Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile robot having a base element and a torso being arranged on the mobile base element, the torso comprising at least two manipulators, which comprise a proximal base and a distal free end, wherein the manipulators with their proximal base are arranged to both sides of the torso and opposite to each other and wherein the proximal base of the manipulators is moveably guided in the torso.

Abstract: A SCARA robot includes a first arm configured to be moved in a direction different from a gravity direction; a first motor configured to drive the first arm; a first speed reducer, an input shaft of which is connected to the first motor and an output shaft of which is connected to the first arm; and a first output-side angle sensor configured to detect an operating position on an output side of the first speed reducer, wherein the first motor is controlled on the basis of an output of the first output-side angle sensor.

Abstract: A robot teaching device includes a processing unit for performing processing to warn or correct positional deviation of teaching points or teaching lines. The processing unit includes a teaching position acquisition unit for acquiring four or more teaching positions from a set of target teaching points or a set of target teaching lines, a normal vector calculation section which calculates a normal vector satisfying the set of teaching positions, a distance calculation section which calculates a distance between two teaching positions most distant in the normal vector direction from among the set of teaching positions, and a first warning command section which issues a command, based on a distance between the two teaching positions which are most distant, to warn that the teaching points or teaching lines corresponding to the teaching positions have deviated from an actual plane of a workpiece.

Abstract: It is an object to enable a grasping operation to be executed according to a state of an object. The invention provides an information processing apparatus which determines the grasping operation in a grasping unit for grasping the object. The information processing apparatus has: an obtaining unit for obtaining an image acquired by capturing the object; a recognizing unit for recognizing a state of the object from the image obtained by the obtaining unit; and a generating unit for generating information for allowing the grasping unit to execute the grasping operation on the basis of the object state recognized by the recognizing unit and conditions to execute the grasping operation.

Abstract: A neural network control system for controlling an agent to perform a task in a real-world environment, operates based on both image data and proprioceptive data describing the configuration of the agent. The training of the control system includes both imitation learning, using datasets generated from previous performances of the task, and reinforcement learning, based on rewards calculated from control data output by the control system.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus supplies information to a robot arm that includes a holding mechanism for holding an article by suctioning the article and a moving mechanism for moving the holding mechanism. The apparatus comprises a communication interface and a controller. The controller calculates a suction point at which the holding mechanism attempts to suction the article. The suction point is calculated using an image captured by a camera. When the controller cannot calculate the suction point using the image, the controller acquires a selected region from an operation terminal operated by an operator, then recalculates the suction point on the basis of the selected region, and attempts suctioning at suction point calculated using the selected region.

Abstract: Described is a method and device of a computational motion engine iteratively computing a numerical “jerk,” the motion derivative of acceleration, using real-time feedback from a system under motion control, to reach both a desired position and desired velocity of a next waypoint. Output from the motion engine is only desired acceleration, which is then passed to a motor driver, free of intermediate computations of either position or velocity. A second, inside feedback loop maintains desired acceleration or torque at the motor shaft based on the acceleration output of the motion engine, which may use non-linear correction tables. Waypoints comprising both position and velocity are inputs to the motion engine. Time to next waypoint is computed rather than provided as an input. Optimization of moves to the next waypoint is based on smoothest velocity change during the move. Embodiments include mechanical, two-axis SCARA arm motion systems.

