Abstract: The numerical control apparatus includes a numerical control part for outputting a move command, one motor control part for generating a PWM signal for a plurality of motors based on the move command from the numerical control part, and a plurality of motor amplfiers for driving the respective motors based on the PWM signal from the motor control part. The motor control part and the plurality of motor amplifiers are placed on a power panel, and the numerical control part and the motor control part are connected by a serial communication line.

Abstract: A controller that eliminates an error caused by acceleration/deceleration control, and controls the velocity of drive axes which is not represented by a rectangular coordinate system such that maximum allowable values of velocity, acceleration, and jerk of the drive axes are not exceeded. A program is analyzed in a command analysis section, and an interpolated position on a motion path in the rectangular coordinate system is determined in a first interpolation section, and then converted by means of a transformation section into drive axes' positions not in the rectangular coordinate system. In a tangential acceleration calculating section, a tangential acceleration is determined. In a velocity limit calculating section, a velocity limit at the time of each position being reached is determined which does not exceed maximum allowable values of velocity, acceleration, and jerk of the drive axes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which is capable of performing phase control of rotation bodies inexpensively and accurately and is capable of reducing time until completion of phase adjustment at the time of a print operation to prevent first print time from becoming long. This image forming apparatus includes a device for detecting a home position of rotation bodies, a motor, and a motor control device for controlling the motor by a software servo, in which said motor control device has a position control function with respect to the motor.

Abstract: A controller capable of preventing response delay and generation of vibrations attributable thereto during position control of a movable part of a machine having low rigidity. A motor for driving a machine having low rigidity is subjected to position and velocity loop control. Compensation amount Q1 proportional to command velocity obtained by differentiating a position command and compensation amount Q2 proportional to second-order differentiated command acceleration are obtained. Compensation amounts Q1 and Q2 are added together, thus obtaining a velocity offset amount Vof corresponding to a estimated torsion amount. A differentiated value of the velocity offset amount is multiplied by coefficient ? to obtain a torque offset amount Tof. The velocity offset amount Vof is added to a velocity command Vcs obtained by position loop control 1. The torque offset amount Tof is added to a torque command Tc outputted in velocity loop control 2, and the result is used as a drive command to the motor.

Abstract: A method for semi-autonomous operation of a robotic device in a room. In the method, one or more goal points are set and the distances between the robotic device and the one or more goal points are determined. A first one of the one or more goal points is selected and the robotic device is maneuvered to travel to the first one of the one or more goal points.

Abstract: A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber.

Abstract: A navigational control system for altering movement activity of a robotic device operating in a defined working area, comprising a transmitting subsystem integrated in combination with the robotic device, for emitting a number of directed beams, each directed beam having a predetermined emission pattern, and a receiving subsystem functioning as a base station that includes a navigation control algorithm that defines a predetermined triggering event for the navigational control system and a set of detection units positioned within the defined working area in a known spaced-apart relationship, the set of detection units being configured and operative to detect one or more of the directed beams emitted by the transmitting system; and wherein the receiving subsystem is configured and operative to process the one or more detected directed beams under the control of the navigational control algorithm to determine whether the predetermined triggering event has occurred, and, if the predetermined triggering event has

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to regulate a control gain without requiring a host controller. In the invention, a command pattern generating section (14) generates a basic operation pattern for operating a motor based on various parameters such as a movement distance Pd, a maximum speed Vx, an acceleration time Ta, a deceleration time Td, a waiting time T, a forward rotating repetition number n, a reverse rotating repetition number m and a forward and reverse rotating repetition number y which are input through a parameter input device (11), and repeats the basic operation pattern at a set number of times to set a continuous run pattern, and generates and outputs a position command for continuously operating the motor based on the continuous run pattern. Accordingly, it is possible to continuously generate a driving command for operating the motor without requiring a host controller (12), thereby regulating a control gain.

Abstract: A method for the synchronous control of several manipulators, such as several industrial robots, is characterized in that control units of specific manipulators exchange control information according to the data structures contained in a corresponding control program, through which control units to be synchronized and synchronization points in the control programs taking place there can be clearly identified, and in that on reaching and synchronization points the program sequence in the control units to be synchronized is continued according to the contents of the data structures in conjunction with the already exchanged control information or stopped until corresponding information arrives from other control units to be synchronized.

