Abstract: A robot controller and a robot control method, by which a human can be prevented from being sandwiched between a collaborative robot and a workpiece conveyed by a conveyor. The robot controller controls the robot configured to perform a predetermined operation for the workpiece conveyed by a convey section moving in a convey direction. The robot controller has: a receive section configured to receive a signal representing that an abnormality of the robot is detected or contact against the robot is detected; and a motion control section configured to control a motion of robot so that, after the receive section receives the signal, a minimum distance between a movable section of the robot and the workpiece is not less than a predetermined safe distance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible surgical instrument system, comprising a distal structural body comprising at least one distal structural segment each comprising a distal fixing disk and structural backbones; a proximal structural body comprising at least one proximal structural segment each comprising a proximal fixing disk, structural backbones and driving backbones; a plurality of cable pulling mechanisms operable to convert a rotational motion into a linear motion to turn the at least one proximal structural segment; and a driving unit to input the rotational motion to the plurality of cable pulling mechanisms; the driving unit comprises: a plurality of driving shafts operable to transfer the rotational motion to the plurality of cable pulling mechanisms, and a first end of each of the plurality of driving shafts is connected with each of the plurality of cable pulling mechanisms.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more imaging cameras. After a reset of the device or other specified event, the electronic device identifies an estimate of the device's pose based on location data such as Global Positioning System (GPS) data, cellular tower triangulation data, wireless network address location data, and the like. The one or more imaging cameras may be used to capture imagery of the local environment of the electronic device, and this imagery is used to refine the estimated pose to identify a refined pose of the electronic device. The refined pose may be used to identify additional imagery information, such as environmental features, that can be used to enhance the location based functionality of the electronic device.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods by which robots predictively detect objects that may obstruct robotic tasks prior to the robots performing those tasks. For instance, a robot may receive a task, and may obtain dimensions of a task object based on a first identifier obtained with the task or with a sensor of the robot. The robot may determine a first boundary for moving the task object based on the task object dimensions and an added buffer of space that accounts for imprecise robotic operation. The robot may detect a second identifier of a neighboring object, and may obtain dimensions of the neighboring object using the second identifier. The robot may compute a second boundary of the neighboring object based on the dimensions of the neighboring object and a position of the second identifier, and may detect an obstruction based on the second boundary crossing into the first boundary.

Abstract: Empathy toward a robot is increased by the robot emulating human-like or animal-like behavior. A robot includes a movement determining unit that determines a direction of movement, a drive mechanism that executes a specified movement, and a familiarity managing unit that updates familiarity with respect to a moving object. The robot moves away from a user with low familiarity, and approaches a user with high familiarity. Familiarity changes in accordance with a depth of involvement between a user and the robot.

Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus includes, a state information obtainment unit configured for, with respect to each of at least some nodes including an assigned node among a plurality of nodes being mobile nodes, obtaining state information that represents a state related to a predetermined value corresponding to a position of each of the some nodes; a control information generation unit configured for generating control information for controlling movement of the assigned node based on the state information of each of the some nodes; and a control unit configured for controlling movement of the assigned node based on the control information.

Abstract: A virtual creature control system, including: a communication unit configured to receive information of current states of a plurality of virtual creatures and transmit a signal for controlling operations of the plurality of virtual creatures, at least one virtual creature among the plurality of virtual creatures being hardware; and a control unit configured to generate a signal for controlling an operation of the at least one virtual creature among the plurality of virtual creatures such that the plurality of virtual creatures are not visually recognized at a same time by a specific user and control the communication unit such that the signal is transmitted to the one virtual creature. The virtual creature control system and virtual creature control method can control the plurality of virtual creatures in conjunction and promote indirect communication among a plurality of spots using the virtual creatures.

Abstract: A picking system including: a picking robot for gripping a target; an operation unit for an operator to perform a remote operation of the picking robot; a learning unit that learns a movement of the picking robot when the target is gripped by the remote operation; and an assisting unit that assists the remote operation based on a learning result of the learning unit.

Abstract: In the following, a system having an autonomous mobile robot and a base station for the robot is described. In accordance with one example, the robot comprises a navigation module with a navigation sensor for detecting geometric features of objects in the environment of the robot. The base station has at least one geometric feature which can be detected by the robot by means of the navigation sensor. The robot includes a robot controller that is coupled with the navigation module, the robot controller being configured to identify and/or localize the base station and/or to determine a docking position of the robot based on the at least one geometric feature of the base station.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus includes a light source, a laser head configured to emit a laser beam, a robot configured to move the laser head, and a control apparatus configured to control start and stop of generation of the laser beam and control operation of the robot. The control apparatus controls the light source to generate the laser beam when a first time has elapsed after causing the robot to start an operation of accelerating the laser head such that a movement speed of the laser head with respect to a processing target object reaches a constant target speed.

