Abstract: Sensors having a deformable layer and an outer cover layer and robots incorporating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor includes an inflatable diaphragm operable to be disposed on a member, wherein the inflatable diaphragm includes a port. The sensor further includes an outer cover layer disposed around the inflatable diaphragm, wherein the outer cover layer is fabricated from a material having a strength of greater than or equal to 35 cN/dtex, and a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the port and operable to detect a pressure within the inflatable diaphragm.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein related to a robotic system for transporting a container. The robotic system includes a lifting mechanism and a container storage assembly coupled to the lifting mechanism. The container storage assembly includes at least one bracket assembly that further includes a bracket elongated member. The bracket elongated member includes a surface having at least one slot and a locking mechanism within the at least one slot. The at least one slot and the locking mechanism are configured to slidably receive and positively lock at least one locking member of the container.

Abstract: Robots including a lifting actuator for lifting object are disclosed. In one embodiment, a robot includes a rail system extending in a system direction, a body structure coupled to the rail system, the body structure comprising an array of flexible tactile sensors, wherein each flexible tactile sensor of the array of flexible tactile sensors is operable to produce a signal determinative of a magnitude and a direction of a force applied to the flexible tactile sensor, and a lift actuator operable to move the body structure along the rail system.

Abstract: Sensor devices including force sensors and robots incorporating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor device includes an inflatable diaphragm operable to be disposed on a member, and an array of force sensors disposed about the inflatable diaphragm, wherein the array of force sensors provides one or more signals indicative of a location of contact between an object and the inflatable diaphragm.

Abstract: Sensors having a deformable layer and an outer cover layer and robots incorporating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor includes an inflatable diaphragm operable to be disposed on a member, wherein the inflatable diaphragm includes a port. The sensor further includes an outer cover layer disposed around the inflatable diaphragm, wherein the outer cover layer is fabricated from a material having a strength of greater than or equal to 35 cN/dtex, and a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the port and operable to detect a pressure within the inflatable diaphragm.

Abstract: Robots for lifting objects are disclosed. In one embodiment, a robot includes a rail system, a body structure coupled to the rail system, a first arm coupled to a first side of the body structure, one or more first arm actuators providing the first arm with multiple degrees of freedom, a second arm coupled to a second side of the body structure, one or more second arm actuators providing the second arm with multiple degrees of freedom, and a lift actuator operable to move the body structure along the rail system. The one or more first arm actuators and the one or more second arm actuators are operable to wrap the first arm and the second arm around an object and hold the object against the body structure. The lift actuator is operable to move the body structure such that the object is lifted on the rail system.

Abstract: A robot includes a rail system, a body structure coupled to the rail system, a first arm coupled to a first side of the body structure, one or more first arm actuators providing the first arm with multiple degrees of freedom, a second arm coupled to a second side of the body structure, one or more second arm actuators providing the second arm with multiple degrees of freedom, a lift actuator operable to move the body structure along the rail system, and a tilt structure coupled to the body structure. The first arm actuators and the second arm actuators are operable to wrap the first arm and the second arm around an object and hold the object against the body structure. The tilt structure is operable to tilt the body structure. The lift actuator is operable to move the body structure such that the object is lifted.

Abstract: Robots and sensor systems having a compliant member for maintaining the position of a sensor are disclosed. In one embodiment, a robot includes a rigid surface, one or more compliant members attached to the rigid surface, and a sensor device. The sensor device includes an inflatable diaphragm operable to be disposed around the one or more compliant members, the inflatable diaphragm having a port, and a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the port and operable to detect a pressure within the inflatable diaphragm. The one or more compliant members prevent lateral movement and rotational movement of the sensor device.

Abstract: Structures and sensor assemblies having engagement structures for securing a compliant substrate assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor assembly includes a compliant substrate assembly having a base layer, and a deformable layer heat-sealed to the base layer such that the base layer and the deformable layer define at least one inflatable chamber. The sensor assembly further includes a first member proximate to a first edge of the compliant substrate assembly, a second member proximate to a second edge of the compliant substrate assembly, wherein the second edge is opposite the first edge, and at least one pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the at least one inflatable chamber and operable to produce a signal indicative of a pressure within the at least one inflatable chamber.

Abstract: Pressure sensors and robots incorporating pressure sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a pressure sensor device includes a base layer, a deformable layer bonded to the base layer such that the base layer and the deformable layer define at least one inflatable chamber, and at least one pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the at least one inflatable chamber and operable to produce a signal indicative of a pressure within the at least one inflatable chamber.

