Abstract: A service robot includes a wheeled, robotic vehicle and a movable payload platform. A position of the payload platform is controlled to reduce the distance between the center of mass of the service robot and a center of rotation of the vehicle moving along a motion trajectory. Induced centrifugal forces are reduced, allowing for safe operation at higher speeds. In some examples, the payload platform is moved such that the center of mass of the service robot is approximately aligned with the center of rotation of the vehicle. In some embodiments, at least one wheel of the service robot is controlled to maintain a level orientation of the service robot as it traverses uneven terrain. In some embodiments, the service robot includes an inflatable torso structure that allows an upper body robot to bend in a controlled manner to interact with users and a payload loaded onto the payload platform.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assisting hemiplegic and hemiparetic patients are described herein. A wearable gripper system assists a user with one functional hand to independently perform basic tasks. A wearable gripper is located on the forearm above a disabled hand. The user controls the wearable gripper easily and intuitively based on gestures measured by an instrumented wristband device. Movements detected at the functioning wrist and forearm are translated into the motion control commands communicated to the actuators of the wearable gripper. In this manner, the wearable gripper assists the user to manipulate objects in lieu of the disabled hand. In some embodiments, a number of conductive, stretchable string sensors are wrapped around the hand of a user to estimate wrist and hand motion. In some embodiments, a gripper actuator includes two or more fingers, each having a location dependent shape profile and compliance to accommodate different manipulation tasks.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to operating an excavator during a digging cycle are described. In some embodiments, a nominal path of a bucket connected to one or more linkages of the excavator may be commanded. A correction to the commanded nominal path may be applied to maximize a power applied by at least one of the one or more linkages of the excavator during at least a portion of the digging cycle.

Abstract: An inspection robot for inspecting a nuclear reactor that includes a hull and an on-board control mechanism that controls the operation of the inspection robot. The on-board control mechanism controls one or more sensors used to inspect one or more structures in the nuclear reactor as well as the movement by the inspection robot. A gimbal mechanism rotates the inspection robot hull by shifting the center-of-mass so that gravity and buoyancy forces generate a moment to rotate the hull in a desired direction. A camera is coupled to the gimbal mechanism for providing visual display of the one or more structures in the nuclear reactor. The camera is allowed to rotate about an axis using the gimbal mechanism. The inspection robot communicates its findings with respect to the inspection tasks using the wireless communication link.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one supernumerary artificial limb and a base structure configured to couple with a human body. The base structure includes a sensor that obtains a measurement regarding load of the human body. The proximal end of the supernumerary artificial limb is coupled to the base structure. The apparatus further includes a processor operatively coupled with the sensor and configured to receive the measurement from the sensor. The processor is also configured to generate a control signal to change at least one of a position of the supernumerary artificial limb and a torque exerted by the supernumerary artificial limb based on the measurement regarding the load.

Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating a mobile robot through a crowded pedestrian environment based on a trained navigation model are described herein. The trained navigation model receives measurement data identifying nearby pedestrians and the velocity of each nearby pedestrian relative to the mobile robot, and the current position and desired endpoint position of the mobile robot in the crowded pedestrian environment. Based on this information, the trained navigation model generates command signals that cause the mobile robot to adjust its velocity. By repeatedly sampling the velocities of surrounding pedestrians and current location, the navigation model directs the mobile robot toward the endpoint location with a minimum of disruption to the pedestrian traffic flows. The navigation model is trained to emulate desirable pedestrian walking behaviors in a crowded pedestrian environment by tracking the movement of a behavioral trainer through a crowded pedestrian environment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomously interacting with persons in a public environment to store and transport their personal material items are described herein. A service robot includes one or more secure storage cells, and is configured to collect items such as personal belongings, refuse, etc., from users and transport the collected items to different locations. The service robot maneuvers through a crowded environment autonomously, avoiding collisions with people and objects, and minimizing disturbances to traffic flow. Users indicate a desire to store and transport items to a desired location. In response, the service robot unlocks a lid of a storage cell, and the user is able to load material items. In some examples, access to the storage cell is controlled based on access codes. In some examples, access to the storage cell is controlled based on receipt of an electronic payment.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to expandable robotic arms. According to some embodiments, the robotic arm may include a series of expandable segments connected to each other. Further, each of the expandable segments may be individually controlled to expand and/or tilt with one or two tilt degrees of freedom. In operation, the robotic arm may expand sequentially segment by segment from a proximal most segment to a distal most segment to reach a target position and orientation from an initial position and orientation. A variety of methods and algorithms for pathfinding and otherwise operating such a robotic arm are also described.

