includes a battery power level gauge that determines a power level of the battery. The management system includes a wireless transceiver. When the host processing complex is unpowered, the management system is coupled to receive power from the battery and provides a first indication of the power level of the battery via the wireless transceiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for initializing a robot to autonomously travel a route are disclosed. In some exemplary implementations, a robot can detect an initialization object and then determine its position relative to that initialization object. The robot can then learn a route by user demonstration, where the robot associates actions along that route with positions relative to the initialization object. The robot can later detect the initialization object again and determine its position relative to that initialization object. The robot can then autonomously navigate the learned route, performing actions associated with positions relative to the initialization object.

Abstract: Embodiments for accurately tracking objects in three-dimensional space by at least one processor device. Inter-device communications are sent between a plurality of stationary radio frequency elements to triangulate a three-dimensional position between the plurality of stationary radio frequency elements and a tracking element registerable to a user, the tracking element also in radio frequency communication with the plurality of stationary radio frequency elements. The tracking element moves, and is tracked by, the plurality of stationary radio frequency elements through the three-dimensional space.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for monitoring a plurality of articles that are arranged on a support surface according to an article arrangement modeled with a first processing device. One of the methods includes receiving image data generated from the modeled article arrangement. The image data is received by a second processing device, and is indicative of an image of the arranged articles on the support surface. The received image data is used to inspect the arranged articles.

Abstract: A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.

Abstract: A path controller for guiding an autonomous vehicle along a desired path may include an input module that may receive input signals such as, a normal error signal that indicates an off-path deviation of the autonomous vehicle relative to a desired path, a heading signal, and a curvature signal associated with the autonomous vehicle. The path controller may also include a curvature rate module that calculates a curvature rate output signal to guide the autonomous vehicle along the desired path and a communication module that communicates the curvature rate output signal to a steering control system.

Abstract: A method for collecting machine operation data of a machine is disclosed. Initially, first and second sensor data is determined by a mobile sensor of a mobile device processor located on or within a machine. A first dynamic characteristic is determined based on at least one of the first and second sensor data. Next, the mobile device connects wirelessly to an external computing platform and the first dynamic characteristic is transmitted from the mobile device to the external computing platform. Third and fourth sensor data are determined by the mobile sensor. A second dynamic characteristic is determined based on at least one of the third and fourth sensor data. The second dynamic characteristic is transmitted to the external computing platform. A first dynamic change is determined based on the first and second dynamic characteristics. A first operation performed by the machine is determined based on the first dynamic change.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for providing a vehicle control system are described herein. A system for managing a vehicle comprises: a vehicle control system of a vehicle having access to a network, including: a communication module to interface with at least one of: a mobile device, the vehicle, and environmental sensors coupled to the vehicle; and a configuration module to identify a mitigation operation to be taken when predetermined factors exist; wherein the vehicle control system is to identify a potential obstacle in a travel route of the vehicle and initiate a mitigation operation at the vehicle.

Abstract: A robot lawnmower includes a robot body, a drive system, a localizing system, a teach monitor, and a controller in communication with one another. The drive system is configured to maneuver the robot lawnmower over a lawn. The teach monitor determines whether the robot lawnmower is in a teachable state. The controller includes a data processing device and non-transitory memory in communication with the data processing device. The data processing device executes a teach routine when the controller is in a teach mode for tracing a confinement perimeter around the lawn as a human operator pilots the robot lawn mower, when the robot lawnmower is in the teachable state, the teach routine stores global positions determined by the localizing system in the non-transitory memory, and when the robot lawnmower is in the unteachable state, the teach routine issues an indication of the unteachable state.

Abstract: A control method and system for adjusting the relative position of a mobile household with respect to a human is provided by the present disclosure. The mobile household device obtains the location information of the target object at multiple time points, and, according to the obtained location information, determines the current moving direction and positional relation of the target object relative to the mobile household device, and moves to the dominant hand side of the target object according to preset conditions. By detecting and analyze the state of the user, the mobile household device can actively adjust its motion, thus improving its intelligence level.

Abstract: According to the embodiments described herein, a method for vehicle positioning or navigation utilizing associated feature pairs may include creating a plurality of associated feature pairs by retrieving an initial set of camera data from the camera comprising two-dimensional UV space information, forming pairs from the UV space information, and associating each pair from the UV space information with pairs from each of the plurality of three-dimensional global feature points of the industrial facility map, calculating a best estimate poses from calculated vehicle poses of the associated feature pairs, using an accumulated odometry to update the best estimate pose to a current localized position and setting a seed position as the current localized position. The navigation of the materials handling vehicle is tracked and/or navigated along the inventory transit surface navigate in at least a partially automated manner utilizing the current localized position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating odometry of a materials handling vehicle. One embodiment of a method includes determining a current location of the materials handling vehicle, determining an odometry distance from the current location to a destination based on a calculation of a determined number of rotations of a wheel and a circumference of the wheel, and determining a positioning system distance from the current location to the destination. Some embodiments include comparing the odometry distance with data from the positioning system distance to calculate a scaling factor, applying the scaling factor to a fast alpha filter to achieve a fast filter result, and applying the scaling factor to a slow alpha filter to achieve a slow filter result. Similarly, some embodiments include applying the fast alpha filter to the scaling factor to smooth noise, calculating an updated odometry distance utilizing the scaling factor, and utilizing the updated odometry distance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for controlling autonomous vehicles utilizing maps that include visibility information. A map is stored at a computing device associated with a vehicle. The vehicle is configured to operate in an autonomous mode that supports a plurality of driving behaviors. The map includes information about a plurality of roads, a plurality of features, and visibility information for at least a first feature in the plurality of features. The computing device queries the map for visibility information for the first feature at a first position. The computing device, in response to querying the map, receives the visibility information for the first feature at the first position. The computing device selects a driving behavior for the vehicle based on the visibility information. The computing device controls the vehicle in accordance with the selected driving behavior.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method and apparatus for controlling an unmanned vehicle. The method may comprise: collecting image information and vital sign information of a person in an unmanned vehicle, and origin information and destination information of the unmanned vehicle; generating action characteristic information of the person based on the image information; generating emotional characteristic information and physical state information of the person based on the action characteristic information and the vital sign information; determining a route and an operation mode of the unmanned vehicle based on the emotional characteristic information, the physical state information, the origin information and the destination information; and controlling the unmanned vehicle based on the determined route and operation mode. The implementation achieves automatic control of an unmanned vehicle based on the emotion and physical state of a person in the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present disclosure provides a robotic updating apparatus that includes mapping circuitry to provide movement instructions, the mapping circuitry including map data; wherein the map data includes a defined area for the robotic updating apparatus; movement circuitry to receive the movement instructions and to control movement of the robotic apparatus within the defined area; wherein movement is based on, at least in part, the movement instructions; device discovery circuitry to discover at least one target device within the defined area; and update circuitry to provide update for at least one target device; wherein the device discovery circuitry also to communicate the update to the at least one target device.

Abstract: A trailer backup assist system is provided herein. A camera captures images of a trailer connected to a vehicle. A display has a screen for displaying captured images and registering a touch event thereon to assign a target on the imaged trailer. A controller processes the captured images and tracks the target to determine a hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer while the vehicle is automatically steered during a trailer backup maneuver.