Abstract: A method for teaching a robot program, including obtaining a 3D model of a workpiece from a scan of the workpiece, obtaining at least one pose, of a posing device, for a robot with a jointed arm and an end effector, at least partly via an AR/VR user interface, obtaining program information describing at least one of a motion for the robot and a behavior for the end effector, and associating the motion and behavior with the pose, obtaining a type of geometric relationship, evaluating the type of geometric relationship and displaying a representation of thereof, via the AR/VR user interface, during the obtaining of the pose, and determining instructions of the robot program, based on the 3D model, the pose, and the program information, the instructions including at least one of a pose for the robot, a motion for the robot, and a behavior for the end effector.

Abstract: A system and method for teaching a robot program based on user input. In some embodiments, poses of a posing device manipulated by a user are captured and analyzed. In some embodiments, robot instructions are determined by a machine-learning algorithm that is trained on data concerning previously executed instructions evaluated by a user. In some embodiments, a user-selected process type defines workpiece geometry types for guiding the creation of robot instructions. In some embodiments, an augmented- or virtual-reality user interface is provided for obtaining user input.

Abstract: A system and method for teaching a robot program based on user input. In some embodiments, poses of a posing device manipulated by a user are captured and analyzed. In some embodiments, robot instructions are determined by a machine-learning algorithm that is trained on data concerning previously executed instructions evaluated by a user. In some embodiments, a user-selected process type defines workpiece geometry types for guiding the creation of robot instructions. In some embodiments, an augmented- or virtual-reality user interface is provided for obtaining user input.

Abstract: A thermographic inspection system is provided for inspecting electrical equipment. The system may be used while the electrical equipment is energized to monitor active performance of the equipment. The system may be used to monitor temperature differences of various components in the equipment.

Abstract: A robot teaching system that uses 3D scanning, movable devices, and pose selecting devices, either in or outside the robot workspace, in order to create a robot instruction. The system may include a 3D scanning device, a user input device, and a computation device. The computation device executes instructions to cause the 3D scanning device to capture a 3D scan of a workpiece, record a spatial point, and determine best fit geometries.

Abstract: A system that uses 3D scanning, movable devices, and pose selecting means, either in or outside the robot workspace, in order to create a robot program.

Abstract: A system that uses 3D scanning and a process agnostic pointing device that is used in conjunction with user input to create a robot program.

Abstract: A system that uses 3D scanning, a process agnostic pointing device used in conjunction with user input, and geometric analysis of the 3D information to create a robot program.

Abstract: A system that uses 3D scanning, movable devices, and pose selecting means, either in or outside the robot workspace, in order to create a robot program.

Abstract: A system that uses 3D scanning, a process agnostic pointing device used in conjunction with user input, and geometric analysis of the 3D information to create a robot program.

Abstract: A system that uses 3D scanning and a process agnostic pointing device that is used in conjunction with user input to create a robot program.

Abstract: An unmanned rail vehicle for surveillance, inspection, and/or maintenance of an industrial site is provided. The rail vehicle includes at least two carry rollers adapted for engaging on an upper rail side of a rail, wherein the center of gravity of the rail vehicle is vertically below the upper rail side; and at least one support roller connected to the chassis and adapted for rolling against a lateral rail side of the rail to laterally displace the center of gravity of the rail vehicle with respect to the upper rail side.

Abstract: A thermographic inspection system is provided for inspecting electrical equipment. The system may be used while the electrical equipment is energized to monitor active performance of the equipment. The system may be used to monitor temperature differences of various components in the equipment.

Abstract: An unmanned rail vehicle for surveillance, inspection, and/or maintenance of an industrial site is provided. The rail vehicle includes at least two carry rollers adapted for engaging on an upper rail side of a rail, wherein the center of gravity of the rail vehicle is vertically below the upper rail side; and at least one support roller connected to the chassis and adapted for rolling against a lateral rail side of the rail to laterally displace the center of gravity of the rail vehicle with respect to the upper rail side.

Abstract: A method inspects a conveyor (10) having opposing sides (34, 35) and a length. The conveyor includes an endless belt (16) and a plurality of roller structures (24) disposed in spaced relation along at least a portion of the length of the conveyor and under a top flight (17) of the belt for supporting the belt while material is being conveyed on the belt. Each roller structure includes at least one roller (12, 12?) constructed and arranged to rotate about an axis as the belt is conveyed with the material. The method orients an unmanned vehicle (22), having sensor structure (28) thereon, at one side of the conveyor, and causes the vehicle to travel along the portion of the length of the conveyor while the sensor structure obtains data regarding a state of at least a portion of the belt and of rollers of the plurality of roller structures while the conveyor is operating.

Abstract: A method inspects a conveyor (10) having opposing sides (34, 35) and a length. The conveyor includes an endless belt (16) and a plurality of roller structures (24) disposed in spaced relation along at least a portion of the length of the conveyor and under a top flight (17) of the belt for supporting the belt while material is being conveyed on the belt. Each roller structure includes at least one roller (12, 12?) constructed and arranged to rotate about an axis as the belt is conveyed with the material. The method orients an unmanned vehicle (22), having sensor structure (28) thereon, at one side of the conveyor, and causes the vehicle to travel along the portion of the length of the conveyor while the sensor structure obtains data regarding a state of at least a portion of the belt and of rollers of the plurality of roller structures while the conveyor is operating.

Abstract: A robot is used to pick parts from a bin. The robot has a compliant apparatus and one or more tools are connected to the apparatus to perform the picking. The compliant apparatus has mechanisms for monitoring and/or controlling its compliance. The compliant apparatus can have various embodiments. Force sensing can be used during removal of grasped parts from the bin to determine the force exerted on the picking tool(s). The signal indicative of the exerted force can be used by the robot controller to determine the weight of the parts that may be held by the picking tool(s). The robot has one or more devices which can be the picking tool to stir the parts in the bin.

Abstract: A device for installing a modular crawler into an air gap of rotating electrical machinery and removing the crawler from the air gap has a reconfigurable handle attached to a curved head made from metallic material. The crawler is magnetically attached to the curved head when it is desired to insert the crawler into the air gap or remove the crawler from the air gap. The head can be rolled in the field into the curvature needed to match the stator's inner surface so that the installation device can easily be inserted in the air gap. The handle has several joints that can be adjusted in the field as needed for the best reachability. A camera is mounted on the curved head so that an operator can see the interface region between the curved head, crawler and air gap.