Abstract: An autonomous vehicle configured to autonomously pass a cyclist includes an imaging device and processing circuitry configured to receive information from the imaging device. Additionally, the processing circuitry of the autonomous vehicle is configured to identify a cyclist passing situation based on the information received from the imaging device, and plan a path of an autonomous vehicle based on the cyclist passing situation. The autonomous vehicle also includes a positioning system and the processing circuitry is further configured to receive information from the positioning system, determine if the cyclist passing situation is sufficiently identified, and identify the cyclist passing situation based on the information from the imaging device and the positioning system when the cyclist passing situation is not sufficiently identified based on the information received from the imaging device.

Abstract: A road abnormality detection apparatus includes: a memory; and a processor having hardware, wherein the processor is configured to: receive, from a traveling vehicle, a road image indicating an image of a surface of a road or a periphery of the road and image capturing position information indicating a position where the road image is captured; recognize a road facility included in the road image and a position of the road facility based on the road image and the image capturing position information; determine whether or not abnormality exists in the road facility by comparing the road facility included in the road image and correctness information that is prepared in advance; and accumulate, in the memory, facility position information indicating the position of the road facility that the abnormality exists in when it is determined that the abnormality exists in the road facility.

Abstract: A method for classification of ground conditions in the vicinity of a vehicle using a radar sensor, comprising: receiving reflected portions of a radar signal at a receiver unit of a radar system; calculating information derived from the received portions of the radar signal for discrete spatial regions by the radar system or a control unit connected thereto; assigning the information to data structure units associated with a geographical location and the assignment of the information taking into account movement of the vehicle; collecting pieces of information in the respective data structure units, the pieces of information being obtained from reflected portions of radar signals transmitted at different times; evaluating the information contained in the data structure using a classifier to obtain information regarding the ground condition; assigning ground condition types to the data structure units based on evaluation results obtained by the classifier.

Abstract: A road abnormality detection apparatus includes: a memory; and a processor having hardware, wherein the processor is configured to: receive, from a traveling vehicle, a road image indicating an image of a surface of a road or a periphery of the road and image capturing position information indicating a position where the road image is captured; recognize a road facility included in the road image and a position of the road facility based on the road image and the image capturing position information; determine whether or not abnormality exists in the road facility by comparing the road facility included in the road image and correctness information that is prepared in advance; and accumulate, in the memory, facility position information indicating the position of the road facility that the abnormality exists in when it is determined that the abnormality exists in the road facility.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling operation of a Self-Driving Car (SDC) are disclosed. The method includes, at a first moment in time during an approach of the SDC to a crosswalk: identifying, an object-inclusion zone in proximity to the crosswalk, determining presence of an object in the object-inclusion zone, determining an interval of time for the object based on movement data of the object, using the interval of time and movement data of the SDC for determining operation-control data for controlling operation of the SDC, and assigning decision data to the object-inclusion zone indicative of a decision.

Abstract: A method of determining a path along an object includes a step of “determining a reference point of the object in absolute coordinates”, a step of “ascertaining a set of points of the object in absolute coordinates on the basis of further points of the object within a relative coordinate system, conversion of the further points of the object to the absolute coordinate system being effected on the basis of the reference point of the object”, and a step of “determining the path along the object on the basis of the set of points of the object, so that the path extends at a distance from the object”.

Abstract: A method of determining a path along an object includes a step of “determining a reference point of the object in absolute coordinates”, a step of “ascertaining a set of points of the object in absolute coordinates on the basis of further points of the object within a relative coordinate system, conversion of the further points of the object to the absolute coordinate system being effected on the basis of the reference point of the object”, and a step of “determining the path along the object on the basis of the set of points of the object, so that the path extends at a distance from the object”.

Abstract: A method for detecting a displacement of a mobile platform includes acquiring a first frame and a second frame using an imaging device coupled to the mobile platform, obtaining an angle of the imaging device relative to a reference level while acquiring the first frame, and determining the displacement of the mobile platform based at least on the first frame, the second frame, and the angle of the imaging device relative to the reference level.