Abstract: A robot operation evaluation device includes: an operational state calculator for calculating an operational state of an evaluation region that is a movable region of a robot, based on an operational state of the robot; a shape-feature quantity calculator for calculating a shape-feature quantity depending on an operation direction of the evaluation region corresponding to the operational state calculated; and an evaluation value calculator for calculating an evaluation value representing a risk degree of the operational state of the evaluation region with respect to the operation direction, based on the shape-feature quantity.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot, a sensor, and a processor. The sensor is configured to detect an external force acting on the robot. The processor is configured to move the robot in a forward direction such that a representative point of the robot moves along a motion track in the forward direction; move the robot in a reverse direction such that the representative point moves along the motion track in the reverse direction opposite to the forward direction when the external force satisfies a first condition which includes a condition that the external force is larger than a first threshold force; and move the robot to reduce the external force when the external force satisfies a second condition which includes a condition that the external force is larger than a second threshold force even after the robot has been moved in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A robot comprising: a base; an articulated arm extending distally of the base and including two arm members coupled by a joint; a motor; a gearbox having an input shaft coupled to an output of the motor and an output shaft configured to drive relative motion of the arm members about the joint; a position sensor configured to sense relative position of the arm members about the joint; and a control system coupled to the arm configured to drive the motor, the control system being arranged to perform a calibration operation to estimate torque loss in the gearbox by the steps of (i) estimating the inertia of the portion of the arm distal of the joint for motion about the joint; (ii) applying a determined drive power to the motor; (iii) receiving from the position sensor position data indicating the motion of the arm in response to the applied drive power; and (iv) estimating the torque loss in the gearbox in dependence on the estimated inertia, the determined drive power and the position data.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for launching and/or capturing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus includes a moving substrate having an electromagnetic end effector and a UAV with a metallic strike plate to be attracted to the end effector when the electromagnet is activated. The system includes a movable robotic arm having a free end and a secured end; an electromagnetic end effector connected proximate to the free end of the robotic arm; a UAV with a metallic strike to be attracted and held to the electromagnetic end effector when the electromagnetic end effector is active; trajectory software configured to control a location of the free end of the robotic arm; and a control module for receiving input data, analyzing the data and using the trajectory software to control the location of and activate or deactivate the electromagnetic end effector. Also described are methods for launching and capturing the UAV.

Abstract: A robot system includes: an articulated type robot which retains a processing tool at an arm tip end portion and which includes a plurality of drive units that drive a plurality of drive axes; and a robot controller which controls the drive units so as to control a relative position of the processing target and the processing tool and the robot controller includes: a torque information detection unit which detects torque information on the torques of the drive units; a contact position estimation unit which estimates, based on the change of tendency of a variation in the detected torque information of at least one of the drive units, a contact position in which the processing target and the processing tool make contact with each other; and a position compensation unit which compensates the target position of the robot based on the estimated contact position.

Abstract: A machining system has a machine tool, a numerical controller which moves a machining table of the machine tool according to a machining program, a robot which performs a process to a work on the machining table, and a robot control unit, and the numerical controller is configured to send a current position coordinate of the machining table, a prefetched position coordinate of the machining table, which is calculated by prefetching the machining program and carrying out an acceleration and deceleration interpolation, and time information, which corresponds to the current position coordinate and the prefetched position coordinate, to the robot control unit, and the robot control unit controls the robot so that the distal end portion of the robot follows the movement of the machining table by using the current position coordinate, the prefetched position coordinate, and the time information, which are received from the numerical controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a robot having actuator-driven elements, which requires a desired operating voltage UB and/or a desired operating current IB in order to operate, comprising: a voltage and current source having an input interface, to which a primary voltage UP and a primary current IP are applied, wherein, during normal operation, the primary voltage UP is equal to a desired primary voltage UP,desired and the primary current IP is equal to a desired primary current IP,desired, and also having an output interface, to which an actual voltage Uactual and an actual current Iactual are supplied, wherein during normal operation: Uactual=UB and Iactual=IB, an energy store, which is integrated into the voltage and current source and which maintains the operating voltage UB and the operating current IB for a predefined period of time ?t following a failure or a drop in the primary voltage/primary current, a unit for monitoring the primary voltage UP applied to the input interface, wherein the unit is configure

Abstract: An information processing device includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: assign a task to be executed to each arm of a robot system having arms; determine an execution time period for each operation included in each task assigned to the each arm based on whether the each operation is an operation in an interference region, in which the arms interfere with each other, or an operation in a non-interference region, in which the arms do not interfere with each other; and display workload charts of the arms side by side, an execution time period for each operation and a time period during which no operation is executed being arranged along a time axis in the workload chart of the each arm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inserting an object into an object-receiving area using an actuator-driven robot manipulator of a robot, wherein the robot manipulator has an effector at its distal end, designed to receive and/or grip the object, and wherein a inserting trajectory T is defined for the object-receiving area and the object to be inserted, and a target orientation Osoll({right arrow over (R)}T) of the object to be inserted is defined along the inserting trajectory T for locations {right arrow over (R)}T of the inserting trajectory T.

