Abstract: A robot control method for a robot performing an insertion operation of inserting a second target object with force control into a first target object conveyed by a conveyor device is provided. The robot control method includes: a follow step of causing the second target object to follow the first target object from an operation start location, based on a conveyance speed of the first target object; a contact step of bringing the second target object into contact with the first target object, the second target object being in a tilted attitude in relation to the first target object, with the force control; an attitude change step of changing the attitude of the second target object in such a way that the tilt in relation to the first target object is eliminated, while pressing the second target object against the first target object, with the force control; and an insertion step of inserting the second target object into the first target object.

Abstract: A robotic joint system with integrated safety can include a first support member, a second support member, and a tunable actuator joint assembly including a joint having an axis of rotation about which the first support member and the second support member rotate. The tunable actuator joint assembly can include a primary actuator and a quasi-passive linear pneumatic actuator coupled between the first and second support members. The quasi-passive linear pneumatic actuator can comprise an active state in which the quasi-passive linear pneumatic actuator stores energy upon a first rotation of the first and second support members and releases energy upon a second rotation of the first and second support members opposite the first rotation, and an inactive state that facilitates return of the first and second support members to a default position.

Abstract: A robot casing includes, in a hollow resin body portion, two attachment openings and one work opening that communicate between an inside and an outside of the body portion. The two attachment openings are respectively provided in both end portions of the body portion; a metal member constituting an attachment surface is embedded in a resin constituting the body portion at a periphery of the attachment opening; the metal member is provided with attachment holes that allow attachment screws, which are used for attachment to the attachment surface, to penetrate therethrough or to be fastened thereinto, and is also embedded in the resin in a state in which the attachment surface is exposed; and components can be respectively attached to the two attachment openings by utilizing the work opening.

Abstract: An estimation device includes a memory and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to acquire information regarding a target object. The at least one processor is configured to estimate information regarding a location and a posture of a gripper relating to where the gripper is able to grasp the target object. The estimation is based on an output of a neural model having as an input the information regarding the target object. The estimated information regarding the posture includes information capable of expressing a rotation angle around a plurality of axes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods adapted to calibrate a robot gripper to a camera. The method includes providing a robot with a coupled moveable gripper, providing one or more cameras, providing a target scene having one or more fixed target points, moving the gripper and capturing images of the target scene at two or more imaging locations, recording positions in the gripper coordinate system for each of the imaging locations, recording images in a camera coordinate system, and processing the images and positions to determine a gripper-to-camera transformation between the gripper coordinate system and the camera coordinate system. The transformation may be accomplished by nonlinear least-squares minimization, such as the Levenberg-Marquardt method. Robot calibration apparatus for carrying out the method are disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Source support arm of a liquid crystal panel transportation device is provided, which includes a primary arm section. The primary arm section includes a plurality of ancillary arm sections that are rotatable to open mounted thereon. A liquid crystal panel transportation device is also disclosed, which includes a support arm having a primary arm section and ancillary arm sections that are mounted to the primary arm section and are rotatable to open.

Abstract: A medical manipulator includes an insertion part including an external cylindrical tube that has a bendingly manipulable bending part and that has flexibility; a manipulation part; an arm part which is provided on a distal end part of the insertion part; a mode-input part which is provided on the manipulation part and is capable of inputting a mode; and a control part that selectively controls the bending part and the arm part such that the bending part and the arm part are controlled to enter one of two states consisting of a locked state in which the bending part and the arm part are locked in a predetermined state in which the manipulation input is not accepted, and a non-locked state, on the basis of the manipulation input and a mode input to the mode-input part.

Abstract: Provided is an in-pipe inspection robot which moves along a path in a pipe to inspect suspected areas such as cracks in the pipe. An in-pipe inspection robot in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which two or more operating units having a plurality of arms, which move forward and backward in a radial direction of a pipe, are connected to each other to move in a straight direction or to be bent relative to each other by means of a flexible link mechanism.