Abstract: Disclosed are a vehicle control system, a marking classifying device, and a marking classifying method. Specifically, a vehicle control system according to the present disclosure may include: a camera mounted to a vehicle so as to have a field of view inside or outside the vehicle and configured to capture image data; a communication module configured to receive GPS signals from GPS satellites; a marking classifying device configured to classify and store types of markings provided on a road based on the image data and the GPS signals; and a control device configured to detect a marking on a road on which the vehicle is travelling based on the image data, identify a type of the detected marking based on the type of marking stored in the marking classifying device, and generate and output a control signal for controlling the driving of the vehicle based on the identified type of the marking.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control device including: a recognition unit that recognizes a nearby situation of a vehicle; and a driving control unit that automatically controls at least steering of the vehicle on the basis of the nearby situation that is recognized by the recognition unit. In a case where an obstacle that exists in an advancing direction of the vehicle and a road-side structure that is provided in a road edge are recognized by the recognition unit, the driving control unit generates a target trajectory of the vehicle in a state in which a trajectory along which a wheel of the vehicle passes over the road-side structure is included as a candidate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for autonomously loading cargo into a vehicle. Cargo is stacked into a storage apparatus of an autonomous mobile robot in a pre-loading configuration based on a predetermined loading configuration. A signal is received indicating a location of the vehicle to be loaded with the cargo. The robot autonomously navigates to the location of the vehicle. The robot scans one or more fiducial marks located on a first piece of cargo in the storage apparatus with an imaging sensor, wherein the fiducial marks are configured to communicate one or more manipulation points of the first piece of cargo when scanned. The robot manipulates the first piece of cargo at the manipulation points and loads the first piece of cargo into the designated area of the vehicle. The robot repeatedly scans and manipulates a next piece of cargo until a predetermined amount of cargo has been loaded into the designated area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the guidance of autonomous vehicles and in particular, relates to guiding an autonomous vehicle along a roadway by means of active devices with a system which works during normal and inclement weather as well as under any luminous conditions. These active devices are embedded in the passive and/or active road details such as traffic signs traffic lights, warning lights etc. These active devices provide data relating to road conditions, speed, road layout etc. as well as other information such as availability of parking spaces. Accordingly, through networks of sensors and devices the autonomous vehicle can obtain road details in real-time in any weather, illumination, visibility etc.

Abstract: A terrain-based navigation system include at least three laser range finders, each fixedly mounted to a vehicle body, each pointing in a different direction and arranged such that they can be used to calculate terrain gradient in two dimensions. Existing terrain-based navigation systems for aircraft that use a radar altimeter to determine the distance of the vehicle from the ground make use of the large field of view of the radar altimeter. The first return signal from the radar altimeter may not be from directly below the aircraft, but will be interpreted as being directly below the aircraft, thereby impairing the chances of obtaining a terrain match, or impairing the accuracy of a terrain match. The use of a plurality of laser range finders each fixedly mounted to the vehicle body allows more terrain information to be obtained as the terrain can be detected from the plurality of different directions.

Abstract: The invention provides a flying vehicle tracking method, which comprises an optical tracking in which a tracking light is projected to a retro-reflector of a flying vehicle with the retro-reflector, the tracking light is received, and a tracking of the flying vehicle is performed based on a light receiving result, and an image tracking in which an image of the flying vehicle is acquired, the flying vehicle is detected from the image, and the tracking of the flying vehicle is performed based on a detection result, wherein the optical tracking and the image tracking are executed in parallel with each other, and in a case where the flying vehicle cannot be tracked by the optical tracking, the optical tracking is returned based on the detection result of the image tracking.

Abstract: A driving control apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The driving control apparatus includes: an object detection device configured to detect objects in the vicinity of the vehicle and generate information on the objects; a sensing unit configured to detect a state of the vehicle and generate vehicle state information; and a processor configured to: based on the vehicle state information and the information on the objects, generate information on collision with a first object out of the objects, and based on the information on the collision, generate a control signal for at least one of steering, partial braking, and partial driving of the vehicle and provide the generated control signal so as to control operation of the vehicle after the collision through at least one of a steering control action, a partial braking control action, and a partial driving control action.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices, systems and methods for mapping of traffic boundaries.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a driving lane extracts a road marking from an input image, generate a multi-virtual lane using the road marking and a segmentation image obtained by segmenting the input image into objects included in the input image based on a semantic unit, and identifies a driving lane of a vehicle based on a relative location of the driving lane in the multi-virtual lane.

