Abstract: Whether or not workpieces are present in a workpiece storage area is determined based on an image acquired by image capturing. When the workpieces are determined to be present, whether or not a crossing part is present in the workpiece storage area is determined based on the image, the crossing part being a part where soft body portions of a plurality of workpieces cross each other in an overlapping manner. When the crossing part is determined to be present, an uppermost soft body portion placed at an uppermost position among the soft body portions crossing each other is determined based on the image. A workpiece including the uppermost soft body portion thus determined is determined as an uppermost workpiece placed at an uppermost position.

Abstract: Utilization of user interface inputs, from remote client devices, in controlling robot(s) in an environment. Implementations relate to generating training instances based on object manipulation parameters, defined by instances of user interface input(s), and training machine learning model(s) to predict the object manipulation parameter(s). Those implementations can subsequently utilize the trained machine learning model(s) to reduce a quantity of instances that input(s) from remote client device(s) are solicited in performing a given set of robotic manipulations and/or to reduce the extent of input(s) from remote client device(s) in performing a given set of robotic operations. Implementations are additionally or alternatively related to mitigating idle time of robot(s) through the utilization of vision data that captures object(s), to be manipulated by a robot, prior to the object(s) being transported to a robot workspace within which the robot can reach and manipulate the object.

Abstract: A control device of robot includes: image data acquirer configured to acquire image data taken by camera, image data including a teaching substrate and a substrate placing portion of a hand, the teaching substrate arranged as a teaching target at substrate target position; a virtual substrate information generator configured to generate information of a virtual substrate virtually arranged at the substrate placing portion of the hand in image data of the camera; distance information calculator configured to calculate distance information from substrate placing portion to the teaching substrate based on image data of the camera; operation control unit configured to control operation of robot arm based on distance information from the substrate placing portion to the teaching substrate such that the virtual substrate coincides with the teaching substrate; and storage unit configured to store, as teaching data, position of the hand when the virtual substrate coincides with the teaching substrate.

Abstract: A method includes providing a virtual representation of an environment of a robot. The virtual representation includes an object representation of an object in the environment. The method further includes determining an attribute of the object within the environment of the robot. The attribute includes at least one of occupancy data, force data, and deformation data pertaining to the object. The method further includes receiving a user command to control the robot to move with respect to the object, and modifying a received user command pertaining to the representation of the object based upon the attribute.

Abstract: A flexible surgical tool system comprising a multi-degree-of-freedom mechanical arm, the flexible surgical tool, the remote control device and a controlling computer is provided. A method for controlling the same with motion constraints is also provided. The method can comprise: obtaining a target posture of the surgical actuator, a current posture of the surgical actuator and bending angle values of the sections of the flexible surgical tool. A desired velocity of the surgical actuator and a motion limitation condition can be obtained. Joint velocity of the multi-degree-of-freedom mechanical arm and bending velocity of the sections of the flexible surgical tool can be obtained. A target joint position value of the multi-degree-of-freedom mechanical arm, a target bending angular value of the sections of the flexible surgical tool, and transmitting them to a corresponding controller to drive each section can be obtained. The above operations can be repeated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle control system (ECU 10) provided in a vehicle (1) is configured be operable to: detect a preceding vehicle (3) ahead of the vehicle (1), and set, in at least a part of a region around the preceding vehicle (3), a speed distribution zone (40, 50) defining a distribution zone of an allowable upper limit (Vlim) of a relative speed of the vehicle (1) with respect to the preceding vehicle (3) in a traveling direction of the vehicle (1); and, when the vehicle (1) is within the speed distribution zone (40, 50), to execute traveling control of preventing the relative speed of the vehicle (1) with respect to the preceding vehicle (3) from exceeding the allowable upper limit Vlim, wherein, when the preceding vehicle (3) is located on a curved road (5), the speed distribution zone (50) is set such that, in a lateral region of the speed distribution zone, a constant relative speed line (d, e, f) connecting plural points each having a same value of the allowable upper limit (Vlim) is curved in confo

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a control unit, which is a control unit that determines, on the basis of the positions of a plurality of other vehicles, whether or not the position of a host vehicle lane is being correctly detected by a detection unit, and controls the host vehicle by determining that the position of the host vehicle lane is being correctly detected by the detection unit, on the basis of another vehicle existing among the plurality of other vehicles, for which a first distance, which is a distance in a lane widthwise direction between the position of the host vehicle lane and a position corresponding to the position of the other vehicle, is less than a threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an antenna, a processor and a memory. The antenna may be configured to receive signals from GNSS satellites. The processor may be configured to execute instructions. The memory may be configured to store instructions that, when executed, perform the steps of (i) calculating first location and velocity data based on the signals received from the GNSS satellites, (ii) calculating a first most probable path based on map information, (iii) receiving second location and velocity data, (iv) determining a second most probable path, (v) performing a comparison of (a) the first location and velocity data and the first most probable path to (b) the second location and velocity data and the second most probable path and (vi) determining a probability of collision based on the comparison.

Abstract: Empathy toward a robot is increased by the robot emulating human-like or animal-like behavior. A robot includes a movement determining unit that determines a direction of movement, an action determining unit that selects a gesture from multiple kinds of gesture, and a drive mechanism that executes a specified movement and gesture. When a user enters a hall, an external sensor installed in advance detects a return home, and notifies the robot via a server that the user has returned home. The robot heads to the hall, and welcomes the user home by performing a gesture indicating goodwill, such as sitting down and raising an arm.