Abstract: A SCARA robot according to an aspect of the invention includes a first arm rotatable with respect to a base, a second arm rotatable with respect to the first arm, a first rotation regulating member regulating a rotation of the first arm, and a second rotation regulating member regulating a rotation of the second arm. The first arm includes a beam provided inside a casing, at least one of the first rotation regulating member and the second rotation regulating member includes a contact part, a fixing part, and a connecting part.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus including a frame, a first SCARA arm connected to the frame, including an end effector, configured to extend and retract along a first radial axis; a second SCARA arm connected to the frame, including an end effector, configured to extend and retract along a second radial axis, the SCARA arms having a common shoulder axis of rotation; and a drive section coupled to the SCARA arms is configured to independently extend each SCARA arm along a respective radial axis and rotate each SCARA arm about the common shoulder axis of rotation where the first radial axis is angled relative to the second radial axis and the end effector of a respective arm is aligned with a respective radial axis, wherein each end effector is configured to hold at least one substrate and the end effectors are located on a common transfer plane.

Abstract: A ceiling-mounted SCARA robot includes: a base, a first arm that is connected to the lower side of the base via a first coupling part centering around a first articulated shaft and that can pivotally move around the first articulated shaft within a horizontal plane, a second arm that is connected to the lower side of the first arm via a second coupling part centering around a second articulated shaft and that can pivotally move around the second articulated shaft within a horizontal plane, a working shaft that is mounted on the second arm, a second articulated shaft motor and a second articulated shaft reducer for driving the second arm, and a working-shaft rotation motor that rotates the working shaft. The second articulated shaft reducer is provided on the second coupling part, and the working-shaft rotation motor is arranged directly below the second articulated shaft reducer.

Abstract: An industrial robot of the present disclosure includes a manipulator, a control device for controlling the manipulator, and a connection cable that connects the manipulator to the control device. The manipulator includes a fixed base section, a first motor, a first detecting section, a power supply section, a first casing, and a first power supply cable. The first motor operates the manipulator. The first detecting section detects the state of the first motor. The power supply section supplies electric power to the first detecting section. The first casing stores the first motor and the first detecting section. The first power supply cable connects the first detecting section to the power supply section. The power supply section is disposed in the base section.

Abstract: A robot according to an embodiment includes a flange, a wrist arm, a forearm, a feeder, and a power cable. The flange configured so that a welding torch is attached thereto and configured to rotate about a T axis. The wrist arm configured to rotate about a B axis substantially perpendicular to the T axis and configured to support the flange. The forearm configured to support the wrist arm. The feeder attached to a position between a base end and a tip end of the forearm and configured to feed a welding wire. The power cable is a supply route of electricity to the welding torch and is provided separately from a feeding route of the welding wire.

Abstract: An automatic balancing structure of a medical balancing stand has stoppers arranged on a turn plate. In a normal state, the stoppers are in contact with and hold a contact part of a lever so that the lever and turn plate follow a rotative motion of a lateral arm. If the lateral arm causes an imbalance, a strain occurs on the lever to which a strain sensor is attached. The strain sensor detects the strain and outputs a signal to an adjustment unit so as to cancel the imbalance of the lateral arm. The strain sensor helps downsizing the automatic balancing structure and making the balance adjustment easier.

Abstract: A transport apparatus including a robot drive; an arm having a first end connected to the robot drive; and at least one end effector connected to a second end of the arm. The arm includes at least three links connected in series to form the arm. The arm is configured to be moved by the robot drive to move the at least one end effector among load locks and two or more sets of opposing process modules.

Abstract: A parallel link robot includes a first arm including a first joint portion; a second arm including a second joint portion swingably engaging with the first joint portion, the second arm being connected to the first arm to make up a link mechanism; and a biasing mechanism unit which biases the second joint portion toward the first joint portion. The biasing mechanism unit includes a connection member attached to the second arm and the connection member includes a locking portion configured to lock the connection member to the second arm.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgical system includes a slave surgical instrument having a slave surgical instrument tip and a master grip. The slave surgical instrument tip has an alignment in a common frame of reference and the master grip, which is coupled to the slave surgical instrument, has an alignment in the common frame of reference. An alignment error, in the common frame of reference, is a difference in alignment between the alignment of the slave surgical instrument tip and the alignment of the master grip. A ratcheting system (i) coupled to the master grip to receive the alignment of the master grip and (ii) coupled to the slave surgical instrument, to control motion of the slave by continuously reducing the alignment error, as the master grip moves, without autonomous motion of the slave surgical instrument tip and without autonomous motion of the master grip.

Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a mobile body, a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body and comprising an end effector configured to unload a row of cartons in a side-by-side orientation from the carton pile, and a conveyor system mounted on the mobile body and configured to receive the row of cartons from the end effector in the side-by-side orientation. In various embodiments the conveyor system may comprise a front-end descrambler and a central descrambler coupled to the front-end descrambler. In various embodiments, the robotic arm may be configured to straddle at least a portion of the mobile body and at least a portion of the conveyor system such that the conveyor system conveys cartons from the carton pile through the robotic arm.

Abstract: A device (1) for moving and positioning a member in space has a mobile member (2), first and second members (3, 4) attached to a frame (32), and first and second carriages (5, 6) slidable along the members (3, 4). A first pair of arms (7, 8) are hinged to the first carriage and to the mobile member, forming a first four-bar linkage. A second pair of arms (10, 11) are hinged to the second carriage (6) and to the mobile member, forming a second four-bar linkage. A third pair of arms (14, 15) are hinged to a third member (13) and to the mobile member (2), forming a third four-bar linkage. A fourth member (17) which is hinged to the frame (3, 4, 19, 32) of the device (1) rotatably bears the third member (13), with a first actuator (18) provided for moving the fourth member (17).

Abstract: A high density actuator, comprising a housing assembly composed of a first housing element containing a motor stator and a second housing element containing a gear reduction mechanism, a rotational core positioned at the center of the housing assembly, the rotational core being composed of a motor rotor and a transmission input operatively connected to the motor rotor, a transmission output positioned between the transmission input and the housing assembly, the transmission output forming an actuator output, a torque transfer output operatively connected to the actuator output and a center shaft connected to the torque transfer output in its center and in rotational contact with the first housing element, the center shaft passing through the transmission output, rotational core and second housing element to ensure proper radial and axial alignment.

Abstract: A combination component handling and connecting device connectable to a multi-axis robot for use in moving and connecting components and subassemblies includes a housing and an actuator fixedly connected to the housing. The actuator includes an actuating link movable from a first position to a second position. Connected to the actuating link is an end effector for concurrent movement with the actuating link. The component handling and connecting device includes a clamp having a first jaw and a second jaw. The second jaw is connected to the actuating link for selectively moving the second jaw toward the first jaw operative to engage a component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a robot joint driving method, computer-readable medium, and device assembly which conducts motions similar to those of humans, and a robot having the same. These motions are achieved by arranging joint driving devices suited to characteristics of respective joints. The robot joint driving device assembly includes a tendon-type joint driving device using a wire, and a harmonic drive-type joint driving device using a gear reduction method. The tendon-type joint driving device is used to drive a rotary joint requiring high back-drivability, and the harmonic drive-type joint driving device is used to drive a rotary joint requiring high rigidity and high precision.

Abstract: A robot system according to an aspect of the present embodiment includes a robot (a first robot) and a controller. The robot has a robot hand (hand) equipped with one set of gripping claws that grips a tape member stuck on a workpiece to be processed. The controller instructs the robot to perform operation of peeling off the tape member while gripping the end of the tape member with the gripping claws.

Abstract: A tool welding system is disclosed that includes a table that heats a tool. A multi-axis robot includes a welding head that is moved relative to the table in response to a command. A controller is in communication with the robot and generates the command in response to welding parameters. The weld parameters are based upon a difference between an initial tool shape and a desired tool shape. The difference between the initial tool shape and the desired tool shape corresponds to a desired weld shape. The desired weld shape is adjusted based upon initial tool shape variations, which includes thermal growth of the tool. The tool is welded to provide the desired weld shape to achieve a desired tool shape.

Abstract: A robot in an embodiment includes a robot body, an end effector, a cable, and one or more coupling portions. The end effector is connected to the robot body. The cable is composed of a plurality of sub cables, arranged along the robot body, and connected to the end effector. Each of the coupling portion is provided between one sub cable and an adjacent sub cable of the sub cables to couple the one and adjacent sub cables together.

