Abstract: Autonomously plugging a charging plug installed on a programmable robot arm into a charging socket of a transportation vehicle. The method includes a camera to locate the charging socket by image analysis of acquired images of the charging socket; determining pose data to determine a pose of the located charging socket using a PnP algorithm; moving the charging plug to an intermediate position; creating a depth image of the charging socket corresponding to the current position of the charging plug when the charging plug is in the intermediate position; performing a comparison between the determined depth image and a reference depth image corresponding to a reference position to determine a positional deviation between the current position of the charging plug and the reference position; moving the charging plug to a plug-in position; and plugging the charging plug into the charging socket from the plug-in position.

Abstract: Technologies and techniques for autonomously plugging a charging plug into a charging socket of a vehicle, wherein the charging plug is installed on a programmable robot arm of a charging station. A camera is used to locate the charging socket using image analysis of acquired images of the charging socket and the surroundings of the charging station are represented as a digital map including a charging socket region in which the charging socket is located. The charging plug is moved into a plug-in position at a distance from the charging socket and the digital map is processed into a modified digital map having a remote charging socket region. A plugging-in operation is then performed based on the modified digital map.

Abstract: Autonomously plugging a charging plug installed on a programmable robot arm into a charging socket of a transportation vehicle. The method includes a camera to locate the charging socket by image analysis of acquired images of the charging socket; determining pose data to determine a pose of the located charging socket using a PnP algorithm; moving the charging plug to an intermediate position; creating a depth image of the charging socket corresponding to the current position of the charging plug when the charging plug is in the intermediate position; performing a comparison between the determined depth image and a reference depth image corresponding to a reference position to determine a positional deviation between the current position of the charging plug and the reference position; moving the charging plug to a plug-in position; and plugging the charging plug into the charging socket from the plug-in position.

Abstract: Technologies and techniques for annotating images of an object captured using a camera, wherein the camera is positioned on a robot arm, and wherein the robot arm includes an end effector. A position and an orientation of the camera is determined, relative to the end effector, and a first keypoint is selected on the object. Information regarding additional keypoints relative to the first keypoint is provided in object coordinates, and the end effector is guided to the position of the first keypoint. The position and the orientation of the end effector is determined at the first keypoint, and based on other determined world coordinates, the position and/or the orientation of the end effector is changed based on converted camera image coordinates.

Abstract: A method for determining a motion path on a surface in an environment, along which motion path a mobile appliance, in particular a robot, preferably a domestic robot or a robot vacuum cleaner, is intended to move. The method includes obtaining environment information and determining a region of the surface intended to be covered by the motion of the mobile appliance; determining, while taking into account the environment information, whether within the region there is at least one uneven area in the surface that can be negotiated by the mobile appliance; and determining the motion path while taking into account the at least one uneven area, if there is one. A mobile appliance is also described.

Abstract: Technologies and techniques for autonomously plugging a charging plug into a charging socket of a vehicle, wherein the charging plug is installed on a programmable robot arm of a charging station. A camera is used to locate the charging socket using image analysis of acquired images of the charging socket and the surroundings of the charging station are represented as a digital map including a charging socket region in which the charging socket is located. The charging plug is moved into a plug-in position at a distance from the charging socket and the digital map is processed into a modified digital map having a remote charging socket region. A plugging-in operation is then performed based on the modified digital map.

Abstract: Technologies and techniques for annotating images of an object captured using a camera, wherein the camera is positioned on a robot arm, and wherein the robot arm includes an end effector. A position and an orientation of the camera is determined, relative to the end effector, and a first keypoint is selected on the object. Information regarding additional keypoints relative to the first keypoint is provided in object coordinates, and the end effector is guided to the position of the first keypoint. The position and the orientation of the end effector is determined at the first keypoint, and based on other determined world coordinates, the position and/or the orientation of the end effector is changed based on converted camera image coordinates.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving a mobile robot that is configured to perform a task in an environment using an operating procedure. Data is received that was recorded by the mobile robot using one or more sensors as the mobile robot navigates the environment to perform the task. A database and/or a model associated with the environment is updated to incorporate the recorded data. The operating procedure of the mobile robot can be modified, based on the database and/or the model, to generate a modified operating procedure for performing the task in the environment that improves a performance of the mobile robot. Additionally, a recommendation for improving the performance of the mobile robot when performing the task in the environment can be determined, based on the database and/or the model, and displayed to a user for consideration.

Abstract: A method for determining a motion path on a surface in an environment, along which motion path a mobile appliance, in particular a robot, preferably a domestic robot or a robot vacuum cleaner, is intended to move. The method includes obtaining environment information and determining a region of the surface intended to be covered by the motion of the mobile appliance; determining, while taking into account the environment information, whether within the region there is at least one uneven area in the surface that can be negotiated by the mobile appliance; and determining the motion path while taking into account the at least one uneven area, if there is one. A mobile appliance is also described.

Abstract: A ball toss game and method of playing enables multiple players that form two teams to take turns tossing two sets of uniquely colored or patterned balls into two silos positioned at a predetermined distance from each other, and then award points for a final ball thrown into a top position of the silo. Two sets of balls having unique color or patterns are tossed into the receiving opening of silo. As balls are tossed into the silos, a stacked arrangement forms until final ball is tossed into a top position of stacked arrangement. Points are awarded to the team having the final ball in the top position. The silos have a top funnel forming a receiving opening, a bottom base, and a tube extending between top funnel and bottom base. A restriction member block and releases the balls from falling into the bottom base to be retrieved.

Abstract: A ball toss game and method of playing enables multiple players that form two teams to take turns tossing two sets of uniquely colored or patterned balls into two silos positioned at a predetermined distance from each other, and then award points for a final ball thrown into a top position of the silo. Two sets of balls having unique color or patterns are tossed into the receiving opening of silo. As balls are tossed into the silos, a stacked arrangement forms until final ball is tossed into a top position of stacked arrangement. Points are awarded to the team having the final ball in the top position. The silos have a top funnel forming a receiving opening, a bottom base, and a tube extending between top funnel and bottom base. A restriction member block and releases the balls from falling into the bottom base to be retrieved.