Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling activation of different input elements using an actuator are disclosed herein. An example method includes in response to determining that a representation of a user's finger is located within a predefined distance of an input element: obtaining information regarding an amount of force needed to actuate the input element, and causing adjustment of a physical characteristic of an actuator while the actuator is associated with the input element. The method further includes, in response to an input having at least the amount of force applied by the user's finger to a component of the actuator while the actuator is associated with the input element, causing an input command to be performed and providing a haptic response via the actuator component.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling activation of different input elements using an actuator are disclosed herein. An example method includes in response to detecting that a representation of a finger is located by a first input element: obtaining information regarding a first amount of force to actuate the first input element, and causing adjustment of a physical characteristic of an actuator so that a first amount of force directed to a component of the actuator activates the first input element. In response to detecting that the representation of the finger is located by a second input element, the method also includes: obtaining information regarding a second amount of force distinct from the first amount of force, and causing adjustment of the physical characteristic of the actuator so that the second amount of force directed to the component of the actuator activates the second input element.

Abstract: Disclosed apparatus may include a membrane, a first electrode supported by the membrane, a second electrode, and optionally a controller configured to control an electrical potential applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. Example apparatus may include one or more flexible membranes that may, at least in part, define an enclosure that is at least partially filled with a dielectric fluid. A flexible membrane may include a functionalized polymer or inorganic dielectric material, such as a fluoropolymer composite including at least one electrically conductive additive and/or at least one toughener. Examples also include associated materials (e.g., polymers), methods of fabrication, methods of apparatus operation, and systems.

Abstract: Disclosed devices may include a membrane, a first electrode supported by the membrane, a second electrode, a capacitance sensor configured to determine a capacitance measurement between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a controller configured to control an electrical potential applied between the electrode and the second electrode. The controller may be configured to modify the electrical potential based on the capacitance measurement. Example devices may include one or more flexible membranes that may, at least in part, define an enclosure that is at least partially filled with a dielectric fluid. Examples also include associated methods and systems.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods of manufacturing an article using electroadhesion technology for the pick-up and release of materials, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed devices may include a membrane, a first electrode supported by the membrane, a second electrode, a capacitance sensor configured to determine a capacitance measurement between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a controller configured to control an electrical potential applied between the electrode and the second electrode. The controller may be configured to modify the electrical potential based on the capacitance measurement. Example devices may include one or more flexible membranes that may, at least in part, define an enclosure that is at least partially filled with a dielectric fluid. Examples also include associated methods and systems.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods of manufacturing an article using electroadhesion technology, either as a sole modality of handling such materials or in concert with vacuum for the pick up and release of materials, respectively.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods of manufacturing an article using electroadhesion technology, either as a sole modality of handling such materials or in concert with at least one mechanically actuated modality for the pick-up and release of materials, respectively. The mechanically actuated modality in one embodiment is configured as a netting configured to be placed over a contact surface of an electroadhesive plate to facilitate the handling of an object.

Abstract: Provided herein are solutions to automated material handling comprising systems that allow automated “each pick handling” without requiring the complexity of robotic grasping. Numerous examples of pre-configurable and reconfigurable transport containers, partitioning devices, and automated container configuration stations are described in addition to methods of use and associated material handling systems that utilize such containers. Further described are containers that are individually configured or customized according to specific lot sizes to more efficiently and optimally contain, store and distribute articles as a component of a picking system. Configurable containers or “totes” may be customized on a per-order basis to create optimally configured containers that maximize the use of space in a container, on a single-item-per-space basis, regardless of item quantity, size or volume, by customizing the size of each space within a container or tote.

Abstract: A system to sort packages or parcels into chutes includes a package and parcel transporting component with a plurality of zones, each coupled to an electroadhesive material. The package and parcel transporting component is operable to move the plurality of zones. The electroadhesive material includes electrodes to exert an electroadhesive force and dynamically electrically couple to be energized by an applied voltage on demand. The system includes a controller to determine chutes into which to release packages or parcels and determine zones associated with packages or parcels. The controller selects zones associated with the packages or parcels to transport or release packages or parcels. The controller operates the electrodes to alter the electroadhesive material in the zones associated packages or parcels to transport and release the packages or parcels to one or more chutes.

