Abstract: Examples are provided that describe a model free power detector. In one example, a method includes receiving, by one or more computing devices, a measurement of electrical power to a robotic device. The method also includes receiving, by the one or more computing devices, a measurement of mechanical power by the robotic device. Based on combinations of the electrical power to the robotic device being one of positive, negative, or about zero, and the mechanical power by the robotic device being one of positive, negative, or about zero, the method includes determining possible states of operation of the robotic device. The method also includes providing, by the one or more computing devices, the possible states of operation of the robotic device to a detector.

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to a robotic system that provides feedback. The robotic system is configured to receive information related to a path in an environment of the robotic system. The robotic system is also configured to initiate a recording process for storing data related to motion of a component in the environment. The robotic system is additionally configured to detect, during the recording process, movement of the component along the path in the environment, where the movement results from application of an external force to the robotic system. The robotic system is further configured to determine, during the recording process, deviation of the movement away from the path by at least a threshold amount and responsively provide feedback including one or more of (i) resisting the deviation of the movement away from the path and (ii) guiding the at least one component back towards the path.

Abstract: A device is provided that comprises a hardware segment and an actuator to adjust a position of the segment within a range of positions. The device also comprises an encoder to rotate about an encoder axis responsive to the actuator adjusting the position. The device also comprises data storage that includes a dataset indicating offset angles between a reference configuration and a plurality of configurations of the encoder. The device also comprises a controller to cause the actuator to adjust the position to an end of the range of positions, responsively identify a range of encoder positions of the encoder that corresponds to the range of positions of the segment, modify the dataset such that the reference configuration corresponds to an end of the range of encoder positions, and determine a mapping between the offset angles indicated by the modified dataset and the range of positions of the hardware segment.

Abstract: Embodiments of a local optic using quantum dots are described. A local optic includes an optical source on a substrate, a housing, and a film that includes quantum dots. The housing is designed to fit around the optical source and has a cross-sectional area along a plane parallel to a surface of the substrate. The film is designed to sit on top of the housing and has a substantially similar cross-sectional area to the cross-sectional area of the housing.

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to a robotic system that provides feedback. The robotic system is configured to receive information related to a path in an environment of the robotic system. The robotic system is also configured to initiate a recording process for storing data related to motion of a component in the environment. The robotic system is additionally configured to detect, during the recording process, movement of the component along the path in the environment, where the movement results from application of an external force to the robotic system. The robotic system is further configured to determine, during the recording process, deviation of the movement away from the path by at least a threshold amount and responsively provide feedback including one or more of (i) resisting the deviation of the movement away from the path and (ii) guiding the at least one component back towards the path.

Abstract: Examples are provided that describe calibration of a sensor of a robotic device. In one example, a system includes least one processor and data storage comprising instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the system to perform operations. The operations include simulating a movement of a robotic component of a robotic device to a plurality of positions. The operations may also include determining a relationship between a simulated torque values and simulated force values at the plurality of positions. The operations may also include determining expected torque values based on detected force values and the determined relationship. Based on the expected torque values satisfying a threshold associated with the simulated torque values, determining a plurality of calibration parameters of the one or more sensors according to the optimization.

Abstract: A device is provided that comprises a hardware segment and an actuator to adjust a position of the segment within a range of positions. The device also comprises an encoder to rotate about an encoder axis responsive to the actuator adjusting the position. The device also comprises data storage that includes a dataset indicating offset angles between a reference configuration and a plurality of configurations of the encoder. The device also comprises a controller to cause the actuator to adjust the position to an end of the range of positions, responsively identify a range of encoder positions of the encoder that corresponds to the range of positions of the segment, modify the dataset such that the reference configuration corresponds to an end of the range of encoder positions, and determine a mapping between the offset angles indicated by the modified dataset and the range of positions of the hardware segment.

Abstract: A device is provided that comprises a hardware segment and an actuator to adjust a position of the segment within a range of positions. The device also comprises an encoder to rotate about an encoder axis responsive to the actuator adjusting the position. The device also comprises data storage that includes a dataset indicating offset angles between a reference configuration and a plurality of configurations of the encoder. The device also comprises a controller to cause the actuator to adjust the position to an end of the range of positions, responsively identify a range of encoder positions of the encoder that corresponds to the range of positions of the segment, modify the dataset such that the reference configuration corresponds to an end of the range of encoder positions, and determine a mapping between the offset angles indicated by the modified dataset and the range of positions of the hardware segment.

Abstract: Various embodiments of this invention are directed toward a system and method for creating and displaying a dynamic multi-media visual display. In various embodiments of the invention, images are selected and digitally recorded. The images are then deconstructed and manipulated into a series of iterations. The iterations are then placed in a selected sequence and transitioned in an evolutionary manner from one to another in order to create the final sequence of images and the final dynamic multi-media visual display.