An ultrasonic sensor (10), that transmits probe waves which are ultrasonic waves and acquires detection waves including reflected waves which have been reflected from surrounding objects, includes a transmitter/receiver (12) that transmits the probe waves and acquires the detection waves, a detection wave processing section (13) that executes processing for passing a predetermined frequency band which includes the frequency of the probe waves, an amplitude measurement section (14) which measures the amplitude of the detection waves, and a judgement section (17) which judges whether there is adherence of foreign matter on the transmitter/receiver, based on a relationship between a time axis and values of the amplitude of the detection waves during a reverberation interval following the termination of transmitting the probe waves.

A ground collision avoidance method in an ownship vehicle is disclosed. The method includes: retrieving position measurements for the ownship vehicle and for a dynamic obstacle; retrieving mapping data from an airport map database that includes coordinate data for airport travel pathways; adjusting a position measurement for the ownship vehicle and a position measurement for the dynamic obstacle based on coordinate data retrieved from the airport map database and historical aircraft movement data; predicting a series of future positions for the ownship vehicle that are constrained by airport surface operation rules; predicting a series of future positions for the dynamic obstacle that are constrained by airport surface operation rules; calculating whether a potential collision is imminent; and causing a collision alert to be displayed when the processor has determined that a potential collision between the ownship vehicle and the dynamic obstacle is imminent.

Systems and methods for controlling an operable wall configured to move between a deployed condition and a stacked condition. The method includes receiving a voice command from a user via a microphone and initiating a wall movement of the operable wall based on the received voice command. In response to detecting an object with at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors, the wall movement is stopped and an alert is provided to the user that the wall movement has stopped. When the detected object is no longer detected by the at least one sensor, the wall movement is automatically resumed.

In one example, a method performed by a processing system of an autonomous vehicle includes controlling a sonar system of the autonomous vehicle to emit a plurality of sonar beams into an environment surrounding the autonomous vehicle, detecting a change in conditions in the environment, and adjusting, in response to the change in conditions, at least one of: a temporal parameter of the plurality of sonar beams or a spectral parameter of the plurality of sonar beams.

In one example, a method performed by a processing system of an autonomous vehicle includes controlling a sonar system of the autonomous vehicle to emit a plurality of sonar beams into an environment surrounding the autonomous vehicle, detecting a change in conditions in the environment, and adjusting, in response to the change in conditions, at least one of: a temporal parameter of the plurality of sonar beams or a spectral parameter of the plurality of sonar beams.

An object detection device includes an external sensor, an inertia sensor, and a control device. The external sensor is fixed to a ship. The external sensor detects an object. The inertia sensor detects information related to an inertial force applied to the ship. The control device acquires a state of relative displacement of a detection object on the basis of a signal output from the external sensor. The control device acquires a state of an attitude change of the ship on the basis of a signal output from the inertia sensor. The control device determines whether a detection object is present outside the ship according to a correlation between the state of the attitude change of the ship and the state of the relative displacement of the detection object.

Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining, from an autonomy system, data indicative of a planned trajectory of the autonomous vehicle through a surrounding environment. The method includes determining a region of interest in the surrounding environment based at least in part on the planned trajectory. The method includes controlling one or more first sensors to obtain data indicative of the region of interest. The method includes identifying one or more objects in the region of interest, based at least in part on the data obtained by the one or more first sensors. The method includes controlling the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the one or more objects identified in the region of interest.

An eyesight device for the visually impaired comprises a case having a front, rear and side walls. An ultrasonic sensor is provided on at least the front wall although, preferably, ultrasonic sensors are provided on the front and side walls to provide a greater range of peripheral vision. A microcontroller within the case is coupled to the ultrasonic sensor. A power source energizes the microcontroller. An audible signal generating means is adapted to generate an audible signal. The microcontroller is programmed to receive the output of the ultrasonic sensor and computing the distance between the case and an obstacle spaced from the case and energize the audible signal generating means when the distance is less than a preselected threshold distance. Attaching means is provided for attaching the case to an item of clothing of the user to free the hands of the user.

An eyesight device for the visually impaired comprises a case having a front, rear and side walls. An ultrasonic sensor is provided on at least the front wall although, preferably, ultrasonic sensors are provided on the front and side walls to provide a greater range of peripheral vision. A microcontroller within the case is coupled to the ultrasonic sensor. A power source energizes the microcontroller. An audible signal generating means is adapted to generate an audible signal. The microcontroller is programmed to receive the output of the ultrasonic sensor and computing the distance between the case and an obstacle spaced from the case and energize the audible signal generating means when the distance is less than a preselected threshold distance. Attaching means is provided for attaching the case to an item of clothing of the user to free the hands of the user.

A parking assistance device includes a pair of left and right sonar devices provided in a vehicle, an obstacle detection controller for determining whether an obstacle present within a determination target distance range on a side of the vehicle is a wall or a curb by comparing a level value of a reflection wave received by one of the sonar devices with each of a first threshold value and a second threshold value that are different from each other, and an automatic parking controller for setting a guiding route for automatic parking depending on a determination result, and the automatic parking controller sets the guiding route requiring a large amount of steering of the vehicle in a case where the determination result indicates a curb, compared with a case where the determination result indicates a wall in the automatic parking in the form of parallel parking.