Abstract: Examples described herein are directed to methods, computer-readable media, and systems for controlling an end of arm tool with one or more suction zones to pick up an item. Sensor data regarding the item is obtained. The sensor data is used to determine which of the one or more suction zones should be used to pick up the item. A rotational orientation is also determined that orients the determined suction zone(s) with the item. The end of arm tool is then instructed to create a suction force at the one or more suction zones and to pick up the item using the suction force.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a suction cup, a fitting, and a filter. The suction cup defines an interior cavity with a first opening and a second opening. The fitting is coupled to the suction cup. The fitting includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the fitting defines a chamber. The second portion of the fitting is positioned within the interior cavity and is coupled to the first portion of the fitting to secure the first portion of the fitting to the suction cup. The filter is positioned within the chamber such that the suction cup and the fitting define a passage from the second opening, through the interior cavity, and through the chamber and the filter.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bellows and a lip. The bellows defines an interior cavity. The lip is coupled to the bellows such that the lip is concentric with the bellows. The lip extends away from the bellows in a radial direction and in a vertical direction such that the lip forms a cup shape. The bellows and the lip define a passage from the lip through the interior cavity. The lip includes a rib on an outer surface of the lip such that the rib extends along the outer surface of the lip and away from the bellows in the radial direction and in the vertical direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods to grasp objects using vacuum-actuated end of arm tools may include extending pistons and suction cups. For example, responsive to application of negative pressure, a piston may move from a retracted position to an extended position. In addition, responsive to grasping an object by a suction cup, the piston may remain in the extended position due to continued generation of pressure differentials that apply forces to the piston toward the extended position. Alternatively, a piston may be biased toward an extended position due to a spring force, and may remain in the extended position responsive to grasping an object. In the extended position of the piston, an object may be grasped with an amount of passive compliance to external forces that may be applied to the object.

Abstract: Aspects described herein include an end effector having an interface system that includes a body member attached to a mounting plate, and a plurality of strength-varying features at a plurality of regions of the interface system. The plurality of strength-varying features encourage the body member to repeatably deform into a deformed configuration. The end effector further comprises a vacuum port in fluid communication with an inner recess of the body member, and a plurality of actuators that apply a force to the mounting plate to pivot a portion of the mounting plate and deform the body member into the deformed configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods to grasp objects using vacuum-actuated end of arm tools may include moving pistons, pinching or stabilizing arms, and suction cups. For example, responsive to application of negative pressure and responsive to grasping an object by a suction cup, a piston may move between a retracted position and an extended position. The movement of the piston may cause corresponding movement of one or more pinching or stabilizing arms around the object to pinch and/or stabilize the object grasped by the suction cup.

Abstract: Aspects described herein include an end effector capable of prehending items using impactive and astrictive forces. The end effector includes an interface system having a deformable mounting plate and a pliable body member attached to the mounting plate. The end effector further includes a linkage system between a plurality of actuators and the interface system. The linkage system connects to lateral portions of the mounting plate.

Abstract: Aspects described herein include an end effector capable of prehending items using impactive and astrictive forces. The end effector includes an interface system having a deformable mounting plate and a pliable body member attached to the mounting plate. The end effector further includes a linkage system between a plurality of actuators and the interface system. The linkage system connects to lateral portions of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A soft actuator for a suction-cup end effector bends or deforms in response to air pressure within bladders in the actuator. The walls of the air bladders, upon pressurization, expand to contact adjacent structure, such as other expanding air bladders, to move a constraining layer of the actuator from a rest position toward an actuated position. A gripper for engaging items is formed by the soft actuator and a suction cup.

Abstract: Examples described herein are directed to an item manipulation system that includes an end of arm tool. The end of arm tool includes a suction manifold including multiple independently controllable asymmetrical suction zones. The end of arm tool is also configured to rotate about a tool axis to selectively align the independently controllable asymmetrical suction zones with target items for manipulation.

