Abstract: A magazine for use with a fastening tool. The magazine can have a pusher assembly that can be retracted into a recess in the magazine to facilitate loading and reloading of fasteners. The pusher assembly can have a pusher assembly knob which can be reversibly latched to a detent to maintain the pusher assembly in a retracted state. The fastening tool can use a magazine which can be reloaded by a method which has a step of reversibly retracting the pusher assembly into the retracted state to allow for feeding one or more fasteners to the magazine.

Abstract: A powered fastening device is capable of driving a fastener into a work piece and automatically preventing the device from firing until a fastener is located in an appropriate position within the device.

Abstract: A spare magazine is adapted to be installed in a stapler, and includes a casing unit, a pivot member and a sliding carrier. The pivot member is pivotally disposed in the casing unit, and has a positioning pin. The sliding carrier has a carrier body slidably received in the casing unit, and a main track portion protruding from the carrier body, and having an island block and a surrounding wall that cooperatively define a main track. The sliding carrier is slidable relative to the casing unit between a closed position and a first open position. The positioning pin of the pivot member is inserted into the main track and is slidable in the main track along a heart-shaped route during the sliding movement of the sliding carrier.

Abstract: An impact drill includes an output shaft capable of rotating around a first axis and moving along the first axis, a housing, a first impact block fixedly connected to the output shaft, a second impact block, a stopping element for stopping the output shaft from moving backward, and a movable element mounted on the housing. The housing is formed with a through hole for accommodating the movable element. The through hole passes through the housing in a first line and the movable element is capable of moving to a first position and a second position along the first line. When the movable element moves to the first position, the movable element prevents the output shaft from moving backward. When the movable element moves to the second position, the movable element allows the output shaft to move backward.

Abstract: The invention provides a handheld power tool, which comprises a handle assembly, a power mechanism connected with the handle assembly, and a working mechanism connected with the power mechanism. The power mechanism comprises a main housing, an inner housing, and a motor disposed in the inner housing. The main housing comprises a first air inlet at a side wall thereof, the inner housing comprises an opening. An airflow channel is located between the main housing and the inner housing, and in communication with the first air inlet, the opening and an inside of the inner housing. The handheld power tool of the present invention not only has good heat dissipation effect, but also has waterproof and dustproof effects, and can work in rainy days and humid areas without affecting the performance of the whole machine.

Abstract: A coupling member for an electric power tool is provided. The coupling member can keep a hanging member being held, even when a holding portion of the tool for holding the hanging member breaks. A coupling member for an electric power tool is configured to hook a hanging member to an electric power tool main body and can fasten the electric power tool main body therein, when one of its parts opens or closes. Further, this coupling member can be attached to the electric power tool main body with the electric power tool main body fastened therein or removed therefrom. Further, the hanging member can be hooked to the coupling member.

Abstract: A power tool includes a tool housing and a motor assembly received in the tool housing. The motor assembly has a rear end portion, a front end portion, and a motor output shaft. A transmission housing is coupled to the motor housing with a transmission received in the transmission housing, to which the motor output shaft is drivingly coupled. A partition assembly includes a rear cover covering a rear end portion of the transmission housing that faces the front end portion of the motor and a seal. The rear cover of the transmission housing, the front end portion of the motor, and the seal together define at least a first labyrinth path and a second labyrinth path therebetween configured to inhibit grease or dust migration between the transmission housing and the motor assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved modular tube. The modular tube includes at least two tubular elements with the first tubular element having a tapered end and the second tubular element having a hollow end. The hollow end of the second tubular element is complimentary to the tapered end of the first tubular element. A male or female threaded coupling element is arranged at the tapered end of the first tubular element; and a corresponding female or male threaded coupling element is arranged at the hollow end of the second tubular element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a work support having an extendable support beam for spanning between a pair of leg assemblies. The extendable support beam includes one or more elongated rails having a first end, a second end, an upper edge, a lower edge, a middle portion disposed between the upper edge and the lower edge, where the upper edge and the lower edge each extend away from the middle portion and form a channel having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a t-track extending longitudinally along the interior surface. The work support includes the extendable support beams and a leg mount disposed between the pair of elongated rails, and a pair of legs pivotally coupled with the leg mount and moveable between a storage position where the pair of legs are secured within a cavity, and a working position.