Abstract: A system to sort packages or parcels into chutes includes a package and parcel transporting component with a plurality of zones, each coupled to an electroadhesive material. The package and parcel transporting component is operable to move the plurality of zones. The electroadhesive material includes electrodes to exert an electroadhesive force and dynamically electrically couple to be energized by an applied voltage on demand. The system includes a controller to determine chutes into which to release packages or parcels and determine zones associated with packages or parcels. The controller selects zones associated with the packages or parcels to transport or release packages or parcels. The controller operates the electrodes to alter the electroadhesive material in the zones associated packages or parcels to transport and release the packages or parcels to one or more chutes.

Abstract: A process for sorting materials using material-selective electroadhesive grippers is disclosed. At least one of an electroadhesive surface or a plurality of articles is manipulated such that multiple ones of the plurality of articles are at least intermittently proximate the electroadhesive surface. Voltage is applied to one or more electrodes in the electroadhesive surface to thereby cause the electroadhesive surface to selectively adhere to a subset of the plurality of articles based on the subset of the plurality of articles having different material properties than others of the plurality of articles. While the voltage is applied, the electroadhesive surface is moved with respect to the others of the plurality of articles to thereby separate the subset of the plurality of articles from the others of the plurality of articles.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods of manufacturing an article using electroadhesion technology for the pick-up and release of materials, respectively.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods of manufacturing an article using electroadhesion technology, either as a sole modality of handling such materials or in concert with vacuum for the pick up and release of materials, respectively.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods of manufacturing an article using electroadhesion technology, either as a sole modality of handling such materials or in concert with at least one mechanically actuated modality for the pick-up and release of materials, respectively.

Abstract: A system utilizes electroadhesive surfaces for braking and metering objects in an automated environment. An electroadhesive surface can include electrodes that are configured to induce an electrostatic attraction with nearby objects upon application of voltage to the electrodes. The systems described utilize various configurations of electroadhesive surfaces, sensors, controllers and programmable processors to create smart braking, capturing and metering systems for improved automated material handling.

Abstract: Acquisition or pick-up tools that themselves aid in improving the ease with which images of an acquired substrate may be captured, and methods of operating such pick-up tools, are provided. The pick-up tools may include a pick-up surface adapted to interface with a foreign substrate and a light source integrated with the pick-up tool such that light emitted from the light source passes through the pick-up surface to the foreign substrate when the foreign substrate is temporarily coupled with the pick-up surface to create a silhouette of the foreign substrate. A vision system may be adapted for capturing the silhouette of the foreign substrate when the foreign substrate is temporarily coupled with the pick-up surface. The substrate pick-up surface may be formed of one of a transparent, a semi-transparent, or a translucent material such that light may at least partially pass there through.

Abstract: Acquisition or pick-up tools that themselves aid in improving the ease with which images of an acquired substrate may be captured, and methods of operating such pick-up tools, are provided. The pick-up tools may include a pick-up surface adapted to interface with a foreign substrate and a light source integrated with the pick-up tool such that light emitted from the light source passes through the pick-up surface to the foreign substrate when the foreign substrate is temporarily coupled with the pick-up surface to create a silhouette of the foreign substrate. A vision system may be adapted for capturing the silhouette of the foreign substrate when the foreign substrate is temporarily coupled with the pick-up surface. The substrate pick-up surface may be formed of one of a transparent, a semi-transparent, or a translucent material such that light may at least partially pass there through.

Abstract: A system utilizes electroadhesive surfaces for braking and metering objects in an automated environment. An electroadhesive surface can include electrodes that are configured to induce an electrostatic attraction with nearby objects upon application of voltage to the electrodes. The systems described utilize various configurations of electroadhesive surfaces, sensors, controllers and programmable processors to create smart braking, capturing and metering systems for improved automated material handling.

Abstract: Acquisition or pick-up tools that themselves aid in improving the ease with which images of an acquired substrate may be captured, and methods of operating such pick-up tools, are provided. The pick-up tools may include a pick-up surface adapted to interface with a foreign substrate and a light source integrated with the pick-up tool such that light emitted from the light source passes through the pick-up surface to the foreign substrate when the foreign substrate is temporarily coupled with the pick-up surface to create a silhouette of the foreign substrate. A vision system may be adapted for capturing the silhouette of the foreign substrate when the foreign substrate is temporarily coupled with the pick-up surface. The substrate pick-up surface may be formed of one of a transparent, a semi-transparent, or a translucent material such that light may at least partially pass there through.