Abstract: A planar surface cleaning system including a main body, at least one vacuum source, and a cleaning component is disclosed. The main body includes a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion defines an outer portion defining a surface area about a perimeter thereof and an inner portion defining a cavity formed within the outer portion. The at least one vacuum source is supported by the main body and is in fluid communication with the cavity. The cleaning component covers the surface area defined on the outer portion and is removably connected to the outer portion. The planar surface cleaning system further includes a handle portion. The handle portion may be connected to the main body via a U portion.

Abstract: An optical guide assembly for obtaining images of one or more exposed surfaces of an article that are at least partially immersed in a fluid. The optical guide assembly includes one or more sources of light, a camera, and an optical guide made of an optical medium. The light from the light source is reflected from the exposed surface to provide an initial light transmitted into the optical guide in a direction substantially orthogonal to a first surface thereof. The initial light is transmitted from the first surface through the optical medium to a second surface of the optical guide having a mirror thereon, to be reflected therefrom to provide a reflected light. The reflected light reflected from the second surface passes through a third surface of the optical guide substantially orthogonally thereto to the camera.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to soft robotic gripper systems suited to grasping target objects in cluttered environments. Some embodiments provide extension rods, hinges, and/or rails that allow a soft robotic actuator to be extended towards or away from a robotic base and/or other actuators. Accordingly, a gripper including the actuator may be reconfigured into a size and/or shape that allows for improved access to the cluttered environment. Further embodiments relate to soft robotic gripper systems for supporting grasped objects during high acceleration movements using vacuum, gripper, and/or bellows devices. Still further embodiments relate to specialized grippers for manipulating food items.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide modular robotic systems that allow one or more operation parameters of a robotic actuator, or group of actuators, to be dynamically configured or reconfigured. The operation parameters may be, for example, the X, Y, and/or Z position of the actuator or group of actuators with respect to other actuators, the arrangement of the actuator(s) into an array or matrix, the rotation or pitch of an actuator, the distance between actuators, the grip strength or grip surface of an actuator, etc. Accordingly, the same robotic manipulator(s) may be used for multiple purposes in multiple different contexts, manipulators can be swapped out on-the-fly, and robotic systems may be dynamically reconfigured to perform new tasks.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to various improvements in soft robotic actuators, and techniques for manufacturing the improvements. For example, techniques for manufacturing a rigidizing layer for reinforcing a soft robotic actuator is provided. In another embodiment, a soft robotic actuator having integrated sensors is described. A flexible electroadhesive pad for achieving a conformal grip is also described. Still further, exemplary embodiments provide hydraulically-actuated soft robotic grippers, which allows for a reduction in the size of the actuation system and improved underwater operation.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments describe soft robotic actuators for medical use, such as during surgeries and other medical procedures. According to one embodiment, a soft robotic incision retractor is provided. According to another embodiment, a soft robotic body tissue retractor is provided. The incision retractor and body tissue retractor may be used together, for example by using the incision retractor to hold open an incision while the body tissue retractor manipulates biological matter or an object accessible through the incision. Described embodiments offer the ability to conform to a given space, reduced risk of damage to surrounding structures as compared to traditional retractors, the ability to deliver varying amounts of force, the ability to be made from medically safe materials, and the potential for re-use or disposability.

Abstract: An electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) system for inspecting a part includes an EMAT sensor and a power supply for supplying an output power to the EMAT sensor. The power supply includes a DC/DC converter to boost an input DC voltage into a boosted DC voltage, a DC/AC inverter having Silicon Carbide (SiC) Mosfet power switches to invert the boosted DC voltage into an AC square voltage, and an output filter to filter the AC square voltage into an AC sinusoidal voltage. The AC sinusoidal voltage is the output power from the power supply to the EMAT sensor.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for the post-treatment of dry adhesive microstructures. The microstructures may be post-treated to comprise mushroom-like flaps at their tips to interface with the contact surface. In some aspects, a change in material composition of the microstructures in a dry adhesive may affect mechanical properties to enhance or diminish overall adhesive performance. For example, conductive additives can be added to the material to improve adhesive performance. In other aspects, microstructures comprising conductive material may allow for pre-load engagement sensing systems to be integrated into the microstructures.

Abstract: This disclosure provides improved nautical craft that can travel and navigate on their own. A hybrid vessel is described that converts wave motion to locomotive thrust by mechanical means, and also converts wave motion to electrical power for storage in a battery. The electrical power can then be tapped to provide locomotive power during periods where wave motion is inadequate and during deployment. The electrical power can also be tapped to even out the undulating thrust that is created when locomotion of the vessel is powered by wave motion alone.