Abstract: A haptic transmission system includes a master device and a slave device. The master device controls position and force in an operation of the master device based on information acquired from the operation of the master device and information relating to a response of the slave device, and compensates for a communication delay in a communication path with respect to the control of force. The slave device controls speed and force in an operation of the slave device based on information acquired from the operation of the slave device and information relating to control from the master device.

Abstract: A teaching method of driving a robot arm by a drive unit based on a detection result of a force detection unit and storing a position and a posture of the driven robot arm in a memory unit, includes determining whether or not the posture of the robot arm is close to a singular posture, and, when determining that the posture of the robot arm is close to the singular posture, selecting and executing one escape posture from a plurality of escape posture candidates escaping from the posture close to the singular posture according to an external force detected by the force detection unit.

Abstract: A teaching method is for teaching a position and attitude of a robot arm to a robot configured to switch between a first state where the third axis is located at one side of a first imaginary line and a second state where the third axis is located at the other side of the first imaginary line, the first imaginary line being set as a straight line passing through a first axis and a second axis when the robot arm is viewed from a direction along the first axis. The method includes performing a switching operation of switching between the first state and the second state according to a result of detection by a force detection unit.

Abstract: A robot control system includes a first controller, a second controller, a communication device to perform data communication between the controllers, a first robotic arm, a second robotic arm, a third robotic arm, a first tool, a second tool, and a third tool. A first controlling module receives, not via the communication device, input of first positional data that is output data from a first processor, the first processor being the preceding stage of the first controlling module. Each of a second processor, a second controlling module, a third processor, and a third controlling module receives, not via the communication device, input of the output data from the preceding stage that belongs to the first controller or the second controller to which the second processor, the second controlling module, the third processor, or the third controlling module belongs, or receives input of the output data from the preceding stage.

Abstract: A mobile robot having a main chassis supporting a headpiece for cleaning, stripping, reconditioning or refurbishing a coating on a metal work piece. A remote controlled power module allows for locomotion of the chassis which is held to the work piece by magnets spaced apart from the work piece by a predetermined space. The chassis provides operational control of a headpiece capable of unique positioning that is possible in view of the separated chassis and headpiece combination.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for performing an undesirable task including receiving an indication identifying a person performing a task at a first time, receiving a plurality of input data associated with the person while performing the task, determining whether the task is undesirable based on the plurality of input data, and causing, in response to determining that the task is undesirable, the robot to perform the task at a second time after the first time.

Abstract: Process evolution for robotic process automation (RPA) and RPA workflow micro-optimization are disclosed. Initially, an RPA implementation may be scientifically planned, potentially using artificial intelligence (AI). Embedded analytics may be used to measure, report, and align RPA operations with strategic business outcomes. RPA may then be implemented by deploying AI skills (e.g., in the form of machine learning (ML) models) through an AI fabric that seamlessly applies, scales, manages AI for RPA workflows of robots. This cycle of planning, measuring, and reporting may be repeated, potentially guided by more and more AI, to iteratively improve the effectiveness of RPA for a business. RPA implementations may also be identified and implemented based on their estimated return on investment (ROI).

Abstract: Frameworks and techniques for integration of heterogeneous machine learning (ML) models into robotic process automation (RPA) workflows are provided. This may be accomplished via a seamless drag-and-drop interface that allows deployment of ML models into an RPA workflow. Via a framework, these heterogeneous models may be provided by customers, third parties, and/or partners and integrated into the RPA workflow. The framework may provide a straightforward way to deploy machine learning models via a conductor and to manage model versioning and create/retrieve/update/delete (CRUD). The framework may facilitate integration of different models into the RPA workflow through the steps of uploading, validating, publishing, and deploying models.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling robots including industrial robots. A method includes executing (402) a program (550) to control a robot (102) by the robot control system (120, 500). The method includes receiving (404) robot state information (554). The method includes receiving (406) force torque feedback (556) inputs from a sensor (554) on the robot (102). The method includes producing (410) a robot control command for the robot (102) based on the robot state information (554) and the force torque feedback (556) inputs. The method includes controlling (412) the robot (102) using the robot control command.

