A transportation system having a transportation space including destinations distributed in the transportation space, multiple independent automated vehicles configured for free roving through the transportation space to and between the destinations so that the vehicles are dynamically distributed through the transportation space, a control system communicably connected via a remote communication link to each of the vehicles and having a system controller that addresses each vehicle to different destinations, and the control system having a vehicle accountant controller separate and distinct from the system controller and configured to independently register a dynamic location of at least one of the vehicles, selected from the multiple vehicles in the transportation space, and command shutdown, via the remote communication link, to only the selected at least one vehicle at the registered location if the registered location corresponds to a predetermined location.

In one embodiment, a remote controller for a vehicle includes at least one control element for controlling operation of at least one aspect of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a remote-control mode; an actuator connected the at least one control element for controlling a position of the at least one control element when the vehicle is in an autonomous operations mode; and a processing system for receiving a first control signal from the vehicle indicative of a state of operation of the vehicle. In operation, the processing system generates a second control signal to the actuator to cause the actuator to control a position of the control element such that it corresponds to and indicates the state of operation of the vehicle.

A robot is configured to move in accordance with an operation instruction made by an operator via a network. The robot includes a moving image acquisition unit, a receiving unit, a movement destination predicting unit, and an autonomous control unit. The moving image acquisition unit is configured to capture, as a moving image, an environment around the robot. The receiving unit is configured to receive the operation instruction. The movement destination predicting unit is configured to predict a movement destination of the robot based on the operation instruction received by the receiving unit. The autonomous control unit is configured to autonomously correct movement to the movement destination in accordance with the operation instruction, based on information on the environment obtained from a moving image at an instant when the operation instruction is received.

A flight management system for a plurality of aerial vehicles includes a management apparatus and an operation terminal. The management apparatus includes processing circuitry to manage operation authorizations to operate the plurality of aerial vehicles. The operation terminal includes an operation interface and processing circuitry. The operation interface is operable by an operator. The processing circuit is connected to the operation interface. Based on an authorization grant request signal obtained based on a flight state of each aerial vehicle of the plurality of aerial vehicles, the processing circuit of the management apparatus transmits an authorization grant command to grant the operation terminal an operation authorization, among the operation authorizations, that is to operate a particular aerial vehicle among the plurality of aerial vehicles. The processing circuit of the operation terminal remotely controls the particular aerial vehicle while being granted the operation authorization to operate the particular aerial vehicle.

A flight management system for a plurality of aerial vehicles includes a management apparatus and an operation terminal. The management apparatus includes processing circuitry to manage operation authorizations to operate the plurality of aerial vehicles. The operation terminal includes an operation interface and processing circuitry. The operation interface is operable by an operator. The processing circuit is connected to the operation interface. Based on an authorization grant request signal obtained based on a flight state of each aerial vehicle of the plurality of aerial vehicles, the processing circuit of the management apparatus transmits an authorization grant command to grant the operation terminal an operation authorization, among the operation authorizations, that is to operate a particular aerial vehicle among the plurality of aerial vehicles. The processing circuit of the operation terminal remotely controls the particular aerial vehicle while being granted the operation authorization to operate the particular aerial vehicle.

A terminal apparatus includes a camera, a display that displays a display screen including a mobile robot that autonomously travels, and a control circuit. The control circuit acquires a first planned route of the mobile robot, displays, on the display, a screen having the first planned route superimposed on a camera image taken by the camera, detects a contact point on the display on which the screen is displayed, generates a second planned route of the mobile robot that travels through the contact point, and transmits the second planned route to the mobile robot.

A transportation system having a transportation space including destinations distributed in the transportation space, multiple independent automated vehicles configured for free roving through the transportation space to and between the destinations so that the vehicles are dynamically distributed through the transportation space, a control system communicably connected via a remote communication link to each of the vehicles and having a system controller that addresses each vehicle to different destinations, and the control system having a vehicle accountant controller separate and distinct from the system controller and configured to independently register a dynamic location of at least one of the vehicles, selected from the multiple vehicles in the transportation space, and command shutdown, via the remote communication link, to only the selected at least one vehicle at the registered location if the registered location corresponds to a predetermined location.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a propulsion system, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) sensor, a camera and a controller. The controller includes logic that, in response to execution by the controller, causes the UAV to in response to detecting a loss of tracking by the GNSS sensor determine an estimated location of the UAV on a map based on a location image captured by the camera, determine a route to a destination using tracking parameters embedded in the map, wherein the map is divided into a plurality of sections and the tracking parameters indicate an ease of determining a location of the UAV using images captured by the camera with respect to each section, and control the propulsion system to cause the UAV to follow the route to the destination.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a propulsion system, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) sensor, a camera and a controller. The controller includes logic that, in response to execution by the controller, causes the UAV to in response to detecting a loss of tracking by the GNSS sensor determine an estimated location of the UAV on a map based on a location image captured by the camera, determine a route to a destination using tracking parameters embedded in the map, wherein the map is divided into a plurality of sections and the tracking parameters indicate an ease of determining a location of the UAV using images captured by the camera with respect to each section, and control the propulsion system to cause the UAV to follow the route to the destination.

Autonomous vehicles are an exciting prospect to the future of driving. However, concerns about the decision-making made by the AI controlling a vehicle has been of concern, particularly in light of high-profile accidents. We can alleviate some concern, introduce better decisions, and also train an AI to make better decisions by introducing a remote viewer's, e.g., a human's, reaction to a possibly complex environment surrounding a vehicle that includes a potential threat to the vehicle. One or more remote viewer may provide a recommended response to the threat that may be incorporated in whole or in part in how the vehicle reacts. Various ways to engage and utilize remote viewers are proposed to improve the likelihood of receiving useful recommendations, including modifying how the environment is presented to a remote viewer to best suit the remote viewer, e.g., perhaps present the threat in a game.