Abstract: Methods and systems are described for determining the contact state of a robotic arm and the contact forces between the robotic arm and its environment, without the use of additional add-on sensors, such force or torque sensors. One or more embodiments involve initiating response actions of the robot arm based on the inferred contact state or contact force, to execute a desired application. Example response actions include actuation of an end effector of the robotic arm, such as for object placement.

Abstract: Disclosed techniques for graph generation for online path planning offer multiple advantages, such as providing for high-quality motion during online operation of the robot, while reducing the computational burden of graph generation. Achieving these competing goals involves reducing the dimensionality of the graph generation problem by performing unconstrained sampling that defines partial robot poses that set values for fewer than all configuration parameters of the robot. The remaining configuration parameters for each sample are then determined in dependence on a distance function that relates the partial pose to one or more reference robot poses that are associated with one or more tasks to be performed by the robot and are provided as inputs to the graph generation. Reference robot poses may be determined automatically based on computer analysis of the robot application or may be user-input values.

Abstract: Disclosed techniques embody advantageous approaches to online task and motion planning for robots, based on the decomposition of robot tasks into subtasks having attached attributes that, among other things, indicate whether dynamic trajectory modification is permitted during subtask execution. The decomposition and attribute tagging allows for hybrid motion control during task execution, for example, with some subtasks allowing for reactive motion planning for collision avoidance, and other subtasks disallowing reactive motion. Collision avoidance for non-reactive subtasks involves, for example, coordinating volume reservations within an involved robot work cell, to prevent other robots from interfering with a robot engaged in a subtask designated as non-reactive. Determination of which subtasks are non-reactive relies on information included in an input task specification and may be based on user analysis or automated analysis of the involved robot application.

Abstract: A wall panel system including a first wall panel, the first panel including at least a first panel hook portion. The system also including a second wall panel having a different configuration than the first wall panel. The second panel includes at least a second panel hook portion and a third panel hook portion opposing the second panel hook portion. The first wall panel is configured to engage with the second wall panel to create a wall panel assembly.

Abstract: A wall panel system including a first wall panel, the first panel including at least a first panel hook portion. The system also including a second wall panel having a different configuration than the first wall panel. The second panel includes at least a second panel hook portion and a third panel hook portion opposing the second panel hook portion. The first wall panel is configured to engage with the second wall panel to create a wall panel assembly.

Abstract: A battery pack charger system may include a first charger configured to charge a first battery pack, a second charger configured to charge a second battery pack, a support arranged between the first charger and the second charger, and a power cord configured to deliver power. The first charger may be attached on a first side of the support and the second charger may be attached on a second side of the support that is opposite the first side of the support. The first charger and the second charger may be arranged directly opposite of each other. The power cord may be connected to one of the first charger or the second charger.

Abstract: A power tool including a housing. A motor is disposed in the housing. The power tool includes an output member, the output member being drivable by the motor. The power tool further includes a holder assembly, the holder assembly including a leg portion extending from the housing and a holder configured to hold at least one of an accessory and a fastener. The holder is rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the output member.

Abstract: A wall panel system including a first wall panel, the first panel including at least a first panel hook portion. The system also including a second wall panel having a different configuration than the first wall panel. The second panel includes at least a second panel hook portion and a third panel hook portion opposing the second panel hook portion. The first wall panel is configured to engage with the second wall panel to create a wall panel assembly.

Abstract: A power tool including a housing comprising a handle section and a motor housing section, a longitudinal axis of the handle section being at an offset angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the motor housing section. A motor is housed in the motor housing section. An output member selectively driven by the motor. A user actuatable trigger activates the motor and an attachment unit is removably coupled to the power tool. The handle runs from a first end to a second end. The first end is adjacent to the motor housing section and the second end is adjacent to a connection section. The attachment unit is removably coupled to the power tool at the connection section.

Abstract: A battery pack charger system may include a first charger configured to charge a first battery pack, a second charger configured to charge a second battery pack, a support arranged between the first charger and the second charger, and a power cord configured to deliver power. The first charger may be attached on a first side of the support and the second charger may be attached on a second side of the support that is opposite the first side of the support. The first charger and the second charger may be arranged directly opposite of each other. The power cord may be connected to one of the first charger or the second charger.