Abstract: There is provided a recording medium having a program recorded thereon, the program causing a computer to function as: a learning section configured to learn an action model for deciding an action of an action body on a basis of environment information indicating a first environment, and action cost information indicating a cost when the action body takes an action in the first environment; and a decision section configured to decide the action of the action body in the first environment on a basis of the environment information and the action model.

Abstract: A robot control device includes at least one memory, and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to obtain environmental information in a real environment, obtain information related to an action to be performed by a robot in the real environment based on the environmental information and a first policy, obtain information related to a control value that causes the robot to perform the action based on the information related to the action and a second policy, and control the robot based on the information related to the control value. The first policy is learned by using a virtual robot in a simulation environment.

Abstract: A system and method for autonomously defining regions of interest for a container are provided. The system comprises a platform for supporting the container, a detector for capturing feature data of the container while on the platform, and a computer system. The computer system is in communication with the detector and platform. The computer system is programmed to locate features of the container from the captured feature data, and define the regions of interest for the container based on the located features.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gimbal, a gimbal control device and method implemented in the gimbal and gimbal control device. The method includes obtaining a first angular velocity of a directional device mounted on a gimbal in a first direction; obtaining at least one reference angular velocity in at least one reference direction of the gimbal; obtaining an angular velocity offset in the first direction based on the first angular velocity and the at least one reference velocity; and adjusting an angle of the gimbal in the first direction based on the angular velocity offset. In this way, the posture drift of the gimbal in the yaw direction due to a detection error of the directional device may be eliminated, so that the picture taken by a photographing device provided on gimbal is stable, and the shooting quality is improved.

Abstract: An localization correction method for a robot, comprising acquiring first position information of the robot in a first coordinate system; acquiring second position information of the robot in a second coordinate system after the robot executes a motion command; establishing a transformation model between the first position information and the second position information based on the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system; calculating a compensation value according to the transformation model; and generating a reset command according to the compensation value, and adjusting the localization of the robot according to the reset command.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes an operation unit that teaches the robot a position, a posture changing instruction unit that instructs a position change when the robot passes through a singularity or its vicinity, a singularity passing motion request unit that instructs the robot to change its posture, a robot drive information request unit that acquires robot drive information, and a robot G-code generation unit that inserts a G-code from the robot drive information into a program. A robot includes a drive control unit that drives the robot, a singularity determination unit that determines passage through the singularity or its vicinity, a singularity passing pattern generation unit that generates a motion plan for passage through the singularity or its vicinity based on the changed posture, and a robot drive information output unit that transmits the robot drive information to the control apparatus.

Abstract: A substrate transport device includes an arm, an end effector coupled to the arm, a driver configured to lift the arm so that the end effector receives a substrate, and a controller configured to control an output of the driver to set a lifting speed of the arm. A difference in height between the end effector and the arm is a position difference. A period from when the end effector contacts the substrate until the end effector completes reception of the substrate is a transition period. The controller sets an upper limit value of the lifting speed that decreases an amplitude of one of acceleration or jerk of the position difference in the transition period as compared to before the transition period to an upper limit value of the lifting speed for the transition period.

Abstract: A dynamic planning controller receives a maneuver for a robot and a current state of the robot and transforms the maneuver and the current state of the robot into a nonlinear optimization problem. The nonlinear optimization problem is configured to optimize an unknown force and an unknown position vector. At a first time instance, the controller linearizes the nonlinear optimization problem into a first linear optimization problem and determines a first solution to the first linear optimization problem using quadratic programming. At a second time instance, the controller linearizes the nonlinear optimization problem into a second linear optimization problem based on the first solution at the first time instance and determines a second solution to the second linear optimization problem based on the first solution using the quadratic programming. The controller also generates a joint command to control motion of the robot during the maneuver based on the second solution.

