Abstract: A housing for a work implement has a first housing shell with first outer wall and a second housing shell with second outer wall. The first and second outer walls contact each other along a separation plane. The first housing shell has a first rib extending transversely to the separation plane and projecting past the separation plane into the second housing shell. First measuring points are located in the separation plane. The first rib has a first rib height measured in transverse direction from a first measuring point to a first end of the first rib facing the second housing shell. The second housing shell has a second shell height measured in transverse direction from the same first measuring point to an inner side of the second housing shell. The first measuring points include measuring points where the first rib height is at least 15% of the second shell height.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a user over an automotive engine is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a ladder and a platform. In some embodiment, leg stirrups extend from said base to support the user's legs while working over an automotive engine.

Abstract: [Problem] Learning of object operation skills robust against variation of conditions is implemented. [Solution] A behavior estimation apparatus 100 includes a collection unit 200 configured to collect skill data obtained when a slave robot is operated under a plurality of different conditions by using a bilateral system capable of operating the slave robot via a master robot through bidirectional control between the master robot and the slave robot. The behavior estimation apparatus 100 further includes a behavior estimation device 300 configured to estimate a command value for causing the slave robot 520 to automatically behave, based on the skill data collected by the collection unit 200 and a response output from the slave robot 520.

Abstract: A system and method for installing bird flight diverters on wires, such as power lines and guy wires, is described. The system and method include the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle to place a robotic line crawler onto wires where the line crawler is configured to place bird flight diverters on the wire as the line crawler travels along the wire.

Abstract: A cable-mounted object, such as a camera, is movable using one or more robotic cable mounts. The robotic cable mounts have a head which support a first portion of the cable. The head is movable in three-dimensional space, such as linearly along three orthogonal axis (or combinations thereof). Changes in the position of the head of the robotic mount change the position of the cable, thus changing the position of the cable-mounted object. In one embodiment, two ends of cable may be connected to first and second robotic cable mounts, or an object might be mounted to multiple cables, each of which is connected to a different robotic mount.

Abstract: A modular exoskeleton structure provides force assistance to a user. The structure includes a base module including a lumbar belt capable of surrounding the waist of the user, a battery and a control unit attached to the lumber belt, a first attachment part attached to the belt and capable of cooperating with a second complementary attachment part of a hip module to attach the hip module to the base module by snapping the second attachment part into the first attachment part, and a third attachment part attached to the belt and capable of cooperating with a complementary fourth attachment part of a back module for attaching the back module to the base module.

Abstract: A robot including a driver configured to move a main body, a memory configured to store an obstacle map with respect to a cleaning area, a sensor configured to collect information about the cleaning area, a communication interface configured to communicate with a second robot, and a controller is disclosed. The controller is configured to, when receiving an obstacle map including position information for a liquid region in the cleaning area from the second robot, control the main body to move to the liquid region and clean the liquid region.

Abstract: A transport apparatus including a drive with a drive axis and a first arm connected to the drive. The first arm includes a first link, a second link and an end effector connected in series with the drive. The end effector includes a substrate support section and a leg connecting the substrate support section to a wrist joint of the end effector with the second link. The leg has a first section connected to the wrist joint, a second section connected to the substrate support section, and a bend portion between the first and second sections such that the first and second sections are angled or offset relative to each other. Connection of the leg to the second link at the wrist joint is offset relative to a centerline of the substrate support section and offset relative to the drive axis.

Abstract: A mobile robot includes a robot including a robot arm, a motor that drives the robot arm by electric power supplied from a battery, a motor drive circuit that controls driving of the motor, and a voltage conversion unit that converts and outputs a voltage output by the battery to the motor drive circuit, and a vehicle for mounting robot having a movement mechanism and a coupling unit to which the robot is coupled, and moving the robot.

Abstract: A display method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a display method for displaying, on a display section, a simulation of a robot that executes work on an object with an end effector provided in an arm. The display method includes receiving information concerning a type of the robot, receiving information concerning the end effector, receiving information concerning a position or a posture of a control point for controlling arms, calculating rigidity at a working point of the end effector based on the received information concerning the type of the robot, the received information concerning the end effector, and the received information concerning the position or the posture of the control point, and displaying a result of the calculation of the rigidity on the display section as a figure.

