A precision landing system is described for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system may include one or more anchors configured for placement in proximity to a landing zone, a tag configured for securement to the UAV where the tag wirelessly communicates with at least three or more of the anchors. A controller may be configured to fly the UAV towards a centerline axis defined through a first airspace zone at a first altitude above the landing zone while descending towards the first altitude and then fly the UAV towards the centerline axis defined through a second airspace zone at a second altitude which is below the first altitude while descending towards the second altitude, and finally to fly the UAV towards the centerline axis defined through a third airspace zone at a third altitude which is below the second altitude while descending towards the landing zone.

A materials handling vehicle operating system is provided comprising a tag layout where a plurality of entry/exit tag sets are arranged along a travel path at different ones of the entry/exit thresholds of a restricted navigation zone. Each entry/exit tag set comprises a release tag, a restriction tag, and an indicator tag. The indicator tag is positioned between the restriction tag and the restricted navigation zone. The restriction tag is positioned between the release tag and the indicator tag. The tag reader and the reader module cooperate to compare identified tag data with stored tag data and initiate a remediation operation when an indicator tag is identified in place of a restriction tag. Tag layouts for one-way and two-way travel into and out of a restricted navigation zone are also contemplated.

A robot control system installed in a robot so as to control the robot includes a control module for controlling the robot to move along a preconfigured autonomous traveling path in an autonomous traveling mode; a mode switching module for switching the robot from the autonomous traveling mode to a movement path reconfiguration mode when predetermined switching conditions are satisfied while the robot is in the autonomous traveling mode; and a configuration module for, when the robot is moved by an external force in the movement path reconfiguration mode, tracking a movement path while the robot is moved by the external force and reconfiguring the autonomous traveling path on the basis of the tracked movement path.

A patrol robot including a plurality of magnetic sensors for detecting a magnetic marker laid on a traveling road has at least two or more magnetic sensors arrayed on a sensor array line linearly extending along any direction. In the patrol robot, two sensor array lines are formed, and since at least any one sensor array line can cross with respect to a relative moving direction of the magnetic marker with a movement of the patrol robot, the magnetic marker can be detected with high reliability, irrespective of the moving mode.

A vehicular system includes a measuring unit attached to a vehicle to detect a magnetic marker laid along a traveling road, a database storing position information of the magnetic marker, and a control unit that acquires the position information of the magnetic marker by referring to a storage area of the database. The database has stored therein position information of each magnetic marker to which a distance from a reference point on the traveling road as a starting point to each magnetic marker is linked. By referring to the database by using a distance traveled until the magnetic marker is detected after the vehicle passes over the reference point, position information of newly detected magnetic marker is acquired.

A vehicle system (1) switches control between a restart period after restart of a function of controlling traveling of the vehicle following a parking period during which the function is stopped, until the vehicle moves and first detects a magnetic marker and a normal travel period after the vehicle detects the magnetic marker following the restart period. In the restart period, restart control (S105) is performed in which a position of the vehicle is identified based on a position measured in the restart period to cause the vehicle to travel. In the normal travel period, normal travel control (S107) is performed in which the position of the vehicle is identified based on a position of the detected magnetic marker to cause the vehicle to travel.

In one embodiment, the invention can be a system for monitoring a product, system including a transponder configured to attach to a product in a store; a drone comprising a camera, the drone configured to wirelessly communicate with the transponder; follow the transponder to maintain the wireless communication with the transponder; utilizing the camera, take a photograph or a video of the product to which the transponder is attached; and transmit a wireless alert signal upon an indication of an excessive separation between the drone and the transponder; and an employee device having a user interface, the user interface configured to display an alert when the drone sends the wireless alert signal.

An educational toy (1) includes a self-moving vehicle (10) adapted to move and steer freely on a two-dimensional surface (2) such as a table leaf. A tangible, three-dimensional marker (20) includes at least one RFID tag (21) is used to wirelessly trigger a specific action of the vehicle (10), e.g. turn 90 degrees right, when the vehicle (10) enters a readout range of the marker (20). The marker (20) can be placed freely on the surface (2) and cannot be overrun by the vehicle (10). Thus, the vehicle (10) is instructed to perform a certain action, e.g. take a 90 degrees left turn, using the marker (20). Then, the vehicle (10) moves forward until a next marker (20) is found from which the vehicle (10) receives its next instruction. This enables the educational toy (1) to teach programming during play, which reduces the risk that a user will lose interest.

This disclosure relates to embodiments of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system. An embodiment includes a reader/recorder (active element) in autonomous robotic underwater vehicles (AUVs) and an identifying TAG (RFID) (passive element) with memory for recording an ID (identification/code). The ID is read by the reader/recorder and immediately updates its position and identification of the equipment, system, or underwater pipeline for inspection by AUVs. TAGs are placed on equipment, pipelines, and existing underwater materials in the oil field area by the AUVs themselves, or onshore. For positioning and inspections, the codes of these RFID TAGs are linked to their location in the underwater oil field at its facility.

A method for calibrating a map of an autonomous robot, a trajectory of the autonomous robot, or a combination thereof includes obtaining localization data from a localization sensor of the autonomous robot and determining whether a calibration condition of the autonomous robot is satisfied based on the localization data. The method includes, in response to the calibration condition being satisfied: determining a master position coordinate of the autonomous robot based on a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals broadcasted by a plurality of RF tags, converting the master position coordinate to a local position coordinate of the autonomous robot, and selectively updating the map, the trajectory, or a combination thereof based on the local position coordinate of the autonomous robot.