A method for controlling a utility vehicle includes detecting, via a sensor, an elevation profile of a region located in front of the utility vehicle in the direction of travel. The method also includes initializing a grid comprising a plurality of grid cells. The grid extends at least in a longitudinal direction and in a vertical direction of the region. The method further includes assigning the detected elevation profile to associated grid cells by writing elevation profile data into grid cells and controlling the vehicle based on the elevation profile data.

A method for controlling a utility vehicle includes detecting, via a sensor, an elevation profile of a region located in front of the utility vehicle in the direction of travel. The method also includes initializing a grid comprising a plurality of grid cells. The grid extends at least in a longitudinal direction and in a vertical direction of the region. The method further includes assigning the detected elevation profile to associated grid cells by writing elevation profile data into grid cells and controlling the vehicle based on the elevation profile data.

The present disclosure is directed to a computer system and techniques for automatically annotating objects in map data used for navigating an autonomous vehicle. Generally, the computer system is configured to obtain LiDAR data points for an environment around an autonomous vehicle, project the LiDAR data points onto image data, detect a target object in the image data, extract a subset of the LiDAR data points that corresponds to the detected target object, register the detected target object in map data if the extracted subset of the LiDAR data points satisfies registration criteria, and navigate the autonomous vehicle in the environment according to the map data.

A system for autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a machine automation portal (MAP) application configured to enable a computing device to (a) display a map of a work site and (b) provide a graphical user interface that enables a user to (i) define a boundary of an autonomous operating zone on the map and (ii) define a boundary of one or more exclusion zones. The system also includes a robotics processing unit configured to (a) receive the boundary of the autonomous operating zone and the boundary of each exclusion zone from the computing device, (b) generate a planned command path that the vehicle will travel to perform a task within the autonomous operating zone while avoiding each exclusion zone, and (c) control operation of the vehicle so that the vehicle travels the planned command path to perform the task.

A method of operating a mobile cleaning robot in an environment can include detecting, such as using an optical stream from the mobile cleaning robot, a seasonal object located in the environment. A seasonal cleaning zone can be created based on the detected seasonal object when a current date is within a specified date range. The seasonal cleaning zone can be displayed on a map of the environment.

Systems and methods for enhancing task performance and computer readable maps produced by robots using modular sensors is disclosed herein. According to at least one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, robots may perform a first set of tasks, wherein coupling one or more modular sensors to the robots may configure a robot to perform a second set of tasks, the second set of tasks includes the first set of tasks and at least one additional task.

Improved mobile robots and systems and methods thereof, described herein, can enhance security and monitoring services of grounds and property. And, such mobile robots and systems and methods thereof can enhance policing as well as customer service and help desk functionality. In some embodiments, the mobile robots and systems and methods thereof can enhance exploration, such as space exploration.

Improved mobile robots and systems and methods thereof, described herein, can enhance security and monitoring services of grounds and property. And, such mobile robots and systems and methods thereof can enhance policing as well as customer service and help desk functionality. In some embodiments, the mobile robots and systems and methods thereof can enhance exploration, such as space exploration.

Systems and methods are provided for navigating a host vehicle. A processing device may be programmed to receive an image representative of an environment of the host vehicle; determine a planned navigational action for the host vehicle; analyze the image to identify a target vehicle travelling toward the host vehicle; determine a next-state distance between the host vehicle and the target vehicle that would result if the planned navigational action was taken; determine a stopping distance for the host vehicle based on a braking profile, a maximum acceleration capability, and a current speed of the host vehicle; determine a stopping distance for the target vehicle based on a braking profile and a current speed of the target vehicle; and implement the planned navigational action if the determined next-state distance is greater than a sum of the stopping distances for the host vehicle and the target vehicle.

A method for assisting a maneuvering procedure of a motor vehicle in a parking garage is disclosed, wherein the motor vehicle moves within the parking garage during the maneuvering procedure from a drop-off site in the parking garage to a predetermined position in the parking garage, wherein the maneuvering procedure of the motor vehicle is monitored by at least one sensor of the motor vehicle, comprising the steps: establishing a communication link between a controller of the motor vehicle and a vehicle-external unit of the parking garage; transmitting climate-specific measured data that are acquired by at least one measuring point in the parking garage from the at least one measuring point to the vehicle-external unit, and calibrating the at least one sensor of the motor vehicle depending on the climate-specific measured data.