This invention relates to an autonomous snow removal machine for residential use. The machine is created by converting a manually operated snowblower to electric operation using motors, sensors, and a small computer. Key functions like wheel movement, chute control, and auger engagement are now powered by electric motors, while the auger rotation remains driven by the original gas engine or electric motor. Onboard sensors provide data to the control computer, enabling autonomous snow clearing within a defined area. The user interacts with the machine through a smartphone application to define the clearing zone and initiate the autonomous process. The machine can be operated manually when required by disengaging the clutch mechanism at the wheels and other electric motors.

This invention relates to an autonomous snow removal machine for residential use. The machine is created by converting a manually operated snowblower to electric operation using motors, sensors, and a small computer. Key functions like wheel movement, chute control, and auger engagement are now powered by electric motors, while the auger rotation remains driven by the original gas engine or electric motor. Onboard sensors provide data to the control computer, enabling autonomous snow clearing within a defined area. The user interacts with the machine through a smartphone application to define the clearing zone and initiate the autonomous process. The machine can be operated manually when required by disengaging the clutch mechanism at the wheels and other electric motors.

A method and apparatus for remote control of a vehicle. An input and/or remote control device is provided. The apparatus includes: a transceiver device in the vehicle, configured to exchange signals with the input and/or remote control device; sensors mounted in or on the vehicle for detecting the environment of the vehicle; a signal from the input and/or remote control device to the transceiver device activates an operating mode in the vehicle in which the vehicle moves to a target position independently, i.e., without the assistance of a driver located in the vehicle. The target position is in a first direction of travel of the vehicle. The vehicle, in the operating mode, also moves in the second direction of travel opposite the first direction of travel depending on the detected environment. The vehicle can also move away from the target position in order to reach the target position.

A method and apparatus for remote control of a vehicle. An input and/or remote control device is provided. The apparatus includes: a transceiver device in the vehicle, configured to exchange signals with the input and/or remote control device; sensors mounted in or on the vehicle for detecting the environment of the vehicle; a signal from the input and/or remote control device to the transceiver device activates an operating mode in the vehicle in which the vehicle moves to a target position independently, i.e., without the assistance of a driver located in the vehicle. The target position is in a first direction of travel of the vehicle. The vehicle, in the operating mode, also moves in the second direction of travel opposite the first direction of travel depending on the detected environment. The vehicle can also move away from the target position in order to reach the target position.

A system has been developed to facilitate hands-free autonomous control of material handling equipment or vehicles, such as forklifts and pallet trucks. The system has been designed to facilitate visual tracking by the automated vehicle and further facilitates voice commands. In some use cases, visual tracking is only used, and in other cases only voice commands are used. In other cases, both visual tracking and voice commands are used to control the material handling vehicle. For visual tracking, one or more cameras are configured to capture one or more images of a fiducial. In one case, the vehicle moves, turns, and/or stops based on the movement of the fiducial. For voice control, the operator provides voice commands via a voice controller. The voice controller converts the voice commands to vehicle control commands that are sent to a remote receiver unit (RRU) in the vehicle.

A system has been developed to facilitate hands-free autonomous control of material handling equipment or vehicles, such as forklifts and pallet trucks. The system has been designed to facilitate visual tracking by the automated vehicle and further facilitates voice commands. In some use cases, visual tracking is only used, and in other cases only voice commands are used. In other cases, both visual tracking and voice commands are used to control the material handling vehicle. For visual tracking, one or more cameras are configured to capture one or more images of a fiducial. In one case, the vehicle moves, turns, and/or stops based on the movement of the fiducial. For voice control, the operator provides voice commands via a voice controller. The voice controller converts the voice commands to vehicle control commands that are sent to a remote receiver unit (RRU) in the vehicle.

A control system includes a modal state change detection module configured to receive distinct modal inputs. The detection module is configured to detect a discrete state change of each modal input and to determine data characteristics of the current discrete state. The detection module also is configured to detect a user request. The control system also includes a multimodal interpretation module configured, on each detected state change, to store and update the data characteristics of the current discrete state of the modal input following the detected state change. The multimodal interpretation module is configured, on each detected incomplete request, to complete the incomplete request from the stored up-to-date characteristic data of the current discrete state of another modal input.

A control system includes a modal state change detection module configured to receive distinct modal inputs. The detection module is configured to detect a discrete state change of each modal input and to determine data characteristics of the current discrete state. The detection module also is configured to detect a user request. The control system also includes a multimodal interpretation module configured, on each detected state change, to store and update the data characteristics of the current discrete state of the modal input following the detected state change. The multimodal interpretation module is configured, on each detected incomplete request, to complete the incomplete request from the stored up-to-date characteristic data of the current discrete state of another modal input.

An amphibious vehicle having a frame that includes a plurality of floatable members. Mounted to the frame is one or more power sources. Also mounted to the frame and connected to the power source are a plurality of propellers with each of the plurality of propellers having a thrust vector configured to be adjusted to provide agitation and propulsion. In addition, mounted to the frame are a plurality of ground engaging devices and one or more pumps.

A method and device for remotely controlling a motor vehicle. A remote control device is provided. A transceiver device is located in the vehicle and is configured to exchange signals with the remote control device. A signal from the remote control device to the transceiver device activates a first operating mode in the vehicle, in which operating mode the vehicle moves autonomously, while maintaining specifiable surrounding conditions. The first operating mode is left if the specifiable surrounding conditions can no longer be maintained. After leaving the first operating mode, a second operating mode can be activated by a further signal to the transceiver device. In the second operating mode, the vehicle also moves autonomously but while maintaining further surrounding conditions which are at least partially changed in comparison to the surrounding conditions that can be specified in the first operating mode.