Abstract: A device including a processor configured to detect an environment of an automated machine, wherein the environment comprises one or more further automated machines; determine an action taken by the one or more further automated machines; determine an action expected of the one or more further automated machines; compares the taken action with the expected action; determine an accuracy score associated with the one or more further automated machines based on the comparison.

Abstract: A controller including a processor configured to obtain a message from a task performing agent of a group of task performing agents allocated to a plurality of tasks, wherein the message comprises information about one or more assessments of the task performing agent, wherein the one or more assessments are based on a sensing process performed by one or more sensors of the task performing agent, wherein the task performing agent is an autonomous machine or a human agent equipped with sensors; and allocate a task of the plurality of tasks to the task performing agent, based on the information and based on whether the task performing agent is an autonomous machine or a human agent.

Abstract: According to various aspects, controller for an automated machine may include: a processor configured to: compare information about a function of the automated machine with information of a set of tasks available to a plurality of automated machines; negotiate, with the other automated machines of the plurality of automated machines and based on a result of the comparison, which task of the set of tasks is allocated to the automated machine.

Abstract: To provide a robot controller and a robot control method that do not need a logic command to be associated with a teaching position for a robot, and that are thus capable of executing the logic command at a desired position and a desired timing. A robot controller includes: an operation command interpretation unit that interprets an operation command program describing a teaching operation and a teaching position for a robot, and that generates an operation command; a logic command interpretation unit that interprets a logic command program describing a logic command instructing a machining process to be performed by the robot and an execution position for the logic command, independently from the teaching operation and the teaching position, and that generates the logic command that includes the execution position; and a command execution unit that executes the operation command and the logic command.

Abstract: One object determining system comprising: an air ejection device, configured to eject air; a distance detecting circuit, configured to detect distances between an electronic device comprising the object determining system and at least one location of an object when the air ejection device ejects air to the object; and a determining circuit, configured to determine a type of the object according to variations of the distances.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robot including a manipulator for moving a tool; and a processor for controlling the manipulator, setting a boundary, generating a first path in response to a received execution instruction, generating a second path that does not extend beyond the boundary based on the first path and the boundary, and controlling the manipulator based on the second path.

Abstract: Mitigating the reality gap through utilization of technique(s) that enable compliant robotic control and/or compliant robotic contact to be simulated effectively by a robotic simulator. The technique(s) can include, for example: (1) utilizing a compliant end effector model in simulated episodes of the robotic simulator; (2) using, during the simulated episodes, a soft constraint for a contact constraint of a simulated contact model of the robotic simulator; and/or (3) using proportional derivative (PD) control in generating joint control forces, for simulated joints of the simulated robot, during the simulated episodes. Implementations additionally or alternatively relate to determining parameter(s), for use in one or more of the techniques that enable effective simulation of compliant robotic control and/or compliant robotic contact.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a working environment of a movable device utilizing a monitoring apparatus, wherein the working environment includes a working area and at least one protected area and the movable device is located within the working area during normal operation of said movable device, where the method includes a user inputting a plurality of convex polytopes into the monitoring apparatus, the convex polytopes corresponding to areas in which the movable device is located during normal operation, determining a convex polytope hull using the monitoring apparatus, the convex polytope hull completely enclosing the multiplicity of convex polytopes, and determining the at least one protected area by calculating a difference from the convex polytope hull and the input using the monitoring apparatus, such that monitoring of the position of the movable device is simplified because the working area can be modeled autonomously.

Abstract: In a robot utilization system using a plurality of transport robots, the transport robot includes a traveling mechanism having a traveling function, a main body supported by the traveling mechanism and configured to receive products, and a specifying unit configured to specify the products received by the main body. The transport robots include a transport robot that performs a purchase process of the products received by the main body, and a transport robot that performs a return process of the products received by the main body.

