Abstract: A legged mobile robot is adaptively controlled in its attitude against variable external forces to continue the operation without inversion. When the legged mobile robot kicks an object having a certain mass, such as a ball, the robot is to be prevented from being fallen down by the reactive force from the object. Even if the mass or the repulsion coefficient of the object kicked is unknown, the operation of kicking the object at a sufficiently low speed is carried out at the outset to predict the reactive force produced on actual kicking in order to predict the reactive force produced on actual kicking. The result is that the stability in attitude can be maintained on kicking at an arbitrary speed. The legged mobile robot is able to take part as one of the players in athletic games, such as soccer games, in which each player performs his or her role as the or she is subjected to an external force.

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 positioning servo controller is provided in which optimization of the positioning state can be conducted simply by adjusting an adjustment gain. In a positioning servo controller with: a speed feedforward controlling section (22) which sets a value that is obtained by adding a first feedforward compensation amount to a position deviation, as a speed command; an acceleration feedforward section (23) which sets a value that is obtained by adding a second feedforward compensation amount to a speed deviation, as an acceleration command, the second feedforward compensation amount being obtained by amplifying a differential value of the first feedforward compensation amount; and a torque amplifier (3) in which an acceleration deviation is used as a torque command, and which drives a controlled object on the basis of the torque command, the values of the first feedforward gain and the second feedforward gain are values of functions in which the value of the adjustment gain is used as an argument.

Abstract: In an industrial robot having a plurality of arms, each arm is coupled with other elements, such as a mounting base, another arm, a robotic hand, and revolved by a motion of the revolvable joint. The revolvable joint has a rotary electric connecting structure such as a slip ring or a rotary transformer which can be rotated endlessly. Electric powers for driving motors by which the arms are revolved and control signals for controlling the driving of the motors are supplied or transmitted through the rotary electric connecting structure, so that the arms can be rotated endlessly without twisting or breaking of electric cables.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monitoring and control device for monitoring a technical system having at least one portable and/or mobile and/or immobile device, and more specifically, a handling device that is a arranged in a protective device, and further including at least one preferably central or decentralized control unit and actuators connected thereto to carry out dangerous actions.

Abstract: A robotic machine such as a robotic vacuum cleaner is controlled to carry out a task of cleaning a room. The machine has a plurality of sensors including infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors and light sensors through which the machine can navigate its way around a room without hitting objects or walls in its path. The machine has an indicator light which changes color depending upon the state of interaction of the various sensors with the environment, indicating the ‘mood’ of the cleaner. The indicator may include three primary color light sources which are combined within a reflective frusto-conical chamber and a translucent lens dome in order to combine the primary colors into a single colored light as viewed by a user. This makes the machine more user-friendly.

Abstract: A clicker-training technique developed for animal training is adapted for training robots, notably autonomous animal-like robots. In this robot-training method, a behaviour (for example, (DIG)) is broken down into smaller achievable responses ((SIT)-(HELLO)-(DIG)) that will eventually lead to the desired final behaviour. The robot is guided progressively to the correct behaviour through the use, normally the repeated use, of a secondary reinforcer. When the correct behaviour has been achieved, a primary reinforcer is applied so that the desired behaviour can be “captured”. This method can be used for training a robot to perform, on command, rare behaviours or a sequence of behaviours (typically actions). This method can also be used to ensure that a robot is focusing its attention upon a desired object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a servo-control apparatus for a motor, comprising position detecting means for detecting a rotational position of a motor, rotational speed signal generating means for generating a rotational speed signal corresponding to a rotational speed of a motor, and digital control means for generating an exciting electric current to be supplied to a coil of the motor as a PWM signal in accordance with the rotational speed signal from the rotational speed signal generating means, and wherein a switching signal for switching the exciting electric current to be supplied to the coil of the motor is formed by a pre-driver in accordance with the position detection signal from the position detecting means, and the pre-driver combines the switching signal with the PWM signal from the digital control means to generate an electric current control signal by which the motor is driven, thereby coping with the speed change of the motor quickly and stably.

