Abstract: Inspection robots with configurable interface plates are described. An example inspection robot may have a housing with at least three removable interface plates, each removable interface plate having a coupling interface for an electronic component on a first side, and coupled to at least one of a plurality of electronic boards on a second side. The example inspection robot may further include a drive module configured to couple to at least one of the removable interface plates, and a payload configured to couple to at least one of the removable interface plates. The example inspection robot may further include a means for operating the inspection robot in response to the drive module coupled to one of the removable interface plates, and the payload coupled to any other one of the removable interface plates.

Abstract: A heating cooking system includes heat-shielding plates that are, with respect to a heat-vulnerable portion of a multi-joint robot that performs work, installed on a structure (a wall or a device or the like that is fixed) other than the multi-joint robot, and protect the heat-vulnerable portion of the multi-joint robot from heat generated by a heat source. The heat-shielding plates are also installed at positions and forms whereby conveyance of heat to the heat-vulnerable portion is suppressed, while not interfering with the multi-joint robot when the multi-joint robot operates.

Abstract: The method can include: optionally providing a set of grasp tools; determining an object model for a grasp; determining a grasp contact configuration; and facilitating grasp execution with the set of grasp tools. However, the method S100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable elements. The method functions to facilitate non-destructive and/or stable object grasping (and/or object manipulation) using a set of grasp tools.

Abstract: Control systems for industrial machinery (e.g., robots) or other devices such as medical devices utilize a safety processor (SP) designed for integration into safety applications and computational components that are not necessarily safety-rated. The SP monitors performance of the non-safety computational components, including latency checks and verification of identical outputs. One or more sensors send data to the non-safety computational components for sophisticated processing and analysis that the SP cannot not perform, but the results of this processing are sent to the SP, which then generates safety-rated signals to the machinery or device being controlled by the SP. As a result, the system may qualify for a safety rating despite the ability to perform complex operations beyond the scope of safety-rated components.

Abstract: Image Signal Processing (ISP) optimization framework for computer vision applications is disclosed. The tuning of the ISP is performed automatically and presented as a nonlinear multi-objective optimization problem, followed by solving the problem using an evolutionary stochastic solver. An improved ISP of the embodiments of the invention includes at least features of search space reduction for reducing a number of ISP configurations, remapping the generated population to the reduced search space via mirroring, and global optimization function processing, which allow tuning all the blocks of the ISP at the same time instead of the prior art tuning of each ISP block separately. Also shown that an ISP tuned for image quality performs inferior compared with an ISP trained for a specific downstream image recognition task.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products described herein are directed to an agricultural observation and treatment system and method of operation. The system uses a pump in combination with a fluid regulator to obtain and disperse fluid from the fluid tanks. The fluid regulator includes a fluid input port, a fluid output port and a fluid control valve. A first tube fluidly coupled from the fluid pump to the fluid input port. The system includes a moveable treatment head having one or more spraying tips, including a first spraying tip. A second tube is fluidly coupled from the fluid output port to the moveable treatment head. A system includes a controller configured to provide to the fluid regulator to open and close the fluid control valve to release an amount of the first fluid.

Abstract: Provided are robots that autonomously detect and correct individualized anomalies resulting from deviations in the sensors and/or actuators of individual robots, and environmental anomalies resulting from deviations in the environment elements that the robots rely on or use in the execution of different tasks. To do so, a robot may receive a task, may determine expected kinematics that include expected activations of a set of sensors and actuators by which the robot executes the task, may activate the set of sensors and actuators according to the expected kinematics, may track the actual kinematics resulting from activating the set of sensors and actuators according to the expected kinematics and continuing the activations until detecting one or more environment elements signaling completion of the task, and may adjust one or more sensors, actuators, or environment elements in response to the actual kinematics deviating from the expected kinematics.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, that provide for optical techniques for manufacturing robots, such as for filtering certain reflections when scanning an object. For example, the techniques may include receiving, from a detector, sensor data based on detected light, the detected light including reflections of light projected by one or more emitters and reflected off of an object. The techniques may further include determining, based on the sensor data, a first-order reflection and a second-order reflection. The techniques may also include determining, based on the first-order reflection and a second-order reflection, a difference, the difference includes a polarity difference, an intensity difference, or a combination thereof. The techniques may include filtering the second-order reflection based on the difference Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: A robot with rechargeable and interchangeable batteries. The robot includes a body coupled to a wheel assembly, the wheel assembly including a plurality of wheels and a drive mechanism arranged to move the body along a first set of parallel rails extending in a first direction and a second set of parallel rails extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The body has a chassis defining a first battery compartment and a second battery compartments with a first battery module disposed within the first battery compartment. When the chassis engages with a charging station, the chassis is arranged to release the first battery module from the first battery compartment and receive a second battery module within the second battery compartment. The robot is thus designed to simultaneously swap a depleted first battery module with a charged second battery module and quickly return to operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for filtering atmospheric conditions from LiDAR point clouds. The method includes generating, using a LiDAR system, at least one point cloud, wherein the LiDAR system includes a processor. The method further includes, using the processor, identifying and isolating one or more ground points within a point cloud of the at least one point cloud, wherein the one or more ground points indicate a ground portion within an environment of the point cloud, filtering out the ground portion from the point cloud, generating an initial processed point cloud, identifying and isolating one or more atmospheric condition points within the initial processed point cloud, wherein the one or more atmospheric condition points indicate one or more atmospheric conditions within an environment of the processed point cloud, and filtering out the atmospheric condition points from the initial processed point cloud, generating a final processed point cloud.