Abstract: A new controller for use in robots with kinematic loops as well as in most other types of robots (such as those with fully actuated kinematic trees). The controller includes an inverse kinematics (IK) module that implements a versatile IK formulation for retargeting of motions, including expressive motions, onto mechanical systems (i.e., robots with loops and/or without loops). Further, the controller is configured to support the precise control of the position and orientation of end effectors and the center of mass (CoM) (such as of walking robots). The formulation of the algorithms carried out by the IK module safeguards against a disassembly when IK targets are moved outside the workspace of the robot. A regularizer is included in the controller that smoothly circumvents kinematic singularities where velocities go to infinity.

Abstract: There is provided a control device that controls a robot based on a work sequence in which a plurality of commands including a first command and a second command are arrayed, the control device including a display control section configured to display the work sequence on a display section, and a storing section configured to store display position relation information including first display position relation information indicating a relative first display position relation between a display position of the first command in the work sequence displayed on the display section and a display position of the second command in the work sequence displayed on the display section.

Abstract: A system and method of operation of a robotic system including: receiving a sensor reading associated with a target object; generating a base plan for performing a task on the target object, wherein generating the base plan includes determining a grip point and one or more grip patterns associated with the grip point for gripping the target object based on a location of the grip point relative to a designated area, a task location, and another target object; implementing the base plan for performing the task by operating an actuation unit and one or more suction grippers according to a grip pattern rank, to generate an established grip on the target object, wherein the established grip is at a grip pattern location associated with the grip patterns; measuring the established grip; comparing the established grip to a force threshold; and re-gripping the target object based on the established grip falling below the force threshold.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for performing robot planning using a process definition graph. One of the methods includes receiving an initial underconstrained process definition graph for one or more robots, wherein the process definition graph is a directed acyclic graph having constraint nodes and action nodes. A plurality of transformers are repeatedly applied to the initial process definition graph, wherein each application of a transformer generates a respective modified process definition graph according to the constraint nodes of the process definition graph, wherein applying the plurality of transformers generates a schedule that specifies which of the one or more robots are to perform which of one or more actions represented by actions nodes according to constraints imposed by the constraint nodes in the process definition graph.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for training and operating (semi-)autonomous robots to complete multiple different work objectives are described. A robot control system stores a library of reusable work primitives each corresponding to a respective basic sub-task or sub-action that the robot is operative to autonomously perform. A work objective is analyzed to determine a sequence (i.e., a combination and/or permutation) of reusable work primitives that, when executed by the robot, will complete the work objective. The robot executes the sequence of reusable work primitives to complete the work objective. The reusable work primitives may include one or more reusable grasp primitives that enable(s) a robot's end effector to grasp objects. Simulated instances of real physical robots may be trained in simulated environments to develop control instructions that, once uploaded to the real physical robots, enable such real physical robots to autonomously perform reusable work primitives.

Abstract: A robot is provided having a kinematic chain comprising a plurality of joints and links, including a root joint connected to a robot pedestal, and at least one end effector. A plurality of actuators are fixedly mounted on the robot pedestal. A plurality of tendons is connected to a corresponding plurality of actuation points on the kinematic chain and to actuators in the plurality of actuators, arranged to translate actuator position and force to actuation points for tendon-driven joints on the kinematic chain with losses in precision due to variability of tendons in the plurality of tendons. A controller operates the kinematic chain to perform a task. The controller is configured to generate actuator command data in dependence on the actuator states and image data in a manner that compensates for the losses in precision in the tendon-driven mechanisms.

Abstract: A method for automatically processing a structure-reinforcing member of an aircraft, including: (S1) acquiring, by a handheld laser scanner, data of an area to be reinforced of the aircraft; (S2) controlling a robotic arm to automatically grab the reinforcing member for automatic scanning; (S3) setting a cutting path in a computer aided design (CAD) digital model followed by registration with real data to obtain an actual cutting path, and cutting the reinforcing member; (S4) controlling the robotic arm to guide a cut reinforcing member to a scanning area for automatic scanning; and (S5) subjecting point cloud data of the cut reinforcing member and the area to be reinforced to virtual assembly and calculating a machining allowance to determine whether an accuracy requirement is met; if yes, ending a task; otherwise, grinding the reinforcing member automatically, and repeating steps (S4)-(S5).