Abstract: The invention is directed to electronic equipment, such as a pet robot, with an autonomous emotion-based function. The electronic equipment executes environment detection processing, emotion-production processing for producing an emotion, and movement determination processing for determining a movement based on the emotion. The movement determination processing is arranged such that actions representing the emotion by the movement of given parts of the pet robot are performed prior to main actions based on the emotion. Therefore, a user can understand the emotion of the pet robot by intuition and thereby predict the subsequent movement naturally and effectively, providing the user feeling that the movement of the pet robot is reasonable.

Abstract: A robot apparatus includes a command controller (101) for outputting an output command associated with an input command, management units (102), (103) and (104) for outputting data associated with the commands output by the command controller (101), a command transmitter (105) for controlling the transmission of the data output by the management units (102), (103) and (104) and controllers (106), (107) and (108) for controlling action units (109), (110) and (111), such as a motor, based on data output by the command transmitter (105). The command transmitter (105) sends the action control data for synchronization, output by the management units (102), (103) and (104), in synchroneity to the action units (109), (110) and (111).

Abstract: The stability of attitude of a robot can be recovered by an ambulation control apparatus and an ambulation control method if it is lost in the course of a gesture for which the upper limbs take a major role. The apparatus and the method obtain the pattern of movement of the entire body for walking by deriving the pattern of movement of the loins from an arbitrarily selected pattern of movement of the feet, the trajectory of the ZMP, the pattern of movement of the trunk and that of the upper limbs. Therefore, a robot can determine the gait of the lower limbs so as to realize a stable walk regardless if the robot is standing upright or walking. Particularly, if the robot is made to gesture, using the upper body half including the upper limbs and the trunk while standing upright, it can determine the gait of the lower limbs so as to make a stable walk in response to such a gait of the upper body half.

Abstract: In the movable shaft (32) constructed by a plurality of motion modules (31), since the moving command based on the machining program (1) in unit of the movable shaft like the prior art is converted into moving commands of the motion modules (31) to control this movable shaft (32), the machining can be executed if the machining for the movement of the movable shaft is defined like the machining program in the prior art. Also, assignment of a plurality of motion modules (31) to the movable shaft (32) can be set arbitrarily and then the pulse distribution to the movable shaft (32) is executed in response to this assignment. In addition, if the failure is caused in the motion module (31), such motion module (31) can be disconnected.

Abstract: The invention proposes a robot apparatus capable of autonomously performing actions in natural ways. The robot apparatus includes a control unit having emotion/-instinct models linked to the actions and deciding a next action by changing the emotion/instinct models based on the input information. A robot apparatus can be realized which autonomously behaves in accordance with the emotional and instinctive states created in itself, and hence which autonomously behaves in a natural way.

Abstract: A plant is provided for rapid pick and place operations, enabling automated systems that return to at least one approximately fixed position to run faster than the rate of conventional systems. The plant utilises a novel combination of robotic design, linear motor technology, and control software. A system and method if provided for the rapid production of high-density arrays of biologically active substances.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a control system (and corresponding method) which monitors and controls both joint torque and arm position during operation of a device such as a manipulator, whereby oscillation is rapidly removed when the system is disturbed by either movement, stopping of the system after completing a movement, by disturbance from external forces, or any other disturbance. Furthermore, the system can achieve rapid motion over a wide manipulator payload range. This is achieved in a preferred embodiment by providing control of torque and thereby allowing control of the arm deflection. In this illustrative arrangement, the joint torque takes on high levels (below the arm's elastic limit), allowing rapid motion without causing arm oscillation. It has been found that the arm can be transformed from a cantilever-type structure to a pin-free-type structure.

Abstract: A positioner has a first surface with a plurality of controlled electromagnets and a second surface having a circular cross-section movably positioned relative to the first surface. A plurality of magnetic positioners are disposed around the second surface. Control logic energizes a sequence of the controlled electromagnets to create magnetic interaction with the plurality of magnetic positioner and thereby move the second surface relative to the first surface. A rotor may be positioned to rotate relative to the second surface. Electromagnetic pickups in proximity with the rotor receive a time-varying electromagnetic field from rotor magnets as the rotor rotates, thereby generating electrical energy.