Abstract: A positioning system for moving an object to a target position is presented. In an embodiment, the system includes a first actuator configured to exert a force on the object in a first direction in response to a control current, the actuator having an actuator gain and the generated force being a function of the control current and the actuator gain, the actuator including a magnet configured to induce a magnetic field; and a coil arranged in the magnetic field, the magnet and the coil being movable relative to each other. The system also includes a power supply configured to supply the control current to the actuator in response to a control signal; and a control system configured to control the force generated by the actuator by supplying the control signal to the power supply, the control signal being adapted to the actuator gain, the gain being predetermined as a function of a parameter.

Abstract: A servo control device comprises a current supply unit for supplying a drive unit with a drive current for driving a target to be controlled, a first detector for detecting at least the drive current value, and a logical arithmetic section. The logical arithmetic section introduces a current command determining the drive current for controlling the drive speed of the drive unit to move the target to a predetermined position, and introduces the drive current value fed back from the first detector. The logical arithmetic section outputs the current command to the current supply unit after converting the current command by a digital logic process on the basis of the drive current value by using a custom LSI.

Abstract: A robotic device having a body with an upper surface resiliently connected to a lower surface and having a bump sensor including a contact point on the lower surface, which contact pint is in its normal position when centrally located within a sensor device, which is an aperture having a conducting inner periphery, which sensor device is located in the upper surface of the robotic device, so that a bump on the upper surface is detected by the robotic device when the contact point abuts the aperture conducting inner periphery.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus having a brushless motor, a positioning mechanism, and a motor control circuit to rotate a rotor of the brushless motor by sequentially supplying a driving pulse to a plurality of fixed coils of the brushless motor. The motor control circuit includes a driving pulse generator, a present stage number detector to detect a present stage number of the rotor in accordance with an output signal from at least one magneto-sensitive device of the brushless motor, an initializer to move the movable member to at least a forward or a backward traveling limit within the movable range so as to set the rotor present stage number, and a speed reducer to reduce a rotating speed of the brushless motor by reducing power of the driving pulse when the rotor present stage number is equal to at least a forward traveling or a backward traveling stage number.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a robotic manipulator, comprising at least one joint, each joint having a drive axis and at least one microelectromechanical system (MEMS) inertial sensor aligned with at least one drive axis providing sensing of a relative position of the drive axis. The robotic manipulator can include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) coupled to the robotic manipulator for determining the end effector position and orientation. A controller can be used, receiving a signal from at least one MEMS inertial sensor and controlling at least one joint drive axis in response to the signal to change the relative position of the joint drive axis. Rate information from MEMS sensors can be integrated to determine the position of their respective drive axes.

Abstract: A head positioning system includes: a positioning mechanism section 1 for positioning a head 12; a position controller 2 for detecting a head position signal x to output a position control signal Ux; a velocity detector 3 for detecting the relative velocity of the head 12 with respect to a disk 7 based on the head position signal x; a counter electromotive voltage detector 4 for outputting an estimated head velocity signal Ve2 that is obtained by estimating the absolute velocity of the head 12 based on a counter electromotive voltage signal Vs of an actuator 50; an estimated velocity corrector 5 for correcting an estimation error of the estimated head velocity signal Ve2 based on a velocity signal detected from the head position signal x so as to output a corrected estimated velocity signal Ve2?; and an estimation controller 6 for outputting a velocity control signal Uv based on the corrected estimated velocity signal Ve2?, wherein the actuator 50 is controlled by a control amount signal U that is obtained by

Abstract: A movable table for supporting a work piece is allowed to move on the same plane in arbitrary directions through a table holding mechanism. Also, a feed within the same plane is supplied to the movable table by the electromagnetic driving means. Further, the movable table is stopped by an electromagnetic braking mechanism at an arbitrary position within the same plane. The electromagnetic driving means generates a feed to the movable table by a mutual magnetic effect between driven magnets and driving coils. The electromagnetic braking mechanism includes braking magnets and a nonmagnetic and conductive braking plate. A pair of the braking magnets and braking plate generates braking force by a magnetic effect between a magnetic force by an eddy current generated in the braking plate in accordance with the movement of the movable table and a magnetic force of the braking magnets.