Abstract: A suction-cup end effector conforms to and grasps objects upon application of vacuum force. The suction cup assembly can have isotropic stiffness in a plane defined by a contact surface of the suction cup assembly and thus can conform regardless of the orientation of the suction cup to the object. The suction cup includes a foam suction cup body, a thin structural ring to provide a spring bias toward a rest position, and a sealing membrane within the structural ring to seal the suction cup.

Abstract: An actuator for a suction-cup end effector bends or deforms in response to air pressure within bladders in the actuator. Air bladders of the actuator apply bending moments to rigid flange structures, which transmit the moments to a base layer of the actuator. Grasping elements may be used.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for assigning a group security policy to a user based on the security risk posed by the user. In certain embodiments, a plurality of group security policies are provided, wherein one or more of the plurality of group security policies have different levels of security enforcement. A security risk assessment for the user is received and a group security policy from the plurality of group security policies is assigned to the user based on the security risk assessment for the user. The assigned group security policy is communicated to a device operated by the user for enforcement of the group security policy at the device.

Abstract: A method is provided for directing a user to a point of interest using sounds played on a wearable audio output device. A user's direction of gaze is determined using data from at least one sensor in the audio output device. First and second locations are determined of the user and the point of interest respectively, and a distance is determined between the first and second locations. A relative angle between the direction of gaze and the direction of the point of interest is determined based on the determined first and second locations. A sample sound is altered using at least one sonification technique to convey information relating to the determined distance and the relative angle. The altered sample sound is rendered and output for playing by the audio output device.

Abstract: Implementations of an end effector and an associated method of grasping an item are disclosed. The end effector comprises an interface system comprising a mounting plate having at least a first portion movable relative to at least a second portion. For example, the first portion and/or second portion are configured to pivot about at least a first pivot axis. The interface system further comprises a pliable body member attached to the mounting plate and at least partially defining an inner recess. The end effector further comprises a pair of actuators operably connected to the plate and each configured to apply a force to the plate so as to pivot a portion of the mounting plate and deform the pliable body member. The end effector further comprises a vacuum port in fluid communication with the inner recess.

Abstract: A gripper assembly includes a four bar linkage and one or a pair of carriages the move longitudinally on rails. The linkage includes a means for maintaining the paddles in a mutually parallel orientation, which can be a link or a timing belt.

Abstract: Implementations of an end effector and an associated method of grasping an item are disclosed. The end effector comprises an interface system comprising a mounting plate having at least a first portion movable relative to at least a second portion. For example, the first portion and/or second portion are configured to pivot about at least a first pivot axis. The interface system further comprises a pliable body member attached to the mounting plate and at least partially defining an inner recess. The end effector further comprises a pair of actuators operably connected to the plate and each configured to apply a force to the plate so as to pivot a portion of the mounting plate and deform the pliable body member. The end effector further comprises a vacuum port in fluid communication with the inner recess.

Abstract: End effectors and a related method of actuating items are disclosed. The end effector comprises a bladder comprising a pliable body that defines an inner recess in fluid communication with the manifold via a first connection. The pliable body has a sealing surface at its distal end and defines a chamber. The bladder further comprises a material disposed within the chamber. The method comprises contacting an item to conform the sealing surface to a contour of the item, transitioning the bladder to a structural state having greater rigidity, applying a vacuum to the inner recess via the first connection, and actuating the item.

Abstract: Information is recorded that corresponds to an online activity of a user. The information identifies at least one or more instances of time when the online activity occurred. A communication from the communication service is delivered to the user at a selected transmission time that is based at least in part on the one or more instances of time. The communication service may be configured or otherwise instructed to send (or not send) the communication at a particular time.

Abstract: Information is recorded that corresponds to an online activity of a user. The information identifies at least one or more instances of time when the online activity occurred. A communication from the communication service is delivered to the user at a selected transmission time that is based at least in part on the one or more instances of time. The communication service may be configured or otherwise instructed to send (or not send) the communication at a particular time.