Abstract: A computerized toy system has a body having the appearance of an animal. The computerized toy system permits the animal to adopt different attitudes and positions, the positions including at least three of a lying attitude, a sitting attitude, a working attitude, a standing attitude and different types of walking attitudes. There are limbs having joints to permit for movement of the toy. There are sufficient in number to permit for a relatively natural and smooth manner of movement representation of the animal. The body construct or skin appearance renders the toy realistic of an animal. The skin appearance may selectively be a fur or plush-type body.

Abstract: A controlling method and apparatus for positioning a robot that can output an optimal speed instruction for controlling residual vibration after completion of a moving operation, achieve reduction in tact time for the moving operation, and shorten the length of setting time. The method is a controlling method for positioning a robot (1) for performing a point-to-point moving operation comprising: performing a test operation to measure a frequency of a residual vibration that is stopped at a target position; measuring a magnitude of the residual vibration based on the frequency during each of different lengths of moving time for a predetermined moving distance to find a relationship between the length of moving time and the magnitude of the vibration; calculating a shortest moving time at which vibration magnitude is minimized; and performing the point-to-point operation for the calculated shortest moving time, thereby to position the robot (1) at the target position.

Abstract: A robotic module for a toy construction system includes a housing enclosing a gear mechanism and an actuator connected to a pivot mechanism to supply operational power for rotation. An energy storage device supplies power to the actuator, which rotates in response to instructions received from a control unit connected to the actuator. A connection plate forms a connection between at least two of the modules. At least one position sensor is provided to sense the arrangement of the modules connected together.

Abstract: An interference avoiding device for determining occurrence of an interference in a robot operation in advance and automatically avoiding the interference, to be suitably applied to an automatic picking-up operation of randomly stored workpieces. A position/orientation of a workpiece and a position/orientation of a tool for getting hold of the workpiece in a teaching operation, and shapes/dimensions of the tool and the storage box are determined and stored in a storage device. A command position/orientation Ta of the tool for getting hold of an objective workpiece is determined based on a detected position/orientation Wa of the workpiece and it is determined whether or not an interference between the tool an the storage box will occur based on the position/orientation Ta and the stored information.

Abstract: Surgical robots and other telepresence systems have enhanced grip actuation for manipulating tissues and objects with small sizes. A master/slave system is used in which an error signal or gain is artificially altered when grip members are near a closed configuration.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement of an automated machine. The movement is defined by a plurality of steps. First, a buffer of a predetermined size is defined. The buffer stores a current step and one or more previous steps in the movement of the automated machine. Then a current step in the movement of the automated machine is executed. Next, the buffer is checked to see if the current step executed in the movement of the automated machine movement is the same as a predetermined step of interest. If the current step is a predetermined step of interest, the buffer is checked to determine what at least one previous step was. If the current step was the step of interest, a new step is executed in the movement of the automated machine, the new step executed depending on what the at least one previous step was.

Abstract: A legged robot is provided with a plurality of basic motion programs. The legged robot can produce a teaching motion program for performing a series of expressive motions by recognizing and language-processing instructions from a user in the form of voice-input, and extracting and combining at least one basic motion in a time series. More sophisticated and complex teaching programs can be edited by controlling the produced teaching motion programs stored in a database and combining the teaching motion programs with the basic motion programs.

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: An upper arm portion and a lower arm portion are connected to each other by a substantially cylindrical elbow joint, and are bendable between an extended position in which they are extended into a substantially straight line and a bent position in which they are bent forwards from the extended position. The position of an axis of the elbow joint is offset forwards from the center of the width of the upper and lower arm portions, and slants inclined toward the elbow joint are formed on rear surfaces of the upper and lower arm portions connected to the elbow joint. Thus, when the lower arm portion is turned toward the bent position, a foreign matter can be prevented from being sandwiched between the upper and lower arm portion at a location in front of the elbow joint by displacing the position of the axis of the elbow joint forwards.

Abstract: A legged mobile robot is adaptively controlled in its attitude against variable external forces to continue the operation without inversion. When the legged mobile robot kicks an object having a certain mass, such as a ball, the robot is to be prevented from being fallen down by the reactive force from the object. Even if the mass or the repulsion coefficient of the object kicked is unknown, the operation of kicking the object at a sufficiently low speed is carried out at the outset to predict the reactive force produced on actual kicking in order to predict the reactive force produced on actual kicking. The result is that the stability in attitude can be maintained on kicking at an arbitrary speed. The legged mobile robot is able to take part as one of the players in athletic games, such as soccer games, in which each player performs his or her role as the or she is subjected to an external force.

