Abstract: Automatic scanning and representing an environment having a plurality of features, for example, includes scanning the environment along a scanning path, interspersing a plurality of localized scanning of the plurality of features in the environment during the scanning along the scanning path of the environment wherein the interspersed localized scanning of the plurality of features in the environment being different from the scanning the environment along the scanning path, and obtaining a representation of at least a portion of the environment based on the scanning of the environment and the interspersed localized scanning of the plurality of features in the environment.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a robot training system are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an industrial robot training system comprising a mixed reality display device structured to superimpose a virtual scene on a real-world view of a real-world scene including a plurality of physical objects including an industrial robot, a video input device, and a computing device. The computing device is structured to detect physical objects using video output from the video input device, generate virtual objects using the detected physical objects, simulate a virtual robot path, determine one movement of the series of robot movements causes a collision, adjust the virtual robot path so as to avoid the collision between the two virtual objects of the plurality of virtual objects, and program the industrial robot to perform a real robot path using the adjusted virtual robot path.

Abstract: Automatic scanning and representing an environment with collision avoidance includes, for example, obtaining a first representation of the environment using a first scanning path, determining a second scanning path based on the first representation of the environment operable to avoid contact with the environment when obtaining a second representation of the environment, obtaining the second representation of the environment based on the second scanning path, and wherein the second representation of the environment is different from the first representation of the environment. The method may be employed in imaging and/or representing a rock wall having a plurality of spaced-apart holes for receiving charges for mining.

Abstract: A robotic 3D printing system has a six degree of freedom (DOF) robot (12) that holds the platform (16) on which the 3D pad (15) is built on. The system uses the dexterity of the 6 DOF robot to move and rotate rue platform relative to the 3D printing head (18), which deposits the material on the platform. The system allows the part build in 3D directly with a simple printing head and depositing the material along the gravity direction. The 3D printing head is held by another robot (14) or robots. The robot movement can be calibrated to improve the accuracy and efficiency for high precision 3D part printing.

Abstract: Robot positioning is facilitated by obtaining, for each time of a first sampling schedule, a respective indication of a pose of a camera system of a robot relative to a reference coordinate frame, the respective indication of the pose of the camera system being based on a comparison of multiple three-dimensional images of a scene of an environment, the obtaining providing a plurality of indications of poses of the camera system; obtaining, for each time of a second sampling schedule, a respective indication of a pose of the robot, the obtaining providing a plurality of indications of poses of the robot; and determining, using the plurality of indications of poses of the camera system and the plurality of indications of poses of the robot, an indication of the reference coordinate frame and an indication of a reference point of the camera system relative to pose of the robot.

Abstract: A dummy tool is used to teach a robot the path the robot will follow to perform work on a workpiece to eliminate the possibility of damaging an actual tool during the training. The dummy tool provides the robot programmer an indication of potential collisions between the tool and the workpiece and other objects in the work cell when path is being taught. The dummy tool can have a detachable input/output device with a graphic user interface (GUI) that can communicate wirelessly with the robot controller. The dummy tool can also have a moveable camera attached thereto to track the relationship of the tool to objects in the work area.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is disclosed for determining position of a robot relative to objects in a workspace which includes the use of a camera, scanner, or other suitable device in conjunction with object recognition. The camera, etc is used to receive information from which a point cloud can be developed about the scene that is viewed by the camera. The point cloud will be appreciated to be in a camera centric frame of reference. Information about a known datum is used and compared to the point cloud through object recognition. For example, a link from a robot could be the identified datum so that, when recognized, the coordinates of the point cloud can be converted to a robot centric frame of reference since the position of the datum would be known relative to the robot.

Abstract: A calibration article is provided for calibrating a robot and 3D camera. The calibration article includes side surfaces that are angled inward toward a top surface. The robot and camera are calibrated by capturing positional data of the calibration article relative to the robot and the camera. The captured data is used to generate correlation data between the robot and the camera. The correlation data is used by the controller to align the robot with the camera during operational use of the robot and camera.

Abstract: A dummy tool is used to teach a robot the path the robot will follow to perform work on a workpiece to eliminate the possibility of damaging an actual tool during the training. The dummy tool provides the robot programmer an indication of potential collisions between the tool and the workpiece and other objects in the work cell when path is being taught. The dummy tool can have a detachable input/output device with a graphic user interface (GUI) that can communicate wirelessly with the robot controller. The dummy tool can also have a moveable camera attached thereto to track the relationship of the tool to objects in the work area.