Abstract: An attachment structure for drive cables include a first fixing member and a second fixing member separate from the first fixing member, which are designed to fix the drive cables in a non-slidable manner. The first fixing member is disposed behind a pivot body of a robot so as to pivot together with the pivot body. The second fixing member is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the first fixing member in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of an arm of the robot. The drive cables are fixed so as to be convexly curved upward in a portion between the first fixing member and the second fixing member.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to robotic surgical systems and devices that use force and/or torque sensors to measure forces applied at various components of the system or device. Certain implementations include robotic surgical devices having one or more force/torque sensors that detect or measure one or more forces applied at or on one or more arms. Other embodiments relate to systems having a robotic surgical device that has one or more sensors and an external controller that has one or more motors such that the sensors transmit information that is used at the controller to actuate the motors to provide haptic feedback to a user.

Abstract: In one example, an arm assembly with an arm locking system is described that can include a base to position the arm on a support structure, an extension arm having first and second ends, the first end of the extension arm connected to the support structure or base at a first joint proximate the first end. The system can include a lift arm having third and fourth ends, the third end connected to the extension arm at a second joint proximate the third end, the fourth end being height adjustable relative to the base. The system can include a first lock engageable to selectively prevent movement about the first joint, a second lock engageable to selectively prevent movement about the second joint, and a third lock engageable to selectively prevent a height of the fourth end from being adjusted relative to the base or extension arm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a robot, which is capable of communicating according to a gesture. The robot includes a plurality of link members, and an outer cover member surrounding the plurality of link members. The shape of the outer cover member is varied into a curved shape, when the outer cover member is adhered closely to the plurality of link members, according to the variation of the shapes of the plurality of link members.

Abstract: A robot according to an embodiment includes a base, a first structure, a second structure, and a third structure. The first structure is connected to the base to be rotatable about a first axis. The second structure is connected to the first structure to be rotatable about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The third structure is connected to the second structure to be rotatable about a third axis parallel to the second axis. The first structure and the third structure are formed by using cast materials having a same shape.

Abstract: A robot includes a base seat, a first arm fixed to the base seat, a second arm rotatably connected to the first arm, an output shaft rotatably connected to a distal end of the second arm, a first driving member, and a first transmission mechanism. The first transmission mechanism includes a first transmission belt and a reducer. The first driving member is located at one end of the first arm adjacent to the base seat, the reducer is located at the other end of the first arm away from the base seat, and connected to the second arm, the first driving member is capable of driving the reducer via the first transmission belt.

Abstract: A parallel robot includes a base casing, a plurality of arms, and an end unit. The base casing contains a plurality of actuators. Each of the arms is coupled to one of the actuators. The end unit is coupled to the plurality of arms. A communication hole for allowing piping and/or wiring to continue is formed in the base casing at its side facing the end unit.

Abstract: A drive device includes plural moving portions, piezoelectric motors that move the moving portions, at least one drive circuit that drives the piezoelectric motors, and a connection/disconnection portion that connects and disconnects the piezoelectric motors and the drive circuit. The number of drive circuits is fewer than the number of piezoelectric motors.

Abstract: Robotic platform for mini-invasive surgery comprising robotic arms (4a, 4b) suitable to be placed in the body of a patient, introduced through a single access port, which are an extension of external robotic manipulators (19). The continuity between external (1) and internal (4a, 4b) robotic arms is guaranteed by means of a trans-abdominal magnetic connection (6) between the internal robotic arm integral with the external one. The trans-abdominal magnetic coupling not only guarantees a stable anchoring, but most of all it transfers degrees of freedom to the internal robotic arms, inducing the motion of internal magnets by means of the automatized motion of external magnets. It is also possible to reposition the internal robotic arms without requiring having to additionally perform incisions on the abdomen. Using the external robotic arms allows translating the internal ones on the entire abdomen thus providing a working space not bound to the point of insertion and theoretically unlimited.