Abstract: A cable-driven manipulator can precisely manipulate tools and loads using position, velocity and force control modes. The manipulator includes a plurality of cables (2 or more) that are independently controlled by modular, winch drive-mechanisms and coordinated to achieve intuitive manipulator movement in all six degrees-of-freedom. The manipulator consisting of modular sub-assemblies and components (i.e. winch, amplifier, servo interface, sensory feedback), can be rapidly reconfigured to adjust to new applications. Various combinations of manual and automatic control can also be implemented. The winches can be controlled manually by a multi-axis joystick, or can be automatically controlled by computer.

Abstract: A walking-type robot device and its learning method are disclosed, wherein the robot device is caused to perform walking that accords with the parameters for controlling the walking, the walking is evaluated, and the parameters are updated so that the very evaluation is enhanced. Besides, a walking-type robot device is provided with a controlling means for controlling the robot so as to cause it to perform walking that accords with parameters which prescribe the driving phase of each leg of the time of walking, an evaluating means for evaluating the velocity of the walking, and a parameter updating means for updating the parameters so that the evaluation of the walking by the evaluating means is enhanced.

Abstract: A robotic inspection system for gas turbine combustion components includes an exterior manipulator for visual inspection of the exterior surface of the impingement sleeve, an interior manipulator for visual inspection of the interior of the transition piece body and an annulus manipulator for inspecting the side weld seams of the transition piece body. The exterior manipulator includes an arcuate segment extending about the annular spaced impingement sleeves and a robotic subassembly including a linear rail and an upper arm and forearm mounting an inspection head pivotally coupled to one another for visual inspection of the top, bottom and side external surfaces of the impingement sleeve. The interior manipulator mounts to the open end of the combustion casing and includes an arm mounted for universal pivotal movement to the mount, actuators for pivoting the arm and motors for extending and rotating an inspection head about pan and tilt axes within the interior of the transition piece body.

Abstract: A robot arm which allows the two hands to be brought together in front of the chest. In a robot arm comprising a shoulder joint attached to a body so as to be rotatable around a laterally extending axial line, an upper arm attached to the shoulder joint so as to be rotatable around an axial line perpendicular to the laterally extending axial line, a forearm attached to the upper arm via an elbow joint, and a hand attached to a free end of the forearm, the elbow joint is attached to the upper arm so as to be rotatable around a longitudinal axial line of the upper arm.

Abstract: A mechanism controller for controlling power to motors of a mechanism having several motors, such as a robot. Each motor has a resolver for indicating the motor position. A driver unit is associated with each motor to supply power to the motor. Each driver unit includes a monitoring unit to monitor indications from the resolver of the associated motor. In one embodiment a control unit is connected to the driver units in a series circuit to control power to the motors and to receive the monitored indications from the monitoring units. In a second embodiment, the control unit is connected to the driver units in a ring circuit, rather than in a series circuit. Preferably, each driver unit also includes a memory device, and the control unit can send commands to the driver units and receive data from the driver units in sets equal in number to the number of driver units so that the commands and data do not need to include the addresses of the specific driver units.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a robot on the basis of data from sensors with their own sensor data structures. For solving the problem of adapting to different sensors and their data structures and consequently permitting in simple manner the use of different sensors without intervening in the actual robot control program, according to the system the sensor data are processed to robot control data with a control data structure usable by a system control program and a processing device suitable for the same is provided.

Abstract: With a robot and a control method for it, information is read in from the outside, based on which a particular object is detected, and it is judged upon detecting the object whether or not the object satisfies given conditions, based on the judgment results of which a robot generates predetermined actions. Thus, a robot can be realized that acts naturally like a living thing. Consequently, its entertaining quality for human beings can be increased greatly.

Abstract: A legged mobile robot realizes a motion language by a time-series change in an actuator angle or a motion pattern using the four limbs and the trunk. A motion language which includes, for example, a motion pattern which is an approximation of the contour/shape of a character is used, so that even a robot or a human being which does not possess the same motion language database can determine the meaning and character which is indicated by each motion pattern as a result of visually recognizing and interpreting the contour/form which is indicated by each motion pattern. For example, a robot which has stepped into a dangerous working area can give a message concerning, for example, the condition of the working area to an observer at a remote location without using any data communications device. The legged mobile robot communicates by moving the limbs and/or the trunk.