Abstract: A remotely configurable motor controller system comprises a motor controller and a remote configuration device. The motor controller includes solid state switches for connection between an AC line and motor terminals for controlling application of AC power to the motor and a control circuit for controlling operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit comprises a programmed processor for commanding operation of the solid state switches and a memory connected to the programmed processor storing configuration information relating to operation of the solid state switches. A wireless communication interface is operatively connected to the programmed processor.

Abstract: An apparatus to and method of controlling a step motor by checking driving pulses to control the operation of the step motor and resetting the apparatus controlling the step motor when signals indicating an abnormal operation, such as stepping out, of the step motor are detected, thereby preventing a fire or damage to parts caused by the abnormal operation of the step motor.

Abstract: A programmable controller for controlling one or more outputs based on position indicated from a position transducer. The controller includes an interface that converts the transducer signals into a change in position, a transducer position counter that accumulates the change in transducer position, and a net forward position counter that accumulates the net forward position. The position counter updates when the transducer signals indicate a change of position. The net forward position counter updates when the value of the net forward position counter and the value of the transducer position counter are equal and the transducer interface indicates a forward movement. Each controller output has an independent comparator and width counter. The comparator examines the net forward position to determine when to change the output or begin a pulse. The width counter counts down to zero, which ends a pulse.

Abstract: A robot visuoauditory system that makes it possible to process data in real time to track vision and audition for an object, that can integrate visual and auditory information on an object to permit the object to be kept tracked without fail and that makes it possible to process the information in real time to keep tracking the object both visually and auditorily and visualize the real-time processing is disclosed. In the system, the audition module (20) in response to sound signals from microphones extracts pitches therefrom, separate their sound sources from each other and locate sound sources such as to identify a sound source as at least one speaker, thereby extracting an auditory event (28) for each object speaker. The vision module (30) on the basis of an image taken by a camera identifies by face, and locate, each such speaker, thereby extracting a visual event (39) therefor. The motor control module (40) for turning the robot horizontally.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier signal. In the preferred embodiment the barrier signal is emitted in an infrared frequency and the robot includes an omni-directional signal detector. Upon detection of the signal, the robot turns in a direction selected by a barrier avoidance algorithm until the barrier signal is no longer detected.

Abstract: A robotic system which controls the movement of a surgical instrument in response to voice commands from the user. The robotic system has a computer controlled arm that holds the surgical instrument. The user provides voice commands to the computer through a microphone. The computer contains a phrase recognizer that matches the user' speech with words stored in the computer. Matched words are then processed to determine whether the user has spoken a robot command. If the user has spoken a recognized robot command the computer will move the robotic arm in accordance with the command.

Abstract: A servo control system which comprises an original cam pattern generator 11 for generating a first pattern of a cam shape relative to a phase corresponding to one revolution of a cam mechanism; a corrector 14 for differentiating the original pattern of the original pattern generator 11 with respect to time, multiplying the differentiation value by a constant to find a multiplication value, and subtracting a predetermined phase from the multiplication value to generate a correction cam pattern; and a position command device 14 for adding the above-mentioned correction pattern to the above-mentioned original pattern to generate a second pattern and generating a position command of the above-mentioned servomotor based on the phase corresponding to one revolution of the above-mentioned cam mechanism using the second pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for interfacing the motion of a user-manipulable object with a computer system includes a user object physically contacted or grasped by a user. A 3-D spatial mechanism is coupled to the user object, such as a stylus or a medical instrument, and provides three degrees of freedom to the user object. Three grounded actuators provide forces in the three degrees of freedom. Two of the degrees of freedom are a planar workspace provided by a closed-loop linkage of members, and the third degree of freedom is rotation of the planar workspace provided by a rotatable carriage. Capstan drive mechanisms transmit forces between actuators and the user object and include drums coupled to the carriage, pulleys coupled to-grounded actuators, and flexible cables transmitting force between the pulleys and the drums. The flexibility of the cable allows the drums to rotate with the carriage while the pulleys and actuators remain fixed to ground.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to compensate for the position-dependent length changes caused by the effect of weight in a variety of closed kinematic chains (K1 . . . Kn), for connecting a stationary first element (E1) to a movable second element (E2). Said aim is achieved, by using a back transformation (??1), which determines a compensation value for each length change (dq1, dq2 . . . dqn), resulting from the application of the weight (Fg) impinging on the movable element (E2) in each kinematic chain.

