Abstract: A reconditioning device includes: a first shearing plate; a second shearing plate; and a housing. The housing includes: a first member configured to hold the first shearing plate and comprising an input for receiving a material; a second member connected to the first member to form an inner cavity, a portion of the inner cavity is located in a gap between the first shearing plate and the second shearing plate; and an output member connected to a pipeline of a production applicator and configured to output the material subsequent to shearing. The shaft extends through the second member, is connected to the second shearing plate, and is configured to be rotated to shear the material disposed in the gap between the first shearing plate and the second shearing plate.

Abstract: A vehicle charging control system includes: a charging location including N parking locations for vehicles and M vehicle chargers, where N is an integer greater than or equal to two and M is an integer less than N and greater than or equal to 1; and a charging control module configured to set a charging sequence for charging vehicles at the charging location based on at least two of: (a) arrival times of the vehicles, respectively, to the charging location; (b) expected departure times of the vehicles, respectively, from the charging location; (c) charge levels of batteries of the vehicles, respectively, at arrival to the charging location; (d) target charge levels of the batteries of the vehicles, respectively, at departure from the charging location; (e) credits of users of the vehicles, respectively; and (f) premium fees approved by the users of the vehicles, respectively, for advancing in the charging sequence.

Abstract: A charging system includes a mobile charging apparatus having a charging plug configured to connect to a charging port of a vehicle for charging a battery in the vehicle, and a control module in communication with the mobile charging apparatus. The control module configured to receive a charging request signal from a vehicle control module of the vehicle or a user device, in response to receiving the charging request signal, determine a location of the charging port of the vehicle, and control the mobile charging apparatus to move adjacent to the charging port of the vehicle based on the determined location of the charging port. Other examples charging systems and methods of controlling mobile charging apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A robotic system for forming a moldable workpiece is provided. The robotic system includes a robot, an end effector, an adjustment module, and a control module. The robot is configured to pass the workpiece through a machine. The end effector is configured to be attached to the robot and configured to grasp and release the workpiece. The end effector is adjustable to a plurality of different configurations. The adjustment module is configured to determine a change in the workpiece from (a) a first form of the workpiece prior to the passing of the workpiece through the machine to (b) a second form of the workpiece after passing of the workpiece through the machine. The control module is configured to adjust a present configuration of the end effector to a second configuration based on the change in the workpiece from (a) the first form to (b) the second form.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing a material to a deposition point, the dispensing system including: a nozzle configured to dispense the material; a doser in fluid communication with the nozzle, the doser configured to control flow of the material to the nozzle; and a material conditioning assembly in fluid communication with the nozzle and configured to decrease viscosity of the material. The material conditioning assembly including: a conditioning chamber configured to receive the material therein; a drive member movable within the conditioning chamber to apply shear stress to the material within the conditioning chamber; and an actuator configured to move the drive member.

Abstract: A system for charging a plurality of vehicles parked in a parking area. The system includes an offboard vehicle control module configured to plan routes for each one of the plurality of vehicles in the parking area, and send drive instructions to an onboard control module of each one of the plurality of vehicles for driving the plurality of vehicles along the planned routes, the drive instructions including steering instructions, acceleration instructions, and brake instructions. A charging station management module is configured to execute a charging sequence for managing charging of the plurality of vehicles at a charging station, select a subject vehicle for charging from the plurality of vehicles according to the charging sequence, and send a charging notification to the offboard vehicle control module indicating that the subject vehicle has been selected for charging.

Abstract: A calibration system includes a docking stand fixed within a three-dimensional coordinate system and an end effector supported by the docking stand. The end effector includes a frame received by the docking stand and an adjustable member movable along the frame. The adjustable member includes a clamp and a reference surface. The calibration system includes a computational system including at least one processor and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions. The calibration system includes a measurement instrument in electronic communication with the computational system. The measurement instrument is movable and is arranged to interact with the reference surface and transmit a signal to the processor.

Abstract: An electrical connector verification system including a microphone for detecting a first sound generated by an engagement of a locking mechanism of an electrical connector and for generating a first signal representative of the first sound, a processor for generating a control signal in response to the first signal matching a second signal representative of a second sound generated in response to a correct engagement of the locking mechanism of the electrical connector above a certainty threshold, and a user interface for displaying an indication of a correctly seated electrical connector in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A robotic system for forming a moldable workpiece is provided. The robotic system includes a robot, an end effector, an adjustment module, and a control module. The robot is configured to pass the workpiece through a machine. The end effector is configured to be attached to the robot and configured to grasp and release the workpiece. The end effector is adjustable to a plurality of different configurations. The adjustment module is configured to determine a change in the workpiece from (a) a first form of the workpiece prior to the passing of the workpiece through the machine to (b) a second form of the workpiece after passing of the workpiece through the machine. The control module is configured to adjust a present configuration of the end effector to a second configuration based on the change in the workpiece from (a) the first form to (b) the second form.