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed for using swept volume profile data cached in association with a PRM to improve various aspects of motion planning for a robot. In some implementations, a first probabilistic road map representing possible paths to be travelled by a robot within a physical area is generated. An initial path for the robot within the first probabilistic road map is determined. Data indicating a second probabilistic road map representing a path to be travelled by a movable object within the physical area is obtained. A potential obstruction associated with one or more edges included in the subset of edges is detected. An adjusted path for the robot within the first probabilistic road map is then determined based on the potential obstruction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing interactive Gaussian processes for crowd navigation are provided. In one embodiment, a system for a crowd navigation of a host is provided. The system includes a processor, a statistical module, and a model module. The processor receives sensor data. The statistical module identifies a number of agents in a physical environment based on the sensor data. The statistical module further calculates a set of Gaussian processes. The set of Gaussian processes includes a Gaussian Process for each agent of the number of agents. The statistical module further determines an objective function based on an intent and a flexibility. The model module generates a model of the number of agents by applying the objective function to the set of Gaussian processes. The model includes a convex configuration of the number of agents in the physical environment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for controlling robotic movements. One of the methods includes receiving, for a robot, a definition of a plurality of sensor-based skills to be executed in sequence, wherein each skill is associated with an entry point and an exit point; generating a motion plan for the robot, including: generating, for a first skill of the plurality of sensor-based skills, a first path from a first entry point of the first skill to a second point at which a sensor-based interaction of the first skill begins, and generating, for the first skill of the plurality of sensor-based skills, a second path from a third point at which the sensor-based interaction of the first skill ends to a first exit point of the first skill; and executing the motion plan for the robot.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling at least one effector trajectory for at least one effector of a robot for solving a predefined task are proposed. A graph of postures is acquired, and at least one of a contact constraint topology and an object constraint topology are accordingly modified. A set of constraint equations based on at least one of the modified contact constraint topology and the modified object constraint topology are generated. Constraint relaxation is performed on the generated set of constraint equations to generate a task description including the relaxed set of constraint equations. The effector trajectory is generated by applying a trajectory generation algorithm on the generated task description. An inverse kinematics algorithm is performed on the generated effector trajectory for generating a control signal, and the effector is controlled to execute the effector trajectory based on the generated control signal.

Abstract: An obstacle avoidance method for a robot arm is provided, including a modeling step, a collecting and evaluating coordinates step, an obtaining control parameter step, an establishing an occupation function step, and a finding an obstacle avoiding posture step. The present invention pre-stores the data obtained in performing the modeling step, the step of collecting and evaluating coordinates, the step of obtaining control parameter, and the step of establishing the occupation function into a database, thereby allowing the robot arm to quickly evaluate whether a collision behavior will occur in subsequent execution of a task. If a collision will occur, the robot arm executes the step of the finding the obstacle avoiding posture to dodge obstacles. The invention uses a non-contact approach for anti-collision design, which can improve the shortcomings faced by the existing contact type anti-collision design.

Abstract: A diagnostic system includes an acquirer configured to acquire current waveform data representing a waveform relating to a current supplied to a driving device of an apparatus and a determiner configured to determine a degree of abnormality in the apparatus from a varying portion of the waveform, the varying portion corresponding to a varying time period during which a rotation speed of the driving device increases or decreases.

Abstract: A method for health assessment of a system including a transport apparatus including registering predetermined operating data embodying at least one dynamic performance variable output by the transport apparatus, determining a base value (CpkBase) characterized by a probability density function of each of the dynamic performance variable output, resolving from the transport apparatus in situ process motion commands of the apparatus controller and defining another predetermined motion set of the transport apparatus, registering predetermined operating data embodying the at least one dynamic performance variable output by the transport apparatus and determining with the processor another value (CpkOther) characterized by the probability density function of each of the dynamic performance variable output by the transport apparatus, and comparing the other value and the base value (CpkBase) for each of the dynamic performance variable output by the transport apparatus respectively corresponding to the predetermin

Abstract: A method for selecting a preferred robotic grasp of an object-of-interest using pairwise ranking includes: identifying a robotic candidate grasp usable to grasp the object-of-interest, the object-of-interest situated in an environment; receiving a grasp preference for a preferred candidate grasp of the object-of-interest; calculating a heuristic to describe a relationship of the candidate grasp to one or more of the object-of-interest and the environment; and using the heuristic and using the grasp preference, computing a pairwise ranking of two candidate grasps to determine an ordering of the at least two candidate grasps.

