Abstract: An interface node for enabling a robotic arm to be used as a reconfigurable fixture for vehicle manufacture is described. The interface node comprises an attachment element for attaching the interface node to the robotic arm. The interface node also comprises a first locating element, the first locating element comprising a flat surface wherein the flat surface is suitable for locating a first feature of a first component wherein the first feature comprises a face of the first component. The interface node further comprises a wall extending from and substantially around the flat surface, the wall connecting the flat surface to the attachment element wherein the wall defines a second locating element, the second locating element suitable for locating a second feature of a second component, which may or may not be the same.

Abstract: A robot cell, having a cell floor defining an array of nodes corresponding with a predetermined two-dimensional coordinate system and defining a volume for receiving a workpiece W therein, is described. The robot cell comprises: a set of robots, including a first robot, having respective bases, end effectors and working envelopes and defining respective three-dimensional coordinate systems, located according to the array of nodes; a set of detectors, including a first detector, configured to detect respective locations and/or bearings of the set of robots; a set of sensors, including a first sensor, configured to sense respective poses of the set of robots; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the set of robots and to the set of detectors, configured to control movement of the set of robots using the detected respective locations and/or bearings of the set of robots.

Abstract: A robot cell, having a cell floor defining an array of nodes corresponding with a predetermined two-dimensional coordinate system and defining a volume for receiving a workpiece W therein and accessible by a human operator, is described. The robot cell comprises: a set of robots, including a first robot, having respective bases, end effectors and working envelopes and defining respective three-dimensional coordinate systems, located according to the array of nodes; a set of detectors, including a first detector, configured to detect respective locations and/or bearings of the set of robots using a set of targets disposed on and/or in the cell floor; a safety system, configured to alert the human operator; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the set of robots and to the set of detectors, configured to control movement of the set of robots using the detected respective locations and/or bearings of the set of robots.

Abstract: A robot cell, having a cell floor defining an array of nodes corresponding with a predetermined two-dimensional coordinate system and defining a volume for receiving a workpiece W therein, is described. The robot cell comprises: a set of robots, including a first robot, having respective bases, end effectors and working envelopes and defining respective three-dimensional coordinate systems, located according to the array of nodes; a set of detectors, including a first detector, configured to detect respective locations and/or bearings of the set of robots using a set of targets disposed on and/or in the cell floor; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the set of robots and to the set of detectors, configured to control movement of the set of robots using the detected respective locations and/or bearings of the set of robots.

Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; a multi-axis robot; a visible light projector; and a controller; wherein the workbench and the robot are located in a common workspace; the controller is configured to: determine a movement operation for the robot; and, using the determined movement operation, control the visible light projector to project a visible light indication onto at least one of a surface of the workbench and a surface of the workspace; the visible light indication indicates a limited area of the workbench and/or workspace, the limited area corresponding to a limited volume of space; and the movement operation is such that, if the robot performs the movement operation, the robot moves entirely within only the limited volume of space.

Abstract: A plant pot comprising a first reservoir, in which the first reservoir has a base and at least one first side wall extending upwardly from an outer periphery of the base. The plant pot further comprising at least one second side wall formed in the first reservoir extending upwardly from the base. The at least one second side wall forming a second reservoir in the first reservoir, and wherein the second reservoir is integrally formed from the base of the first reservoir.

Abstract: A system for robot and human collaboration. The system comprises: a multi-axis robot; one or more torque sensors, each torque sensor being configured to measure a torque about a respective axis of the multi-axis robot; and a controller configured to: receive one or more torque measurements taken by the one or more torque sensors; compare the one or more torque measurements or a function of the one or more torque measurements to a threshold value; and control the multi-axis robot based on the comparison.

Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; a multi-axis robot; a visible light projector; and a controller; wherein the workbench and the robot are located in a common workspace; the controller is configured to: determine a movement operation for the robot; and, using the determined movement operation, control the visible light projector to project a visible light indication onto at least one of a surface of the workbench and a surface of the workspace; the visible light indication indicates a limited area of the workbench and/or workspace, the limited area corresponding to a limited volume of space; and the movement operation is such that, if the robot performs the movement operation, the robot moves entirely within only the limited volume of space.

Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; a multi-axis robot; a visible light projector; and a controller; wherein the workbench and the robot are located in a common workspace; the controller is configured to: determine a movement operation for the robot; and, using the determined movement operation, control the visible light projector to project a visible light indication onto at least one of a surface of the workbench and a surface of the workspace; the visible light indication indicates a limited area of the workbench and/or workspace, the limited area corresponding to a limited volume of space; and the movement operation is such that, if the robot performs the movement operation, the robot moves entirely within only the limited volume of space.

Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; a multi-axis robot; a visible light projector; and a controller; wherein the workbench and the robot are located in a common workspace; the controller is configured to: determine a movement operation for the robot; and, using the determined movement operation, control the visible light projector to project a visible light indication onto at least one of a surface of the workbench and a surface of the workspace; the visible light indication indicates a limited area of the workbench and/or workspace, the limited area corresponding to a limited volume of space; and the movement operation is such that, if the robot performs the movement operation, the robot moves entirely within only the limited volume of space.

Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; one or more sensors mounted to the workbench; a multi-axis robot comprising an end effector for holding an object; and a controller configured to: control the robot to move the object held by the end effector relative to the one or more sensors; control the one or more sensors to measure one or more physical properties of the object held by the end effector; and perform a validation process using the measurements taken by the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; a sensor system comprising one or more sensors, the sensor system configured to identify a user in a workspace in which the workbench is located; a controller operatively coupled to the sensor system and configured to: based on the identity of the user, determine a task to be performed by the user using the workbench system; and based on the identity of the user and the determined task, control one or more properties of the workbench.

Abstract: A system comprising: a workbench having a display; a body-wearable mobile device for example, a smartwatch worn by a user); and a controller configured to: receive data (for example, data measured by the body-wearable mobile device) from the body-wearable mobile device; using the received data, determine a task for a user of the workbench; and control the display based on the determined task. For example, the display may be controlled to display instructions for performing the determined task, or an indication that the user is not permitted to perform the determined task.

Abstract: A system for robot and human collaboration. The system comprises: a multi-axis robot; one or more torque sensors, each torque sensor being configured to measure a torque about a respective axis of the multi-axis robot; and a controller configured to: receive one or more torque measurements taken by the one or more torque sensors; compare the one or more torque measurements or a function of the one or more torque measurements to a threshold value; and control the multi-axis robot based on the comparison.

Abstract: A plant pot comprising a first reservoir, in which the first reservoir has a base and at least one first side wall extending upwardly from an outer periphery of the base. The plant pot further comprising at least one second side wall formed in the first reservoir extending upwardly from the base. The at least one second side wall forming a second reservoir in the first reservoir, and wherein the second reservoir is integrally formed from the base of the first reservoir.

Abstract: In a method of tracking an object, a plurality of images of a target object is obtained. A super-resolved image of the target object is calculated from the plurality of images. A further image of the target object is obtained. The further image is correlated with the super-resolved image, in order to identify the location of the target object in the further image.

Abstract: An image-processing method includes obtaining an image including a target object, the image being formed by an array of pixels. A current frame portion is extracted from the image, the frame portion being at least a portion of the pixels forming the image, corresponding to a region of interest in the image, the region of interest comprising the target object. A previously calculated current super-resolved frame portion is provided, corresponding to the region of interest in the image. An updated super-resolved frame portion is calculated from the current frame portion and the current super-resolved frame portion.

Abstract: In an image-processing method, a stack is provided for storing a predetermined number of frame portions. An image including a target object is obtained, the image being formed by an array of pixels. A frame portion is extracted from the image, the frame portion being at least a portion of the pixels forming the image, corresponding to a region of interest in the image, the region of interest comprising the target object. The frame portion is stored in the stack, the storing including discarding an oldest previously stored frame portion from the stack if the number of frame portions stored in the stack has reached the predetermined number. The steps of the method are repeated a plurality of times. Frame portions in the stack having a phase substantially equal to a given phase are averaged. A super-resolved image is calculated from the plurality of stored frame portions.

Abstract: In an image-processing method, a stack is provided for storing a predetermined number of frame portions. An image including a target object is obtained, the image being formed by an array of pixels. A frame portion is extracted from the image, the frame portion being at least a portion of the pixels forming the image, corresponding to a region of interest in the image, the region of interest comprising the target object. The frame portion is stored in the stack, the storing including discarding an oldest previously stored frame portion from the stack if the number of frame portions stored in the stack has reached the predetermined number. The steps of the method are repeated a plurality of times. Frame portions in the stack having a phase substantially equal to a given phase are averaged. A super-resolved image is calculated from the plurality of stored frame portions.

Abstract: An image-processing method includes obtaining an image including a target object, the image being formed by an array of pixels. A current frame portion is extracted from the image, the frame portion being at least a portion of the pixels forming the image, corresponding to a region of interest in the image, the region of interest comprising the target object. A previously calculated current super-resolved frame portion is provided, corresponding to the region of interest in the image. An updated super-resolved frame portion is calculated from the current frame portion and the current super-resolved frame portion.