Abstract: An industrial robot is provided with the first hand, the second hand, the arm and the main unit section. The base end portion of the first hand and the base end portion of the second hand are joined to the front end portion of the arm such that they overlap with each other in the top-bottom direction. The first hand and the second hand are independently rotatable with respect to the arm and also rotatable about the common center of rotation with respect to the arm in the view from the top-bottom direction. Also, the first hand and the second hand are formed being bent in the view from the top-bottom direction, and also formed to have line symmetry about a predetermined imaginary line passing through the center of rotation in the view from the top-bottom direction.

Abstract: A system including a mobile telepresence robot, a telepresence computing device in wireless communication with the robot, and a host computing device in wireless communication with the robot and the telepresence computing device. The host computing device relays User Datagram Protocol traffic between the robot and the telepresence computing device through a firewall.

Abstract: Systems, machines, and methods for monitoring wafer handling are disclosed herein. A system for monitoring wafer handling includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is capable of being secured to an assembled wafer handling machine. The controller is in electronic communication with the sensor and includes control logic. The control logic is configured to store a reference output of the sensor when the wafer handling machine is aligned and is configured to generate an indication signal when a difference between the reference output and a current output of the sensor exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The present application provides an industrial robot that can control the abrasion and damage of a bearing unit, and also control the deformation of an arm, even in the case of transferring a high-temperature transfer object in a vacuum. The industrial robot includes a bearing unit for supporting an arm at a joint section as a connection section between the arm and the main body. At the joint section, the arm has a first protrusion section protruding toward the main body, and meanwhile the main body has a first housing section in which a first hollow section for housing the first protrusion section is formed. The first protrusion section and the first housing section are formed of a material having higher thermal conductivity than the bearing unit has, and a semisolid thermally-conductive substance, having higher thermal conductivity than the bearing unit has, is placed in the first hollow section.

Abstract: A parallel mechanism with three-dimensional translation and one-dimensional rotation include a fixing rack, a mobile platform and four chains of the same structure which are symmetrically set between the fixing rack and the mobile platform. Each chain has a near rack rod and two parallel far rack rods. The mobile platform includes a main platform and an assistant platform connected by a revolute joint and perpendicular to each other. Each end of the main platform and the assistant platform is connected with a corresponding lower connecting shaft separately.

Abstract: From a desired wrist joint position and a desired elbow rotation angle, a temporary elbow joint position is calculated on the assumption that a distance between a shoulder joint and an elbow joint is fixed. The shoulder joint has a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis, and the elbow joint has a fourth axis. From the calculated temporary elbow joint position, temporary angles of the first and second axes or temporary angles of the first to fourth axes are determined. The temporary angles are corrected in accordance with at least one evaluation function calculated from the temporary angles.

Abstract: A master-slave manipulator includes a remote manipulation device, a slave manipulator, and a control unit. The remote manipulation device as a master gives an operating command corresponding to a plurality of degrees of freedom. The slave manipulator includes a plurality of joints corresponding to the degrees of freedom. The slave manipulator includes a redundant joint among the joints. The control unit controls operations of the joints in accordance with the operating command. The control unit calculates an orientation change of the remote manipulation device from the operating command at predetermined time intervals and selects and drives one of the joints in redundancy relationship among the joints in accordance with the orientation change.

Abstract: An arm assembly includes three first arm units connected to a base frame of a parallel robot, a bracket unit disposed below and spaced apart from the base frame, and three second arm units. Each of the second arm units includes a first axle sub-unit journaled to a respective one of the first arm units, a pair of second axle sub-units connected to the first axle sub-unit, a fourth axle sub-unit journaled to the bracket unit, a pair of third axle sub-units connected to the fourth axle sub-unit, and a pair of rod members. Each of the rod members is connected to a respective one of the second axle sub-units and a respective one of the third axle sub-units.

Abstract: An automatic balancing structure of a medical balancing stand has stoppers arranged on a turn plate. In a normal state, the stoppers are in contact with and hold a contact part of a lever so that the lever and turn plate follow a rotative motion of a lateral arm. If the lateral arm causes an imbalance, a strain occurs on the lever to which a strain sensor is attached. The strain sensor detects the strain and outputs a signal to an adjustment unit so as to cancel the imbalance of the lateral arm. The strain sensor helps downsizing the automatic balancing structure and making the balance adjustment easier.