Abstract: A robot system that includes a remote station and a robot face. The robot face includes a camera that is coupled to a monitor of the remote station and a monitor that is coupled to a camera of the remote station. The robot face and remote station also have speakers and microphones that are coupled together. The robot face may be coupled to a boom. The boom can extend from the ceiling of a medical facility. Alternatively, the robot face may be attached to a medical table with an attachment mechanism. The robot face and remote station allows medical personnel to provide medical consultation through the system.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile robot includes displaying, on a display unit, a photographing menu including a first photographing item for allowing the mobile robot to perform a specific motion for photographing and a second photographing item for allowing the mobile robot to photograph a user, displaying a screen for guiding a motion setting of the mobile robot on the display unit when the first photographing item is selected, performing, by the mobile robot, a corresponding motion based on an input motion setting for a first reference time when the motion setting of the mobile robot is input, and displaying a result screen on the display unit after the first reference time has elapsed.

Abstract: A system for providing pilot or controller support in a reduced crew transport environment may include a set of sensors configured to collect a set of measurements of a set of physiological signals of a user. The system may further include an emotional analyzer model usable to generate at least one emotional parameter value corresponding to the set of measurements. The system may also include a natural language processing model usable to generate a natural language statement corresponding to the at least one emotional parameter value for output to the pilot.

Abstract: An adjustable arm support for a surgical robotic system, the arm support comprising: a fixed armrest portion that is fixedly coupled to a console seat of the surgical robotic system; and an adjustable armrest portion that is adjustably coupled to the fixed armrest portion, the adjustable armrest portion.

Abstract: A system and/or method comprising providing a robotic control structure having a support structure, said support structure being adapted and configured to be selectively positionable along a prescribed path by said robotic control structure; providing a viscous material deposition system adapted and configured to control deposition of a viscous material from said viscous material deposition system; providing a load sensor associated with said robotic control structure adapted and configured to determine a load of said viscous material supported by said support structure; and positioning said support structure along said prescribed path, wherein said positioning is controlled at least in part based upon said load.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to attachment of bands such as, e.g., collar or neck bands, sleeve bands, wrist bands, waist bands and ankle bands, etc. to a garment opening. In one example, among others, a band can be attached to a garment by loading the band between rollers in a joining position, positioning an opening of a garment extending between control surface mandrels over the band, and attaching the band to the garment along the edge of the opening.

Abstract: System and methods for manipulating and sorting of objects being moved along a conveyor are disclosed, whereby control of the object is achieved through the application of one or more of vacuum, impaling, or mechanical grasping. One embodiment is directed to a robotic arm and vision detection system operable for detecting a target object to be grasped from a stream of objects being moved on a conveyor, and moving a suction head into position over the target object that has been detected on the conveyor, the suction head having a flexible cup section disposed at a distal end thereof, the vacuum item pick-up system/method using high subsonic air flow (e.g., on the order of 60 scfm or more) through a suction cup having a flow opening area large enough that an airflow of 60 scfm does not result in an airspeed exceeding Mach 0.2 under standard conditions of temperature and pressure, and further having a flow opening area whose ratio to cup opening area falls between 0.36 and 1.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bellows and a lip. The bellows defines an interior cavity. The lip is coupled to the bellows such that the lip is concentric with the bellows. The lip extends away from the bellows in a radial direction and in a vertical direction such that the lip forms a cup shape. The bellows and the lip define a passage from the lip through the interior cavity. The lip includes a rib on an outer surface of the lip such that the rib extends along the outer surface of the lip and away from the bellows in the radial direction and in the vertical direction.

Abstract: According to a certain aspect of the present invention, a control device for a robot is provided. The control device includes a processor configured to implement: a function of obtaining a signal indicating a detected value of a sensor detecting a state quantity of the robot; and a function of, in converting the detected value to an estimated value of the state quantity according to a conversion function obtained by calibration of the sensor, applying an offset value compensating for a difference between the estimated value and the actual state quantity in a critical situation in operation of the robot.

