Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments related to robot-aided product inspection. For example, an inspection apparatus may include a processing device to communicatively couple to a robotic apparatus, to a display device, and to a user input device. The processing device may: receive an image of an item, wherein the image was captured by the robotic apparatus; generate a proposed classification for the image, wherein the classification indicates an attribute of the item based on the image; cause the image to be displayed on the display device along with the proposed classification; and receive an indication from the user input device of a final classification of the image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments related to calibration and zeroing in robotic systems. For example, an apparatus for robotic zeroing may include a processing device to perform a joint zeroing operation on a first joint assembly of a robotic apparatus. The joint zeroing operation may include: determining a reference vector for zeroing the first joint assembly, wherein the first joint assembly is mechanically coupled to a base of the robotic apparatus; identifying an acceleration vector representative of an orientation of a second joint assembly of the robotic apparatus, wherein the first joint assembly is mechanically between the base and the second joint assembly; determining whether the acceleration vector is aligned with the reference vector; and, in response to a determination that the acceleration vector is not aligned with the reference vector, causing the first joint assembly to move.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments related to stepper motors in robotic systems. For example, an apparatus for collaborative robotics may include a first segment, a second segment, and a joint assembly. The joint assembly may include a stepper motor and a drivetrain to control a relative position of the first and second segments, and the drivetrain may have a gear ratio that is less than 30:1.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments related to end effectors in robotic systems. For example, an end effector for a robotic apparatus may be couplable to the robotic apparatus, and the end effector may include a communication port for coupling to the robotic apparatus, a camera, and a lighting device, wherein a lighting color of the lighting device is controllable via the communication port.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments related to braking joints in robotic systems. For example, an apparatus for collaborative robotics may include a first segment, a second segment, and a joint assembly. The joint assembly may include a stepper motor to control a relative position of the first and second segments, and a phase of the stepper motor may be shorted when the apparatus is unpowered.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments related to safety in robotic systems. For example, an apparatus for collaborative robotics may include a first segment, a second segment, and a joint assembly. The joint assembly may include a processing device and a stepper motor, the stepper motor may control a relative position of the first and second segments, the processing device may perform closed-loop control of the stepper motor and monitor one or more performance metrics, and the processing device may cause braking of the stepper motor when a value of at least one of the performance metrics is outside an allowable range.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments related to robot-aided product inspection. For example, an inspection apparatus may include a processing device to communicatively couple to a robotic apparatus, to a display device, and to a user input device. The processing device may: receive an image of an item, wherein the image was captured by the robotic apparatus; generate a proposed classification for the image, wherein the classification indicates an attribute of the item based on the image; cause the image to be displayed on the display device along with the proposed classification; and receive an indication from the user input device of a final classification of the image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments related to inspection planning using robotic systems. For example, an inspection apparatus may include a processing device to communicatively couple to a robotic apparatus. The processing device may generate an inspection path for the robotic apparatus to follow to inspect an item, the inspection path may include a set of positions of an end effector of the robotic apparatus, and the processing device may cause a camera of the end effector to capture an image of the item at each position.