Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training an action selection neural network. One of the methods includes receiving an observation characterizing a current state of the environment; determining a target network output for the observation by performing a look ahead search of possible future states of the environment starting from the current state until the environment reaches a possible future state that satisfies one or more termination criteria, wherein the look ahead search is guided by the neural network in accordance with current values of the network parameters; selecting an action to be performed by the agent in response to the observation using the target network output generated by performing the look ahead search; and storing, in an exploration history data store, the target network output in association with the observation for use in updating the current values of the network parameters.

Abstract: A robot is disclosed. The robot comprises: a body including a transport means; a head disposed on the body and including a plurality of sensors; and a processor which controls the head on the basis of at least one sensor among the plurality of sensors and acquires information related to a user's health through the sensor of the controlled head.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile device (AMD) that interacts with a user operates more effectively when able to persist an entity identifier across time with a particular user. Sensor data, such as a set of image frames, is acquired over time and used to determine locations of the user in the physical space. An entity identifier may be associated with the user as depicted in each frame, to allow the AMD to distinguish one user from another. However, due to changes in orientation, appearance, lighting, and so forth, different entity identifiers may be assigned across different frames, even though the user is the same. Information about the location at different times is used to establish a relationship between a root entity identifier and the entity identifiers in individual frames, allowing for consistent operation with respect to the particular user associated with the root entity identifier.

Abstract: A method for improving a cycle time of a process of a product is provided. The method includes: collecting process profile data from a plurality of tool groups running the process, and calculating values of a plurality of key-performance-indicators (KPIs) of each tool group including calculating a standard deviation of an output of a stage of a bottleneck tool group of the tool groups; feeding the values of the KPIs and a work-in-progress (WIP) of each tool group into a neural network model in order to output an impact on the WIP for each KPI of each tool group by the neural network model; selecting a set of major KPIs of each tool group from the KPIs according to the impact of each tool group; and controlling the tool groups according to the impact of the set of major KPIs of each tool group in order to reduce a total WIP.

Abstract: In a method of operation of a robot, the robot identifies a set of candidate actions that may be performed by the robot, and collects, for each candidate action of the set of candidate actions, a respective set of ancillary data. The robot transmits a request for instructions to a tele-operation system that is communicatively coupled to the robot. The request for instructions includes each candidate action and each respective set of ancillary data. The robot receives, and executes, the instructions from the tele-operation system. The robot updates a control model, based at least in part on each candidate action, each respective set of ancillary data, and the instructions, to increase a level of autonomy of the robot. The robot may transmit the request for instructions to the tele-operation system in response to determining the robot is unable to select a candidate action to perform in furtherance of an objective.

Abstract: Some aspects include a method for operating a robot in a workspace, including: capturing, with an image sensor, image data of the workspace including objects within the workspace as the robot moves within the workspace; identifying, with a processor of the robot, at least one characteristic in the image data, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises one of: an edge, a shape, and a color; determining, with the processor, an object type of an object; and instructing, with the processor, the robot to execute at least one action based on the at least one characteristic, wherein the at least one action comprises one of: driving along a modified path and driving around the object.

Abstract: A system connects an assembly with at least one actuator and at least one sensor to a controller. The assembly is guided by a handling apparatus. The controller includes a radio master spatially separate from the handling apparatus and has a sending and receiving unit. The assembly is supplied with supply voltage by the handling apparatus. In or on the assembly, the supply voltage is transformed into a direct current target voltage with the aid of a DC/DC or AC/DC transformer. The direct current target voltage supplies the sending and receiving unit of the assembly.

Abstract: A deep learning framework application database server includes: an input/output unit configured to receive an inference query from a user; a storage unit serving as a database and comprising a previously learned first learning model table and an inference dataset table associated with the inference query; and a framework unit configured to interwork with the database and perform deep learning for the inference query using the first learning model table and the inference dataset table.

Abstract: A system for providing a behavior simulation platform service is provided, and comprises: a user terminal that selects and downloads at least one behavior simulation program, and then applies the at least one behavior simulation program to a previously owned robot; and a platform service provision server including a database unit that maps and stores the at least one behavior simulation program and at least one robot, a transmission unit that, if the user terminal selects a behavior simulation program, transmits the selected behavior simulation program to the user terminal, and a storage unit that, if feedback is received from the previously owned robot via the user terminal, stores the feedback.

Abstract: An operation rule determination device includes an environment execution unit that obtains a state of a control target after each operation and the degree associated with the state for a series of operations on the control target, by using degree information in which the state and the degree of desirability of the state are associated with each other, and a risk-considered history generation unit that calculates a cumulative degree obtained by accumulating the obtained degree for the series of operations, and, when the cumulative degree satisfies a condition, reduces the degree associated with the state after the series of operations in the degree information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for learning and managing robot user interfaces are disclosed herein. One embodiment generates, based on input data including information about past interactions of a particular user with a robot and with existing HMIs of the robot, a latent space using one or more encoder neural networks, wherein the latent space is a reduced-dimensionality representation of learned behavior and characteristics of the particular user, and uses the latent space as input to train a decoder neural network associated with (1) a new HMI distinct from the existing HMIs or (2) a particular HMI among the existing HMIs to alter operation of the particular HMI. The trained first decoder neural network is deployed in the robot to control, at least in part, operation of the new HMI or the particular HMI in accordance with the learned behavior and characteristics of the particular user.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for the positioning and position detection of a deformable load-bearing plate, having a driving parallel kinematics system with a plurality of drive legs, wherein the load-bearing plate forms a constituent part of the driving parallel kinematics system or is fixed rigidly on a platform thereof, a reference parallel kinematics system with a substantially deformation-free reference plate which is formed by the platform of the reference parallel kinematics system or is fixed rigidly thereto and which is positioned underneath the load-bearing plate, and a plurality of reference legs, a sensor assembly which comprises a plurality of leg length measurement devices arranged in the reference legs and also a plurality of distance sensors arranged on the reference plate for point-wise or region-wise detection of the distance of the reference plate from the load-bearing plate, and a position-calculating unit which is connected at the input side to the leg length measurement devices a