Abstract: The PDT2 filtering element (PDT2) and a Cauer filter (C2) are employed for use in control tasks of automation engineering, in particular for a filter connected downstream of a rotational speed controller. For tasks in control engineering, these have the advantage of a higher level of robustness, since a large frequency range is filtered, and a substantially smaller phase drop than conventional lowpass filters (PDT2). Consequently, by comparison with the known prior art a loss in dynamics is substantially minimized with these phase-saving lowpass filters, and an optimum is achieved in robustness and dynamics.

Abstract: A device and a method are provided for controlling a machine tool, at least one arbitrarily organized database having supplementary data being used for workpiece machining. During the execution of a machining program using a processing unit, the database commands are processed by an interpreter unit in the processing unit such that the required data are retrieved from the database and are further processed in the machining program.

Abstract: A motor controller system for operating a plurality of step motors. The step motors are arranged in a number of motor groups each having no more than “N” step motors. A group multiplexer will deliver feed signals to the correct numbered motor of a motor group. There is a single 1 axis motor control and an output drive for each motor number of a group. The 1 axis motor control supplies the group multiplexer with motor group data so that the group multiplexer will supply the correct motor group and the 1 axis motor control also individually enables the motors of that group which are to be operated and conjointly supplies all the output drives with a desired feed signal.

Abstract: A humanoid robot including upper limbs, lower limbs, and a trunk. Hip joints which connect the lower limbs and the trunk each possess degrees of freedom provided in correspondence with a hip joint yaw axis, a hip joint roll axis, and a hip joint pitch axis. The humanoid robot is a leg-movement-type robot which walks on two feet. By arbitrarily offsetting the hip joint yaw axes in a roll axis direction, the effects of the movement of the center of gravity occurring when the mode of use of the robot is changed are accommodated to in order to flexibly balance the weights of the upper and lower limbs. The waist is made more compact in order to form a humanoid robot which is well proportioned and which makes it possible to prevent interference between the left and right feet when the direction of a foot is changed. Accordingly, a robot which moves naturally and in a way sufficiently indicative of emotions and feelings using fewer degrees of freedom is provided.

Abstract: A position control system uses a speed command supplied to a driving source. The speed command has a change pattern which has an acceleration section (1) for eliminating a dead zone of a power transmission mechanism, a constant-speed section (or an acceleration section with a slower acceleration than in the section (1)), an acceleration section (3) up to the maximum speed, a constant-speed section (4), a deceleration section (5), a constant-speed section (6) for eliminating the dead zone (or a deceleration section with a slower deceleration than in the section (5)), and a deceleration (7) for stopping at a target section. Even when a driven member has large inertia, the position thereof is accurately controlled to the target position in a semi-closed position control system.

Abstract: A legged robot, wherein an electric motor 88 for driving a joint 10R connecting a body and each leg 2R is disposed on the leg side and is disposed with an offset from the rotation axis of the joint. Further, a motor attachment member 86 for housing the electric motor 88 is perforated with an opening part at a location facing the body. By this, attachment/detachment of the leg of the robot is made easy to improve its ease of maintenance. Further, the power transmission means for transmitting drive force from the drive source to the joint connecting the body and the leg can be readily accessed. In addition, the leg can be rotated to a desired angle to facilitate swing operation and the like.

Abstract: A synchronous controller capable of easily controlling a slave axis in synchronism with a master axis performing a composite motion of a plurality of axes. Motion commands for two axes X, Y constituting the master axis are subject to interpolation/distribution and acceleration/deceleration processing, to determine distribution motion amounts, and the determined amounts of motion of the two axes X, Y constituting the master axis for every interpolation period are combined to determine an amount of motion M of the master axis, from which is determined an amount of motion of the slave axis for every interpolation/distribution period. The determined amounts of motion of the X, Y and slave axes are output to respective servo control means, thus driving the respective axes.