Abstract: Technologies for tracking and locating underground assets include a survey instrument having an asset tracking device. The asset tracking device determines a current geographic location of the survey instrument and a heading of a sensor group of the survey instrument when aimed at a target measurement point of an underground asset. The asset tracking device measures the distance between the sensor group and the target measurement point of the underground asset. The asset tracking device also determines the pitch of the sensor group when aimed at the target measurement point of the underground asset. The effective height of the sensor group relative to the elevation at the survey location is also determined. The asset tracking device determines the geographic location and a corresponding depth of the target measurement point on the underground asset based on the determined and measured information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for controlling activation of an ISG system is provided. The method includes obtaining a current vehicle location and determining whether the current vehicle location is within an ISG inhibition area. When the current location of the vehicle is within the ISG inhibition area, an ISG mode is automatically inhibited to prevent the engine from being turned off.

Abstract: Landmark recognition can handle various landmarks with a low processing load and high reliability. Provided are a database, a segmentation processor, a pattern extraction processor, and a database comparison processor. The database stores landmark extraction information associated with landmark determination condition information, the landmark extraction information identifying a region including a landmark of an image, and allowing right-opposite positioning of the landmark, the landmark determination condition information used for determining landmark pattern information as the landmark. The segmentation processor sets a plurality of segmentation lines with respect to the region including the landmark of the image in a direction parallel to the landmark from a direction right opposite to the landmark, and determines a distance between intersections of the segmentation lines and a boundary of the landmark.

Abstract: A traffic sign assistance system for a vehicle including optical recognition unit to obtain data regarding a regulation indicator in proximity to the vehicle, at least one sensor unit configured to monitor a vehicle travel direction, and processing unit. The processing unit are configured to determine a location of a location of a next road intersection based on the vehicle travel direction, measure a distance between a location of the regulation indicator and the location of the next road intersection, cause display of a regulation value associated with the regulation indicator on a display device to be maintained if the distance is less than a predetermined threshold value and a change in vehicle travel direction is detected, and hide the regulation value associated with the regulation indicator from the display device if the distance is greater than the predetermined threshold value and a change in vehicle travel direction is detected.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. The 3D contact scanner includes a tactile sensor system having at least one tactile sensor for generating 3D data points based on tactile feedback resulting from physical contact with at least part of the structure. A 3D model is constructed from the 3D data and is then analyzed to determine the condition of the structure.

Abstract: A mobile telepresence system may include a frame, a propulsion system operably coupled to the frame to propel the frame through a designated space, a screen movably coupled to the frame, and an image output device coupled to the frame. The frame may include a central body defining a longitudinal axis of the frame, a first arm at a first end portion of the central body, and a second arm at a second end portion of the central body, opposite the first end portion of the central body. The propulsion system may include rotors at opposite end portions of the first and second arms which propel the frame in response to an external command. The image output device may project an image onto the screen in response to an external command.

Abstract: In an approach to determining pavement markings, a computer determines a location of a first computing device based on data received from one or more location devices associated with the first computing device. The computer then retrieves pavement marking data for one or more pavement markings for the location and determines whether one or more existing pavement markings are present at the location. Responsive to determining that one or more existing pavement markings are present at the location, the computer determines whether each of the one or more existing pavement markings meet one or more pre-determined thresholds for an acceptable pavement marking quality. Furthermore, responsive to determining each of the one or more existing pavement markings do not meet the one or more pre-determined thresholds for an acceptable pavement marking quality level, the computer provides pavement marking data to the first computing device.

Abstract: A method, system, and/or computer program product controls positioning of cargo being loaded onto a cargo vehicle based on sensor readings from another cargo vehicle. One or more processors receive output from a cargo sensor and a camera, on a first cargo vehicle, that describe an amount of movement of first cargo being transported by the first cargo vehicle. The processor(s) then transmit instructions to a loader of second cargo being loaded onto a second cargo vehicle to adjust a positioning of the second cargo while being loaded onto the second cargo vehicle, where the positioning of the second cargo in the second cargo vehicle is different from a positioning of the first cargo on the first cargo vehicle, in order to minimize damage exposure to the second cargo.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. The 3D contact scanner includes a tactile sensor system having at least one tactile sensor for generating 3D data points based on tactile feedback resulting from physical contact with at least part of the structure. A 3D model is constructed from the 3D data and is then analyzed to determine the condition of the structure.

