Abstract: A robot system includes at least one robot, a first sensor, at least one second sensor, and circuitry. The at least one robot is to work on a workpiece. The first sensor is to detect a three-dimensional shape of the workpiece. The at least one second sensor is to detect a three-dimensional position of the workpiece. The circuitry is configured to control the at least one robot based on teaching data. The circuitry is configured to correct the teaching data according to the three-dimensional shape detected by the first sensor. The circuitry is configured to correct the teaching data according to the three-dimensional position detected by the at least one second sensor.

Abstract: Provided is an article retrieval system including: a sensor that measures the states of articles stored in a storage container; an article detection part for detecting the articles on the basis of the states of the articles measured by the sensor; handling part for retrieving the articles or changing the positions and/or orientations of the articles detected by the article detection part; and a controller that controls the sensor, the article detection part, and the handling part. The controller includes: a space dividing part for dividing the space in which the articles exist according to the states of the articles measured by the sensor; and a switching part for switching at least one of a method of measurement with the sensor, a method of detection with the article detection part, and a method of retrieval with the handling part in each of the spaces divided by the space dividing part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission, to a transmission housing, to a driving member mounted rotatably in the transmission housing, to an output member mounted rotatably in the transmission housing and to at least one speed-changing transmission stage which couples the output member to the driving member and has a torque-supporting member, wherein the driving member together with the output member and the torque-supporting member forms a preassembled assembly in which the torque-supporting member is mounted rotatably on the transmission housing by means of a transmission-stage rolling bearing device and has a toothing which is in engagement with a driving pinion mounted rotatably in the transmission housing. The invention also relates to an electric driving device and to an industrial robot having at least one such transmission.

Abstract: The present disclosure shows an apparatus for the automated removal of workpieces arranged in a bin, said apparatus having a first object recognition device for detecting the workpieces in the bin; a first picker for picking and removing the workpieces from the bin; a controller for evaluating the data of the first object recognition device, for path planning and for controlling the first picker; a buffering station on which the first picker places the workpieces after the removal from the bin and a positioning apparatus that more accurately positions and/or isolates the workpieces starting from the buffering station. Provision is made that the buffering station has at least one tiltable placement area that is tiltable into a slanted position via a tilting mechanism.

Abstract: A deformation sensing apparatus comprises an elastic substrate, a first strain-gauge element formed on a first surface of the elastic substrate, and configured to output a first signal in response to a strain applied in a first direction, and a second strain-gauge element formed on a second surface of the elastic substrate opposite to the first surface, and configured to output a second signal in response to a strain applied in the same first direction.

Abstract: A robot includes a base, an arm provided on the base, and a reducer having a sliding part and decelerating driving of the arm, wherein a lubricating oil can be supplied to the sliding part from an opposite side to the arm with respect to the sliding part.

Abstract: The chain magazine for holding tool'(5) for machine tool'includes a continuous chain (1) which has chain links (2) each with at least one tool holder (2a, 2b) and with which at least one sprocket (6, 7) meshes and a guide device (9-12) which has a guide element (12) that can be moved back and forth between a first and a second position, by means of which a tool holder (2a, 2b) of a chain link (2) can be turned in and turned out.

Abstract: A robotic device includes a robot arm. A fluid-powered tool is located on the robot arm. A hose supplies a pressurized working fluid to the fluid-powered tool. A fluid motor is coupled to an electric generator to drive the electric generator. An actuator selectively supplies the pressurized working fluid to the fluid motor. A battery is operatively connected to receive electrical energy from the electric generator. A controller is powered by the battery and is operatively connected to the actuator to control operation of the fluid motor and charging of the battery by the electric generator.

Abstract: A processing system having a function for appropriately maintaining processing accuracy, without depending on a degree of abrasion of a tool. An unused tool used in a machine tool is captured by using a camera mounted on a robot, so as to obtain a reference image of the tool. Next, an image of the tool is captured after a predetermined number of processing operations carried out. An average amount of tool abrasion per one processing operation is calculated based on the two images, so as to estimate a current amount of tool abrasion. Based on the estimation result and a previously input limit amount of abrasion, the number of remaining possible processing operations of the tool is calculated and output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, an apparatus and a method for providing tools on a machine tool. The system includes a first tool magazine for accommodating a plurality of tools; a first feeding device which is adapted to remove tools from the first tool magazine and feed them to the spindle; at least one second tool magazine for accommodating a plurality of tools; a second feeding device which is adapted to remove tools from the second tool magazine and provide them at a predetermined transfer position; and a transfer apparatus which is adapted to feed tools removed from the second tool magazine to the first tool magazine, with the result that the second tool magazine serves as a supply magazine for the first tool magazine.