Abstract: A robot with an impact buffering member on the surface of a robot arm for alleviating the impact when the arm contacts an object; and a contact detection unit for detecting a contact between the robot arm and object. The unit has a soft porous member on the front surface side of the impact buffering member and softer than the member; a housing member including the soft porous member and formed of a flexible material; a fluid discharge pipe for discharging a fluid inside the housing member when the object makes contact so the volume of the housing member decreases; and a volume change detection portion for detecting a change in volume of the housing member by utilizing the discharged fluid. It is possible to secure sufficient safety in a cooperative work between a person and a robot or the like, even when the person contacts the robot arm.

Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; a multi-axis robot; a visible light projector; and a controller; wherein the workbench and the robot are located in a common workspace; the controller is configured to: determine a movement operation for the robot; and, using the determined movement operation, control the visible light projector to project a visible light indication onto at least one of a surface of the workbench and a surface of the workspace; the visible light indication indicates a limited area of the workbench and/or workspace, the limited area corresponding to a limited volume of space; and the movement operation is such that, if the robot performs the movement operation, the robot moves entirely within only the limited volume of space.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the operation of agricultural sprayers may a vision-based sensor configured to capture data indicative of one or more features within a field across which an agricultural sprayer is traveling. A controller of the system may be configured to identify the one or more features within the field based on the data received from the vision-based sensor and determine a position of a boom component of the agricultural sprayer relative to the one or more identified features. Furthermore, the controller may also be configured to initiate a control action to adjust the position of the boom component when it is determined that the relative position between the boom component and the one or more identified features is offset from a predetermined positional relationship defined for the boom component.

Abstract: A method of operating a robotic control system comprising a master apparatus in communication with an input device having a handle and a slave system having a tool having an end effector whose position and orientation is determined in response to a position and orientation of the handle. The method involves producing a desired end effector position and a desired end effector orientation of the end effector, in response to a current position and a current orientation of the handle. The method further involves causing the input device to provide haptic feedback that impedes translational movement of the handle, while permitting rotational movement of the handle and preventing movement of the end effector, when a rotational alignment difference between the handle and the end effector meets a first criterion. The method further involves re-enabling translational movement of the handle when the rotational alignment difference meets a second criterion.

Abstract: A motion generation device may be for generating a movement for changing the robot from a first orientation to a second orientation, and include a first acquisition unit that acquires first orientation information that specifies the first orientation and second orientation information that specifies the second orientation, a second acquisition unit that acquires at least one priority item regarding the movement for changing from the first orientation to the second orientation, and a movement generation unit that generates a motion of the robot that includes a movement path along which the robot moves from the first orientation to the second orientation, based on the first orientation information, the second orientation information, and the priority item that were acquired.

Abstract: A robot includes a movable unit that is movable in a first region and a second region. In a case where a first portion of the movable unit is positioned within the second region, a speed of the first portion is not 0 and is limited to a speed lower than the maximum speed of the first portion in a case where the first portion is positioned within the first region.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to multiple degree of freedom force sensors are disclosed. One aspect of the disclosure provides a load sensor. The load sensor comprises a first plate and a second plate, a plurality of single-axis load cells including first, second, and third single-axis load cells, wherein each of the first, second, and third single-axis load cells is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and is oriented along a first axis, and a plurality of constraint joints coupled to the first plate and the second plate, the plurality of constraint joints configured to inhibit translation of the first plate relative to the second plate in directions perpendicular to the first axis and configured to inhibit rotation of the first plate relative to the second plate about the first axis.

Abstract: A manipulator system includes at least one manipulator and a control device assigned to the manipulator; and at least one mobile operating device for controlling the at least one manipulator. In addition, an electronic display device is provided, which is arranged to display at least one optically readable identifier, and at least one optical reading device is provided and arranged to detect the displayed optically readable identifier. The manipulator system is arranged to release control of the manipulator by means of the mobile operating device when the optically readable identifier has been correctly detected by the optical reading device.

Abstract: Provided is an installation mode determination device capable of determining an installation mode of an automatic machine. The installation mode determination device acquires estimated torque that is required for maintaining a stationary state in which a position of an automatic machine that includes at least one axis that is driven by a servomotor is retained in a set installation mode among a plurality of installation modes applicable to the automatic machine, calculates actual torque that is actually provided by the servomotor for maintaining the stationary state, and determines whether the set installation mode and an actual installation mode of the automatic machine are different or not, based on a difference between the estimated torque corresponding to the set installation mode and the actual torque.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically calibrating a camera-robot system having tool offsets.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus obtains a plurality of combinations of a position of a work target candidate and a transport machine optimum control parameter which is a control parameter of the transport machine that maximizes performance of the work on a work target when the work target candidate is set as the work target, based on a captured image obtained by capturing an area including a plurality of the work target candidates transported by the transport machine, determines the work target from among the work target candidates based on the combinations, controls the transport machine based on the transport machine optimum control parameter of the determined work target, generates a control plan of the robot based on a position of the determined work target and the transport machine optimum control parameter of the work target and controls the robot according to the generated control plan.