Abstract: A work cell and method for automatically separating objects disposed in 3D clusters includes dispensing the objects onto a horizontal conveying surface to form a 2D array, reforming the 2D array into a 1D stream in which the objects move in single-file in a predefined moving direction, utilizing a vision-based or other stationary sensing system to identify a selected target object in the 1D stream as the target object passes through an image capture (sensing) region, calculating trajectory data defining the target object's time-based position in the 1D stream, and then utilizing the trajectory data to control a robot arm or other object removal mechanism such that only the selected object is forcibly removed (e.g., swiped or picked-up) from the horizontal conveying surface. A continuous-loop-type conveying mechanism includes two parallel conveyor-belt-type conveying structures and associated belt-switching structures. An AI-powered vision system identifies new object shapes during preliminary learning phases.

Abstract: A method includes providing a virtual representation of an environment of a robot, the virtual representation including an object representation of an object in the environment. The method further includes receiving manipulation input from a user to teleoperate the robot for manipulation of the object. The method also includes alerting the user to an alignment dimension based upon the manipulation input, receiving confirmation input from the user to engage the alignment dimension, and constraining at least one dimension of movement of the object according to the alignment dimension.

Abstract: An automated food production work cell includes a robotic system that utilizes a food-grade robotic gripper to transfer individual food items. The robotic gripper is constructed using food-grade materials and includes finger structures that are linearly movably connected by linear bearings to parallel guide rods and are independently driven by a non-contact actuating system to grasp targeted food items disposed on a first work surface, to hold the targeted food items while the robotic system moves the gripper to a second work surface, and to release the targeted food items onto the second work surface. Encoding and external sensing systems facilitate fully automated food transfer processes. Optional sensor arrays are disposed on tip portions of the finger structures to provide feedback data (e.g., grasping force/pressure). Two or more pairs of independently controlled finger structures are provided to facilitate the transfer of multiple food items during each transfer process.

Abstract: A work cell and method for automatically separating objects disposed in 3D clusters includes dispensing the objects onto a horizontal conveying surface to form a 2D array, reforming the 2D array into a 1D stream in which the objects move in single-file in a predefined moving direction, utilizing a vision-based or other stationary sensing system to identify a selected target object in the 1D stream as the target object passes through an image capture (sensing) region, calculating trajectory data defining the target object's time-based position in the 1D stream, and then utilizing the trajectory data to control a robot arm or other object removal mechanism such that only the selected object is forcibly removed (e.g., swiped or picked-up) from the horizontal conveying surface. A continuous-loop-type conveying mechanism includes two parallel conveyor-belt-type conveying structures and associated belt-switching structures. An AI-powered vision system identifies new object shapes during preliminary learning phases.

Abstract: A method performed by an autonomous device includes identifying a current movement of an operator based on monitoring the operator of the autonomous device. The method also includes inferring an intended direction of travel for the autonomous device based identifying the current movement. The method further includes identifying one or more objects in a current environment and limitations of the current environment. The method still further includes determining the action to be performed based on inferring the intended direction of travel and also identifying the one or more objects and the limitations of the current environment. The method also includes performing, by the autonomous device, the action.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robotic device includes monitor an action of an operator of the robotic device. The method also includes inferring an intended target based on the monitored action. The method further includes determining an intended action for the intended target. The method still further includes controlling the robotic device to perform the intended action.

Abstract: A teleoperation system includes a robot comprising an actuator configured to move at least a portion of the robot, and a remote computing device comprising: one or more processors, one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, a non-transitory memory component communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the non-transitory memory component. The remote computing device obtains information about a user proximate to the remote computing device, identifies the user based on the obtained information, obtains an action of a user, retrieves an individual profile for the user based on the identified user, determines an intended instruction related to a task based on the action of the user related to the task and the individual profile for the user, and instructs the robot to implement the task with the actuator based on the intended instruction.

Abstract: A method includes providing a virtual representation of an environment of a robot. The virtual representation includes an object representation of an object in the environment. The method further includes determining an attribute of the object within the environment of the robot. The attribute includes at least one of occupancy data, force data, and deformation data pertaining to the object. The method further includes receiving a user command to control the robot to move with respect to the object, and modifying a received user command pertaining to the representation of the object based upon the attribute.