Abstract: An operation device includes operation input circuitry that operates a robot having a leading end and a multi-articular arm that changes a position and a posture of the leading end, a device posture sensor that detects a posture of the operation input circuitry in a first coordinate system for controlling the robot, and processing circuitry that rotates a second coordinate system rotatable relative to the first coordinate system based on the posture of the operation input device, generates motion command for the leading end of the robot in the second coordinate system based on input operation into the operation input circuitry, converts the motion command into a first-coordinate-system motion command for the leading end of the robot in the first coordinate system, outputs the first-coordinate-system motion command for controlling the robot based on the first-coordinate-system motion command, and regulates rotation of the second coordinate system about at least one axis.

Abstract: When a first condition that a time in which magnitude of a first detection force detected by a force detection unit is larger than a first force threshold value continued for a time longer than zero and shorter than a first time threshold value is satisfied in teaching, a movable unit is moved in a predetermined amount in a direction according to a direction of the first detection force. When a second condition that magnitude of a second detection force detected by the force detection unit is larger than a second force threshold value that is larger than the first force threshold value is satisfied during movement of an end effector, the movable unit is decelerated or stopped.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: engaging, at an information handing device, in a conversational session with a user; receiving an input from a source other than the user during the conversational session; and performing, at the information handling device, an action related to the conversational input in response to the received input. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: In response to a first condition in a first subsystem of a robot, a controller halts operation of the first subsystem; transmits a set command specifying a first notification to an interface system; obtains status information from the interface system; and, in response to the status information indicating that the first notification has a cleared status, resumes operation of the first subsystem. The interface system maintains a set of active notifications and tracks a set of devices configured to receive notifications. Each of the devices is associated with a respective operator. In response to receiving the set command, the interface system: adds the first notification to the set of active notifications; determines a subset of devices to receive the first notification; wirelessly transmits the first notification to the subset; and, in response to receiving a clear message specifying the first notification, sets the first notification to the cleared status.

Abstract: It is possible simply switch between a mode of causing one robot to perform an operation independently from another robot and another mode of causing one robot and another robot to perform an operation in cooperation. A robot system includes a first-type robot, a first-type control part which takes charge of drive control of the first-type robot, a second-type robot, and a second-type control part which takes charge of drive control of the second-type robot. When the first-type robot and the second-type robot perform an operation on the same object in cooperation, a control part in charge of drive control of the second-type robot is changed from the second-type control part to the first-type control part, and the first-type control part takes charge of drive control of the first-type robot and the second-type robot.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for predictive maintenance is provided. The present invention may include recording, using an autonomous robot moving along a surface through a plurality of positions in a room, a plurality of data associated with an under-floor appliance provided beneath the surface of the room. The present invention may also include calculating, based on the recorded plurality of data associated with the under-floor appliance provided beneath the surface of the room, a material composition associated with the plurality of positions in the room. The present invention may further include generating, based on the calculated material composition associated with the plurality of positions in the room, a layout diagram for visualizing a layout of the under-floor appliance provided beneath the surface of the room.

Abstract: Methods and systems for training a robotic manipulator. The system may include one or more sensor devices and a robotic manipulator for executing an item grasping strategy to grasp an item. The system may further evaluate the item grasping strategy to determine whether the strategy was successful.

Abstract: An operation planning apparatus 1 of a robot 100 includes a non-interference path generation unit 3 and a time determination unit 5 configured to generate a time-space path. The time determination unit 5 includes a temporary time setting unit 8 configured to set, for each main point, temporary time in such a way that an operation speed does not exceed a maximum allowable speed between the plurality of main points; and a temporary time adjustment unit 9 configured to spatially smooth the spatial smoothing path in a first smoothing range that includes the main point using a mollifier function, and prolong, if the operation speed exceeds the maximum allowable acceleration in the first smoothing range, the temporary time of the plurality of main points after the main point in such a way that the operation speed does not exceed the maximum allowable acceleration in the first, smoothing range.

Abstract: A autonomous moving device, moving and working in a working region limited by a boundary wire, and including at least one boundary sensor, detecting boundary signal and outputting boundary signal output; a control module, electrically connected to the boundary sensor, and judging type of the boundary signal output, wherein the control module comprises an estimation unit, estimating whether the type of the boundary signal output in a predetermined estimation period is consistent or not, and if consistent, the control module judges that the boundary signal output is stable; the control module judges position relation of the boundary sensor relative to the boundary wire based on the type of the stable boundary signal output.