Abstract: An adaptive learning interface system for end-users for controlling one or more machines or robots to perform a given task, combining identification of gaze patterns, EEG channel's signal patterns, voice commands and/or touch commands. The output streams of these sensors are analysed by the processing unit in order to detect one or more patterns that are translated into one or more commands to the robot, to the processing unit or to other devices. A pattern learning mechanism is implemented by keeping immediate history of outputs collected from those sensors, analysing their individual behaviour and analysing time correlation between patterns recognized from each of the sensors. Prediction of patterns or combination of patterns is enabled by analysing partial history of sensors' outputs.

Abstract: A vertically driving marking robot includes a robot body; at least one magnet constraining the robot to move parallel to a vertical, magnetically responsive surface; a drive configured to displace the robot relative to the surface while the robot is held to the surface; a holder configured to hold a marker; an accelerometer measuring a gravity vector; a computing device in communication with the optical sensors, the accelerometer, and the drive. The computing device includes a processor and computer-readable memory, wherein the computer-readable memory includes non-transitory program code for at least one of the following actions: (a) generating a drift correction to compensate for drive slippage drift in response to and as a function of the gravity vector and (b) commanding the drive to displace the robot along a desired trajectory in response to the drift correction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inspection system inspects equipment including a first structural object and a second structural object. The first structural object extends in a first direction. The second structural object is provided around the first structural object. The second structural object has a first surface opposing the first structural object. A first protrusion is provided in the first surface. The first protrusion extends in the first direction. The system includes a robot and a controller. The robot includes an imager. The robot moves between the first structural object and the second structural object. The imager images the first protrusion. The controller detects, from a first image acquired by the imager, a first edge portion of the first protrusion in a circumferential direction around the first direction. The controller controls a movement of the robot by using the detected first edge portion.

Abstract: According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method for generating a dataset mapping visual features of each of a plurality of objects, comprising: for each of a plurality of different objects: instructing a robotic system to move an arm holding a respective the object to a plurality of positions, and when the arm is in each of the plurality of positions: acquiring at least one image depicting the respective object in the position, receiving positional information of the arm in respective the position, analyzing the at least one image to identify at least one visual feature of the object in the respective position, and storing, in a mapping dataset, an association between the at least one visual feature and the positional information, and outputting the mapping dataset.

Abstract: A robot dialogue system includes a robot with a processor and memory that communicates with a user and a dialogue server with a processor and memory that controls the robot. From a user inquiry the robot calculates speech content and a confidence factor and transmits the speech content and the confidence factor to the dialogue server, which stores an action and a confidence factor corresponding to the speech content in state information. The dialogue server selects a new action having the highest confidence factor in the state information, calculates a cost incurred when the new action is implemented from the robot's present state, selects a combination of candidates excluding the highest confidence factor action as a new candidate of action, calculates a cost incurred when the new candidate of action is implemented, and selects an action or a candidate of action with the lowest cost as a new action.

Abstract: A teach apparatus (2) includes a tablet (3) and a safety operation device (4) which are attachable to and detachable from each other. The safety operation device (4) includes at least one of an emergency stop switch (41a), a dead-man switch (41b), and a mode switch (41c). The tablet (3) is configured to monitor the ON/OFF state of at least one of the first to third switches (41a) to (41c) of the safety operation device (4).

Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments are directed to a real-time robot command and control interface. An aspect of the interface allows a user to select objects from an image of a scene and to reposition the objects within the scene. Another aspect of the interface can process the image data to determine one or more commands for instructing a robot to move the object to a desired location. The interface can use image and pattern recognition algorithms to determine the new location of the object and can use control algorithms to instruct the robot to move the object.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to a container gripper assembly comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member may comprise a first plurality of pivotable inserts and the second jaw member may comprise a second plurality of pivotable inserts. The first jaw member may be movable towards the second jaw member to grip a container between the first plurality of pivotable inserts and the second plurality of pivotable inserts.