Abstract: An actuating drive including an electronically commutated electric motor which operates with a position-dependent summed torque and which, using a torque controller and a controlled system, is able to be adjusted to a selectable, torque-dependent setpoint value according to a continuously increasing torque-time characteristic curve. The torque controller is able to have supplied to it a torque-dependent actual value of the electric motor in addition to the set point value to derive a control signal. A positioning control is subordinate the torque control, the positioning control providing that the minima between the maxima of the summed torque are rapidly and reliably passed and the electric motor is stopped in the region of a maximum.

Abstract: A reference variable having a linear relationship with the angular position of a master axis is set, and a correspondence between this reference variable and the displacement of a slave axis is stored in a data table. One execution stage is specified by setting a starting reference variable and an ending reference variable from this data table. A desired sequence is assigned to a plurality of execution stages thus specified. The reference variable corresponding to the angular position of the master axis is determined, slave axis displacement data corresponding to the reference variable is read out, and the slave axis is positioned in accordance with the position of the master axis on the basis of this displacement data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic programming and simulation apparatus which can easily modify an automatically created NC program and start a machining simulation from a modified portion of the NC program. The automatic programming and simulation apparatus comprises: A simulation section (20) adapted to receive a coordinate position linputted on a screen image displayed on the display device (31), to detect process specification related to a pixel corresponding to the inputted coordinate position, to transmit the detected process specification information to an interactive inputting/editing section (11), and to cause the interactive inputting/editing section to perform a data editing operation for a machining process specified by the process specification information received by the interactive inputting/editing section.

Abstract: An apparatus for traversing obstacles having an elongated, round, flexible body that includes a plurality of segments interconnected by an integrated joint actuator assembly. The integrated joint actuator assembly includes a plurality of bellows-type actuators individually coupling adjacent segments to permit pivotal actuation of the apparatus therebetween. A controller is employed to maintain proper positional control and stiffness control while minimize air flow.

Abstract: A control parameter automatic adjustment apparatus acquires a movable range of a drive shaft of a drive system, and automatically generates a test movement program to automatically adjust a control parameter to the drive system even though the movable range changes.

Abstract: An integrated robotic cell having robot and series of sensors is able to process a component as desired by an operator using an interactive interface display. The integrated robotic cell includes a robotic arm connected a central processor unit as well as a series of monitors and sensors that thoroughly supervise the operation of the robotic arm and component to verify that there are no errors. The central processing unit is connected to the interface display, which allows the operator to control the operation of the robotic cell. The interface display incorporates a series of threads, with each thread having of a series of sequential processes to be performed by the robotic cell. The operator is thereby able to view and easily control the simultaneous processes being performed in the robotic cell.

Abstract: Control data is efficiently serially transferred to a drive device for driving a motor without involving the CPU. Data buffers are allocated at specific memory addresses. An address decoder decodes a memory address output to the address bus and applies a write enable signal to the corresponding data buffer to write data to that data buffer by DMA transfer. When data is written to a data buffer, a sequencer circuit compiles control data, based on data in that data buffers, in a shift register, and serially transfers the control data one bit at a time on a serial transfer line synchronized to a clock.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling an electric motor (26) having a rotor (34) that is formed from a series of laminations (48) and has a plurality of rotor poles (36) and a stator (30) that encircles the rotor (34) and has a plurality of stator poles (32), each with a respective stator winding (38). A first sensor (46) senses actual inductance in the respective stator winding (38). A second sensor (46) senses a position of the rotor (34) relative to the stator (30). A controller (42) determines a reference inductance based on the rotor position signal, determines a difference between the actual inductance and the reference inductance, and prevents further energization of the stator windings (38) when the difference exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A multiple axis modular controller and a method of operating the controller in a system comprising input devices receiving indications of system conditions and output devices performing tasks affecting the system conditions. The controller includes input connectors connectable to the input devices and output connectors connectable to the output devices. A processor executes a series of sequential commands of an application program. A command can be executed in response to completion of one sequential command of the series of sequential commands regardless of a next sequential command in the series of sequential commands or in response to a specified input received at one of the input connectors or in response to a specified output sent to one of the output connectors. The processor does not execute the command, minimizing processor delays.