Abstract: An actuatable joint for a robotic system has a body, a motor positioned in the body, an output shaft configured to be rotated by the motor relative to the body, and a bearing assembly positioned between the output shaft and the body and configured to support the rotation of the output shaft. The bearing assembly has a first axial angular contact roller bearing. The roller bearing has a pair of frusto-conical bearing rings forming a pair of parallel races, a bearing cage positioned between the pair of bearing rings and including a plurality of openings, and a plurality of rollers positioned in the openings and in contact with the races.

Abstract: A production system in which a position of a robot relative to a machine tool can be measured and an operation position of the robot can be corrected based on the measurement result, by using a simple configuration. The robot has a vision device attached to a movable part such as a robot arm. The machine tool has a visual target arranged on an outer surface of the machine tool. An image of the visual target captured by a camera is processed by a robot controller or an image processor. Due to such image processing, the position of the robot relative to the machine tool can be measured. Further, the production system has a correcting part which corrects a position of a motion of the robot regarding supplying and ejecting a workpiece, based on the positional relationship between the robot and the machine tool.

Abstract: A web unwind stand for obtaining, loading, splicing, and unwinding a web material from a plurality of convolutely wound rolls and forwarding the web material unwound from each of the convolutely wound rolls uninterruptedly to a downstream apparatus is disclosed. The unwind stand has a frame, a positionable roll grasping apparatus having a mandrel connectively engaged thereto and, splicing means. The positionable roll grasping apparatus is capable of obtaining and disposing the convolutely wound rolls proximate to the splicing means relative to the frame.

Abstract: Assembly equipment comprises a base, a first holding hand provided in a first robot arm set on the base, a second holding hand provided in a second robot arm set on the base, and a control device configured to control the first and second robot arms and the first and second holding hands. The first holding hand comprises an attachment connected to the first robot arm and having a rotation shaft, and an aligning holding mechanism provided in a rotation mechanism having a rotation shaft located to intersect the rotation shaft of the attachment or located in a skewed positional relationship with the rotation shaft of the attachment. A cooperative working area of the first and second holding hands is provided in an overlapping area where working areas of the first and second holding hands overlap with each other.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a camera having an image frame whose position and orientation relative to a fixed frame is determinable through one or more image frame transforms, a tool disposed within a field of view of the camera and having a tool frame whose position and orientation relative to the fixed frame is determinable through one or more tool frame transforms, and at least one processor programmed to identify pose indicating points of the tool from one or more camera captured images, determine an estimated transform for an unknown one of the image and tool frame transforms using the identified pose indicating points and known ones of the image and tool frame transforms, update a master-to-tool transform using the estimated and known ones of the image and tool frame transforms, and command movement of the tool in response to movement of a master using the updated master-to-tool transform.

Abstract: A device for connecting a tool to an arm of a robot, comprising: —a body (2; 32) having an annular wall provided with openings (6; 36), received within which are one or more balls (8; 38), which are mobile within said openings between an inoperative position and an operative position, in said operative position said balls projecting from said wall to engage corresponding portions of said tool and clamping the latter on said arm; and —a piston (4; 34), configured for co-operating with said balls and governed fluid-dynamically between a first position and a second position, wherein, in said second position, —said piston forces said-balls into said operative position, and, in said first position, said piston releases said balls so that they can move into said inoperative position.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a method of controlling a remote vehicle having an end effector and an image sensing device. The method includes obtaining an image of an object with the image sensing device, determining a ray from a focal point of the image to the object based on the obtained image, positioning the end effector of the remote vehicle to align with the determined ray, and moving the end effector along the determined ray to approach the object.