Abstract: A lawn mower robot includes an outer cover, an inner body positioned in the outer cover and having a plurality of wheels for traveling provided on both side surfaces thereof, a plurality of blades rotatably mounted on a bottom surface of the inner body to cut grass, electric devices mounted inside the inner body and including a battery, wheel driving motors, a blade driving motor, a plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules, rain sensors, a user interface (UI) module, and a universal serial bus (USB) port, and a waterproof unit to prevent penetration of water into the inner body or the electric devices, thereby improving waterproof performance.

Abstract: A control apparatus controls a horizontal articulated robot including a base, a first arm provided at the base and pivoting around a first axis relative to the base, a second arm provided at the first arm and pivoting around a second axis relative to the first arm, a shaft provided in the second arm and linearly moving in directions along a third axis, a motor that drives linear motion of the shaft, a position detector that detects a position of the motor, and an inertial sensor provided in the second arm, and includes a control section that feeds back output of the inertial sensor to control of the motor and drives the motor.

Abstract: A tracking device including a housing, wherein the housing includes a cavity, and further wherein the housing is adapted for association with a user; an optional securement member, wherein the optional securement member is associated with at least a portion of the housing; a tracking assembly that tracks a motion logic and defines a job function of an employee/janitor.

Abstract: A system for enabling spot cleaning includes a mobile computing device and a mobile cleaning robot. The mobile computing device includes at least one camera configured to capture images of an environment, and at least one data processor configured to (a) establish, based at least in part on first information provided by the at least one image sensor, a coordinate system in the environment, (b) determine, based at least in part on second information provided by the at least one camera, a first set of coordinates of a region at a first location, (c) determine, based at least in part on third information provided by the at least one camera, a second set of coordinates of a mobile cleaning robot at a second location, (d) send the first set of coordinates and second set of coordinates, or coordinates of the first location relative to the second location, to the mobile cleaning robot, and (e) send an instruction to the mobile cleaning robot to request the mobile cleaning robot to travel to the first location.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic device and a method for delivering a message by the same.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a commodity take-out apparatus includes a camera, an arm, a holding mechanism, and a controller. The controller determines a reference position in the take-out target commodity on the basis of the image acquired by the camera, determines positions of the both side surfaces of the take-out target commodity on the basis of a size of the take-out target commodity, using the reference position as a reference. The arm and the holding mechanism are operated by the controller to thereby move the holding member of the holding mechanism on both lateral sides of the take-out target commodity on the basis of the determined positions of the both side surfaces of the take-out target commodity and cause the holding member to hold the take-out target commodity.

Abstract: Controllers for inspection robots traversing an obstacle are described. In an embodiment a controller may include an obstacle sensory data circuit to interpret obstacle sensory data provided by an obstacle sensor of an inspection robot, an obstacle processing circuit to determine refined obstacle data, and an obstacle notification circuit to generate and provide obstacle notification data to a user interface device. The controller may further include a user interface circuit to interpret a user request value from the user interface device, and to determine an obstacle response command value in response to the user request value; and an obstacle configuration circuit to provide the obstacle response command value to the inspection robot during the interrogating of the inspection surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments for fast prototyping of morphologies and controllers related to locomotion for a robotic device are disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes at least one sensor; at least one input interface; at least one output interface; a display; at least one processor electrically connected to the at least one sensor, the at least one input interface, the at least one output interface and the display; and memory electrically connected to the at least one processor, wherein memory is configured to store instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to receive a sound from a user via the at least one input interface, execute an application for interaction with the user based on the received sound, identify the user based on information associated with the user obtained using the at least one sensor, and control the display to display information related to at least one function of the application executed in association with the user.

Abstract: A robot includes a filming unit that films a periphery, and a movement control unit that controls a distance from a filmed target object in accordance with a size of the target object. The robot may further include an operation control unit that controls an operation of a head portion, and a recognizing unit that recognizes a face of the filmed target object. The operation control unit may control the operation of the head portion so that a line of sight of the head portion reaches an angle of looking up directed at the face of the target object. The movement control unit may control the distance from the target object in accordance with a height of the target object.

