Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and techniques to perform collision-free motion generation (e.g., to operate a real-world or virtual robot). In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the collision-free motion generation is performed in parallel.

Abstract: Systems techniques to control a robot are described herein. In at least one embodiment, a machine learning model for controlling a robot is trained based at least on one or more population-based training operations or one or more reinforcement learning operations. Once trained, the machine learning model can be deployed and used to control a robot to perform a task.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described related to training one or more machine learning models for use in control of a robot. In at least one embodiment, one or more machine learning models are trained based at least on simulations of the robot and renderings of such simulations—which may be performed using one or more ray tracing algorithms, operations, or techniques.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and techniques to generate a predicted outcome of an object resulting from a robotic component applying a force. In at least one embodiment, a predicted outcome of an object resulting from a robotic component applying a force is generated based on, for example, a neural network.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method for controlling a robot includes performing a plurality of simulations of a robot interacting with one or more objects represented by one or more signed distance functions (SDFs), where performing the plurality of simulations comprises reducing a number of contacts between the one or more objects that are being simulated, and updating one or more parameters of a machine learning model based on the plurality of simulations to generate a trained machine learning model.

Abstract: A technique for training a neural network, including generating a plurality of input vectors based on a first plurality of task demonstrations associated with a first robot performing a first task in a simulated environment, wherein each input vector included in the plurality of input vectors specifies a sequence of poses of an end-effector of the first robot, and training the neural network to generate a plurality of output vectors based on the plurality of input vectors. Another technique for generating a task demonstration, including generating a simulated environment that includes a robot and at least one object, causing the robot to at least partially perform a task associated with the at least one object within the simulated environment based on a first output vector generated by a trained neural network, and recording demonstration data of the robot at least partially performing the task within the simulated environment.

Abstract: A technique for training a neural network, including generating a plurality of input vectors based on a first plurality of task demonstrations associated with a first robot performing a first task in a simulated environment, wherein each input vector included in the plurality of input vectors specifies a sequence of poses of an end-effector of the first robot, and training the neural network to generate a plurality of output vectors based on the plurality of input vectors. Another technique for generating a task demonstration, including generating a simulated environment that includes a robot and at least one object, causing the robot to at least partially perform a task associated with the at least one object within the simulated environment based on a first output vector generated by a trained neural network, and recording demonstration data of the robot at least partially performing the task within the simulated environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to incorporating uncertain inputs into a neural network are described herein. A distribution is obtained and processed by a Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space (RKHS) module to generate an embedding that represents the distribution. The features of the embedding may correspond to a number of Random Fourier Features (RFFs). The embedding can be added to additional features to form an aggregate input for the neural network. The neural network then processes the aggregate input to generate an output based on, at least in part, the embedding of the distribution. In some embodiments, a simulation can be run to generate a distribution for a feature, where each simulator instance generates a different sample for the feature over a plurality of time steps of the simulation. In some embodiments, the output neural network can be used to control robotic systems, vehicles, or other systems.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and techniques are described that estimate the pose of an object while the object is being manipulated by a robotic appendage. In at least one embodiment, a sample-based optimization algorithm tracks in-hand object poses during manipulation via contact feedback and a GPU-accelerated robotic simulation is developed. In at least one embodiment, parallel simulations concurrently model object pose changes that may be caused by complex contact dynamics. In at least one embodiment, the optimization algorithm tunes simulation parameters during object pose tracking to further improve tracking performance. In various embodiments, real-world contact sensing may be improved by utilizing vision in-the-loop.

Abstract: A human pilot controls a robotic arm and gripper by simulating a set of desired motions with the human hand. In at least one embodiment, one or more images of the pilot's hand are captured and analyzed to determine a set of hand poses. In at least one embodiment, the set of hand poses is translated to a corresponding set of robotic-gripper poses. In at least one embodiment, a set of motions is determined that perform the set of robotic-gripper poses, and the robot is directed to perform the set of motions.

Abstract: Certain examples described herein enable semantically-labelled representations of a three-dimensional (3D) space to be generated from video data. In described examples, a 3D representation is a surface element or ‘surfel’ representation, where the geometry of the space is modelled using a plurality of surfaces that are defined within a 3D co-ordinate system. Object-label probability values for spatial elements of frames of video data may be determined using a two-dimensional image classifier. Surface elements that correspond to the spatial elements are identified based on a projection of the surface element representation using an estimated pose for a frame. Object-label probability values for the surface elements are then updated based on the object-label probability values for corresponding spatial elements. This results in a semantically-labelled 3D surface element representation of objects present in the video data.

Abstract: A machine-learning control system is trained to perform a task using a simulation. The simulation is governed by parameters that, in various embodiments, are not precisely known. In an embodiment, the parameters are specified with an initial value and expected range. After training on the simulation, the machine-learning control system attempts to perform the task in the real world. In an embodiment, the results of the attempt are compared to the expected results of the simulation, and the parameters that govern the simulation are adjusted so that the simulated result matches the real-world attempt. In an embodiment, the machine-learning control system is retrained on the updated simulation. In an embodiment, as additional real-world attempts are made, the simulation parameters are refined and the control system is retrained until the simulation is accurate and the control system is able to successfully perform the task in the real world.

Abstract: A computer system generates a tactile force model for a tactile force sensor by performing a number of calibration tasks. In various embodiments, the calibration tasks include pressing the tactile force sensor while the tactile force sensor is attached to a pressure gauge, interacting with a ball, and pushing an object along a planar surface. Data collected from these calibration tasks is used to train a neural network. The resulting tactile force model allows the computer system to convert signals received from the tactile force sensor into a force magnitude and direction with greater accuracy than conventional methods. In an embodiment, force on the tactile force sensor is inferred by interacting with an object, determining the motion of the object, and estimating the forces on the object based on a physical model of the object.

Abstract: Certain examples described herein enable semantically-labelled representations of a three-dimensional (3D) space to be generated from video data. In described examples, a 3D representation is a surface element or ‘surfel’ representation, where the geometry of the space is modelled using a plurality of surfaces that are defined within a 3D co-ordinate system. Object-label probability values for spatial elements of frames of video data may be determined using a two-dimensional image classifier. Surface elements that correspond to the spatial elements are identified based on a projection of the surface element representation using an estimated pose for a frame. Object-label probability values for the surface elements are then updated based on the object-label probability values for corresponding spatial elements. This results in a semantically-labelled 3D surface element representation of objects present in the video data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for managing seed data in a computing system (e.g., middleware computing system). A disclosed server computer may include a processor and a memory coupled with and readable by the processor and storing therein a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method. The method may include obtaining first input data via a graphical interface. The first input data indicates a first memory storage location of seed data. The seed data comprises data to initialize an application for operation. The method further includes accessing the seed data from the first memory storage location based on the first input data. The method includes storing data based on the seed data to a second memory storage location.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for managing seed data in a computing system (e.g., middleware computing system). A disclosed server computer may include a processor and a memory coupled with and readable by the processor and storing therein a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method. The method may include obtaining first input data via a graphical interface. The first input data indicates a first memory storage location of seed data. The seed data comprises data to initialize an application for operation. The method further includes accessing the seed data from the first memory storage location based on the first input data. The method includes storing data based on the seed data to a second memory storage location.