Abstract: A robot including an arm, a tool attached to the arm, a measurement fixture to be attached to a tip portion of the tool detachably, and a controller that recognizes a reference coordinate system used to control the arm, and that controls the arm. The controller stores data indicating a positional relationship between a tip of the tool and the measurement fixture or data to be used to calculate the positional relationship, and the controller calculates positional coordinates of the tip of the tool in the reference coordinate system based on position data of the measurement fixture and the positional relationship, where the position data is detected by using acquired image data from a visual sensor whose position is associated with the reference coordinate system.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of simplifying operations for determining an image pickup posture of an image pickup apparatus attached to a robot. The image processing apparatus processes an image that an image pickup apparatus attached to a robot picks up. The image processing apparatus includes a memory device that stores a set of instructions, and at least one processor that executes the set of instructions to specify a working area of the robot based on teaching point information showing a plurality of designated teaching points, specify an image pickup area of the image pickup apparatus so as to include the specified working area; and determine an image pickup posture of the robot based on the specified image pickup area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to technology that controls a robot based on brain-computer interface, and a robot control method acquires a first biosignal indicating an intention to start the operation of the robot from a user to operate the robot, provides the user with visual stimulation of differently set signal cycles corresponding to a plurality of objects for which the robot executes motions, acquires a second biosignal evoked by the visual stimulation from the user to identify an object selected by the user, and acquires a third biosignal corresponding to a motion for the identified object from the user to induce the robot to execute the corresponding motion.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for generating a joint command. The method includes receiving a maneuver script including a plurality of maneuvers for a legged robot to perform where each maneuver is associated with a cost. The method further includes identifying that two or more maneuvers of the plurality of maneuvers of the maneuver script occur at the same time instance. The method also includes determining a combined maneuver for the legged robot to perform at the time instance based on the two or more maneuvers and the costs associated with the two or more maneuvers. The method additionally includes generating a joint command to control motion of the legged robot at the time instance where the joint command commands a set of joints of the legged robot. Here, the set of joints correspond to the combined maneuver.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI)-based process identification, extraction, and automation for robotic process automation (RPA) is disclosed. Listeners may be deployed to user computing systems to collect data pertaining to user actions. The data collected by the listeners may then be sent to one or more servers and be stored in a database. This data may be analyzed by AI layers to recognize patterns of user behavioral processes therein. These recognized processes may then be distilled into respective RPA workflows and deployed to automate the processes.

Abstract: A tactile sensor including a cap having a top surface and an undersurface. The undersurface includes pins, each pin has a mark. A portion of the undersurface is attachable to a device. A camera positioned in view of the marks, captures images of the marks placed in motion by elastic deformation of the top surface of the cap. A processor receives the captured images and determines a set of relative positions of the marks in the captured images, by identifying measured image coordinates of locations in images of the captured images. Determine a net force tensor acting on the top surface using a stored machine vision algorithm, by matching the set of relative positions of the marks to a stored set of previously learned relative positions of the marks placed in motion. Control the device via a controller in response to the net force tensor determined in the processor.

Abstract: A tactile sensor including a camera positioned to capture images of marks. An elastically deformable skin including an outer surface having attributes and an undersurface having pins, ridges, or both. Each undersurface pin or ridge includes a mark. A processor detects displacement of the marks in captured images and compares the displaced positions of the marks in the captured images to stored sets of prelearned positions of marks, based on a distance function, to determine a quality of match value for each set of the prelearned positions of marks. A best quality matched prelearned pattern of forces is determined using a user selected function, to calculate a best matching set of the prelearned positions of marks. Identify a pattern of forces acting on the elastically deformable skin based on the determined best matched prelearned pattern of forces.