Abstract: In a small boat emergency stop apparatus having an operator's cockpit and a passenger seat installed spaced apart from the cockpit, there are provided with an operator transmitter wearable by the operator to transmit a radio-wave signal of a predetermined strength, a passenger transmitters wearable by the passenger to transmit a radio-wave signal of the same predetermined strength and a receiver installed at a location closer to the cockpit than the passenger seat to receives the radio-wave signals transmitted by the operator and passenger transmitters successively. It is identified which of the operator and the passenger is a wearer of the transmitter and is then discriminated whether strength of the radio-wave signal transmitted from the identified wearer is smaller than a predetermined value. When it is, it is discriminated that emergency occurred in the wearer and an emergency action of engine stopping or engine speed reducing is performed.

Abstract: A method of providing parking assistance in a vehicle includes identifying with a controller in a vehicle a plurality of available parking spaces for the vehicle, generating with a video output device operatively connected to the controller an interface with a graphical depiction of the vehicle and the plurality of available parking spaces, receiving a first input gesture with a gesture input device to select one parking space from the plurality of available parking spaces, and operating the vehicle to park the vehicle in the one parking space using the controller configured with a parking assistance service in the vehicle.

Abstract: A vision based tracking system in a mobile platform tracks objects using groups of detected lines. The tracking system detects lines in a captured image of the object to be tracked. Groups of lines are formed from the detected lines. The groups of lines may be formed by computing intersection points of the detected lines and using intersection points to identified connected lines, where the groups of lines are formed using connected lines. A graph of the detected lines may be constructed and intersection points identified. Interesting subgraphs are generated using the connections and the group of lines is formed with the interesting subgraphs. Once the groups of lines are formed, the groups of lines are used to track the object, e.g., by comparing the groups of lines in a current image of the object to groups of lines in a previous image of the object.

Abstract: An interposer for an electronic circuit chip package may include a substrate, a recess, first conductive vias, and second conductive vias. The substrate may have a first surface, a second surface substantially parallel to and opposite the first surface, a third surface substantially parallel to the first surface and the second surface, and an orthogonal surface that is substantially orthogonal to and intersects the first surface and the third surface. The recess may be formed in the substrate and defined by the third surface and the orthogonal surface. The first conductive vias may pass from the second surface to the first surface. The second conductive vias may pass from the second surface to the third surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying an unidentified sound source in a 3-dimensional sensor array calculates a position vector for each of a plurality of sensors in the array. A time Fourier transform is computed based on time samples from each of the sensors. A spatial Fourier transform is computed for the results of the time Fourier transform and in part on the position vectors calculated. All three dimensional components of the wavenumber of the received signal, kx, ky and kz are explicitly calculated to generate spatial frequency information in all three dimensions. Direction of arrival of the received sound signal is determined in all three spatial directions providing unambiguous target localization and acoustic signature characterization.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. The 3D contact scanner includes a tactile sensor system having at least one tactile sensor for generating 3D data points based on tactile feedback resulting from physical contact with at least part of the structure. A 3D model is constructed from the 3D data and is then analyzed to determine the condition of the structure.

Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of communicating positioning transmissions. For example, an apparatus may include a controller to control at least one light transmitter to transmit from a mobile object Intensity-Modulated (IM) optical signals including On-Off-Keying (OOK) signals of one or more positioning transmissions, the controller is to control the at least one light transmitter to transmit from the mobile object one or more first OOK signals over a first ranging frequency, and to transmit from the mobile object one or more second OOK signals over a second ranging frequency, the second ranging frequency is different from the first ranging frequency.