Abstract: An insertion tool with a flexible spine and a method for forming thereof are provided. A method includes placing a plurality of links, a flexible spine, and a line assembly into a channel of a fixturing assembly, pulling, via the line assembly, the plurality of links into a tensioned state in the channel, and affixing the flexible spine to each of the plurality of links while in the tensioned state. An insertion tool comprising a plurality of links arranged in a sequence, a flexible spine affixed to three or more links of the plurality of links, and a line assembly inserted through line guides in each of the plurality of links, the line assembly being configured to actuate the plurality of links from a free state to a tensioned state.

Abstract: A device for ensuring safe operation of a robot used for cosmetics applications, including the retrofitting of robots not originally design for such applications. The robot is used for the automatic placement of eyelash extensions onto the natural eyelashes of a subject. In some embodiments, a safety barrier is provided by a physical barrier or light curtain. In the invention, the robot uses an end effector which is configured to extend through the safety barrier and includes a release mechanism configured to readily release from the robot upon contacting the human subject, thereby preventing injury.

Abstract: A utility knife configured with a retractable cutting blade that is extended and retracted by a blade actuation mechanism. The blade actuation mechanism employs a blade trigger assembly and a blade carriage assembly that are operably connected in variety of configurations. Certain configurations of the blade actuation mechanism utilize a rack-and-pinion arrangement between the blade trigger assembly and the blade carriage assembly, which enables the automatic retraction of the cutting blade as the cutting blade is lifted from the cutting surface.

Abstract: A switch lock apparatus includes a top plate; an insert; a spring; a lock plate; and a bottom plate. The top plate and the bottom plate are rotationally fixably attached. The spring separates a top surface of the lock plate and a bottom surface of the top insert. The insert, the spring, and the lock plate are rotationally fixably attached. The bottom plate includes a space for lodging a portion of the lock plate. The lock plate is substantially rotationally fixably attached when the portion is lodged in the space. The lock plate is rotationally movable with respect to the bottom plate when the portion is not lodged in the space. The insert is attached to a blade portion of a knife. At least one of the top plate and the bottom plate is attached to a handle portion of the knife.

Abstract: A kit of incompatible skincare devices may include a connector assembly for connecting a head and a handle of a skincare device to one another. The connector assembly may include a first positioning element connected to a mechanical assembly of the connector assembly and a second positioning element connected to an adaptor of the connector assembly. The mechanical assembly may be insertable in the adaptor along an insertion direction and engageable to the adaptor when the first and second positioning elements correspond to one another. The adaptor may extend along the insertion direction from the second positioning element. The mechanical assembly may extend along the insertion direction from the first positioning element. The first and second positioning elements may be configured to interfere with engagement of the mechanical assembly to the adaptor when the first and second positioning elements do not correspond to one another.

Abstract: A foldable environmentally friendly razor includes: a flat sheet with an opening at one end and a blade at the opening. The flat sheet is provided with two main folding lines extending from one end toward the other, so that a main supporting portion is formed between the two main folding lines. Two holding portions are respectively formed between the main folding lines and both sides of the flat sheet. A first folding line joins the ends of two main folding lines. Two blade face folding lines extend respectively and diagonally towards opposing left and right sides of the flat sheet from the respective junctions of the first folding line and the main folding lines, so that the two blade face folding lines and the first folding line enclose a blade face. The two holding portions and the main supporting portion form a columnar structure to provide better support.

Abstract: A punching/perforation machine for creating a punching/perforation pattern in a material unit/web comprises a punching/perforation tool that includes an upper tool part which can be moved in a direction of stroke and which includes a plurality of punching dies/perforation needles arranged in a predefined grid in a transverse direction. It can be moved by a pressure beam that is operatively connected to a drive unit via a control device in order to produce a punching/perforation stroke. The material unit/web being supplied between the upper tool part and a stationary lower tool part/female die. Means are provided for generating a simultaneous movement of the material unit/web relative to the punching/perforation tool by a predefinable distance both in the direction of travel and in the transverse direction such that the material unit/web can be placed in a different predefinable position relative to the punching/perforation tool prior to each punching/perforation stroke.