Abstract: A tool reconfiguration system includes a robot, an end effector, a photogrammetry module, an adjustment module, and a robot control module. The end effector is configured to be attached to the robot and to a vehicle component. The end effector is adjustable between a plurality of configurations. The photogrammetry module includes a first camera that is configured to capture images of the end effector. The adjustment module is configured to receive the images of the end effector and determine whether the end effector has been adjusted from a first configuration to a second configuration based on at least one of the images. The robot control module is configured to, based on the determination, selectively actuate one or more components of the end effector and adjust a present configuration of the end effector to one of the first configuration and the second configuration.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a support structure, a motor mount assembly, first and second parallel chains, a serial translation assembly, a sensor and a control module. The motor mount assembly includes rotary motors, where the rotary motors include a first rotary motor and a second rotary motor. The first and second parallel chains are connected to the movable platform, the rotary motors and the motor mount assembly. The serial translation assembly is connected to the supporting structure and the motor mount assembly and includes a linear actuator and a third rotary motor. The sensor is connected to the movable platform and detects force applied by a human operator on the movable platform and generates a signal indicative of the force applied. The control module controls the rotary motors and the third rotary motor based on the signal to assist the human operator in moving the movable platform.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a pair of electrical connectors for electrically connecting to one another to close an electric circuit. The assembly further includes a connection indicator attached to one or more of the electrical connectors. The connection indicator generates a feedback, in response to the electrical connectors being one of connected to one another and disconnected from one another. The connection indicator is separate from the electric circuit, and the feedback is at least one of a radio frequency signal (RF signal), an electronic signal, a visible light, and an acoustic signal.

Abstract: A reconditioning device includes: a first shearing plate; a second shearing plate; and a housing. The housing includes: a first member configured to hold the first shearing plate and comprising an input for receiving a material; a second member connected to the first member to form an inner cavity, a portion of the inner cavity is located in a gap between the first shearing plate and the second shearing plate; and an output member connected to a pipeline of a production applicator and configured to output the material subsequent to shearing. The shaft extends through the second member, is connected to the second shearing plate, and is configured to be rotated to shear the material disposed in the gap between the first shearing plate and the second shearing plate.

Abstract: Robotic systems and methods are provided with an end effector having lockable compliance. A robotic system for manipulating a workpiece includes an arm having a pair of sections connected by a joint assembly, with a lock disposed in the joint assembly. A gripper is connected on the arm and is configured to alternately grip and release the workpiece. A controller operates the lock to alternately lock and unlock the joint assembly. The gripper holds the workpiece during a deformation of the workpiece, while the controller may unlock the lock to allow movement of the joint assembly to relieve forces on the arm arising during a deformation of the workpiece.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a support structure, a platform, a center serial chain, outer serial chains, motors, a sensor, and a control module. The center serial chain connects a center of the platform to the support structure and includes first joints connected to a linear sliding shaft. The outer serial chains are disposed radially outward of the center serial chain. Each of the outer serial chains includes second joints connecting a bar to the platform and the supporting structure. The motors are connected to the outer serial chains. The sensor is connected to the platform and detects at least one of force or torque applied by a human operator on the platform and generates a signal indicative thereof. The control module controls the motors based on the signal to assist the human operator in at least one of moving or rotating the platform.

Abstract: Robotic systems are provided for flexibility in assembly operations. A robotic system includes a suction module having a front side with a face shaped to match a mating component and a rear side with a coupling for a suction line. Openings extend through the face. The suction module defines internal passages connecting the coupling with the at least one opening through the face. An end-effector has a base plate, a mounting plate selectively moveable relative to the base plate, and a clamp. The suction module is selectively mounted to the mounting plate and releasably secured by the clamp. An actuator is mounted to selectively move the mounting plate and the suction module relative to the base plate.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a support structure, a platform, a center serial chain, outer serial chains, motors, a sensor, and a control module. The center serial chain connects a center of the platform to the support structure and includes first joints connected to a linear sliding shaft. The outer serial chains are disposed radially outward of the center serial chain. Each of the outer serial chains includes second joints connecting a bar to the platform and the supporting structure. The motors are connected to the outer serial chains. The sensor is connected to the platform and detects at least one of force or torque applied by a human operator on the platform and generates a signal indicative thereof. The control module controls the motors based on the signal to assist the human operator in at least one of moving or rotating the platform.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a support structure, a motor mount assembly, first and second parallel chains, a serial translation assembly, a sensor and a control module. The motor mount assembly includes rotary motors, where the rotary motors include a first rotary motor and a second rotary motor. The first and second parallel chains are connected to the movable platform, the rotary motors and the motor mount assembly. The serial translation assembly is connected to the supporting structure and the motor mount assembly and includes a linear actuator and a third rotary motor. The sensor is connected to the movable platform and detects force applied by a human operator on the movable platform and generates a signal indicative of the force applied. The control module controls the rotary motors and the third rotary motor based on the signal to assist the human operator in moving the movable platform.

Abstract: A calibration system includes a docking stand fixed within a three-dimensional coordinate system and an end effector supported by the docking stand. The end effector includes a frame received by the docking stand and an adjustable member movable along the frame. The adjustable member includes a clamp and a reference surface. The calibration system includes a computational system including at least one processor and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions. The calibration system includes a measurement instrument in electronic communication with the computational system. The measurement instrument is movable and is arranged to interact with the reference surface and transmit a signal to the processor.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a pair of electrical connectors for electrically connecting to one another to close an electric circuit. The assembly further includes a connection indicator attached to one or more of the electrical connectors. The connection indicator generates a feedback, in response to the electrical connectors being one of connected to one another and disconnected from one another. The connection indicator is separate from the electric circuit, and the feedback is at least one of a radio frequency signal (RF signal), an electronic signal, a visible light, and an acoustic signal.