Abstract: An end-effector assembly comprising a master boom, a crossbar coupled to the master boom, at least one branch rail, and a swing arm is provided. The at least one branch rail is movably coupled to the crossbar by a branch lock. The at least one branch rail has a driving groove formed longitudinally therealong for telescopic movement relative to the crossbar. The branch lock comprises a crossbar clamp and a branch rail clamp. The crossbar clamp is slidably and pivotally disposed about the crossbar for slidable and pivotal movement therealong. The branch rail clamp comprises a body having a primary telescoping lock including a receiving bore formed therethrough and a wedging collet disposed in the receiving bore. The body further comprises a secondary telescoping lock having a ball and a plunger disposed in a ball-plunger cavity of the body.

Abstract: The method of transporting a piece of fabric material using a Morton™ picker comprises the steps of aligning a weight vector of the piece of fabric material being lifted, from the gap between the toothed wheel and the pressing foot of the picker and into a region between a tangent to the toothed wheel and a right angle to the pressing surface of the pressing foot; and lifting and transporting the piece of fabric material while maintaining the alignment of the weight vector in that region. In another aspect, there is provided robotic installation comprising a robotic arm and a Morton™ picker for manipulating pieces of fabric material. The robotic arm is configured for simultaneously rotating an axis of the picker and moving the picker along a hyperbolic trajectory, in a single complex motion without jitter, while maintaining the aforesaid alignment of the weight vector.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for vacuum handling of composite parts. One embodiment is a method for picking up, placing, and compacting an object. The method includes covering a part of an object with an impermeable membrane, applying a negative pressure via an end effector that is sufficient to offset any air leaks between a first portion of the impermeable membrane and the object, thereby forming a suction hold that secures the object to the impermeable membrane, and transporting the object to a rigid tool while the suction hold is retained. The method further comprises applying a negative pressure via the end effector that offsets air leaks between a second portion of the impermeable membrane and the rigid tool, thereby forming a suction hold that compacts the object to the rigid tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a robotic gripper comprising a body and two robotic fingers mounted to the body. Each robotic finger includes a first link, a second link, a third link, a fourth link, a first joint, a second joint and a third joint. The first joint connects the first link and the second link, and the second joint connects the second link and the third link, and the third joint connects the third link and the fourth link. These links and these joints are comprised of elastic material and are formed in one piece.

Abstract: A maintenance management apparatus manages maintenance of a gas spring provided in an arm of an articulated robot and includes a gas pressure measuring unit that measures a gas pressure inside the gas spring on a regular basis, a maintenance judgement unit that judges whether an abnormality is present in the gas spring based on an amount of decrease in the gas pressure per unit time or per unit operating distance, and a notifying unit that sends a notification based on a judgment result by the maintenance judgement unit to an operator.

Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle and a blade. The handle includes a first side member, a second side member, a connector, and a locking member. The first and second side members are pivotably coupled to the connector such that the first and second side members are pivotable relative to one another. The blade includes a pivot member extending laterally from a surface of the blade, and the pivot member is disposed between the first and second side members. The locking member of the handle is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the first and second side members of the handle are pivotable relative to one another and can disengage the pivot member of the blade. In the locked position, the first and second side members are restrained from movement relative to one another and engage the pivot member of the blade.

Abstract: A shaving razor may include a handle, a head pivotally attached to the handle, the head may include a frame and a cover pivotally attached to the frame, and at least one separation member provided between the frame and the cover of the head. The at least one separation member may be movable relative to the frame and the cover of the head. A shaving razor may include a handle and a head pivotally attached to the handle. The head may be configured to receive at least two independently replaceable razor blades.

Abstract: The invention discloses a film-cutting device of an environmental coating machine, belonging to the technical field of mechanical engineering, which solves the existing problem that the protective film clamped by the conveyor belts are difficult to be cut. The film-cutting device of an environmental coating machine comprises frame (1), several pairs of upper conveyor belts (12) and lower conveyor belts (13), coating areas (15), wherein the film-cutting device comprises a rotation pipe (2), two transmission rods (3), film cutters (32), transverse edges (321), longitudinal edges (331), and a drive member and a spreading element arranged on the frame (1); this film-cutting device of an environmental coating machine is able to but the protective film clamped by the conveyor belts, which can improve an efficiency, reduce the usage amount of the protective film and be more environmental.