Abstract: Motion of a substrate-transporting robot arm is controlled in order to compensate for inaccuracies and deflections encountered during operation. The compensation is effected by synchronizing elevational and planar motions of the robot arm such that the trajectory of the substrate is made coincident with the object axis of the substrate. The substrate may be a semiconductor wafer, an LCD panel or an end effector of the robot arm. The synchronized motion is achieved using a controller issuing control signals to arm actuating means based on synchronization algorithms developed during analytical or experimental robot learning sessions.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic lathe includes a numerical controller, and comprises an input device, a readout section, and a machining program storage section. The input device inputs a machining program expressed by a predetermined language. The readout section reads out the machining program from the input device and digitizes it. The machining program storage section stores the digitized machining program into a timing table form in the order of execution. From the machining program storage section, various kinds of data such as the positional data of tools stated in the stored machining program, rotational data and movement data of a workpiece, and the like are sent out to an editing section. In the editing section, these various kinds of data are reedited and stored by a movement data editing portion.

Abstract: When the remaining capacity of a battery of a robot comes to a low level at a position in an operational area, power consumption can be reduced, thereby extending the life of the battery, by changing control parameters used by actuators and successively suspending operations of driving members of which the suspension of operations does not significantly affect the motion using a leg unit. Therefore, the robot can operate for a longer time, and energy, which is required for the motion for connection to a charging station or an external power supply device, can be maintained.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a robot control system and a method of controlling the same having an outstanding extensibility, maintainability, and reliability in the system. A main control unit 1 and an auxiliary control unit 2 control a manipulator 4 actuated by a servo motor. The main control unit 1 and the auxiliary control unit 2 are so composed as to make a data communication via communication means 5. In addition, the main control unit 1 is connected to a centralized control unit 3 through communication means 7. The centralized control unit 3 supervises and controls concentrically a plurality of robot control apparatuses connected thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of achieving self-stabilization while walking comprises two front legs and two rear legs with each leg having three joints including a hip joint, an upper leg joint, and a lower leg joint. Each joint is powered by a motor and is monitored by an encoder, totaling twelve of each for the entire apparatus. Stability is maintained by adding weight to the two front legs and by positioning a separate weight toward the front and middle of the apparatus, thereby moving the center of balance of the apparatus further within the stability envelope of the apparatus. As a result, the apparatus maintains its stability by itself without the need for additional CPU's. The apparatus also includes an animation motor that is capable of causing the apparatus to make non-ambulatory movement and a cartridge slot which allows the user to download new programming which facilitates new behavior being exhibited by the apparatus.

Abstract: A robot system including a robot body, a plurality of safety devices to stop the operation of the robot body, connecting portions respectively disposed between the plurality of safety devices, and output device to transmit an output signal to external equipment. The safety devices are respectively connected in series to each other, and the output device is removably connected to at least one of the plurality of connecting portions. The robot body includes a plurality of robot bodies, and respective ones of the plurality of robot bodies are connected to the plurality of safety devices.

Abstract: The robot apparatus of the present invention autonomously makes natural motions. The robot apparatus is provided with a control means 32, which has a feeling/instinct model that causes a motion and changes the feeling/instinct model based on input information S1 to S3 thereby to determine a motion. As a result of this, the robot apparatus 1 can autonomously act based on the state of its own feeling/instinct. A robot apparatus which can autonomously make natural motions can thus be realized.

Abstract: A multi-tasking system in which tasks are grouped and the action of the safety function is different for each group so that the control of a machine can safely and easily be performed with one control device and that the monitoring of each device can be performed at all times, and a medium and a processing device in which a program thereof is recorded. A multi-tasking system 100 for controlling a plurality of tasks has a program executing unit 11 for processing a plurality of tasks by the multi-tasking processing and a task table 21 for keeping grouping information set for each of the plurality of tasks, and the program executing unit 11 has stop units (an emergency stop unit 16, a temporary stop unit 17 as the safety function, and the stop unit obtains grouping information from the task table 21 on the basis of a stop instruction and identifies a group of each task, and performs a different control for each group.