Abstract: There is provided a teaching apparatus that teaches a robot, in particular an industrial robot, a task by direct teaching. The teaching apparatus includes a wearable display that displays information in a worker's visual field, an acquisition section that acquires position and posture data capable of specifying a position and a posture of an industrial robot, and a production section that produces information to be displayed on the wearable display. When a worker operates the robot using the teaching apparatus, the apparatus produces state information that indicates at least one of a position and a posture of the robot relative to a reference object located around the robot, based on position and posture data as acquired and displays the produced information on the wearable display. There is also provided a teaching method having teaching functions equivalent to those of the apparatus.

Abstract: A persistent companion robot detects human interaction cues through analysis of a range of sensory inputs. Based on the detected cue, the robot expresses a skill that involves interacting with human through verbal and non-verbal means to determine a second interaction cue in response to which the robot performs a second skill such as facilitating social interactions between humans, performing utilitarian tasks, informing humans, and entertaining humans.

Abstract: System for guiding an instrument within a vascular network of a patient are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system receives a medical image from a medical imaging device and identifies a distal tip and a direction the instrument in the image. The system may then determine a waypoint for the distal tip of the instrument based at least in part on the position and direction of the distal tip of the instrument. The system may then generate a trajectory command for moving the instrument through the vascular network from the current position to the waypoint. The system may operate in a closed loop. The system may provide the trajectory command to a robotic medical system configured to move the instrument according to the command.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes at least one robotic arm comprising at least one movable joint and an actuator configured to drive the at least one movable joint, and a controller configured to generate a first signal, the first signal comprising a first oscillating waveform having a first frequency and being modulated by a second oscillating waveform having a second frequency, wherein the second frequency is higher than the first frequency. The actuator is configured to drive the at least one movable joint based on the first signal to at least partially compensate for friction in the at least one movable joint.

Abstract: Empathy toward a robot is increased by the robot emulating human-like or animal-like behavior. A robot includes a movement determining unit that determines a direction of movement, an action determining unit that selects a gesture from multiple kinds of gesture, and a drive mechanism that executes a specified movement and gesture. When a user enters a hall, an external sensor installed in advance detects a return home, and notifies the robot via a server that the user has returned home. The robot heads to the hall, and welcomes the user home by performing a gesture indicating goodwill, such as sitting down and raising an arm.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods to coordinate a robot swarm include an analyzer to create a planning message based on data associated with a first bot and a second bot. The planning message is communicated to the swarm from a first source. In addition, a scheduler issues a first assignment of a first operation slot and a first role to the first bot based on the planning message, issues a second assignment of a second operation slot and a second role to the second bot based on the planning message, and creates a decision message including the first assignment and the second assignment. The decision message is communicated to the swarm from a second source different than the first source.

Abstract: A detachable modular mobile autonomy module (MAM) for a modular autonomous bot apparatus includes a housing with latching points, an autonomous controller, location circuitry, external sensors monitoring an environment external to the MAM and providing sensor data to the controller, multi-element light panels on the housing driven by the controller; and a modular component power and data bus. The bus has a bottom side modular component electronics interface disposed on the housing that mates to a corresponding interface on another proximately-attached modular component of the bot.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.

Abstract: This system is a data collection system collecting a robot operation-related data/signal from a robot controller. The data collection system includes a data collection condition setting unit setting a collection condition of the robot operation-related data/signal from the robot controller and a data storage unit storing the robot operation-related data/signal collected from the robot controller. A shared memory inside which the data storage unit and the data collection condition setting unit are formed is formed in a substrate which can be mounted on an expansion slot of the robot controller. According to this system, a data collection function can be post-installed to an existing robot controller so as to arbitrarily select and collect various data on the robot operation.

Abstract: An area partitioning method, a partition cleaning method and a robot are provided. The area partitioning method includes: sequentially determining, according to a preset priority order, whether each of candidate directions of a current partition can satisfy a creation condition; creating, when one of the candidate directions satisfies the creation condition, a new partition in the candidate direction satisfying the creation condition; and ending area partitioning when none of the candidate directions satisfies the creation condition. The method can improve the working efficiency of the cleaning robot and avoid the occurrence of random cleaning, which leads to good use experience and has a good application prospect.

