Abstract: One approach is directed to a robotic package handling system, comprising a robotic arm comprising a distal portion and a proximal base portion; an end effector coupled to the distal portion of the robotic arm; a place structure in geometric proximity to the distal portion of the robotic arm; a pick structure transiently coupled to one or more packages and positioned in geometric proximity to the distal portion of the robotic arm; a first imaging device positioned and oriented to capture image information pertaining to the pick structure and one or more packages; and a first computing system operatively coupled to the robotic arm and the first imaging device, and configured to receive the image information from the first imaging device and command movements of the robotic arm based at least in part upon the image information.

Abstract: An end effector device and system for suction-based grasping of bagged objects that can include a body structure with a vacuum line opening and an object engagement region, the vacuum line opening being configured to couple at least one pressure line of a vacuum pressure system to a defined internal channel of the body structure; the body structure comprising an internal structure that defines a concave inner chamber with a chamber opening at the object engagement region; and the internal structure comprising an array of inlets positioned along at least one wall of the concave inner chamber, wherein each inlet defines an opening in the body to the defined internal channel.

Abstract: An end effector device and system for suction-based grasping of bagged objects that can include a body structure with a vacuum line opening and an object engagement region, the vacuum line opening being configured to couple at least one pressure line of a vacuum pressure system to a defined internal channel of the body structure; the body structure comprising an internal structure that defines a concave inner chamber with a chamber opening at the object engagement region; and the internal structure comprising an array of inlets positioned along at least one wall of the concave inner chamber, wherein each inlet defines an opening in the body to the defined internal channel. The body structure may additionally include a suction cup system that comprises a flexible sealing lip at the object engagement region; wherein the chamber opening being positioned within a grasping region of the sealing lip.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to robotic package handling system, comprising: a. a robotic arm comprising a distal portion and a proximal base portion; b. an end effector coupled to the distal portion of the robotic arm; c. a place structure positioned in geometric proximity to the distal portion of the robotic arm; d. a pick structure in contact with one or more packages and positioned in geometric proximity to the distal portion of the robotic arm; e. a first imaging device positioned and oriented to capture image information pertaining to the pick structure and one or more packages; f.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a surgical robot includes a robot arm having an end effector, the end effector comprising a needle assembly. The surgical robot further includes a robot control system operatively connected to the robot arm, and an end effector control system operatively connected to the end effector. The robot control system provides control signals for operation of the robot arm to move the end effector to selected positions relative to a subject. The end effector control system is configured to provide signals for operation of the end effector to at least one of inject material through the needle assembly to a selected location within the subject's body or extract material through the needle assembly from the selected location within the subject's body.

Abstract: A system and method for item sorting that can include an item selection unit with a robotic pick-and-place machine positioned adjacent to a defined input item region; an item sortation unit comprising a horizontal multi-degree-of-freedom gantry system and an item tote array, wherein the horizontal gantry system is positioned above the item tote array; wherein the item sortation unit further comprises an item holding and depositing system that is coupled to and actuated by the gantry system. The system and method can singulate an item from a collection of items and sort into one of a set of item totes.

Abstract: A system and method for a dynamic robot kitting line that can include: processing a set of order requests and setting a packing fulfillment plan process for a robotic kitting line, wherein robotic kitting line comprises a conveyor system, a set of robotic workcells arranged along the conveyor system, and where each robotic workcell includes at least one robotic pick-and-place machine and a set of item bins; and managing operation of the robotic kitting line according to the packing fulfillment plan, which includes: conveying item totes through the set of robotic workcells, and for each item tote, progressively packing items of an order request assigned to an item tote by incrementally packing items at robotic workcells of the set of robotic workcells.

Abstract: An end effector device and system for suction-based grasping of bagged objects that can include a body structure with a vacuum line opening and an object engagement region, the vacuum line opening being configured to couple at least one pressure line of a vacuum pressure system to a defined internal channel of the body structure; the body structure comprising an internal structure that defines a concave inner chamber with a chamber opening at the object engagement region; and the internal structure comprising an array of inlets positioned along at least one wall of the concave inner chamber, wherein each inlet defines an opening in the body to the defined internal channel. The body structure may additionally include a suction cup system that comprises a flexible sealing lip at the object engagement region; wherein the chamber opening being positioned within a grasping region of the sealing lip.

Abstract: An end effector device and system for suction-based grasping of bagged objects that can include a body structure with a vacuum line opening and an object engagement region, the vacuum line opening being configured to couple at least one pressure line of a vacuum pressure system to a defined internal channel of the body structure; the body structure comprising an internal structure that defines a concave inner chamber with a chamber opening at the object engagement region; and the internal structure comprising an array of inlets positioned along at least one wall of the concave inner chamber, wherein each inlet defines an opening in the body to the defined internal channel.

Abstract: An exoskeleton (100) adapted to be coupled to a lower extremity of a person includes a thigh link (102), a shank link (104) and a knee joint (106) allowing flexion and extension between the thigh and shank links (102, 104). A torque generator (156) connected to the knee joint (106) includes a wrap spring (110) having a first end (112) coupled to the thigh link (102), and a second end (118) coupled to an electric actuator (116) capable of selectively positioning the second end (118) of the wrap spring (110). A controller (120) causes the electric actuator (116) to position the wrap spring (110) to provide a selective torque between the thigh and shank links (102, 104) based on a signal (212, 214, 216) produced by a sensor (164, 166, 168).

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, an adjusting device for adjusting a passive drip irrigation valve to enable precision irrigation includes a device body configured to be at least one of hand-held or attachable to a robot, the device body having a manipulator end, and a manipulator assembly contained within and extending from the manipulator end of the device body. The manipulator assembly includes a coarse alignment adjustment assembly constructed and arranged to align the adjusting device with the passive drip irrigation valve. The manipulator assembly also includes a fine actuator configured to rotate the passive drip irrigation valve by a specified angle.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, an adjusting device for adjusting a passive drip irrigation valve to enable precision irrigation includes a device body configured to be at least one of hand-held or attachable to a robot, the device body having a manipulator end, and a manipulator assembly contained within and extending from the manipulator end of the device body. The manipulator assembly includes a coarse alignment adjustment assembly constructed and arranged to align the adjusting device with the passive drip irrigation valve. The manipulator assembly also includes a fine actuator configured to rotate the passive drip irrigation valve by a specified angle.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a surgical robot includes a robot arm having an end effector, the end effector comprising a needle assembly. The surgical robot further includes a robot control system operatively connected to the robot arm, and an end effector control system operatively connected to the end effector. The robot control system provides control signals for operation of the robot arm to move the end effector to selected positions relative to a subject. The end effector control system is configured to provide signals for operation of the end effector to at least one of inject material through the needle assembly to a selected location within the subject's body or extract material through the needle assembly from the selected location within the subject's body.

Abstract: An exoskeleton (100) adapted to be coupled to a lower extremity of a person includes a thigh link (102), a shank link (104) and a knee joint (106) allowing flexion and extension between the thigh and shank links (102, 104). A torque generator (156) connected to the knee joint (106) includes a wrap spring (110) having a first end (112) coupled to the thigh link (102), and a second end (118) coupled to an electric actuator (116) capable of selectively positioning the second end (118) of the wrap spring (110). A controller (120) causes the electric actuator (116) to position the wrap spring (110) to provide a selective torque between the thigh and shank links (102, 104) based on a signal (212, 214, 216) produced by a sensor (164, 166, 168).