Abstract: A sheet feeder, which is configured to feed a sheet to a processing machine, includes a main body, a cutting unit, and an attaching portion. The cutting unit is attached to the main body and includes a cutter slidable in a first direction. The cutting unit is configured to cut, along in the first direction, the sheet to be fed to the processing machine with the cutter. The attaching portion is configured to attach the main body to the processing machine. The attaching portion is attachable to the shaft of the processing machine.

Abstract: A portable cross cut system is presented that includes a main body having a reference edge configured to be aligned against an edge of a workpiece and an engagement member configured to be laid on top of the workpiece. A first guide edge extends along an outward edge of the main body and the engagement member and is configured to guide an edge of a baseplate of a cutting tool during a cutting operation. The main body includes a blade offset member having an arm that moves between an extended position and a retracted position. When the arm is extended the outward end of the arm indicates the position of a cut line so that the user can easily align the position of the portable cross cut system to easily and accurately make cuts in a workpiece.

Abstract: A safety system for a table saw is provided that includes: a generally U-shaped structure having a horizontal bottom segment, a vertical segment extending from a first end of the horizontal bottom segment, and a horizontal top segment extending from a first end of the vertical member opposite the first end of the horizontal bottom segment; a receiver having an end configured for receiving a second end of the horizontal bottom segment opposite the first end thereof; and a saw blade cover coupled to a distal end of the horizontal to segment opposite the first end of the vertical member.

Abstract: Herein are novel tools for splitting wood and material handling. Disclosed is a vehicle supported wood splitter comprising a blade portion and a fixation portion extending from the blade portion. The blade portion comprises a generally upward facing cut edge situated between a primary deflector face and a secondary deflector face and in one embodiment at least a portion of the fixation portion is sized and shaped to be received in a hitch receiver of a vehicle. In other forms, the blade portion comprises a ball space for seating over a hitch ball. In some forms, the splitter is in the form of a jack stand. Also disclosed is a complementary kindling collection system, a guide system, and splitter device adapted to one or more of casting, machining, and welding. Several methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing wooden members for wooden trusses includes a control computer receiving a batch list, a series of infeed chutes for automatically transferring wooden members of different types to a conveyor, a scanner to detect defects, a defect saw for trimming such defects, a finger-jointer for joining wooden members end-to-end, a flying saw for cutting wood discharged from the finger-jointer, a cutting saw for cutting wooden members processed by the first flying saw into web member blanks, and a component saw for cutting angles on the ends of the web member blanks. The control computer analyzes the batch list for causing a first infeed chute to feed in wooden members of a first type sufficient to produce all web members formed from wood of the first type, and then causes a second infeed chute to feed in wooden members of a second type. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a component from hardenable material, wherein, in a first method step, at least one layer of the material is printed in a 3D printing process, in a second method step, multiple similar reinforcing elements are introduced into the layer(s) and the two method steps are cyclically repeated until the component is completed, characterized in that, with the exception of the two bottommost and the topmost layers, each reinforcing element extends over at least three layers, and the reinforcing elements are arranged in strands which extend through all the layers and have, in each layer, at least three reinforcing elements, the lateral distance (A) of these reinforcing elements from each other within a strand being a maximum of five times the largest lateral extent (D) of a reinforcing element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production facility (40) for detaching wafers (2) from donor substrates (4).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dandelion latex shoe component. Dandelion rubber, CIS polybutadiene rubber (BR), and butadiene styrene rubber (SBR) are mixed together to form a first mixture. The dandelion rubber, CIS polybutadiene rubber (BR), and butadiene styrene rubber (SBR) are mixed at a temperature not less than 60° Celsius and not greater than 80° to form the first mixture. Silicon dioxide is then mixed with the first mixture to form a second mixture. The silicon dioxide is mixed with the first mixture at a temperature not less than 80° Celsius and not greater than 100° Celsius to form the second mixture. The dandelion latex shoe component is then formed from at least the second mixture via a molding process.

Abstract: Recycled carbon fibers are processed by rotational tumbling in a mixture with binder material to prepare fiber-containing particles having a dual-tapered shape and general alignment of fibers with a longitudinal direction of the particles. Bulk products including such fiber-containing particles are compounded with polymer and pelletized to prepare fiber-reinforced composite pellets, which are useful for applications such as injection molding to prepare molded products of carbon fiber-reinforced composite material with recycled carbon fibers.