Abstract: When a first condition that a time in which magnitude of a first detection force detected by a force detection unit is larger than a first force threshold value continued for a time longer than zero and shorter than a first time threshold value is satisfied in teaching, a movable unit is moved in a predetermined amount in a direction according to a direction of the first detection force. When a second condition that magnitude of a second detection force detected by the force detection unit is larger than a second force threshold value that is larger than the first force threshold value is satisfied during movement of an end effector, the movable unit is decelerated or stopped.

Abstract: A hand-eye calibration system and method are provided. The system includes a robot on which a small pattern is mounted, a camera configured to photograph the robot, a memory, and a processor configured to move the robot, acquire posture information of the moved robot, acquire an image from the camera, move the camera after performing the robot movement, the posture information acquisition, and the image acquisition a first predetermined number of times, and perform hand-eye calibration for the robot based on the posture information and the images, which are obtained by repeatedly performing of the robot movement, the posture information acquisition, the image acquisition, and the camera movement.

Abstract: In a case of performing operations including alignment and insertion regarding two objects, a path setting unit 806 and an actor unit 804 are provided to learn a control amount. The path setting unit 806 provides the amount of movement for removing an object from its inserted position, and for locating it on and around the path of removing. The actor unit 804 obtains positions of the object and the values of a force sensor 801 there to perform learning by letting the positions of the object be the values for the output layer and letting the values of the force sensor 801 be the values for the input layer. Therefore, learning data can be collected efficiently.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods to implement sectional design (e.g., in quadrants) of an autonomous vehicle may include modular construction techniques to assemble an autonomous vehicle from multiple structural sections. The multiple structural sections may be configured to implement radial and bilateral symmetry. A structural section based configuration may include a power supply configuration (e.g., using rechargeable batteries) including a double-backed power supply system. The power supply system may include a kill switch disposed on a power supply (e.g., at an end of a rechargeable battery). The kill switch may be configured to disable the power supply system in the event of an emergency or after a collision, for example. The radial and bilateral symmetry may provide for bi-directional driving operations of the autonomous vehicle as the vehicle may not have a designated front end or a back end.

Abstract: A robot control apparatus includes a processor that is configured to: receive first position information representing a first position in which a first operation including force control to be performed based on magnitude of a force detected by a force detector should be executed; determine an initial value of one of a mass coefficient and a viscosity coefficient that should be used in the force control of the first operation based on specific information on a configuration of a robot stored in a memory unit and the first position information; and store the initial value in the memory.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a robot path planning method as well as an apparatus and a robot using the same. The method includes: obtaining a grid map and obtaining a position of obstacle and a position of track in the grid map; determining a cost of grids of the grid map based on the position of obstacle and the position of track; generating a grid cost map based on the cost of the grids and the grid map; and planning a global path of the robot from a current position to a destination position based on the grid cost map. In this manner, it effectively integrates free navigation and track navigation, thereby improving the flexibility of obstacle avoidance and ensuring the safety of obstacle avoidance of the robot.

Abstract: A system is provided for hands-free handling of at least one asset by a user. The system includes a user device configured to be worn by a user and a control system remotely located relative to the user device and configured to exchange asset-related data with the user device, the asset-related data including at least one or more notifications related to the handling of the at least one asset by the user at the asset location. The user device contains a processor configured to determine location data associated with the at least one asset and including a location for the at least one asset, the determination being based, in part, upon the obtained asset identifier data; dynamically generate and display, at the user device, one or more navigational projections configured to guide the user to the asset location; and detect handling of the at least one asset by the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a three-dimensional perception and object manipulation robot gripper configured for connection to and operation in conjunction with a robot arm. In some embodiments, the gripper comprises a palm, a plurality of motors or actuators operably connected to the palm, a mechanical manipulation system operably connected to the palm, a plurality of fingers operably connected to the motors or actuators and configured to manipulate one or more objects located within a workspace or target volume that can be accessed by the fingers. A depth camera system is also operably connected to the palm.

