Paccar Inc.

T-Mobile USA, Inc.

Yen-Lin Han

Ted Scherzinger

Kirstin Schauble

Christian Heussy

Austin Chong

Pauline Shammami

Caroline Hofgaard

Stan Delizo

Oleksiy Khomenko

Syed Toaha Ahmad

Zachary Powers

Stan DeLizo

William Ah Tou

Natasha Theodora Petrus

Bradley Chew

Grant Taylor

Derek Klaas

Marguerite Eaton

Eric Christie

Mark Taylor

Charles Lyford

Eenseung Kwak

Brian Celustka

Trevor R Hart

Sahm Noorfeshan

Owen F Van Valkenburgh

Benjamin M Cross

A method of autonomously maneuvering a vehicle using environment sensors comprises calculating first coordinate data based on information received from environment sensors mounted on a first portion of the vehicle; determining, based on the first coordinate data, a first target at a first location; determining a path to maneuver the vehicle to the first location; determining and transmitting commands to autonomously control the vehicle to maneuver to the first location; calculating second coordinate data based on information received from environment sensors mounted on a second portion of the vehicle; determining based on the second coordinate data, a second target at a second location, determining a path to maneuver the vehicle from the first location to the second location; and determining and transmitting commands to autonomously control the vehicle to maneuver from the first location to the second location. Suitably configured vehicles (e.g., tractor units) are also described.

Selection of environment sensors for autonomous vehicle maneuvering

The present technology describes systems and methods for a mechanized gladhand and an end effector. The mechanized gladhand may have a collar capable of rotational motion while the mating surface may be in contact with a second surface without rotating. This may reduce reaction loads while maintaining the integrity of the connection. The end effector may include a drive motor, clasping tool, and/or driving installed tool that may be used to couple a tool with the gladhand or may be used in other applications. The end effector may have a compact design to allow precise control. The movement of the end effector with the gladhand may be controlled based on image processing to align the tool with another component.

Torque-limiting end effector

In some embodiments, techniques are provided for autonomously backing a vehicle (such as a Class 8 truck) to a trailer. In some embodiments, environment sensors such as image sensors and range sensors mounted to the vehicle detect a trailer and determine distances between the trailer and the vehicle as well as relative angles of the trailer and the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle determines a path to the trailer based on this information, and autonomously controls braking, torque, and/or steering of the vehicle to autonomously back the vehicle along the determined path.

System and methods for autonomously backing a vehicle to a trailer

Mechanized gladhand

Arrangements and techniques for testing mobile devices within a test module. The test modules are portable and may be stacked to provide a modular testing system. A pulley system may be used to move an actuator arm horizontally in the X and Y directions. The actuator arm may be moved vertically in the Z direction such that a tip may engage a touchscreen of a mobile device being tested or a user interface element of the mobile device.

Modular wireless communication device testing system

A method of autonomously backing a vehicle (e.g., a tractor unit) to a trailer (e.g., a semi-trailer) comprising a trailer-mounted coupling device (e.g., a kingpin). The method includes determining, by an autonomous backing module of the vehicle, a target corresponding to the trailer-mounted coupling device; determining, by the autonomous backing module, a path to maneuver the vehicle to the target and align a vehicle-mounted coupling device (e.g., a fifth wheel) with the trailer-mounted coupling device, determining, by the autonomous backing module, commands to components of the vehicle to autonomously control the vehicle to maneuver along the determined path to the target, and transmitting, by the autonomous backing module, the commands to the components of the vehicle (e.g., a braking control module, a steering control module, and/or a torque request module). Suitably configured vehicles are also described.

Autonomous detection of and backing to trailer kingpin

In some embodiments, a range sensor is configured to detect a distance between a portion of a vehicle and an object above the portion of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the detected distance may be presented to an operator to allow the operator to control a height of an adjustable suspension in order to manually control the distance. In some embodiments, the detected distance may be used to automatically control the distance. In some embodiments, the distance may be controlled in order to allow the vehicle to couple to the object, such as a fifth wheel of the vehicle coupling to a kingpin of a trailer.

Systems and methods for determining a height of an object above a vehicle

In some embodiments, techniques for updating a model that represents turning dynamics of a vehicle are provided. In some embodiments, an initial location and orientation of the vehicle with respect to an object outside the vehicle are determined using information from environment sensors including but not limited to image sensors and/or range sensors. In some embodiments, vehicle state information including but not limited to steering angle and wheel speed is received before determining a new location and orientation of the vehicle with respect to the object. In some embodiments, the model is updated using the initial location and orientation, the new location and orientation, and the vehicle state information.

Systems and methods for automatically updating a model of vehicle turning dynamics

The present technology describes systems and methods for power coupling of a tractor-trailer system. The technology may include a robotic arm, an end effector, a coupling tool, and a tool resting rack. An electrical outlet on a trailer may be coupled with a tool under control of the end effector and positioning of the robotic arm. The end effector may include a housing, a motor, a clutch, and a drive shaft. A tool coupled to the end effector may include an electro-mechanical (EM) coupler. The EM coupler may include a housing, an electric plug, a lid lifter, a lead screw, and a servomotor.

Mechanized trailer connector

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Yen-Lin Han