Abstract: One variation of a method for tracking placement of products in a store includes: accessing an image depicting a shelving structure in the store; reading a product identifier of a product from a shelf tag detected in the image; accessing a set of template features associated with the product identifier; based on the shelf tag detected in the image, locating a region in the first image depicting a slot on the shelving structure; confirming presence of a unit of the product in the slot in response to detecting features analogous to the set of template features in the region in the image; detecting absence of the product from the slot based on absence of features analogous to the set of template features in the region in the image; and in response to detecting absence of the product from the slot, generating a prompt to restock the slot.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for determining a travel route of a robot, comprising the steps of: identifying at least one obstacle with respect to a position of a robot; calculating an obstacle radius in which the at least one obstacle has influence, with reference to at least one of information on motion properties of the at least one obstacle and information on a relationship with at least one other obstacle associated with the at least one obstacle; and determining an optimum travel route of the robot with reference to the calculated obstacle radius and a task assigned to the robot.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing a robotic grasping technique. The system in accordance with various embodiments may include a warehouse management system for retrieving and storing items, a robotic manipulator for grasping an item, and analysis module configured to receive data regarding a first grasp attempt by the robotic manipulator and analyze the received data to determine whether the robotic manipulator successfully grasped the item.

Abstract: There is described a device for switching communications comprising a circuit board as well as first, second, and third antennas. The first antenna is coupled to the circuit board, and the first antenna is focused on a first direction and based on a first wireless technology. The second antenna is coupled to the circuit board, and the second antenna is focused on a second direction and based on the first wireless technology, in which the second direction is different from the first direction. The third antenna is coupled to the circuit board, and the third antenna is focused on a third direction and based on a second wireless technology, in which the second wireless technology is different from the first wireless technology. The second antenna may operate as a shield for the third antenna.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the invention, a system and method are provided for manipulation and movement of objects. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes a robotic arm that grabs and manipulates objects along a collision-free path. The objects can be in a randomly arranged pile or in an orderly arranged location. In accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the invention, the objects are moved from an orderly location to a storage location.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the invention, a system and method are provided for manipulation and movement of objects. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes a robotic arm that grabs and manipulates objects along a collision-free path. The objects can be in a randomly arranged pile or in an orderly arranged location. In accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the invention, the objects are moved from an orderly location to a storage location.

Abstract: A system and method for automating construction that includes collecting a multi-dimensional point cloud measurement of at least one construction structure that includes at least one surface; generating a construction plan from the multi-dimensional point cloud measurement, wherein the construction plan defines an assembly arrangement of a set of parts; from the construction plan, automatically generating a cut list for a subset of parts; communicating the cut list to a cutting device; and at the cutting device, cutting a set of materials according to the cut list.

Abstract: A system for facility monitoring and reporting to improve safety using one or more robots includes: a network; a plurality of autonomous mobile robots operating in a facility, the robots configured to monitor facility operation, the robots further configured to detect a predetermined critical condition, the robots operably connected to the network; a server operably connected to the robots over the network; and an individual robot operably connected to the server over the network, the individual robot operating in the facility, the robots not comprising the individual robot, the individual robot configured to monitor facility operation; wherein the robots are configured to regularly produce a regular report under normal operating conditions, the report displaying data received from the server, wherein the robots are further configured to produce to the server a critical condition report upon occurrence of the critical condition.

Abstract: This description provides an autonomous or semi-autonomous excavation vehicle that is capable of navigating through a dig site and carrying an excavation routine using a system of sensors physically mounted to the excavation vehicle. The sensors collect one or more of spatial, imaging, measurement, and location data representing the status of the excavation vehicle and its surrounding environment. Based on the collected data, the excavation vehicle executes instructions to perform an excavation routine by excavating earth from a hole using an excavation tool positioned at a single location within the site. The excavation vehicle is also able to carry out numerous other tasks, such as checking the volume of excavated earth in an excavation tool, navigating the excavation vehicle over a distance while continuously excavating earth from a below surface depth, and preparing a digital terrain model of the site as part of a process for creating the excavation routine.

Abstract: Provided is a parallelized and modular planning system that controls multiple actors in performing different tasks simultaneously without conflict based on plans that are modularly created and/or updated. The system may update different parts of different plans at the same time without redefining those plans anew. The system may include a first subsystem that generates a first plan based on an assignment of a first task to a first actor, while a second subsystem provides a path for a second plan assigned to a second actor, while a third subsystem determines access ordering by which a third actor accesses a first resource from a path of a third plan, and while a fourth subsystem controls operation of a fourth actor in accessing a second resource from a path of a fourth plan based on an access ordering determined for the second resource by the third subsystem.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a destination of a robot. The method includes the steps of: when information on obstruction of arrival at a first destination of a robot is acquired, determining an obstruction area associated with the arrival obstruction information by clustering adjacent areas around the first destination, determining a destination candidate area around the obstruction area with reference to a size of the robot, and determining an area in the destination candidate area, which is specified on the basis of a location of the robot, as a second destination of the robot.

