Autonomous diesel vehicles and control methods thereof are disclosed. An autonomous vehicle may include a peripheral information collecting unit configured to collect peripheral information necessary for autonomous travelling through an image camera and a laser scanner, a main control unit configured to control the autonomous travelling with reference to the peripheral information collected by the peripheral information collecting unit, a passenger monitoring unit configured to check whether a passenger exists inside the vehicle through a sensor and transmit a result of the check to the main control unit, and an engine control unit configured to control driving of an engine and injection of fuel of an injector according to a control instruction of the main control unit. When the passenger is inside the vehicle, the main control unit performs a pilot injection control, and when the passenger is not inside the vehicle, the main control unit omits the pilot injection control.

Systems and methods to reduce operating expenses of a vehicle based on control of operation of a vehicle system. The system includes a controller. The controller is structured to receive one or more parameters comprising expense data, adjust operating expenses of a vehicle system based on the one or more parameters, and generate a command structured to adjust operation of the vehicle system responsive to the adjustment of the operating expenses.

A method includes receiving, from an imaging device associated with a robotic apparatus, an image signal including an object of interest represented in the image signal; receiving, by the robotic apparatus from an external agent, a task indication related to the object of interest, the task indication representative of a task to be performed by the robotic apparatus with respect to the object of interest; and responsive to receipt of the task indication: detecting salient features of the object of interest within the image; storing, by the robotic apparatus, a task context, the task context comprising data pertaining to the salient features and data pertaining to the task indication; and commencing, by the robotic apparatus, the task with respect to the object of interest.

A vehicle and a stop switch apparatus capable of accommodating various unexpected situations in a software operable vehicle. The vehicle is provided with a first operation section that allows operation of the vehicle without software, a second operation section capable of operating the vehicle by using software, a communicator that communicates with an external apparatus, and a stop switch that is provided physically and operable to stop operation of the second operation section without software.

An automated control system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and an input device. The UAV includes: a sensor, a receiver; and memory. The memory includes a task association data including one or more tasks for execution by the UAV. The input device includes a tagging block. The tagging block allows an operator to tag an object of interest and send a tag regarding the object of interest to the UAV, via the receiver, wherein the object of interest is located within a visual field of the UAV. The sensor processes data within the visual field and the input device is configured to communicate the object of interest from the visual field tagged by the operator. The task is selected from the task association data and the UAV executes the task with respect to the object of interest from the visual field.

Methods and systems are provided for coordinating engine and motor torque in a hybrid vehicle system. The systems and methods use an engine torque command to obtain a motor torque command, and adjust the engine torque command based on an estimate of a time delay between commanded and actual motor torque prior to the engine command being sent to an engine controller. In this way, crankshaft torque accuracy may be improved.

The working vehicle includes an engine installed in a front portion of a traveling machine body, and a post-processing device configured to purify exhaust gas from the engine. The post-processing device is mounted on an upper side of the engine. The engine and the post-processing device are covered with a hood. A hood shield plate is disposed on a rear surface side of the hood and covers at least the post-processing device from a rear surface. A heat insulating layer is formed between an operating seat disposed on a rear side of the hood and the hood shield plate.

An excavator for use on slopes having an incline above 30 degrees, the excavator comprising an undercarriage, a propulsion system and a house rotatably mounted to the undercarriage, wherein a rigid member extends upwardly from the undercarriage, through the house and around which the house rotates, the rigid member supports a cradle to which an engine power pack is mounted within the house, the cradle allowing the engine power pack to tilt within the cradle so that it stays generally horizontal as the excavator travels over a slope.

A method can be used for controlling torque of a diesel hybrid vehicle. The method includes calculating energy consumptions of an engine for respective engine torques within an engine torque range and calculating energy consumptions of a battery for respective motor torques within a motor torque range. A plurality of total energy consumptions can be calculated based on the energy consumptions of the engine and the energy consumptions of the battery. The torque of the diesel hybrid vehicle can be controlled based on an engine torque and a motor torque that are relevant to the minimum of the plurality of total energy consumptions. The energy consumptions of the engine are calculated based on a lower heating value of fuel, fuel consumption rates, and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

Systems, devices, and methods are described herein for a vapor or gas sampling device. In one aspect, the described collector may include an outer tube having first and second ends, with the hollow tube forming a plurality of perforations proximate to the first end. In some examples, the perforations may prevent the passing of detritus or environmental contaminants through the perforations. The collector may also include inner tube having a first end and a second end, with the hollow tube forming a plurality of perforations proximate to the second end, which is opposite the first end of the outer tube. The inner tube may be positioned or affixed at least partially inside of the outer tube. The perforations on the inner tube may be located towards the second end when relative to the perforations on the outer tube, such that the perforations of the two tubes do not overlap.