Abstract: A method includes detecting an object in a real environment of a robot. The method further includes inferring an expected property of the object based upon a representation of the object within a representation of the real environment of the robot. The method also includes sensing, via a sensor of the robot, a presently-detected property of the object in the real environment corresponding to the expected property. The method still further includes detecting a conflict between the expected property of the object and the presently-detected property of the object.

Abstract: A method for operating an arrival notification system at a location includes receiving a request to generate a notification from an arrival notification system. The method also includes receiving, in response to the request, a token. The method further includes enabling an output from a component of the arrival notification system when the token is validated.

Abstract: A method includes presenting a virtual representation of an environment of a robot, receiving a first user command to control the robot within the environment, rendering a predicted version of the virtual representation during a period of latency in which current data pertaining to the environment of the robot is not available, updating the predicted version of the virtual representation based upon a second user command received during the period of latency, and upon conclusion of the period of latency, reconciling the predicted version of the virtual representation with current data pertaining to the environment of the robot.

Abstract: A method for operating an arrival notification system at a location includes receiving a request to generate a notification from an arrival notification system. The method also includes receiving, in response to the request, a token. The method further includes enabling an output from a component of the arrival notification system when the token is validated.

Abstract: A method for operating an arrival notification system at a location includes receiving a request to generate a notification from an arrival notification system. The method also includes receiving, in response to the request, a token. The method further includes enabling an output from a component of the arrival notification system when the token is validated.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robotic device includes monitor an action of an operator of the robotic device. The method also includes inferring an intended target based on the monitored action. The method further includes determining an intended action for the intended target. The method still further includes controlling the robotic device to perform the intended action.

Abstract: A method for operating an arrival notification system at a location includes receiving a request to generate a notification from an arrival notification system. The method also includes receiving, in response to the request, a token. The method further includes enabling an output from a component of the arrival notification system when the token is validated.

Abstract: A method includes presenting a virtual representation of an environment of a robot, receiving a first user command to control the robot within the environment, rendering a predicted version of the virtual representation during a period of latency in which current data pertaining to the environment of the robot is not available, updating the predicted version of the virtual representation based upon a second user command received during the period of latency, and upon conclusion of the period of latency, reconciling the predicted version of the virtual representation with current data pertaining to the environment of the robot.

Abstract: A method includes providing a virtual representation of an environment of a robot, the virtual representation including an object representation of an object in the environment. The method further includes receiving manipulation input from a user to teleoperate the robot for manipulation of the object. The method also includes alerting the user to an alignment dimension based upon the manipulation input, receiving confirmation input from the user to engage the alignment dimension, and constraining at least one dimension of movement of the object according to the alignment dimension.

Abstract: A method includes providing a virtual representation of an environment of a robot. The virtual representation includes an object representation of an object in the environment. The method further includes determining an attribute of the object within the environment of the robot. The attribute includes at least one of occupancy data, force data, and deformation data pertaining to the object. The method further includes receiving a user command to control the robot to move with respect to the object, and modifying a received user command pertaining to the representation of the object based upon the attribute.

Abstract: A method includes detecting an object in a real environment of a robot. The method further includes inferring an expected property of the object based upon a representation of the object within a representation of the real environment of the robot. The method also includes sensing, via a sensor of the robot, a presently-detected property of the object in the real environment corresponding to the expected property. The method still further includes detecting a conflict between the expected property of the object and the presently-detected property of the object.

Abstract: A teleoperation system includes a robot comprising an actuator configured to move at least a portion of the robot, and a remote computing device comprising: one or more processors, one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, a non-transitory memory component communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the non-transitory memory component. The remote computing device obtains information about a user proximate to the remote computing device, identifies the user based on the obtained information, obtains an action of a user, retrieves an individual profile for the user based on the identified user, determines an intended instruction related to a task based on the action of the user related to the task and the individual profile for the user, and instructs the robot to implement the task with the actuator based on the intended instruction.