Abstract: A mobile robot provided with a drop guard. The robot includes a body coupled to a wheel assembly having a plurality of wheels and a drive mechanism arranged to move the body about a top of a storage frame along a first set of parallel rails extending in a first direction and a second set of parallel rails extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The robot includes a picking arm equipped with an end effector for picking items from a storage container and a drop guard secured to the body. The guard is movable from a stowed condition to an expanded condition to prevent items from falling within the storage frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous lineside delivery to an assembly-line using a self-driving vehicle are disclosed, comprising receiving a part-supply schedule having a part identifier identifying a part to be supplied, an assembly-line location to be supplied with the part, and a delivery time for supplying the part to the assembly-line location. A mission is generated based on the schedule, and sent to a self-driving vehicle. The self-driving vehicle executes the mission such that the part is supplied to the assembly-line location in accordance with the part-supply schedule.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a robot capable of performing goal oriented tasks may include one or more touch sensors to receive touch perception feedback on the location of objects and structures within an environment. A fusion engine may be configured to combine touch perception data with other types of sensor data such as data received from an image or distance sensor. The apparatus may combine distance sensor data with touch sensor data using inference models such as Bayesian inference. The touch sensor may be mounted onto an adjustable arm of a robot. The apparatus may use the data it has received from both a touch sensor and distance sensor to build a map of its environment and perform goal oriented tasks such as cleaning or moving objects.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for robotic learning and execution of skills. A robotic apparatus can include a memory, a processor, sensors, and one or more movable components (e.g., a manipulating element and/or a transport element). The processor is operatively coupled to the memory, the movable elements, and the sensors, and configured to obtain information of an environment, including one or more objects located within the environment. In some embodiments, the processor is configured to learn skills through demonstration, exploration, user inputs, etc. In some embodiments, the processor is configured to execute skills and/or arbitrate between different behaviors and/or actions. In some embodiments, the processor is configured to learn an environmental constraint. In some embodiments, the processor is configured to learn using a general model of a skill.

Abstract: An order fulfillment and delivery system for autonomously fulfilling orders while en route to a delivery location. The system includes a delivery vehicle having a storage area, a robotic system at least partially disposed within the storage area and one or more processors. The one or more processors being configured to receive an order of one or more inventory items, generate container retrieval instructions for the robotic system to perform based on the received order and transmit to the robotic system the container retrieval instructions to perform. The robot system includes a container retrieval device movable in at least two dimensions to engage and move a container, based upon the container retrieval instructions, from a first location within the delivery vehicle to a second location within the delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A robotic kitchen assistant for frying includes a robotic arm, a fryer basket, and a robotic arm adapter assembly allowing the robotic arm to pick up and manipulate the fryer basket. The robotic arm adapter includes opposing gripping members to engage the fryer basket. A utensil adapter assembly is mounted to the handle of the fryer basket, and the opposing gripper members are actuated to capture a three-dimensional (3D) feature of the utensil adapter assembly. The robotic arm adapter assembly can include an agitator mechanism to shake the fryer basket or another utensil as desired. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A food slicer for slicing a food item, and including a plurality of tracks, and weight slidable associated along the tracks for advancing the food item toward a blade. A weight guide can engage with the weight, with a follower slidable in a track channel defined along a longitudinal length of the tracks. The tracks can be attached to a hub to form a radial arrangement, with a frame slidable along the tracks. The weight guide can include a clamp arm having an opening releasably engageable with a protrusion extending from the weight, a locking arm having a latch engageable with a ledge of the weight, and a piercing arm having a piercing end configured to pierce into the food item. The weight can include a locking recess configured to receive the locking arm, and piercing sections extending having a piercing element configured to pierce into the food item.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for robotic learning and execution of skills. A robotic apparatus can include a memory, a processor, sensors, and one or more movable components (e.g., a manipulating element and/or a transport element). The processor can be operatively coupled to the memory, the movable elements, and the sensors, and configured to obtain information of an environment, including one or more objects located within the environment. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn skills through demonstration, exploration, user inputs, etc. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to execute skills and/or arbitrate between different behaviors and/or actions. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to execute skills and/or behaviors using cached trajectories or plans. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to execute skills requiring navigation and manipulation behaviors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a workpiece in a processing environment may utilize one or more sensors for digitally recording visual information and providing that information to an industrial workflow. The sensor(s) may be positioned to record at least one image of the workpiece at a location where a specified position and orientation thereof is required. A processor may determine, from the recorded image(s) and a stored digital model, whether the workpiece conforms to the specified position and orientation.

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.