Abstract: A robot includes a base and a robot main body. The robot main body includes a plurality of structural members driven by a plurality of actuators. The base includes a housing into which a control cable drawn, a first opening portion provided on a lower surface of the housing, and a second opening portion provided on a side surface of the housing. The first opening portion is configured capable of selectively attaching/detaching either one of a first connector plate including a connector to which a tip end portion of the control cable can be attached and a first lid portion not including the connector. The second opening portion is configured capable of selectively attaching/detaching either one of a second connector plate including a connector to which a tip end portion of the control cable can be attached and a second lid portion not including the connector.

Abstract: A cable arrangement structure capable of properly arranging a motor-drive cable while preventing a robot from being complicated and increased in size. Among first to sixth motor-drive cables, at least first to third motor-drive cables are introduced to a cable outlet formed on at least one of a rotating body, a first arm and a second arm. The motor-drive cables, introduced to the outlet, are withdrawn outside the robot as a cable bundle or separate cables, and are connected to a robot controller positioned separately from the robot.

Abstract: A manipulator includes a mechanical arm, a cable positioned in the mechanical arm, at least one cable protection device, and a plurality of fasteners. The at least one cable protection device is fixed to the mechanical arm by the fasteners. The mechanical arm defines a receiving slot, in which the cable is partially received. The at least one cable protection device includes a fixing member and a resilient arm. The fixing member is connected to the mechanical arm, opposite to the receiving slot. The resilient arm is capable of swinging relative to the fixing member.

Abstract: A vertical articulated robot includes a base, a turning base, a first upper arm, a second upper arm, a front arm, a wrist assembly, a first motor, a second motor, a third motor, a fourth motor, and a wire body. The wire body includes a first wire portion, a second wire portion, a third wire portion, a fourth wire portion, a fifth wire portion, and a sixth wire portion. The first wire portion extends from the turning base along a third rotation axis and is connected to an outer surface of the first upper arm. The second wire portion extends from the first wire portion along a plane perpendicular to the third rotation axis and is connected to an outer surface of the first upper arm. The third wire portion extends in a U-shape from the second wire portion.

Abstract: An umbilical member attachment device including a base part attached detachably to a first member and a second member of a robot, the first member and the second member rotating relative to each other; a first fastening part attached to the base part to fasten the first umbilical member; and a second fastening part attached to the base part to fasten the second umbilical member. The second fastening part has an attachment member attached to the base part and a fastening member fastening the second umbilical member to the attachment member, and the attachment member is provided detachably from the base part together with the second umbilical member in a state where the first umbilical member is fastened by the first fastening part.

Abstract: A brain machine interface for control of prosthetic devices is provided. In its control, the interface utilizes parallel control of a continuous decoder and a discrete action state decoder. In the discrete decoding, we not only learn states affiliated with the task, but also states related to the velocity of the prosthetic device and the engagement of the user. Moreover, we not only learn the distributions of the neural signals in these states, but we also learn the interactions/transitions between the states, which is crucial to enabling a relatively higher level of performance of the prosthetic device. Embodiments according to this parallel control system enable us to reliably decode not just task-related states, but any “discrete action state,” in parallel with a neural prosthetic “continuous decoder,” to achieve new state-of-the-art levels of performance in brain-machine interfaces.

Abstract: A parallel link robot, including a base part having actuators; a part movable with respect to the base part; link parts with first ends linked with the plurality of actuators rotatably around rotary shafts with respect to the base part and with other ends linked with the moving part; and fixtures attached to the base part to measure rotational positions of the link parts. The base part has reference flat surfaces, and the link parts have moving flat surfaces extended in parallel with respect to the rotary shafts, wherein positional relationships between the moving flat surfaces and the reference flat surfaces become predetermined positional relationships when the link parts rotate to reference positions for calibration of position. The fixtures have measuring devices arranged at measurement positions with known positional relationships with respect to the reference flat surfaces.