Abstract: Wearable robotic systems including robotic limbs for supporting a load while a user moves through an environment and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a robotic system includes robotic limbs with first and second robotic limb segments that are movable between different configurations to support a load while a user is standing or crawling. In another embodiment, a robotic system includes first and second robotic limbs that are substantially located within a plane parallel to a frontal plane of a user when the robotic system is worn. In another embodiment, a wearable robotic system includes first and second robotic limbs and an associated base that is attachable to a user's torso. The first and second robotic limbs may include a plurality of actuators and associated robotic limb segments to couple the robotic legs to the base and control their movement.

Abstract: Robotic systems for supporting a human in stationary and/or mobile applications and related methods of operation are described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for passively supporting the upper body of a human user working at or near the ground are described herein. In one aspect, an upper body support system braces the torso of a human user against a surface of the work environment. This frees the hands and arms of the human user that would otherwise be occupied supporting the human torso. This enables a human user to comfortably use both hands to execute a particular work task. The upper body support system performs the support functionality described herein without the use of active devices. The upper body support system includes one or more passive upper body support assemblies each coupled to a harness assembly worn by the human user. Each passive upper body support assembly includes an extensible body support limb that extends toward the surface of the working environment and supports the human user compliantly.

Abstract: Vehicles designed to use ground effect forces to control a positioning of the vehicle relative to a surface as well as their methods of use are described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for training a broad population of learners in the field of robotics and automation technology based on physical interactions with a robotic training system are described herein. Specifically, a robotic instructor provides audio-visual instruction and physically interacts with human learners to effectively teach robotics and automation concepts and evaluate learner understanding of those concepts. In some examples, a training robot instructs and demonstrates encoder operation, feedback control, and robot motion coordination with external objects and events while physically interacting with a human learner. In some examples, interlock logic and waypoints of the training robot are programmed by the human user while the training robot physically interacts with the human learner. In a further aspect, a training robot evaluates the proficiency of a human learner with respect to particular robotic concepts.

Abstract: Vehicles designed to use ground effect forces to control a positioning of the vehicle relative to a surface as well as their methods of use are described.

Abstract: Vehicles designed to use ground effect forces to control a positioning of the vehicle relative to a surface as well as their methods of use are described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling earth moving equipment are described. In some embodiments, a stream of images may be captured using at least one imaging system. At least one state of soil may be determined in real time relative to the earth moving equipment based on the captured stream of images. At least one aspect of the earth moving equipment's operation may then be controlled based on the determined at least one state of the soil.

Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating a mobile robot through a crowded pedestrian environment by selecting and following a particular pedestrian are described herein. In one aspect, a navigation model directs a mobile robot to follow a pedestrian based on the position and velocity of nearby pedestrians and the current and desired positions of the mobile robot in the service environment. The mobile robot advances toward its desired destination by following the selected pedestrian. By repeatedly sampling the positions and velocities of nearby pedestrians and the current location, the navigation model directs the mobile robot toward the endpoint location. In some examples, the mobile robot selects and follows a sequence of different pedestrians to navigate to the desired endpoint location. In a further aspect, the navigation model determines whether following a particular pedestrian will lead to a collision with another pedestrian. If so, the navigation model selects another pedestrian to follow.

Abstract: A foot touch position following apparatus includes a foot touch position detection part configured to detect a position where a human foot touches a surface; and a moving part configured to move the foot touch position following apparatus based on the detected result of the foot touch position detection part.

Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating a mobile robot through a crowded pedestrian environment based on a trained navigation model are described herein. The trained navigation model receives measurement data identifying nearby pedestrians and the velocity of each nearby pedestrian relative to the mobile robot, and the current position and desired endpoint position of the mobile robot in the crowded pedestrian environment. Based on this information, the trained navigation model generates command signals that cause the mobile robot to adjust its velocity. By repeatedly sampling the velocities of surrounding pedestrians and current location, the navigation model directs the mobile robot toward the endpoint location with a minimum of disruption to the pedestrian traffic flows. The navigation model is trained to emulate desirable pedestrian walking behaviors in a crowded pedestrian environment by tracking the movement of a behavioral trainer through a crowded pedestrian environment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a reliable hands-free interface between a user and a computing device are presented herein. The interface system includes a gaze tracking system, display system, and head motion tracking system all attached to a frame that is mountable to the head of a user. Eye movements are tracked to determine when the gaze of a user has settled on a particular image displayed by the display system. After a fixed gaze has been identified, it is determined whether the user is moving his/her head in a confirmatory head gesture. The user selection is verified by determining whether the gaze of the user remains fixed to the selected image while executing the confirmatory gesture. This ensures that the gaze of the user remains focused on the selected image projected by the display, rather than an object in the surrounding environment.