Abstract: A battery pack charger system may include a first charger configured to charge a first battery pack, a second charger configured to charge a second battery pack, a support arranged between the first charger and the second charger, and a power cord configured to deliver power. The first charger may be attached on a first side of the support and the second charger may be attached on a second side of the support that is opposite the first side of the support. The first charger and the second charger may be arranged directly opposite of each other. The power cord may be connected to one of the first charger or the second charger.

Abstract: A cutting device including a stand and a saw supported by the stand. The saw includes a motor and a blade rotatably driven by the motor. A pair of rails is supported by the stand. A tray is configured to support an object to be cut on an upper surface and including a roller assembly on a lower surface. The tray is slidable along the pair of rails towards and away from the blade. At least one of the rails is disposed over a basin configured to hold water.

Abstract: A method of locating a maintenance vehicle in a solar power field can include driving the maintenance vehicle on a track. A plurality of flags are coupled to the track at spaced locations. Each flag can include an ID tag and a contact target or a non-contact target. The maintenance vehicle can include an ID tag reader and a sensor configured to detect the contact target or the non-contact target. The method also can include driving the maintenance vehicle along the track to a position adjacent to a flag of the plurality of flags, reading by the ID tag reader the ID tag of that flag, and sensing by the sensor the contact target or the non-contact target. The method also can include, based on the reading and the sensing, identifying a unique location of the maintenance vehicle in the solar power field.

Abstract: A wall panel system including a first wall panel, the first panel including at least a first panel hook portion. The system also including a second wall panel having a different configuration than the first wall panel. The second panel includes at least a second panel hook portion and a third panel hook portion opposing the second panel hook portion. The first wall panel is configured to engage with the second wall panel to create a wall panel assembly.

Abstract: A power tool including a motor and a rotatable spindle driven by the motor to hold and drive a first bit. There is a recess located on the spindle. The power tool also includes a removable chuck with a lock member and a locking collar. The locking collar includes a locking position in which the locking collar biases the lock member into the recess to retain the chuck on the spindle. The locking collar also includes a release position in which the lock members are able to exit the recess and the chuck is able to be removed from the spindle by a user. The locking collar is axially movable from the locking position to the release position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for supporting (racking) solar (e.g., photovoltaic) panels. At least one concrete track can be formed, first, second, and third racking structures can be assembled, each including two legs, landings at tops the legs, and feet that respectively can be secured to the at least one concrete track. A first solar panel can be placed on the landings of the first and second racking structures. A first edge of the first solar panel can be secured to each the landings of the first racking structure. A second solar panel can be placed on the landings of the second racking structure and on the landings of the third racking structure. A second edge of the first solar panel and a first edge of the second solar panel can be secured to each the landings of the second racking structure.

Abstract: Under one aspect, a system is provided for rotating photovoltaic modules arranged in a row. The system can include an elongated structural member extending along and parallel to the row; protrusions coupled to the elongated structural member; an actuator; and drive mechanisms coupled to the photovoltaic modules. Actuation of the actuator can move the elongated structural member, the movement of the elongated structural member can move the protrusions, the movement of the protrusions can move the drive mechanisms, and the movement of the drive mechanisms can rotate the photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dual tilt, ballasted photovoltaic module racking are provided herein. Under one aspect, a system for supporting first and second photovoltaic modules can include first and second elongated stiffeners respectively configured to be coupled to and support the first and second photovoltaic modules. The system also can include first and second feet respectively configured to be coupled to first and second grooves respectively provided within first and second ballasts. The system also can include a first stiffener hinge rotatably coupling the first and second stiffeners to one another, a first foot hinge rotatably coupling the first foot to the first stiffener, and a second foot hinge rotatably coupling the second foot to the second stiffener. At least one of the first stiffener hinge and the first and second foot hinges can include a respective mechanical stop inhibiting rotation of that hinge beyond a respective predetermined angle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dual tilt, ballasted photovoltaic module racking are provided herein. Under one aspect, a system for supporting first and second photovoltaic modules can include first and second elongated stiffeners respectively configured to be coupled to and support the first and second photovoltaic modules. The system also can include first and second feet respectively configured to be coupled to first and second grooves respectively provided within first and second ballasts. The system also can include a first stiffener hinge rotatably coupling the first and second stiffeners to one another, a first foot hinge rotatably coupling the first foot to the first stiffener, and a second foot hinge rotatably coupling the second foot to the second stiffener. At least one of the first stiffener hinge and the first and second foot hinges can include a respective mechanical stop inhibiting rotation of that hinge beyond a respective predetermined angle.