Abstract: A method for locating a first vehicle component relative to a second vehicle component includes the following steps: (a) moving the robotic arm to a first position such that a form feature of the first vehicle component is within a field of view of a camera; (b) capturing an image the form feature of the first vehicle component; (c) moving the robotic arm to a second position such that the form feature of the second vehicle component is within the field of view of the camera; (d) capturing an image of the form feature of the second vehicle component; (e) picking up the second vehicle component using the robotic arm; and (f) moving the robotic arm along with the second vehicle component toward the first vehicle component.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a method of assembly of a rotor and a stator having a concentric air gap in an electric motor comprising: providing inflatable gap support tooling in a deflated state in an air gap between a rotor and a stator; filling the inflatable gap support tooling with a fluid so that it uniformly fills at least a portion of the air gap between the stator and the rotor and holds the stator and the rotor together as a single unit; placing the single unit into a motor assembly; seating a plurality of bearings into the motor assembly; locking the stator into place in the motor assembly; removing the fluid from the inflatable gap support tooling; and removing the inflatable gap support tooling from the motor assembly.

Abstract: Controlling a switch or valve at a distance is achieved by a support member having a movable portion, with the moveable portion including an elongate member, and a drive mechanism in communication with the moveable portion. A motor, hand crank, or other force transmission apparatus acts to move the drive mechanism and thus the movable portion and elongate member such that a valve or switch is actuated at a distance from a user.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. In one example, the apparatus includes a feed arm operative to transfer food from the food compartment to an individual; and, a sensor(s) used in part to determine the quantity or type of the solid or liquids in the food compartment or container. Determining the quantity and/or type of food in the food compartment prior to and after the individual has ceased consuming food from the food compartment the amount or quantity of the food can be determined. Based on such knowledge the nutritional value of the food may be determined and if needed transmitted to a remote location. In addition, sensors may also monitor an individual's physical data and communicate such data to a remote location.

Abstract: A position detection device for a horizontal articulated robot includes a camera for imaging the robot or a work as an imaging object, a control section for calculating a location of the imaging object from an image, an acquisition section (I/O) for obtaining the drive amounts of first and second electric motors of the robot, and a storage section for storing the calculated location of the imaging object and the drive amounts so as to correspond to each other. A common trigger signal for detecting the location of the imaging object is input to the camera and the I/O. The camera starts to image the imaging object in response to the input of the trigger signal. The I/O starts to obtain the drive amounts in response to the input of the trigger signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a humanoid robot endowed with particular capabilities for managing falls. The risks of falling limit the development of the mass-market use of humanoid robots. In the prior art, the modalities for detecting falls are not well suited to the case of very dynamic robots since the center of mass is very often outside their support polygons. The modalities for managing falls are also poorly suited to robots which must be economical in their computation resources. According to the invention, the conventional support polygon is supplemented with effectors for which it is determined that they are sufficiently close to the ground. Protection strategies are implemented, chosen from a set of strategies defined by a classification of the angles of fall.

Abstract: A capacitance based tactile array sensor is disclosed that provides for close resolution of sensing pixels by using insulated conductors as electrodes, and allows for eliminating the need for a joint or connection interface near periphery of the sensor array. Optional aspects of the invention include provision for allowing use of stretchable conductors, reduction of the burden of number of connections at one layer of conductors in the sensor, providing for differential sensing resolutions at different areas of sensing, and modularity in configuration allowing replacement of a defective sensor pixel in the array. The tactile array sensor may be integrated with surface of a robotic hand's finger, palm, or any other surface of a device that requires multi-point sensing of external contacts. The capacitance information is processed for useful display or control of systems based on the contact feedback.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing vibration feedback in robotic systems are disclosed. A system for configuring a robotic surgery system to provide vibration feedback during robot-assisted surgery includes a sensor, an actuator, and a controller. The sensor is coupled to the robotic surgery system such that the sensor senses a vibration of a surgical tool. The actuator is coupled to the surgery system such that the actuator provides a vibration to a user at a control station. The controller is electrically coupled with the sensor and the actuator. The controller is configured to receive data corresponding to a sensed vibration from the sensor. The controller is further configured to actuate the actuator based on the received data such that the actuator provides a vibration to the user when the sensor senses the vibration of the tool. The above system may be configured to provide tactile and/or audio feedback.