Abstract: A method and a device for displaying a motion path of robot and a robot. The method for displaying a motion path of the robot includes acquiring a current motion path of the robot, recognizing the motion path to determine a type of the motion path, determining, according to the type of the motion path, a display manner corresponding to the type of the motion path, and displaying the motion path on an electronic map in the determined display manner.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and alerting an operator of a vehicle having one or more autonomous (and/or semi-autonomous) operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, operating data from sensors within the vehicle may be used to determine risks associated with use of the features, which may include use at particular levels or with certain settings. The risk levels may be compared with warning thresholds to determine whether safe operation may be maintained under the operating conditions. When the risk levels exceed a threshold, a warning may be generated and presented to the vehicle operator, which may include information regarding the risks. The vehicle operator may then change the use levels or select an option to change the use levels of the features. The response of the vehicle operator may be used to determine or adjust aspects of an insurance policy associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: A monitoring method for a positioning device includes the following steps. The motion of a positioning device is sensed by a first sensing device in a first sensing area of a monitoring area, so as to generate a plurality of first sensing signals. The first sensing signals are received by a processing device. The first sensing signals are analyzed and calculated by the processing device to generate a first processing result associated with the motion of the positioning device. The first processing result is displayed on a display device. Therefore, the position distribution and motion trajectory of the positioning device may effectively be obtained, and the timeliness of monitoring and the convenience of use are increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to computerized (“smart”) mobile electronic devices and more particularly, to a system and methods of diagnosing and repairing malfunctions in smart mobile electronic devices, including a diagnostic process that utilizes decisions based on Big Data that holds information of multiple devices and offers a “disable components” (i.e., turn-off components) solution in order to overcome the problem without flashing a firmware or doing a factory-reset.

Abstract: Methods of lubricating fracking valves on a wellhead include mounting a distribution manifold of a grease distribution system on, adjacent to or remotely with respect to the wellhead, the distribution manifold having a plurality of manifold valves; selecting at least one of the fracking valves for lubrication; coupling at least one of the plurality of manifold valves of the grease distribution system to the at least one of the fracking valves; coupling a grease pump to the at least one of the plurality of manifold valves; opening the at least one of the plurality of manifold valves; and distributing grease from the grease pump through the at least one of the plurality of manifold valves to the at least one of the fracking valves by operation of the grease pump.

Abstract: A control method of an interaction robot according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving a user input, by the interaction robot; determining a robot response corresponding to the received user input, by the interaction robot; and outputting the determined robot response, by the interaction robot, wherein the step of outputting the determined robot response includes the steps of: outputting a color matching to the received user input or the determined robot response to a light emitting unit, by the interaction robot; and outputting a motion matching to the received user input or the determined robot response to any one or more among a first driving unit and a second driving unit, by the interaction robot.

Abstract: An approach is provided in which the approach captures a set of sensory data corresponding to a first user traversing over a physical terrain in a physical world. The approach uses the set of sensory data to create a set of instructions to emulate the physical world by a locomotion system. The approach invokes the locomotion system to emulate the physical terrain utilizing the set of instructions while a second user is positioned on the locomotion system and using a virtual reality device to traverse through a virtual world.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a self-driving vehicle are presented. The system comprises a camera, a processor, a communications transceiver, a computer-readable medium, and a display device. The processor can be configured to receive an image of a self-driving vehicle from the camera, and vehicle information from the self-driving vehicle. A graphic comprising the image of the self-driving vehicle and a visual representation of the vehicle information is then displayed on the display device. The vehicle information may comprise any or all of vehicle-status information, vehicle-mission information, vehicle-metric information, and vehicle-environment information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a plurality of mobile driverless manipulator systems (10, 20), in particular driverless transport vehicles in a logistics environment (40) for manipulating objects (30). In the method, ambient information is provided by a central control device (50), and in one step, an object to be moved (30) in the surroundings is detected. The position and the pose of the detected object are used for updating the ambient information and are taken into account in the path planning of the mobile driverless manipulator systems (10, 20) in that, prior to a movement of the detected object (30), a first mobile driverless manipulator system (10) is used to check whether the detected object (30) is needed for the orientation of a second mobile driverless manipulator system (20).

Abstract: A system comprises an arm including a bendable section and a force transmission mechanism. The system also comprises an actuation mechanism coupled to the force transmission mechanism to bend the bendable section. The system also comprises an electronic data processor configured to receive sensor data about the bendable section and determine external force information about at least one of a magnitude or a direction of an external force applied to the arm from the sensor data. the processor is also configured to determine a pose of the bendable section from the sensor data and generate control information for the actuation mechanism to maintain the pose of the bendable section in a stationary configuration as the external force is applied to or withdrawn from the arm.

Abstract: Embodiments provide automatic printing and delivery of a printed document from a virtual reality (VR) environment. The printed document may be delivered to the user while preserving the user's immersion within a virtual reality session. A printed-out copy of the document may be physically delivered to the user by a robot. In some embodiments, a virtual reality server may coordinate requests for printed documents, provide print and delivery status updates within the VR space, and control the robot's path to the delivery site.