Abstract: A method for driving a hand includes: detecting a relative position of a first finger part and a second finger part as of when the first finger part and the second finger part pinch a target object therebetween, as a reference relative position, by a position detection unit; moving the relative position of the first finger part and the second finger part to a target relative position where the first finger part and the second finger part are spaced further apart from each other than at the reference relative position by an amplitude of vibration or more, by a drive unit, on accepting an instruction to release the target object pinched by the first finger part and the second finger part; and causing at least one of the first finger part and the second finger part to vibrate by the drive unit, when the target relative position is achieved.

Abstract: A workpiece processing method includes a carry-in step of carrying a workpiece into the field of view of a magnifier, a work step of performing predetermined work on the workpiece based on an image provided via the magnifier, and a carry-out step of carrying the workpiece out of the field of view of the magnifier, and a robot performs at least one of the carry-in step and the carry-out step as well as the work step.

Abstract: A robot includes a robot body including a base, a first movable section provided turnably with respect to the base, and a second movable section provided turnably with respect to the first movable section, a first proximity sensor for detecting contact with or approach of an object to the first movable section, and a second proximity sensor for detecting contact with or approach of the object to the second movable section. The first proximity sensor includes a first electrode section having a capacitance that changes according to the contact or approach of the object, and a first circuit section for detecting the capacitance of the first electrode section. The second proximity sensor includes a second electrode section having a capacitance that changes according to the contact or approach of the object, and a second circuit section for detecting the capacitance of the second electrode section.

Abstract: A robot includes a sensor including an electrode portion of a sensor for detecting approach of or contact with another object is formed on an outer surface or an inner surface of an exterior member, and in which a drive unit of the robot main body is controlled so as to avoid approach between the robot body and the other object based on an output signal of the sensor.

Abstract: A robot includes a first arm, a second arm to be displaced relative to the first arm, a capacitance-type first proximity sensor provided on the second arm, and a capacitance-type second proximity sensor provided on the second arm, wherein a distance from the first arm to the first proximity sensor is different from a distance from the first arm to the second proximity sensor.

Abstract: A detection method by a robot having a robot arm and a capacitance proximity sensor placed on the robot arm of detecting an object located around the robot, includes applying a drive voltage to a drive electrode of the proximity sensor, generating a corrected detection signal by correcting a detection signal output from a detection electrode of the proximity sensor based on a posture of the robot arm, and detecting the object located around the robot based on the corrected detection signal.

Abstract: A robot includes a platform, a robot arm configured to rotate relatively to the platform, a force sensor configured to detect an external force, and a sensor section configured to detect that a physical body exists in a predetermined area set along the robot arm, wherein a detection value by the force sensor is corrected when the robot arm is one of at rest and operating at a uniform speed, and it is determined that no physical body exists in the predetermined area based on a detection result by the sensor section.

Abstract: A force detection device includes: a force sensor that has a piezoelectric element receiving a force and outputting a charge; a pre-compression unit that pre-compresses the force sensor; and a conversion output circuit that receives the charge from the force sensor and outputs a voltage. The pre-compression unit is short-circuited with a first ground of the conversion output circuit. The pre-compression unit has the same potential as the first ground. The force detection device includes a casing that accommodates the force sensor and the conversion output circuit. The casing is short-circuited with a second ground.

Abstract: A robot includes a robot body including a base, a first movable section provided turnably with respect to the base, and a second movable section provided turnably with respect to the first movable section, a first proximity sensor for detecting contact with or approach of an object to the first movable section, and a second proximity sensor for detecting contact with or approach of the object to the second movable section. The first proximity sensor includes a first electrode section having a capacitance that changes according to the contact or approach of the object, and a first circuit section for detecting the capacitance of the first electrode section. The second proximity sensor includes a second electrode section having a capacitance that changes according to the contact or approach of the object, and a second circuit section for detecting the capacitance of the second electrode section.

Abstract: A robot includes a sensor including an electrode portion of a sensor for detecting approach of or contact with another object is formed on an outer surface or an inner surface of an exterior member, and in which a drive unit of the robot main body is controlled so as to avoid approach between the robot body and the other object based on an output signal of the sensor.