Abstract: A robot end effector is contemplated. The robot end effector comprises a first deformable gripper, a second deformable gripper coupled to the first deformable gripper by a linkage, and an actuator coupled to the linkage and operable to move at least one of the first deformable gripper and the second deformable gripper to a position defining an angle between the first deformable gripper and the second deformable gripper that is greater than or equal to 130 degrees.

Abstract: An assistive robot system includes a lifting mechanism, a movable arm assembly, a processing device, and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processing device. The processing device transmits a command to the lifting mechanism to cause the lifting mechanism to move the movable arm assembly such that a container is gripped within the movable arm assembly, transmits a first one or more signals to the movable arm assembly to cause the movable arm assembly to extend in a system longitudinal direction such that the movable arm assembly grips the container. The movable arm assembly is positioned at a release location and transmits a second one or more signals to the movable arm assembly to cause the movable arm assembly to extend in a system lateral direction such that the container gripped within the movable arm assembly is released from the movable arm assembly at the release location.

Abstract: A robotic system that includes a body, a hitch assembly coupled to the body, and a sensor array coupled to the body. The robotic system includes a processor and operating logic containing programming instructions thereon that, when executed, causes the processor to detect, via the sensor array, a location of a vehicle relative to the body. The programming instructions of the operating logic further cause the processor to detect, via the sensor array, a position of a hitch receiver along the vehicle and move the body toward the vehicle to position the hitch assembly proximate to the hitch receiver. The programming instructions of the operating logic further cause the processor to move the hitch assembly relative to the body and in alignment with the hitch receiver and engage the hitch assembly to the hitch receiver to securely couple the body to the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an assistive robot system. The assistive robot system includes a lifting mechanism, a movable arm assembly coupled to the lifting mechanism, a container tilting arm assembly, a processing device communicatively coupled to the lifting mechanism and the movable arm assembly, and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processing device. The non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium causes the processing device to transmit a command to the lifting mechanism to cause the lifting mechanism to move the movable arm assembly such that the container tilting arm assembly makes contact with a container and transmits one or more signals to the movable arm assembly to cause the movable arm assembly to extend in a system longitudinal direction such that the container within the movable arm assembly is pivoted against the container tilting assembly to tilt the container within the movable arm assembly.

Abstract: A robotic system that includes a body, a hitch assembly coupled to the body, and a sensor array coupled to the body. The robotic system includes a processor and operating logic containing programming instructions thereon that, when executed, causes the processor to detect, via the sensor array, a location of a vehicle relative to the body. The programming instructions of the operating logic further cause the processor to detect, via the sensor array, a position of a hitch receiver along the vehicle and move the body toward the vehicle to position the hitch assembly proximate to the hitch receiver. The programming instructions of the operating logic further cause the processor to move the hitch assembly relative to the body and in alignment with the hitch receiver and engage the hitch assembly to the hitch receiver to securely couple the body to the vehicle.

Abstract: An assistive robot system includes a lifting mechanism, a movable arm assembly, a processing device, and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processing device. The processing device transmits a command to the lifting mechanism to cause the lifting mechanism to move the movable arm assembly such that a container is gripped within the movable arm assembly, transmits a first one or more signals to the movable arm assembly to cause the movable arm assembly to extend in a system longitudinal direction such that the movable arm assembly grips the container. The movable arm assembly is positioned at a release location and transmits a second one or more signals to the movable arm assembly to cause the movable arm assembly to extend in a system lateral direction such that the container gripped within the movable arm assembly is released from the movable arm assembly at the release location.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an assistive robot system. The assistive robot system includes a lifting mechanism, a movable arm assembly coupled to the lifting mechanism, a container tilting arm assembly, a processing device communicatively coupled to the lifting mechanism and the movable arm assembly, and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processing device. The non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium causes the processing device to transmit a command to the lifting mechanism to cause the lifting mechanism to move the movable arm assembly such that the container tilting arm assembly makes contact with a container and transmits one or more signals to the movable arm assembly to cause the movable arm assembly to extend in a system longitudinal direction such that the container within the movable arm assembly is pivoted against the container tilting assembly to tilt the container within the movable arm assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein related to a robotic system for transporting a container. The robotic system includes a lifting mechanism and a container storage assembly coupled to the lifting mechanism. The container storage assembly includes at least one bracket assembly that further includes a bracket elongated member. The bracket elongated member includes a surface having at least one slot and a locking mechanism within the at least one slot. The at least one slot and the locking mechanism are configured to slidably receive and positively lock at least one locking member of the container.