A method includes receiving, from an imaging device associated with a robotic apparatus, an image signal; identifying an object of interest that is represented in the image signal, wherein the object of interest is identified by the robotic apparatus using the image signal based on irradiation of the object of interest by an external agent; receiving, by the robotic apparatus from the external agent, a task indication that is representative of a task to be performed by the robotic apparatus. Responsive to receipt of the task indication, the method further includes saving a robotic context including information associating the task to be performed with the object of interest, and causing the robotic apparatus to perform the task with respect to the object of interest.

A controller is provided for a hybrid system including an electric supercharger, a motor generator, and an energy storage system for supplying electric power to the electric supercharger and the motor generator controls the electric supercharger (and the motor generator in accordance with a required torque. Specifically, even when the required torque can be achieved by an engine alone, the controller for the hybrid system activates at least one of the electric supercharger and the motor generator to provide torque assist to the engine when the state of charge of the energy storage system is sufficiently high.

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.

The invention relates to an adaptive powertrain control for realizing an enhanced or optimized performance of one or more vehicle features. By monitoring vehicle performance, dynamic adjustments can be made to various vehicle operation parameters to enhance a feature of vehicle performance, such as fuel economy. A method (40) of controlling a vehicle powertrain includes monitoring vehicle performance (42) and determining whether at least one of a plurality of vehicle performance features may be enhanced (44). A plurality of operation parameters that are associated with the powertrain are identified that have a relationship to the at least one performance feature (46). An adjustment is automatically made to at least one of the identified operation parameters to thereby enhance at least one aspect of the at least one performance feature (48). The performance feature may comprise fuel economy or urea consumption.

A method for regulation of a concentration/fraction of one or several substances in an exhaust stream in a motor vehicle through control of its driveline. The motor vehicle includes a driveline comprising a combustion engine; a driveline comprising a combustion engine connected to a gearbox, and an exhaust system for removal of an exhaust stream from the engine. The method includes the step: controlling the driveline for activation or deactivation of coasting of the vehicle based on one or several first parameters P.sub.1 for the regulation of a concentration/fraction C.sub.EXIX.sub.EX of one or several substances T.sub.EX in the exhaust stream, where at least one of the or several first parameters P.sub.1 are a first concentration/fraction difference between the first concentration/fraction C.sub.1/X.sub.1 in the exhaust stream and a reference concentration/fraction C.sub.RefIX.sub.Ref. Further, a computer program, a computer program product, a system and a motor vehicle such a system are disclosed.

The invention relates to a method of controlling a vehicle powertrain including determining that a performance feature associated with the powertrain is outside of a desired performance range. A plurality of operation parameters that are associated with the powertrain are identified that have a relationship to the performance feature. An adjustment is automatically made to at least one of the identified operation parameters to thereby bring the performance feature closer to the desired performance range. Preferably, the relationship comprises a mathematical model that corresponds to how the operation parameters influence whether the performance feature is within the desired performance range, the method further comprising identifying an actuator failure associated with the powertrain; determining at least one of the operation parameters corresponding to the actuator failure; determining a value of the corresponding operation parameter that is indicative of the actuator failure; and using the determined value as a fixed value for the corresponding operation parameter in the mathematical model.

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.

Systems, devices, and methods are described herein for an auxiliary heat exchange system for use in scientific sampling. In one aspect, a heat exchange system may include at least one first conduit housed in an external casing, that is removably attachable to a heat/cooling system of a vehicle. Another conduit, such as a tracer tube, may be positioned proximate to the first conduit and housed in the external casing for at least a partial length of the first conduit. The tracer conduit may include a first end that is removably attachable to a gas collection device and a second end removably attachable to a measuring device. The first conduit may be configured to carry heated liquid from the heating/cooling system of the vehicle to maintain at least a threshold temperature of gas samples in the tracer conduit to prevent or reduce the formation of condensates in the tracer conduit.

Systems, devices, and methods are described herein for a mobile scientific or measuring platform. In one aspect, a mobile scientific platform may include a vehicle having an electric energy source and a measuring device, such as a mass spectrometer, coupled to the electric energy source. An input line may be coupled to the measuring device and one or more sample collectors, for example, for obtaining gas samples. In some aspects, the input line may include a heating element configured to maintain a line temperature that is equal to or above the temperature of the samples collected, to reduce or prevent the formation of condensates in collected samples. In some aspects, the mobile scientific platform may run, or be switched to run, on electric, propone, compressed natural gas, or other similar fuel to enable the collection of gas samples free of (or having reduced levels of) vehicle caused contamination.

An electrified vehicle includes a transmission system including a differential and an electrically powered heating device configured to selectively warm a differential fluid of the differential. The electrically powered heating device is selectively powered to warm the differential fluid.