Abstract: An object region extraction system, an object region extraction method, and an object region extraction program, including an effectiveness evaluation quantity acquisition unit to acquire an evaluation quantity which increases or decreases when an angle formed by two back projections selected from back projections of one point of an object approach a right angle, wherein the back projections cross each other at a position in three-dimensional space and obtained from respective images, which include the one point and captured by respective m-number of image acquisition units, where m is greater than one, and an object region determination unit to, when the evaluation quantity is equal to or larger than or equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, determine the position to be a region occupied by the object, and output the determination result.

Abstract: A work system includes an arm mechanism, a position and an orientation of which are configured to be changed so as to process an object placed on a work area, a member arranged at a distal end portion of the arm mechanism to receive a light projection pattern for calculating a position and an orientation of the distal end portion of the arm mechanism, and an irradiation unit configured to form the light projection pattern on the member and on the object by irradiating the member and the object with pattern light. In addition, an image sensing unit senses an image of the object and is fixed at a position independent of the arm mechanism, and a first calculation unit calculates a position and an orientation of the distal end portion of the arm mechanism and an irradiation plane of the pattern light based on the light projection pattern formed on the member.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robot, a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud camera, and a controller. The camera outputs an image data file having two-dimensional (2D) color data and 3D depth data. The controller receives input criteria and the image data file, and detects 2D and 3D line segments in the image data file. Sets of new 3D lines are generated via back-projecting some of the 2D line segments onto some of the 3D line segments. The new 3D lines are grouped into intersecting lines, and the controller performs a normal vector grouping function on the intersecting lines to identify candidate planes. Intersecting planes are identified from the candidate planes, and candidate boxes are identified from the intersecting planes. The controller locates a target box from among the identified candidate boxes via the input criteria. A control action may be commanded on the target box by the end effector.

Abstract: A method for controlling a manipulator includes determining by a control device one or more contact force values between the manipulator and a first workpiece. Each of the contact force values is based on an actual driving force of the manipulator and a drive force according to a dynamic model of the manipulator. The method also includes at least one of a) measuring in multiple stages an orientation and location of the first workpiece based on at least one of the one or more determined contact force values or b) joining a second workpiece and the first workpiece under a compliant regulation, where a joining state of the first and second workpieces is monitored based on at least one of an end pose of the manipulator obtained under the compliant regulation, a speed of a temporal change of the manipulator, or at least one of the one or more determined contact force values.

Abstract: A parallel link robot includes a base part having actuators, a part movable with respect to the base part, link parts with first ends linked with the plurality of actuators rotatably around rotary shafts with respect to the base part and with other ends linked with the moving part, and fixtures attached to the base part to measure rotational positions of the link parts. The base part has reference flat surfaces, and the link parts have moving flat surfaces extended in parallel with respect to the rotary shafts. Positional relationships between the moving flat surfaces and the reference flat surfaces become predetermined positional relationships when the link parts rotate to reference positions for calibration of position. The fixtures have measuring devices arranged at measurement positions with known positional relationships with respect to the reference flat surfaces.

Abstract: A loading/unloading robot includes an arm unit attached to a support unit that is capable of being raised and lowered and a hand unit for conveying a loaded/unloaded object, attached to the arm unit. The support unit includes a base portion capable of revolving around a raising/lowering axis and a head portion rotatably attached to the base portion. The arm unit includes arms that are rotatably attached to the head portion. Front ends of the arms move forward and backward along a forward/backward direction that passes the head portion. The hand unit includes a loading/unloading hand rotatably attached to the arm. A center distance from the rotational axis of the head portion to the rotational axes of rear arms is shorter than a center distance from an axis of revolution of the base portion to the rotational axis of the head portion.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems including a limbed vehicle having a plurality of controllably movable limbs (e.g., a limbed machine, limbed robot, etc.), a plurality of spaced posts that the limbed vehicle may travel on using the limbs, and at least one logistical-support unit associated with at least one of the posts and configured to provide logistical support to the limbed vehicle. As non-limiting examples, such disclosed embodiments of systems may be used to service an agriculture field, to enable travel over an environmentally-sensitive area or an area impassable by a conventional wheeled or tracked vehicle, and may be used in many other different applications. Embodiments disclosed herein also relate to limbed vehicles configured to receive logistical support from a logistical-support unit, methods of providing logistical support to such limbed vehicles, post networks, and posts.