Abstract: A force detection device includes: a force sensor that has a piezoelectric element receiving a force and outputting a charge; a pre-compression unit that pre-compresses the force sensor; and a conversion output circuit that receives the charge from the force sensor and outputs a voltage. The pre-compression unit is short-circuited with a first ground of the conversion output circuit. The pre-compression unit has the same potential as the first ground. The force detection device includes a casing that accommodates the force sensor and the conversion output circuit. The casing is short-circuited with a second ground.

Abstract: A force sensor includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements that output charge when subjected to an external force, each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements has two electrodes and a piezoelectric material provided between the two electrodes, and the piezoelectric elements are arranged without overlap with each other in a plan view as seen from a direction in which the two electrodes are arranged, and the piezoelectric elements are electrically series-connected. The piezoelectric materials of the plurality of piezoelectric elements are integrally formed.

Abstract: A detection circuit includes a pyroelectric element, an amplifier circuit, a first switching element and a second switching element. The amplifier circuit includes a transistor in which a detection signal from the pyroelectric element is inputted to a gate. The first switching element interrupts an electric current that flows into the transistor. The second switching element interrupts a connection between the pyroelectric element and the gate of the transistor.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a plurality of row lines WL, a plurality of column lines DL, a plurality of reset lines RL, a plurality of pixel circuits that connect to each one of the plurality of row lines, the plurality of column lines and the plurality of reset lines, and an amplifier circuit. The plurality of pixel circuits respectively includes a pyroelectric element, a reset switch that is driven by the plurality of reset lines and discharges an electric charge of the pyroelectric element, and a pixel selection switch that is driven by the plurality of row lines and outputs a signal, which is based on a change of the electric charge of the pyroelectric element by a discharge, to one of the column lines. The signal based on the change of the electric charge of the pyroelectric element by the discharge is amplified in the amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A detection circuit includes a pyroelectric element, an amplifier circuit, a first switching element and a second switching element. The amplifier circuit includes a transistor in which a detection signal from the pyroelectric element is inputted to a gate. The first switching element interrupts an electric current that flows into the transistor. The second switching element interrupts a connection between the pyroelectric element and the gate of the transistor.

Abstract: Detection circuits include a pyroelectric element, source follower circuits that include transistors TN, TP1 in which a detection signal SD from the pyroelectric element is inputted to a gate, first switching elements that interrupt an electric current that flows in the transistors, and a second switching element that interrupts between the pyroelectric element and the gate of the transistor. The second switching element can interrupts a connection between the pyroelectric element and the gate of the transistor before the first switching elements interrupt the electric current that flows in the transistors TN, TP1.

Abstract: A detection circuit includes a pyroelectric element; a first P-type transistor provided between an output node and a low-potential-side power node of the detection circuit, a detection signal being inputted from the pyroelectric element to a gate of the first P-type transistor; and a second P-type transistor provided between a high-potential-side power node and the output node, a gate of the second P-type transistor being set to a reference voltage.

Abstract: A detection circuit includes a current mirror circuit, a pyroelectric element, a capacitor element and a charging circuit. The pyroelectric element is disposed between a first power supply node and a first node connected to the current mirror circuit. The capacitor element is disposed between the first power supply node and a second node connected to the current mirror circuit. The charging circuit is connected to the current mirror circuit to charge the pyroelectric element and the capacitor element though the current mirror circuit.

Abstract: A thermal detector has a thermal detection element in which a physical characteristic changes based on temperature, a light-absorbing member configured and arranged to collect heat and transmit collected heat to the thermal detection element, a support member mounting the thermal detection element on a first side with a second surface facing a cavity, and a support part supporting a portion of the support member. The light-absorbing member is a plate shaped member at least partially contacting a top part of the thermal detection element and having a portion overhanging to an outside from the top part of the thermal detection element in plan view.

Abstract: Detection circuits include a pyroelectric element, source follower circuits that include transistors TN, TP1 in which a detection signal SD from the pyroelectric element is inputted to a gate, first switching elements that interrupt an electric current that flows in the transistors, and a second switching element that interrupts between the pyroelectric element and the gate of the transistor. The second switching element can interrupts a connection between the pyroelectric element and the gate of the transistor before the first switching elements interrupt the electric current that flows in the transistors TN, TP1.