Abstract: A biomimetics based robot and process for simulation is disclosed. The robot may include filament driven and fluid pumped elastomer based artificial muscles coordinated for slow twitch/fast twitch contraction and movement of the robot by one or more microcontrollers. A process may provide physics based simulation for movement of a robot in a virtual setting. Successfully tested movement data may be stored and embedded into a robot at build and/or before a new movement in programmed into the robot. Some embodiments include an artificial skin system supporting the artificial muscles.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes at least one robotic arm comprising at least one movable joint and an actuator configured to drive the at least one movable joint, and a controller configured to generate a first signal, the first signal comprising a first oscillating waveform having a first frequency and being modulated by a second oscillating waveform having a second frequency, wherein the second frequency is higher than the first frequency. The actuator is configured to drive the at least one movable joint based on the first signal to at least partially compensate for friction in the at least one movable joint.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot arm, and a controller configured to control posture of the robot arm. The controller configured to obtain a first teaching point, and first data on posture of the robot arm determined when the first teaching point is created. The controller configured to move the robot arm in accordance with the first teaching point in a state where the robot arm is supporting the workpiece or nothing, and obtain second data on posture of the robot arm determined when the robot arm has been moved in accordance with the first teaching point. The controller configured to create a second teaching point by correcting the first teaching point based on a difference between the first data and the second data.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a processor that is configured to control a robot, and receive an object coordinate system set for an object not an end effector and not moving or rotating with the end effector. The processor is configured to execute a first control mode in which the end effector is moved and rotated according to a detected force while the force is detected by a force detector, and execute a second control mode in which, when a relative angle between a predetermined first axis of a moving coordinate system moving and rotating with the end effector and a predetermined second axis of the object coordinate system is smaller than an angle threshold value, the end effector is rotated to make magnitude of the relative angle closer to zero.

Abstract: An operation command generator includes: an area division unit configured to divide a line on a flat work surface of a target workpiece W into a straight area and a corner area, using a sharp boundary surface; a straight area operation command generation unit configured to generate a command for operating only the linear motion mechanism while keeping the posture of the parallel link mechanism fixed, in the straight area; and a corner area operation command generation unit configured to generate a command so that an acting point of the end effector passes on the boundary surface at a substantially constant speed by the linear motion mechanism and the parallel link mechanism performing coordinated operations in the corner area.

Abstract: A motion teaching apparatus includes a teaching motion detection device, a demonstration tool, and circuitry. A robot includes a leading end to move in a first coordinate system. A teaching motion detection device detects a position of the demonstration tool in a second coordinate system. The circuitry derives a relationship between the first and second coordinate system based on a position of the demonstration tool in the first coordinate system at at least one spot and based on the position of the demonstration tool in the second coordinate system at the at least one spot; obtains a transition of the position of the demonstration tool during the demonstration using the demonstration tool; and generates a motion command to control motion of the leading end of the robot based on the transition and the coordinate system relationship information.

Abstract: A method for remote operation of a robot, preferably including: recording a set of sensor streams; transmitting a transmission stream; selecting a received stream for display; and/or displaying the selected stream. A system, preferably including a robot and a remote operation system connected to the robot by one or more communication networks.

Abstract: A robot system including a robot body and a control device. The robot body includes wrist elements at a distal end of an arm; a wired wire body connected to an end effector fixed to the third wrist element. The control-device includes an angle calculation unit that calculates, in a Cartesian coordinate system of which the origin is the wire-body outlet and which has one coordinate axis extending in a direction along the first axis, angles of straight lines connecting the wire-body outlet and specific points of the wire body, with the straight lines projected onto a plane perpendicular to the coordinate axis, about the coordinate axis, with reference to a position where a load acting on the wire body is the least; and a determination unit that determines whether the absolute values of the angles calculated by the angle calculation unit have exceeded predetermined angle thresholds.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a robot having an arm, a driver, an end effector, a first detector, and a second detector, and a control device. The control device acts as a third detector, a calculator, and a controller. The third detector detects a slip direction of the object held by the end effector. The calculator calculates an angle defined by the slip direction detected by the third detector and a direction opposite to gravity. The controller causes the end effector holding the object to pivot by the angle calculated by the calculator, to align the slip direction detected by the third detector with the direction opposite to gravity.

Abstract: A response drone for detecting incidents within a coverage area including multiple zones is provided. With customer permission or affirmative consent, the drone may be programmed to (1) detect (or receive an indication of) triggering activity associated with one of the zones; (2) determine or receive a navigation path to that zone; (3) travel to that zone based upon the determined navigation path; (4) collect sensor data using drone-mounted sensors; and (5) transmit the collected sensor data to a user computing device associated with the coverage area for review. The response drone may be an autonomous drone in wireless communication with a smart home controller that detects triggering activity associated with an insurance-related event (e.g., fire). The autonomous drone may automatically deploy to mitigate damage to insured assets (e.g., a home or personal belongings). The autonomous drone data may be used for subsequent insurance claim handling and/or damage estimation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for robot control. One embodiment is a method for coordinating operations of robots performing work on a part. The method includes assigning a group of robots to a part, initiating work on the part via the group of robots, determining that a robot within the group is unable to continue performing work at a first location of the part, removing the robot from the group while other robots of the group continue performing the work, adding a functioning robot to the group at a second location that the robot is scheduled to occupy, and continuing work on the part via the group of robots.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a processor accesses sensor input data received from one or more sensors. The sensor input data represents one or more gestures. The processor determines, based on the sensor input data representing the one or more gestures, action data representing an action to be performed by a robot. The action includes physical movements of the robot. The processor evaluates the action data representing the action to be performed by the robot in light of evaluation data.