Tomahawk Robotics

Harris Corporation

Eagle Technology, LLC

L3harris Technologies, Inc.

Michael E Bowman

Matthew D Summer

Paul Michael Bosscher

William S Bowman

Andrew D Falendysz

Daniel R Hedman

Loran J Wilkinson

Kevin Makovy

Michael W Holt

Brad Truesdell

Nicholas Murphy-DuBay

Robert Francis Meehan

Sean Wagoner

Jeffrey S Cooper

Timothy M Williams

Sean J Irvin

Matthew R Danko

Mark B Moffett

Methods and systems are described herein for enabling aerial vehicle navigation in GPS-denied areas. The system may use a camera to record images of terrain as the aerial vehicle is flying to a target location. The system may then detect (e.g., using a machine learning model) objects within those images and compare those objects with objects within an electronic map that was loaded onto the aerial vehicle. When the system finds one or more objects within the electronic map that match the objects detected within the recorded images, the system may retrieve locations (e.g., GPS coordinates) of the objects within the electronic map and calculate, based on the coordinates, the location of the aerial vehicle. Once the location of the aerial vehicle is determined, the system may navigate to a target location or otherwise adjust a flight path of the aerial vehicle.

Computer vision classifier defined path planning for unmanned aerial vehicles

Methods and systems are described herein for detecting motion-induced errors received from inertial-type input devices and for generating accurate vehicle control commands that account for operator movement. These methods and systems may determine, using motion data from inertial sensors, whether the hand/arm of the operator is moving in the same motion as the body of the operator, and if both are moving in the same way, these systems and methods may determine that the motion is not intended to be a motion-induced command. However, if the hand/arm of the operator is moving in a different motion from the body of the operator, these methods and systems may determine that the operator intended the motion to be a motion-induced command to a vehicle.

Inertially isolated spatial control

Methods and systems are described herein for determining three-dimensional locations of objects within identified portions of images. An image processing system may receive an image and an identification of location within an image. The image may be input into a machine learning model to detect one or more objects within the identified location. Multiple images may then be used to generate location estimations of those objects. Based on the location estimations, an accurate three-dimensional location may be calculated.

Point of interest tracking and estimation

A common command and control architecture (alternatively termed herein as a 'universal control architecture') is disclosed that allows different unmanned systems, including different types of unmanned systems (e.g., air, ground, and/or maritime unmanned systems), to be controlled simultaneously through a common control device (e.g., a controller that can be an input and/or output device). The universal control architecture brings significant efficiency gains in engineering, deployment, training, maintenance, and future upgrades of unmanned systems. In addition, the disclosed common command and control architecture breaks the traditional stovepipe development involving deployment models and thus reducing hardware and software maintenance, creating a streamlined training/proficiency initiative, reducing physical space requirements for transport, and creating a scalable, more connected interoperable approach to control of unmanned systems over existing unmanned systems technology.

Universal control architecture for control of unmanned systems

Unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) includes a rotary joint having an axis of rotation. A rotary joint actuator is responsive to at least one control signal and is configured to cause a rotatable portion of the rotary joint to rotate relative to the vehicle chassis about the rotary joint axis of rotation. A stabilizer flipper having an elongated length is attached to the rotatable portion. Consequently, rotation of the rotatable portion about the rotary joint axis of rotation results in a change of orientation of the stabilizer flipper relative to the chassis. This change in orientation can range between a lateral direction and an longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle chassis.

UGV with adaptive stabilizer

A recoil managed disruptor includes a disruptor device having a barrel from which a slug of material is fired. A piston is mechanically coupled to the disruptor device. A housing which supports the disruptor on a positioning device includes a deformable recoil absorber (DRA) constraint. The DRA constraint is configured to receive a sacrificial DRA structure comprised of a semi-rigid material. The piston is responsive to a recoil force produced when the disruptor device is fired to travel along an axial length of the housing and permanently deform the DRA structure within the DRA constraint.

Lightweight recoil management

Robotic system includes a control system and a slave device which is controlled by the control system. The slave device has a robotic grasping device formed of a rigid base and at least one finger which is movable to facilitate grasping of objects. At least one sensor is provided which senses a force applied to the finger. A cutting tool having a cutting jaw is also attached to the base. The cutting jaw is arranged to pivot on a pivot axis responsive to a pivot motion of the finger. The forces exerted on the cutting jaw are sensed with the sensor during a first predetermined range of finger motion associated with a cutting mode of operation.

Robotic system with haptic cutting tool

UGV bridging system includes a first end of a first elongated span of a hinged bridge structure disposed on a deployment support bracket which is secured to a UGV. A second elongated span is hingedly supported at a second end of the first elongated span opposed from the first end. A tension element applies a tension force to the first elongated span at a location intermediate the first and second ends. The tension force secures the first elongated span in a stowed position adjacent the deployment support bracket. A retention element associated with the deployment support bracket prevents the second elongated span from rotating about the hinge axis in response to a spring bias force. Deployment involves pivoting the first elongated span and concurrently releasing the second elongated span from the retention element in response to the extending.

Robotic bridging system

Systems () and methods () for operating a Spool Mechanism ('SM'). The methods comprise: transitioning an operational mode of SM from a first operational mode in which a drag torque is not settable to a second operational mode in which the drag torque is settable; selectively mechanically coupling a rewind motor to a spool () of SM by engaging a coupler () in response to the SM's transition into the second operational mode; activating the rewind motor () such that the rewind motor applies a motor torque having a pre-defined value selected for facilitating a setting of the drag torque to an optimal value; mechanically gradually adjusting an amount of drag resistance applied to the spool by a drag mechanism (); and discontinuing the mechanical adjustment of the drag resistance when the spool's speed is within a threshold percentage range of a zero resistance speed.

Automatic spool tensioning mechanism

A shock absorbing disruptor mounting system for a robotic arm includes a rack comprised of a linear guide structure and a carriage which is configured to travel on the linear guide structure. The carriage is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position and includes a plurality of wheels along its length. Each of the wheels has a wheel axis of rotation which is transverse to the direction of the linear guide structure centerline to facilitate rotation of the wheels on at least a portion of the linear guide structure responsive to the travel.

Shock absorbing disruptor mounting system

Systems () and methods () for recoil absorption. The methods comprising: causing a moving carrier () to freely travel linearly in a first direction by discharging at least one recoil producing device (-); absorbing an impulse force resulting from discharging the recoil producing device using a spring () having a first end coupled to the moving carrier and a second end () coupled to a fixed frame member (); and applying a pulling force by the spring to the moving carrier in a second direction opposed from the first direction at an end of spring travel, whereby a uni-directional force transfer mechanism () is caused to engage an elongate latching element so as to latch the moving carrier in position and prevent the moving carrier from freely traveling in the second direction.

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Satellite Beach, FL, United States of America

Michael E Bowman