Abstract: The invention discloses a handling robot control system, comprising a base, an air balance cavity set in the base, an air pump fixedly arranged at the middle of the air balance cavity, air valves symmetrically disposed in two sides of the end walls of the air balance cavity, The handling robot may confirm the position of the cargoes and the the position where the cargoes will be placed through the infrared detector, and control the inner motor to drive the movement, rotation, lifting and handling of the device; during the movement, the balance and stability of the device may be maintained through the adjustment of the air pressure when it moves on the rugged road surface, and through the transmission of the coupling and the connecting shaft, the device may continue to move when it maintains balance, so that the stability may be maintained when the cargoes are carried.

Abstract: Finger assemblies at the end of a robotic arm end effector includes talon that are retractable. Retraction may be accomplished by a vertical or horizontal barrel cam, a paddle and spin assembly, and/or a resilient plate.

Abstract: Provided are a tool exchange device and a tool exchange system that enable management of a coupling state according to a tool to be fixed. A tool exchange device including a male member to be detachably attached to an apparatus side and a female member to be detachably attached to a tool side includes: a proximity sensor provided in the male member; and a target provided in the female member, the target corresponding to the proximity sensor, and the target is provided in the female member in such a manner that a distance between the target and the proximity sensor in a state in which the male member and the female member are coupled together is adjustable.

Abstract: The sample conveying member of the present disclosure includes: a ceramic substrate; a support part that includes a conductive member on at least a portion of a sample support surface; and a conductive layer that is positioned inside of the substrate and connects to a grounding unit outside of the substrate from the conductive member.

Abstract: The multi-element pneumatic gripper equipped with a pump which enables attaching the products by a suction cup, is characterized by the fact that the gripper of a multi-element pneumatic telescopic actuator which ends on one side with a sucker with a weight and a steel ball inside the weight and on the other side is connected to the supply system, whereas an electromechanical uptake is located at the base of the first element of the pneumatic telescopic actuator, wherein in the first embodiment the supply system consists of a vacuum/pressure pump, suction and discharge lines, a valve which supplies air to the system, a three-way valve and a pressure sensor, and wherein in the second embodiment the supply system consists of a vacuum/pressure pump, a suction line, a valve which supplies air to the system and a pressure sensor.

Abstract: A soft bodied robotic member has the appearance of a finger and has a deformable rubber elongated body surrounding an array of rigid ribs interconnected by a perpendicular constraint. The plates form a series of parallel protrusions extending from opposed sides of the body and have a serrated, sawtooth or wavelike appearance. A tether runs through each row of protrusions and draws the corresponding protrusions together in a compressive manner to bend or dispose the finger toward the compressed side. Gaps between the protrusion allow movement of the protrusion towards adjacent protrusions to dispose the body in an arcuate shape. The constraint is a planar sheet that bends with the arc along its width, but resists lateral twisting, thus limiting movement outside a plane defined by the arc and the tether.

Abstract: A variable stiffness actuator comprises a flexure plate which comprises a first cantilevered beam that extends inwards from an outer periphery of the flexure plate. A housing and the flexure plate rotatable about a common joint axis. A first contactor is pivotably secured at a revolute joint to the housing. The first contactor rotates about the revolute joint at a first rotation axis. The first rotation axis offset on the housing from the joint axis. The first contactor engages the first cantilevered beam at a variable angle about the rotation axis to adjust a stiffness of a mechanical connection between the flexure plate and the housing.

Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle and a blade, rotatably connected to the handle with an axial shaft. The handle has two or more parts, together the parts of the handle form a cavity in which the blade is placed in the closed position. The blade has a working sharpened edge and a shank, and rotates about the axial shaft from the closed position, in which the working sharpened edge of the blade is positioned within the cavity, to the open position, in which the working sharpened edge of the blade protrudes from the handle and allows the cutter to be used. One of the parts of the handle includes an additional recess containing a zigzag spring and a hook. One end of the spring is connected to the handle, and its other end is connected to the hook. The hook is pivotally connected to the blade of the knife and transmits to it the force of the stretched spring, which allows the knife to open under the force of compression of the spring.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and device for controlling a hair trimming apparatus and the hair trimming apparatus. The method includes detecting a hair characteristic parameter of hair to be trimmed, wherein the hair characteristic parameter represents a characteristic of the hair; determining a blade operating parameter of the hair trimming apparatus for trimming the hair based on the hair characteristic parameter; and controlling a blade of the hair trimming apparatus to operate based on the blade operating parameter to trim the hair. Therefore, a proper blade operating parameter may be automatically adjusted for operations according to hair characteristics of the hair to be trimmed, so that hair trimming efficiency is improved, resource loss is also reduced, and satisfaction of a user is improved.

Abstract: A hair grooming device includes a body having a lower housing and a removable cover, the lower housing defining a substantially hollow cavity. The lower housing is formed of a first material. A liner is received by the lower housing in the cavity. The liner is formed of a second material, the second material is different than the first material.

Abstract: An electronic device for use in shaving. The electronic shaving device is configured to dispense a liquid to aid in reducing harmful consequences, such as oil or dirt build up, or the formation of ingrown hairs, razor burn or other pimple formation associated with shaving.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shaving apparatus having a body including a bottom surface, a top surface, a front portion, a back portion and a central lumen forming a lumen opening at the back portion of the apparatus. The central lumen includes a bearing surface and one or more rolling elements are rotatingly attached to the bottom surface of the shaving apparatus, near the front portion of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a shaving head assembly rotatably attachable within the central lumen of the body, the shaving head assembly including: 1) one or more shaving blades mounted within a blade cartridge, the one or more shaving blades having a major orientation axis; 2) a blade cartridge attachment arm for attachment of the blade cartridge to a mounting shaft having a bearing surface, wherein the shaving head assembly, or a subunit thereof, rotates about an axis of rotation defined by the major axis of the mounting shaft.

Abstract: A device for cutting partial strips having a defined specifiable mass, preferably from a dough strip, including at least one cutting unit, which has a blade. The cutting unit is adjustably fastened to a retaining element of the device in such a way that the blades cut a dough strip, which is conveyed past the device and is moved in the longitudinal direction of the dough strip, into at least two partial pieces predominantly parallel to the direction of motion of the dough strip. The cutting unit includes an adjustment mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanism is designed in such a way that the position of the blade can be adjusted with respect to the position of the cutting unit, in particular over the width of the dough strip, by automated control.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes locking a material to be cut against a cutting bed, stabilizing the material against the cutting bed, and cutting the material.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating wood products including lumber, plywood and other engineered wood products comprising the steps of contacting a composition comprising a polypropylene glycol, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a polyether polyol having low solubility in water, or a polytetrahydrofuran, or hydrophobic polyether polyol, with the wood product. The invention also provides wood products comprising a polypropylene glycol, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a polyether polyol having low solubility in water, or a polytetrahydrofuran, or hydrophobic polyether polyol, that have greater dimensional stability compared to an untreated wood product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a wet glued wood article, as well as a wet glued article obtainable by said method and also uses of a wet glued article, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) providing two actively never-dried or slightly dried wood pieces comprising at least one surface each which has a superficial layer having a thickness of least 2-3 wood cells; b) drying said surfaces of said wood pieces so that the moisture content of said superficial layer is below the fibre saturation point, providing a dried surface on each of the said wood pieces; c) applying a gluing agent on said dried surface of one of the wood pieces, thus providing a glue surface; d) bringing the dried surfaces together so that said glue surface touches the dried surface on the other wood piece, thus providing a wet glued wood article.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing glue laminated timber columns involves forming a glue laminated timber panel and then cutting the glue laminated timber panel into a selected number of glue laminated timber columns. The method provides a substantial saving compared to a custom mass timber column.