Abstract: A wave-powered water vehicle includes a surface float, a submerged swimmer, and a tether which connects the float and the swimmer, so that the swimmer moves up and down as a result of wave motion. The swimmer includes one or more fins which interact with the water as the swimmer moves up and down, and generate forces which propel the vehicle forward. The vehicle, which need not be manned, can carry communication and control equipment so that it can follow a course directed by signals sent to it, and so that it can record or transmit data from sensors on the vehicle.

Abstract: Three dimensional (3D) scanning including dynamic detector pose identification utilizing fiducials is provided. Two or more fiducials are operatively coupled to a first body. Configuration data is provided with an identifier and a first position of the two or more fiducials. A detector captures 3D data of the first body. A creator identifies at least two fiducials within the captured 3D data. The creator determines a first observed position of each identified fiducial relative to the detector and compares the first observed position to the configuration data. The creator dynamically identifies the pose of the detector relative to the first body based on the comparison and augments the 3D data with first pose data corresponding to the first pose of the detector. The pose of the detector relative to the body may be undefined and/or unknown during the capture of 3D data without affecting the quality of the model produced from the captured 3D data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a treatment plan for cosmetic procedures, for example, a hair transplantation procedure, are provided. The treatment plan allows user to provide input on a proposed hair element using a free-hand drawing in a two-dimensional plane, and for the proposed hair element to be generated and displayed on a three-dimensional model of a body surface. Various techniques and methods described in the application provide for improved planning of a natural looking hair.

Abstract: A launch system for a pressurized pipeline includes a housing attachable to the pipeline such that an inside of the housing is open to an interior of the pipeline and an outside of the housing is exposed to an ambient environment outside the pipeline. A first actuator arrangement is disposed on the outside of the housing, and a second actuator arrangement is disposed on the inside of the housing. A seal arrangement is disposed in the housing between the first actuator arrangement and the second actuator arrangement. Each of the first and second actuator arrangements is configured to receive a cable having a portion extending outside the housing, a portion extending through the seal arrangement, and a portion extending inside the housing. The actuator arrangements are independently operable to pull the cable relative to the seal arrangement for moving the cable into and out of the pipeline.

Abstract: A workflow management system (WMS) coordinates, controls, and monitors item picking assets, item retrieval assets, and order packaging assets in performance of different workflows. The WMS optimizes the different workflows by assigning tasks to the different assets in a manner that minimizes overall execution time, cost, and resource utilization. Some optimizations include maximizing or prioritizing item pick rate, item packaging rate, or both. Assets integrated with the WMS and under WMS control include human workers, autonomous robots, and resources used in performance of the workflows.

Abstract: A purpose is to prevent a first connection piece string from colliding against a second connection piece string in a robot arm mechanism including a linear extension and retraction joint.

Abstract: A system for allocating irrigation resources includes a hub for collecting imaging data and soil condition readings from watering areas proximal to sprinkler nodes. A combiner operated to form combined cluster data from each sprinkler node in a sprinkler cluster. An interpreter operated to generate mapped cluster data from combined cluster data and a geolocation map. A correlator to generate a current cluster snapshot from the mapped cluster data and spatiotemporal weather information. A comparator configured to compare the current cluster snapshot with recorded sprinkler cluster activity data to determine deficient regions within the watering areas in sprinkler cluster, and generate an activation control for the sprinkler cluster. A selector to select a spatiotemporal watering control from the activation control for a specific sprinkler node. The specific sprinkler node to deliver a directed fluid stream to the deficient region within the watering area.

Abstract: A hub assembly for coupling different grasper assemblies including a soft actuator in various configurations to a mechanical robotic components are described. Further described are soft actuators having various reinforcement. Further described are and soft actuators having electroadhesive pads for improved grip, and/or embedded electromagnets for interacting with complementary surfaces on the object being gripped. Still further described are soft actuators having reinforcement mechanisms for reducing or eliminating bowing in a strain limiting layer, or for reinforcing accordion troughs in the soft actuator body.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining the location of procedure sites, for example hair implantation sites, the method and systems enabling a natural looking randomness to be maintained to achieve a desired density while avoiding previously created procedure sites and existing features.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method of projecting pipe data into a virtual reality system, including: obtaining, using a pipe inspection robot, pipe data relating to one or more pipe segments in a pipe network; processing, using a processor, the pipe data to format the pipe data for virtual panoramic display; providing, using the processor, the formatted pipe data to a virtual reality system. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining the location of procedure sites, for example hair implantation sites, the method and systems enabling a natural looking randomness to be maintained to achieve a desired density while avoiding previously created procedure sites and existing features. In reference to hair transplantation, methods and systems are provided that allow to account for any terminal and non-terminal hair to assist in selecting locations for hair harvesting or implantation.