Abstract: A mobile telepresence system may include a frame, a propulsion system operably coupled to the frame to propel the frame through a designated space, a screen movably coupled to the frame, and an image output device coupled to the frame. The frame may include a central body defining a longitudinal axis of the frame, a first arm at a first end portion of the central body, and a second arm at a second end portion of the central body, opposite the first end portion of the central body. The propulsion system may include rotors at opposite end portions of the first and second arms which propel the frame in response to an external command. The image output device may project an image onto the screen in response to an external command.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. The 3D contact scanner includes a tactile sensor system having at least one tactile sensor for generating 3D data points based on tactile feedback resulting from physical contact with at least part of the structure. A 3D model is constructed from the 3D data and is then analyzed to determine the condition of the structure.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating a ground compaction image. A pressure sensing panel is placed on a relatively rigid planar supporting surface. The pressure sensing panel is covered with a depth of particulate material. A loaded tire is placed on the particulate material, and a ground compaction image is generated with the pressure sensing panel. A ground compaction display may be created by superimposing the ground compaction image on a physical three-dimensional model of an interface between the particulate material and the loaded tire.

Abstract: When a pedestrian candidate and an animal candidate that are detected from an image imaged by an imaging device mounted in a vehicle are in a specified relationship in said image (such as existing nearby), the animal candidate is considered to be an item related to the pedestrian candidate, in other words, a pair object. Attention-arousing output directed at the animal candidate configuring the pair object is not generated. Therefore, a vehicle vicinity monitoring device is provided that reduces the frequency of attention-arousing directed at an animal (for ex-ample, a small animal such as a dog) being walked by a human.

Abstract: As an autonomously guided industrial vehicle travels through a facility images of the adjacent environment are acquired, by either a still camera or a video camera. An image file containing a plurality of the images is stored onboard the vehicle. During that travel, the location of the vehicle is determined. Upon occurrence of a predefined incident, such as encountering an obstacle or impacting an object, an incident message is transmitted wirelessly from the vehicle to a remote management computer. The incident message contains an indication of the type of incident, an indication of a location of the vehicle, and the plurality of the images. The remote management computer responds to the incident message by providing a notification about the incident to one or more persons. The contents of the incident message enables the person notified to take corrective action.

Abstract: Disclosed is a parking assist apparatus for a vehicle. The parking assist apparatus includes: a start sensor configured to sense a starting state of the vehicle; a vehicle speed sensor configured to sense a speed of the vehicle; a gear sensor configured to sense a gear state of the vehicle; and a parking control unit configured to control driving-out of the vehicle when the starting state of the vehicle is changed from an OFF state to an ON state, the speed of the vehicle is less than a reference speed, and the gear state is “Neutral” or “Park” when a signal instructing automatic parking of the vehicle is received from a driver.

Abstract: A curved-section-information supplying apparatus includes: a clothoid-section identifying unit that identifies a clothoid section included in a curved section of a road; a clothoid-coefficient obtaining unit that obtains a clothoid coefficient for a clothoid curve representing a shape of the clothoid section identified by the clothoid-section identifying unit; and a radius-of-curvature calculating unit that calculates a radius of curvature at a position at a travel distance in the clothoid section, based on the clothoid coefficient and a curve length from a start point of the clothoid curve, the curve length corresponding to the travel distance from a start point of the clothoid section, to supply curved-section information based on the radius of curvature at the position at the travel distance in the clothoid section.

Abstract: In the case of collecting samples, it is difficult to select a representative point of a target area. Thus, the samples are collected from certain positions, resulting in generation of variations of data. The target area is specified on an image to extract features from the target area. Further, clustering is performed for the features on a feature space to obtain representative features, and the obtained representative features are extracted as sampling points.