Abstract: A system for manipulating a workpiece in an industrial robot system having a manipulator device for manipulating the workpiece, a tooling adapter coupled to the manipulator device for manipulating the workpiece, and an image referencing system for acquiring image data corresponding to the workpiece without interference from the manipulator device.

Abstract: Motorized slides are inserted between the end of a robot arm and a robot tool/sensor arrangement to provide additional positioning ability. A control unit of the slides cooperates with the control unit of the sensor to maintain the tool correctly positioned over a feature while the robot arm moves following a programmed path. The control unit of the sensor has look-ahead and additional buffers from which corrected information is determined to compensate for robot teaching inaccuracies, calibration and robot arm response errors. A sensor with two distinct probing zones is used to get information about the position of the tool tip and of the feature to assist in calibrating the sensor/tool relation.

Abstract: A robotic inspection system for gas turbine combustion components includes an exterior manipulator for visual inspection of the exterior surface of the impingement sleeve, an interior manipulator for visual inspection of the interior of the transition piece body and an annulus manipulator for inspecting the side weld seams of the transition piece body. The exterior manipulator includes an arcuate segment extending about the annular spaced impingement sleeves and a robotic subassembly including a linear rail and an upper arm and forearm mounting an inspection head pivotally coupled to one another for visual inspection of the top, bottom and side external surfaces of the impingement sleeve. The interior manipulator mounts to the open end of the combustion casing and includes an arm mounted for universal pivotal movement to the mount, actuators for pivoting the arm and motors for extending and rotating an inspection head about pan and tilt axes within the interior of the transition piece body.

Abstract: A horizontal multi-joint industrial robot has three arms of first, second and third arms which are sequentially attached from a base member, and has a robot hand which is connected to an distal end portion of the third arm. In this composition, there are two states of folding directions of arm joints with respect to a robot hand movement. When the robot hand moves in a forward direction, rotational movement of the arms is controlled so as to select one of the folding directions such that an angle between a robot hand direction and the third arm maintains 90° or more. This allows a distal end portion of the second arm to always position behind a distal end portion of the third arm with respect to the robot hand forward direction, which makes it possible to decrease a robot arm movable area that makes no contribution toward conveying a workpiece, thereby saving space for installing the robot.

Abstract: A key input section which permits the execution of output controls is provided on a teach pendant. A control unit of a robot control system ignores all input movement requests to move the robot if a key of the key input section is depressed and if an output of the key is an output set for prohibiting the movement of the robot and is in an output state that is set.

Abstract: A robot apparatus generating behavior or performing actions. The robot apparatus comprises a parameter generator for generating one or more parameters of an emotion model defining a predetermined emotion and one or more parameters of an instinct model defining a predetermined instinct. An input signal representative of an external stimulus and an input signal representative of an internal stimulus are provided to the robot apparatus. One or more semantic contents are determined in accordance with the detected input signals, and at least one of the emotion model parameters and the instinct model parameters are changed based upon the semantic content. A behavior model is then generated to generate behavior or actions in accordance with the emotion parameters of the emotion model and the instinct parameters of the instinct model.

Abstract: A method of determining contact positions of a robot relative to a workpiece in a workspace of the robot. The method utilizes the contact positions to determine a location of the workpiece in the robot workspace. The method also monitors an integral operating parameter within the robot, such as motor torque, to determine the contact positions of the robot relative to the workpiece and to locate the workpiece.

Abstract: A robot controller which controls a process controlled variable of an operational tool mounted on a robot in synchronism with the robot motion. The position of each axis of the robot is detected by a sensor such as a position detector. In a calculating section, motion variables such as position Pn, velocity vn and acceleration &agr;n of a tool center point (TCP) are detected from the respective positions of the robot axes. An ideal output (target value) of a sensor for detecting a controlled variable to be controlled in accordance with the motion state is determined in a calculating section. A sensor output is subtracted from the target value to determine a deviation. The deviation is multiplied by a proportional gain K to determine a manipulated variable. By using this manipulated variable, the process of an arc welding machine, sealing machine, or laser beam machine in which a tool is mounted on a distal end of a robot wrist is controlled.