An example welding system includes: a visual acquisition system comprising an imaging device and configured to acquire a visual representation of a weld part and to convert the visual representation into data representative of weld part features; and a part recognition component comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive the digital data; identify one or more features of the weld part in response to receipt of the digital signal; compare the digital signal to stored data of a plurality of weld parts stored in a weld part database to match one or more identified features to a known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; identify weld settings stored in a weld parameter database associated with the matching known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; and send the weld settings to a welding power supply.

An example welding system includes: a visual acquisition system comprising an imaging device and configured to acquire a visual representation of a weld part and to convert the visual representation into data representative of weld part features; and a part recognition component comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive the digital data; identify one or more features of the weld part in response to receipt of the digital signal; compare the digital signal to stored data of a plurality of weld parts stored in a weld part database to match one or more identified features to a known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; identify weld settings stored in a weld parameter database associated with the matching known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; and send the weld settings to a welding power supply.

A design method for civil engineering of reality scenery includes: selecting at least a reference point at a construction site, having a coordinate of the construction site defined as an absolute coordinate, establishing a three-dimensional (3D) model of a real scene, having a coordinate of the 3D model defined as a relative coordinate relative to the absolute coordinate of the construction site, calibrating the relative coordinate corresponding to the absolute coordinate and converting the relative coordinate into the absolute coordinate, incorporating virtual 3D objects into the 3D model, synchronously displaying the projected view of the 3D model as observed through a specific viewing angle, on a display device, and setting up a statistic database for synchronously recording the virtual 3D object as input into the 3D model or objects as removed from the 3D model, and outputting the statistic data from the statistic database through an output device.

A method of aligning a tow vehicle with a trailer positioned behind the tow vehicle is provided. The method includes determining a point cloud map of a rear environment of the tow vehicle. The rear environment includes the trailer. The method also includes determining a front face plane of the trailer based on the point cloud map. The method also includes determining a normal line of the front face plane. The method also includes determining a path from the tow vehicle to the trailer such that a fore-aft axis of the tow vehicle is aligned with the normal line of the front face plane.

A method of detecting and localizing a coupler of a trailer hitch associated with a trailer positioned behind a tow vehicle is provided. The method includes determining a region of interest within images from a rear camera. The region of interest includes a representation of the trailer hitch. The method includes determining a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud representing objects inside the region of interest. The method includes determining a camera plane based on the images. The method includes projecting the cloud points onto the camera plane and determining a coupler location based on the projected cloud points onto the camera plane. The method includes determining a path based on the coupler location. The path ending when the tow vehicle is attached to the trailer. The method also includes sending instructions to a drive system causing the tow vehicle to autonomously drive in a rearward direction along the path.

A system, method, and apparatus for measuring a workspace is provided. The method includes capturing a workspace that is virtually represented on a user interface display of a computing apparatus that image-captured the workspace. The user inputs, via the user interface, a value of a known measurement of a length represented in the virtual workspace. Through the user interface, along the virtual workspace, the user identifies virtual end boundary points of the length associated with the known measurement. The user then defines a defined space within the virtual workspace by placing additional virtual boundary points. The system calibrates from the inputted value and the virtual end boundary points of the known measurement all the remaining measurements of the surface area, which can be used to render a map display and calculate surface area, volume, or any other geometric aspects of the defined space.

A system, method, and apparatus for measuring a workspace is provided. The method includes capturing a workspace that is virtually represented on a user interface display of a computing apparatus that image-captured the workspace. The user inputs, via the user interface, a value of a known measurement of a length represented in the virtual workspace. Through the user interface, along the virtual workspace, the user identifies virtual end boundary points of the length associated with the known measurement. The user then defines a defined space within the virtual workspace by placing additional virtual boundary points. The system calibrates from the inputted value and the virtual end boundary points of the known measurement all the remaining measurements of the surface area, which can be used to render a map display and calculate surface area, volume, or any other geometric aspects of the defined space.

An example welding system includes: a visual acquisition system comprising an imaging device and configured to acquire a visual representation of a weld part and to convert the visual representation into data representative of weld part features; and a part recognition component comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive the digital data; identify one or more features of the weld part in response to receipt of the digital signal; compare the digital signal to stored data of a plurality of weld parts stored in a weld part database to match one or more identified features to a known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; identify weld settings stored in a weld parameter database associated with the matching known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; and send the weld settings to a welding power supply.

An example welding system includes: a visual acquisition system comprising an imaging device and configured to acquire a visual representation of a weld part and to convert the visual representation into data representative of weld part features; and a part recognition component comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive the digital data; identify one or more features of the weld part in response to receipt of the digital signal; compare the digital signal to stored data of a plurality of weld parts stored in a weld part database to match one or more identified features to a known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; identify weld settings stored in a weld parameter database associated with the matching known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; and send the weld settings to a welding power supply.

A method of detecting a defect in a surface of an infrastructure includes providing a work machine having a controller, a plurality of sensors including an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a global positioning sensor (GPS), and a camera oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface. The camera takes a first image of the surface at a first location, and information is collected with the IMU and the GPS at the first location. The method includes linking the first image with the information collected at the first location, and storing the first image and the information collected at the first location in a database.