Abstract: A machine has at least one actuated mechanism is remotely located from a control station. A two way real-time communication link connects the machine location with the control station. A controller at the machine location has program code that is configured to determine from data from one or more sensors at the machine location if an actual fault has occurred in the machine when the machine is performing its predetermined function and to determine for an actual fault one or more types for the fault and transmit the one or more fault types to the control station for analysis. The code in the controller is configured to be a preprogrammed trap routine specific to the machine function that is automatically executed when an error in machine operation is detected at the machine location. The controller also has a default trap routine that is executed when the specific routine does not exist.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robot having an associated workspace; a vision sensor constructed to obtain a 3D image of a robot scene including a workpiece located in the workspace; and a control system communicatively coupled to the vision sensor and to the robot. The control system is configured to execute program instructions to filter the image by segmenting the image into a first image portion containing substantially only a region of interest within the robot scene, and a second image portion containing the balance of the robot scene outside the region of interest; and by storing image data associated with the first image portion. The control system is operative to control movement of the robot to perform work, on the workpiece based on the image data associated with the first image portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a robot automated mining method. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot positioning a charging component for entry into a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot moving a charging component within a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot filling a drill hole with explosive material. In one embodiment, a method includes operating a robot within a mining environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a robot automated mining method. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot positioning a charging component for entry into a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot moving a charging component within a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot filling a drill hole with explosive material. In one embodiment, a method includes operating a robot within a mining environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a robot automated mining method. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot positioning a charging component for entry into a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot moving a charging component within a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot filling a drill hole with explosive material. In one embodiment, a method includes operating a robot within a mining environment.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is a method comprising generating robot control code from one or more files including part geometry parameters, material addition parameters, and robot system parameters. The robot control code includes instructions to control position and material output of an additive manufacturing tool adjustable over six degrees of freedom. The method includes simulating execution of the robot control code to generate a virtual part file including virtual part geometry parameters and material addition parameters, analyzing the virtual part geometry parameters and material addition parameters relative to the one or more files, and executing the robot control code with the controller to produce the part with robot system if the analyzing indicates that the virtual part satisfies one or more conditions.

Abstract: A machine has at least one actuated mechanism is remotely located from a control station. A two way real-time communication link connects the machine location with the control station. A controller at the machine location has program code that is configured to determine from data from one or more sensors at the machine location if an actual fault has occurred in the machine when the machine is performing its predetermined function and to determine for an actual fault one or more types for the fault and transmit the one or more fault types to the control station for analysis. The code in the controller is configured to be a preprogrammed trap routine specific to the machine function that is automatically executed when an error in the machine function is detected at the machine location. The controller also has a default trap routine that is executed when the specific routine does not exist.

Abstract: Technologies for calibrating a pan tilt unit with a robot include a robot controller to move a camera of the pan tilt unit about a first rotational axis of the pan tilt unit to at least three different first axis positions. The robot controller records a first set of positions of a monitored component of the robot in a frame of reference of the robot and a position of the camera in a frame of reference of the pan tilt unit during a period in which the monitored component is within a field of view of the camera for each of the at least three different first axis positions.

Abstract: A machine remotely located from a control station has at least one actuated mechanism. A two way real-time communication link connects the machine location with the control station. A controller at the machine location has program code that includes an instruction which when executed transfers control of the machine from the controller to the control station. The program code can have a task frame associated with the predetermined function performed by the machine with the task frame divided into a first set controlled by the controller and a second set controlled from the control station. The system can also have two or more remotely located control stations only one of which can control the machine at a given time.

Abstract: A machine has at least one actuated mechanism is remotely located from a control station. A two way real-time communication link connects the machine location with the control station. A controller at the machine location has program code that is configured to determine from data from one or more sensors at the machine location if an actual fault has occurred in the machine when the machine is performing its predetermined function and to determine for an actual fault one or more types for the fault and transmit the one or more fault types to the control station for analysis. The code in the controller is configured to be a preprogrammed trap routine specific to the machine function that is automatically executed when an error in machine operation is detected at the machine location. The controller also has a default trap routine that is executed when specific routine does not exist.

Abstract: Automatic scanning and representing an environment having a plurality of features, for example, includes scanning the environment along a scanning path, interspersing a plurality of localized scanning of the plurality of features in the environment during the scanning along the scanning path of the environment wherein the interspersed localized scanning of the plurality of features in the environment being different from the scanning the environment along the scanning path, and obtaining a representation of at least a portion of the environment based on the scanning of the environment and the interspersed localized scanning of the plurality of features in the environment.