Abstract: A 3D printer creates a ceramic casting shell of high accuracy. Casting molten metal into this shell creates an accurate metal object. The ceramic shell is formed from a paste made from a low hardness ceramic, dried by freeze drying. To overcome the shear thinning behaviour of ceramic pastes a positive displacement pump is in close proximity to the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for detecting hardened concrete buildup in a mixer drum which is substantially devoid of plastic concrete. An exemplary method involves monitoring the hydraulic pressure required to rotate the drum through at least two successive rotations at constant speed, using a hydraulic pressure sensor on hydraulic charge side, discharge side, or preferably both sides of the hydraulic motor which turns the mixer drum; and detecting when the pressure/time data curve indicates eccentric behavior of the mixer drum, whereby an alarm or other indication is provided to confirm that the hardened concrete buildup in the truck is not acceptable. The buildup detection method and system of the present invention does not require the use of an automated slump monitoring system, but can be implemented in combination with such systems with favorable results and advantages.

Abstract: Process for hydraulic conveying of polyolefin pellets comprising the steps of: (i) extruding molten polyolefin into strands and cutting the strands into pellets in an underwater pelletiser (A); (ii) withdrawing a first pellet suspension stream (1.1) from the pelletiser; (iii) concentrating the first pellet suspension stream in a first pellet separator (B); (iv) passing the concentrated pellet stream (1.4) to a hydraulic conveying line through a first vessel (D) and mixing it with water thereby producing a second pellet suspension stream (1.5); (v) withdrawing the second pellet suspension stream from the first vessel and passing it to a second pellet separator (E); (vi) separating the pellets from water in the second pellet separator thereby creating a second water stream (1.6) and a dry pellet stream (1.10) and passing the second water stream back to the first vessel; wherein any one of the first or second pellet suspension stream or the dry pellet stream comprises an antiblock.

Abstract: A preform manufacturing device for manufacturing a preform from thermoplastic resin flakes, comprises a decontamination apparatus removing contaminants in the thermoplastic resin flakes, and an injection molding apparatus injecting and molding the thermoplastic resin supplied from the decontamination apparatus.

Abstract: A heat pipe, a rotation molding apparatus comprising a heat pipe, a rotational molding, and a method of molding comprising using a rotational molding apparatus, are provided.

Abstract: A tire cure mold has a tread molding face that comes in contact with a tread face of a tire set in a cavity, a protruding portion for foaming a groove portion and protruding inward in a tire diametrical direction from the tread molding face, a depression for foaming a groove bottom projection and formed by recessing a top face of the protruding portion, a first vent hole open in the tread molding face, a second vent hole open in a bottom face of the depression, and a spring vent mounted in the second vent hole.

Abstract: In the method and the apparatus for releasing a molded article from a mold according to the embodiments, the lateral of the molded article in the mold is pressed, so that it is possible to minimize the damage of the mold and the molded article at the time of the release, while the amount of a mold release agent used is minimized.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a method for creating a restriction pattern from a mask material having a strain (?mask) an for mapping elastomeric membrane having a strain (?membrane) into a target 3D shape. The method may include discretizing the target 3D shape into a plurality of radial segments, and a radial strain (?r) is determined for each radial position (r) on each radial segment of the plurality of radial segments. A restriction pattern is determined, wherein the restriction pattern comprises a quantity of mask material for each position r to provide a composite strain (?mask,?silicone). In some embodiments, the method further includes depositing a first membrane layer into a mold and placing mask material into the first membrane layer according to the determined restriction pattern. The first membrane layer is cured.

Abstract: A methodology is disclosed to produce nanostructured carbon particles that act as effective reinforcements. The process is conducted in the solid state at close to ambient conditions. The carbon nanostructures produced under this discovery are nanostructured and are synthesized by mechanical means at standard conditions. The benefit of this processing methodology is that those carbon nanostructures can be used as effective reinforcements for composites of various matrices. As example, are to demonstrate its effectiveness the following matrices were including in testing: ceramic, metallic, and polymeric (organic and inorganic), as well as bio-polymers. The reinforcements have been introduced in those matrices at room and elevated temperatures. The raw material is carbon soot that is a byproduct and hence abundant and cheaper than pristine carbon alternatives (e.g. nanotubes, graphene).