Abstract: A mobile robot is configured for operation in a commercial or industrial setting, such as an office building or retail store. The mobile robot can have a motorized base and a robot body on the motorized base, the robot body including a rotatable ring that rotates horizontally around the robot body. A mechanical arm that can contract and extend relative to the robot body is coupled to the rotatable ring and performs a plurality of actions. A controller of the mobile robot provides instructions to the rotatable ring and the mechanical arm and can cause the mechanical arm to open a door, take an elevator to move to a different floor, and test whether a door is locked properly.

Abstract: Airway management methods, devices, assemblies and systems. Methods, devices, assemblies and systems may include robotic movement and control of an intubation tube introducer or guide, and may include utilizing image data from one or more image sensors. The methods, devices, assemblies and systems may optionally be used in endotracheal intubation procedures.

Abstract: A system includes wearable devices positioned on a subject in different locations. Each wearable device includes motion sensors that measure the subject's movement in three dimensions. The motion sensors generate raw sensory data as the subject performs a physical movement. A data filter is selected based on a condition of the subject and a designated movement corresponding to the physical movement, and used to convert the raw sensory data into formatted data. A level of compliance of the physical movement with a movement model for the designated movement is determined by applying comparative modeling techniques to the formatted data and the movement model. Real-time feedback is delivered dynamically to the subject by the wearable devices during the performance of the physical movement based on the level of compliance. The movement model can be generated, and the comparative modeling techniques can be selected, based on the condition of the subject.

Abstract: A driving mechanism for an autonomous planar surface cleaning robot is disclosed. The driving mechanism includes a first transmission component and a second transmission component spaced apart in parallel relationship relative to the first transmission component. Each of the first and second transmission components defines first and second ends and first and second sides, wherein the first sides face each other and the second sides face away from each other in a direction transverse from the direction of motion and the first and second ends are oppositely spaced along the direction of motion. Each of the first and second transmission components are independently controllable by a control unit of the autonomous planar surface cleaning robot.

Abstract: A fully autonomous mobile robot is provided that transports items from one area to another. The mobile robot includes a variety of mechanisms that capture an item from a first surface and moves the item within the confines of the mobile robot. The item can then be transported to another surface either within the confines of the mobile robot or to another location.

Abstract: A mobile robot is configured for operation in a commercial or industrial setting, such as an office building or retail store. The robot can patrol one or more routes within a building, and can detect violations of security policies by objects, building infrastructure and security systems, or individuals. In response to the detected violations, the robot can perform one or more security operations. The robot can include a removable fabric panel, enabling sensors within the robot body to capture signals that propagate through the fabric. In addition, the robot can scan RFID tags of objects within an area, for instance coupled to store inventory. Likewise, the robot can generate or update one or more semantic maps for use by the robot in navigating an area and for measuring compliance with security policies.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robot having a picking arm to grasp an inventory item and a shuttle. The shuttle includes a platform adapted to receive the inventory item from the picking arm of the robot. The platform is moveable between a pick-up location located substantially adjacent to the robot and an end location spaced a distance apart from the pick-up location. The system improves efficiency as transportation of the item from the pick-up location to the end location is divided between the robot and the shuttle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a general purpose operating system (GPROS) that shows particular usefulness in the robotics and automation fields. The operating system provides individual services and the combination and interconnections of such services using built-in service extensions, built-in completely configurable generic services, and ways to plug in additional service extensions to yield a comprehensive and cohesive framework for developing, configuring, assembling, constructing, deploying, and managing robotics and/or automation applications. The disclosure includes GPROS extensions and features directed to use as an autonomous vehicle operating system. The vehicle controlled by appropriate versions of the GPROS can include unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) applications such as a driverless or self-driving car. The vehicle can likewise or instead include an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such as a helicopter or drone.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes new systems and methods for influencing the rotational speed of a roller or other conveying systems and for controlling the speed, orientation or position of objects on a conveyor through the use of hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) actuators. HASEL actuators for such systems provide distinct benefits over traditional braking systems including: electrical control, eliminated need for an external source of pressurized air or fluid to allow use in certain environments, analog control of force or displacement in order to provide variable control of speed of objects on the conveyor system, and feedback to infer information about the state of the actuators as well as the state of objects being conveyed and/or state of the conveyor rollers.