Abstract: An end effector includes a tip part having a deformation member that is physically changed due to contact with an object, a gauge display part configured to display gauge information according to a physical change of the deformation member, and a connecting rod part connected to the tip part and configured to operate the tip part. A manipulator including an end effector configured to display physical information, which varies according to an object making contact with a tip part, on a gauge display part, an endoscope configured to obtain an image of the tip part of the end effector and an image of the gauge display part, and a control part configured to control transmission of the image obtained by the endoscope, and to control operations of the tip part and the endoscope.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a method of controlling a remote vehicle having an end effector and an image sensing device. The method includes obtaining an image of an object with the image sensing device, determining a ray from a focal point of the image to the object based on the obtained image, positioning the end effector of the remote vehicle to align with the determined ray, and moving the end effector along the determined ray to approach the object.

Abstract: A robot system according to embodiments includes a robot including an arm, and a work table. On the work table, an object used for work performed by the robot by using the arm is placed. The arm of the robot includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and a third arm portion. The first arm portion supports an end effector to be rotatable about a first rotation axis at a distal end thereof. The second arm portion supports a base end of the first arm portion to be swingable about a second rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis. The third arm portion supports a base end of the second arm portion to be swingable about a third rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the second rotation axis.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a suction unit capable of sucking an object and a transfer unit moving the suction unit. The suction unit includes a base member; a plurality of nozzles provided for a plurality of types of objects; a housing room formation unit attached to the base member, forming a housing room for housing the other end portion side of the plurality of nozzles, and including a sealing unit facing air outlets; a negative pressure generation unit generating negative pressure inside the housing room; and a drive unit driving the plurality of nozzles such that the air outlet of a nozzle selected from the plurality of nozzles in accordance with a type of the object is separated from the sealing unit, and the air outlet of a non-selected nozzle is bumped against the sealing unit to be sealed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring a glove (100) from a conveyor (200) characterized by: a camera (10); a pick-up assembly (20) comprising a pair of inner grippers (21) and two pairs of outer grippers (22); a pair of sensors (30); a robotic arm (40) mounted with the pick-up assembly (20); a processor.

Abstract: A workpiece transporting apparatus includes a hand, a rotating portion for rotatably holding the hand, an arm provided in the hand and having one end provided at the rotating portion, and a holding portion provided in the hand and provided to another end of the arm for holding a workpiece, in which a center portion of the holding portion is disposed with a predetermined interval from an axial line extended from a rotational center of the rotating portion toward another end of the arm.

Abstract: A robot system capable of purposely withdrawing a workpiece into a hand, and capable of sequentially and effectively taking out the workpiece, even when workpieces are randomly located. A hand has a base part attached to the front end of a robot arm, at least two fingers pivotally attached to base part, and a roller device arranged at a front end of each finger. The roller device is a rotating belt device having a small motor arranged in the finger, a driving roller driven by the motor via a drive transmitting means, and a driven roller rotated with the driving roller via a belt.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is a configurable column tool configured for moving items from a first elevation to a second elevation such as moving an item from a pallet to a shelf. The configurable column tool is further associated with a transporter, such as a rider lift, said transporter configured to transport a transport-device, such as pallet, from one location to another and perhaps raise/lower such transport-device for stacking. The configurable column tool is mechanically associated with the transporter so that the transporter can move the configurable column tool from a first location to a second location and perhaps raise/lower the configurable column tool. The configurable column tool is configured with one of a plurality of tool attachments, one such attachment being clamping device.

Abstract: A load handling system includes a load movement assembly, a lift cylinder, a load holding member, a release control member, a load movement assembly control device, and a load sensing device. The load sensing device includes a housing having a first port and a second port, and a piston movable between the first and second ports, the first port fluidly connectable to the lift cylinder and the second port fluidly connectable to a source of fluid at a third pressure. The piston is operatively connected to the release control member. When the lift cylinder is at the second pressure the piston is driven to a first position which permits the release control member to be actuated to release the load. When the lift cylinder is at the first pressure the piston is driven to a second position which prevents the release control member to be actuated to release the load.