Abstract: A programmable controller comprises a speed pattern generator(12) including speed pattern generator units (12a-12n) that respond to input quantities of the amount of movement, speed, acceleration time and deceleration time by calculating a desired speed pattern for output to a servomotor (17). A desired speed pattern is generated by simultaneously operating any of the speed pattern generator units (12a-12n) of the speed pattern generator (12). The speed pattern provided by the speed pattern generator (12) is output to a console (14), on which the user can process the speed pattern freely.

Abstract: In controlling a motor in a device which drives a mechanism using the motor as a power source, in executing driving, an ideal profile of the driving is generated in accordance with a target position and a preset initial parameter, driving of the motor is controlled in accordance with the profile, the value of the initial parameter is evaluated at the end of driving, and the value of the initial parameter is changed in accordance with the evaluation result. High-speed accurate position control can be achieved independently of the characteristic of an individual motor to be used.

Abstract: A plug and play electric machine interfaces with a plug and play controller. A memory device stores configuration parameters for operating an electric machine that are accessed by the plug and play controller. A plug and play connector connects to the plug and play controller. A sensor monitors a property of the electric machine. A sensor connector communicates with the sensor and the plug and play controller. The configuration parameters are transmitted to the plug and play controller during a power-up sequence of the electric machine. The plug and play electric machine connects to different plug and play controllers. A power connector is associated with the electric machine and communicates with a power driver included in the plug and play controller. The plug and play connector, sensor connector, and power connector form an integrated connector. The plug and play controller updates the configuration parameters based on feedback from the sensor.

Abstract: A modular multi-axis robot that can be configured to operate with two, three, four, five or six axes of movement and in various combinations of rotational and translational motion. The modules that make up the robot are fully detachable, interchangeable and are functionally independent with respect to each other. This allows the robotic apparatus to provide a flexible and custom solution for many different applications.

Abstract: Components designed for use in networked control and monitoring systems including dedicated memory objects which store data representative of the system, the component and the function of the component in the system. The component-specific information may include data indicating the physical location of the component in the system. The objects are reprogrammable to adapt to system changes. A system comprising the components allows the objects to be accessed via a data network. Controlled or monitored parameters of the components may thus be collected in association with the other data stored in the objects.

Abstract: A longer life, low cost tool and tool holder enabling change of posture with respect to a spindle, having a high machining accuracy of a workpiece, and resistant to generation of vibration or heat, provided with a working tool for processing a workpiece, a motor having an output shaft to which the working tool is connected and rotating the working tool, a first holder for holding the working tool and the motor, a mount attached to the spindle, a generator to which rotational force is transmitted from the spindle through the mount and generating electric power for driving the motor, a second holder for holding the mount rotatably, holding the generator, and engaged with a nonrotating portion of the machine tool, and a posture adjustment mechanism which connects the first holder and the second holder and is able to change the posture of the working tool with respect to the spindle.

Abstract: A motion control system comprises a motion unit having a motor connected to an encoder and an amplifier. The motion control system further comprises a scalable motion controller connected to the motion unit wherein the scalable motion controller receives signals from the encoder and outputs signals to the amplifier. The scalable motion controller comprises a plurality of dip sockets arranged for inserting and removing one or more motion control processors and a connector interface comprising a plurality of male and female connectors arranged for stacking a plurality of motion controllers.

Abstract: A controlling device of high follow-up accuracy is provided, the prediction accuracy of which is not degraded by an FF signal when the controlled object is feedforward-controlled. The prediction controlling device 1 has a feedforward signal generation command filter 2 for generating a future command increment which is an increment from one sampling period to the next sampling period of a target command signal from the present to a multiple-sampling future and the feedforward signal from the future target command signal. A prediction controller 3 receives the future command increment, the feedforward signal, and a controlled object output at the past sampling time over zero sampling, and determines the future error prediction value by using a transfer function model from the feedforward signal and the control input to the controlled object output.

Abstract: Robot system incorporates a versatile end effector that can be used to transport wafers, map wafers, and autocalibrate the movements of the robotic system. Typically, the end effector of the invention is rotatably and/or pivotably coupled to a robotic arm and includes an optical sensor system whose light path preferably includes a directional component that extends along a lengthwise axis of the end effector. Preferably the end effector is independently movable about at least two axes. These characteristics, singly or in combination, allow the end effector to carry out transport, mapping, and autocalibration functions within a relatively small volume either horizontally, vertically, or at other desired orientations.