Abstract: A driving assist system includes a vehicle, a mobile terminal of a user who drives the vehicle, and a driving assist device. The vehicle includes an output device outputting vehicle condition information. The driving assist device provides driving assist content to the mobile terminal. The driving assist device includes a receiving unit that receives the vehicle condition information and a user identifier of the user, a storage unit that stores the vehicle condition information in association with the user identifier, and stores driving proficiency level determination information specifying a driving proficiency level according to the vehicle condition information and driving assist information specifying driving assist content according to the driving proficiency level, a driving proficiency level determining unit that determines a driving proficiency level of each user, and a driving assist content providing unit that provides driving assist content corresponding to a driving proficiency level to each user.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation method comprises determining a present location of a host vehicle, including a road on which the host vehicle is traveling, determining a navigation route based on a destination and the present location of the vehicle, and determining a next navigation maneuver based on the navigation route and the present location of the host vehicle. The method further comprises capturing road information pertaining to the road, determining a present lane of the road in which the host vehicle is traveling based on the captured road information, determining a traffic condition on the road, and operating a computer to modify the next navigation maneuver based on the navigation route, the present lane and the traffic condition.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle configured to determine the heading of an object-of-interest based on a point cloud. An example computer-implemented method involves: (a) receiving spatial-point data indicating a set of spatial points, each spatial point representing a point in three dimensions, where the set of spatial points corresponds to an object-of-interest; (b) determining, for each spatial point, an associated projected point, each projected point representing a point in two dimensions; (c) determining a set of line segments based on the determined projected points, where each respective line segment connects at least two determined projected points; (d) determining an orientation of at least one determined line segment from the set of line segments; and (e) determining a heading of the object-of-interest based on at least the determined orientation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a work vehicle having a system for locating and characterizing a topographic feature at a job site. The located topographic feature may be characterized using or more optical instruments, such as a visible-light camera, an infrared-radiation camera, a spectrometer, an infrared thermometer, and a laser-based gas detector. The location and the characteristic of the topographic feature may be combined to produce an informative record of the topographic feature at the job site.

Abstract: This invention provides for a vegetation removal system capable of removing vegetation from irrigation canals, rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes and other water systems where the growth of vegetation impedes the flow of water, access to water or there is a desire to remove unwanted vegetation. The vegetation removal system comprises a rake system that allows for the removal of the vegetation while letting the water and silt or mud flow through the rake and substantially remain as part of the bank or bottom of the body of water. The invention also allows for the folding of the vegetation removal rake into a compact form by folding the outboard wings over on top of the main rake section. Sensors attached to the vegetation removal system can provide situational awareness for the operator as well as determine the position orientation of the rake when the rake is submerged or working near obstacles.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus for traversing a selected area autonomously that senses orientation relative to “environmental” signals. The robotic apparatus is provided in two models, a master that can record directive and “environmental signal” readings, or that can record received location information, to provide at least one command recorded on a machine-readable medium representing an instruction for traversing an area of interest, and a slave that lacks the recording capability. Both master and slave models can replay recorded commands, and compare the expected orientation from the command with an actual orientation sensed during autonomous operation. If an error exceeding a predetermined value is observed, a corrective action is taken. The robotic apparatus is able to utilize a tool to perform a task.

Abstract: Described are a method and a system for localization of a vehicle. The method includes the acquisition of SPR images of a subsurface region along a vehicle track. Acquired SPR images are compared to SPR images previously acquired for a subsurface region that at least partially overlaps the subsurface region along the vehicle track. In some embodiments, the comparison includes an image correlation procedure. Location data for the vehicle are determined based in part on location data for the SPR images previously acquired for the second subsurface region. Location data can be used to guide the vehicle along a desired path. The relatively static nature of features in the subsurface region provides the method with advantages over other sensor-based navigation systems that may be adversely affected by weather conditions, dynamic features and time-varying illumination. The method can be used in a variety of applications, including self-driving automobiles and autonomous platforms.

Abstract: Method for identifying an airplane in connection to parking of the airplane at a gate or a stand, for possible connection of a passenger bridge (1) or a loading bridge to a door of an airplane, where the airplane is positioned and stopped at a predetermined position using a touchless measurement of the distance between the airplane and a fixed point, where the distance is indicated on a display (6) mounted in front of the pilot of the airplane on for instance an airport building (7), which display (6) shows the position of the airplane (5) in relation to a stop point for the airplane and shows the current airplane type, where the distance measurement and display are caused to be activated by a computer system (20) belonging to the airport or manually, and wherein an antenna (16) is caused to receive information (17) transmitted by an airplane.

Abstract: A localization scheme and method using a laser sensor for indoor wheeled mobile robots (IWMR), which need to localize themselves for working autonomously, is provided. In this method, a laser sensor moves inside an onboard guide way and its distance measurements are used to robustly detect and recognize a unique target based on edge detection and pattern recognition techniques. From the distance measurements with respect to the recognized target, a kinematic model is developed to determine the IWMR orientation and location in the global co-ordinates (in 2-D). Such target recognition and localization methods are validated with experimental results.