Abstract: A grasping device includes a first member, a fixed member fixed to the first member, a first finger member fixed to one end of the first member, a slide mechanism fixed to the first member, a first slider member slidably attached to the slide mechanism, a second member fixed to the first slider member at one end thereof, a guide mechanism fixed to the second member, a second slider member slidably attached to the guide mechanism, a second finger member fixed to the second slider member, and a displacement increasing mechanism that transmits a relative displacement between the fixed member and the first slider member to the second slider member.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot. A robot control device is configured to control an operation of the robot, and includes a workpiece shape memory configure to store a shape of workpieces. A shape sensor is configured to detect shape information about the workpieces. A target workpiece detector is configured to detect a graspable workpiece based on the shape information detected by the shape sensor. A grasping information memory is configured to store a grasping position indicating which portion of the graspable workpiece is to be grasped by the robot. A grasping operation controller is configured to control the robot to grasp the graspable workpiece detected by the target workpiece detector and to pick the grasped workpiece. A disturbing operation controller is configured to control, if no graspable workpiece is detected by the target workpiece detector, the robot to perform a workpiece disturbing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated removal of workpieces arranged in a container comprising a first object recognition device for detecting the workpieces and a first gripper for picking and removing the workpieces from the container; and a control for evaluating the data of the first object recognition device, for track planning and for controlling the first gripper; wherein an intermediate station on which the first gripper places the workpiece after the removal from the container; and a positioning apparatus which positions the workpieces more accurately starting from the intermediate station and/or singularizes them.

Abstract: A robotic arm includes: an arm having one or more joints; an arm securing unit provided at at least one of the one or more joints and configured to secure, by electrostatic adhesion, a positional relationship between two parts coupled by each of the at least one of the one or more joints; and a control unit configured to turn on and off the electrostatic adhesion of the arm securing unit.

Abstract: An electroadhesive gripping platform includes one or more electrodes. A power supply is configured to apply voltage to the one or more electrodes in the electroadhesive platform via one or more terminals. A controller is configured to operate the electroadhesive gripping platform to selectively adhere to items loaded thereon and thereby enhance traction control over such items. The controller can control the power supply to apply a voltage to the one or more electrodes in the electroadhesive platform to thereby cause the electroadhesive platform to adhere to an item disposed on the electroadhesive platform such that the item resists moving with respect to the electroadhesive platform. The controller can also control the voltage supply to reduce the voltage applied to the one or more terminals such that the item moves with respect to the electroadhesive platform.

Abstract: In a method and system for depalletizing tires using a robot, wherein the tires are randomly located on a carrier, the position and orientation of outer tires on the carrier are detected using a sensor, and a processor, using a signal from the sensor, determines a tire that can be gripped by a gripping tool of an industrial robot, and calculates a movement path for the gripping tool for that tire. If the calculated path is not collision-free, another tire from among the outer tires is selected, and a movement path for depalletizing that tire is determined. The procedure is repeated until a collision-free movement path for a tire from among the outer tires is established. The gripping tool is then guided according to this collision-free movement path to depalletize the tire having the collision-free path associated therewith.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically and sequentially loading objects onto a feed system, each having a respective axis of rotation and respective first and second indices of rotation about the respective axes. The loading of each object onto the feed system causes an orientation in a predetermined relative position. The method consists in particular in selectively operating a relative rotation of the object and of the handling device about their axis of rotation to achieve the orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method adapted to automatically load and unload biological material test tubes into and from a capsule suitable for handling in a pneumatic mail system, the test tubes being supported by a test tube container which may be removably accommodated in the capsule, wherein the apparatus includes a loading and unloading interface, a receiving/dispatching station for conveying capsules to/from various biological material collection departments and a receiving/dispatching station for conveying capsules to/from biological material testing departments, and devices adapted to handle arriving test tube containers and test tubes to be dispatched to a bench, including a loading area and an unloading area for test tubes and test tube containers, arriving material identifying and checking devices and orienting devices for test tube containers, including a control unit adapted to coordinate the devices during the loading and unloading operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing non-contact material characterization includes a wafer carrier adapted to hold a plurality of substrates and a material characterization device, such as a device for performing photoluminescence spectroscopy. The apparatus is adapted to perform non-contact material characterization on at least a portion of the wafer carrier, including the substrates disposed thereon.