Abstract: For teleoperation of a surgical robotic system, the control of the surgical robotic system accounts for a limited degree of freedom of a tool in a surgical robotic system. A projection from the greater DOF of the user input commands to the lesser DOF of the tool is included within or as part of the inverse kinematics. The projection identifies feasible motion in the end-effector domain. This projection allows for a general solution that works for tools having different degrees of freedom and will converge on a solution.

Abstract: At least one robot is disclosed for object manipulation, on the basis of a probabilistic approach without object detection by visual sensors, a probability distribution is determined approximately by an iterative, recursive application of a Bayes filter algorithm, wherein state transition probabilities obtained, in a nondeterministic motion model for system simulation, are multiplicatively linked with measurement probabilities obtained at the start of the application.

Abstract: A robot balance control method as well as a robot using the same and a computer readable storage medium are provided. In the method, a brand new flywheel model different from the existing flywheel model is created. In this flywheel model, the foot of the support leg of the robot is equivalent to the massless link of the flywheel model, while rest parts of the robot are equivalent to the flywheel of the flywheel model. Compared with the various models in the prior art, this flywheel model is more in line with the actual situation of the robot during the monoped supporting period. By controlling the posture of the foot of the support leg based on this flywheel model, a better balance effect can be achieved, which avoids the overturning of the robot.

Abstract: A dynamic planning controller receives a maneuver for a robot and a current state of the robot and transforms the maneuver and the current state of the robot into a nonlinear optimization problem. The nonlinear optimization problem is configured to optimize an unknown force and an unknown position vector. At a first time instance, the controller linearizes the nonlinear optimization problem into a first linear optimization problem and determines a first solution to the first linear optimization problem using quadratic programming. At a second time instance, the controller linearizes the nonlinear optimization problem into a second linear optimization problem based on the first solution at the first time instance and determines a second solution to the second linear optimization problem based on the first solution using the quadratic programming. The controller also generates a joint command to control motion of the robot during the maneuver based on the second solution.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising receiving by an autonomous vehicle (“AV”) service provider a request for an AV service from a user, wherein the request identifies an origin and a destination for the AV service; identifying a plurality of possible routes between the origin and the destination; and, for each one of the plurality of possible routes assigning to the one of the possible routes at least one of a comfort score, a confidence score, and a risk an risk score based on data associated with the one of the possible routes determining a price for the one of the possible routes based on a combination of the at least one of the comfort score, the confidence score, and the risk score assigned to the one of the possible routes.

Abstract: A robot hand controller is provided for controlling operations of a robot (e.g., an industrial robot), which is configured to be held with a position and posture of an arm being changed by a user, and a hand mounted on the arm and held with an open/closed position being changed by a user. In the controller, the position and posture of the arm and the open/closed position of the hand are detected. A gripping force of the hand is detected. A reception unit receives an operation of recording a state of the arm and the hand, and a recording unit records, as state information in time series, the position and the posture, the open/closed position, and the gripping force, which are detected when the operation is received by the reception unit. Operations of the arm and the hand are controlled to reproduce the recorded state information recorded in time series.

Abstract: A device to verify a screen image transition without manual intervention. The device includes: a screen image data acquisition unit which acquires image data of the screen image; a screen image transition button extraction unit which analyzes image data of the screen image and extracts a button in the screen; an operation target button selection unit which selects a button to be an operation target; a button operation unit which causes the device to generate a signal when the selected button is operated; a screen image transition recording unit which records screen image transition data in a recording medium, the data including image data of the screen images before and after the screen image transition caused by the operation, and data related to the button operated during the transition; and a screen image transition diagram generation unit which generates a screen image transition diagram using the screen image transition data.

Abstract: Provided is a remote control system for work machine capable of enhancing the stability and efficiently improving the operability. A remote control system for a work machine having a plurality of actuators 31 corrects all command signals for the actuators 31 being operated when a communication delay time occurs during operation with the actuators 31. This limits the operation of the actuators 31 while keeping the ratio of the command signals (operation signals) of the actuators 31.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an elongate device are provided herein. In some embodiments, a robotic system may comprise a manipulator assembly configured to drive an elongate device and a control device configured to receive user input commanding the elongate device. The robotic system may also comprise a control system communicatively coupled to the manipulator assembly and the control device. The control system may be configured to monitor movement of the elongate device during a plurality of intervals, monitor user input received by the control device during the plurality of intervals, and adjust a property of the elongate device based on at least one of the monitored movement or the monitored user input.

Abstract: A data generation device generates at least a part of data used for a generation of an image displayed on a display unit. The display unit displays a workspace model modeled after an actual workspace, as a video. The workspace model includes a robot model modeled after an actual robot, and a peripheral object model modeled after a given peripheral object around the actual robot. The robot model is created so as to operate according to operation of an operator to a manipulator. The data generation device includes a state information acquiring module configured to acquire state information indicative of a state of the peripheral object, and an estimating module configured to estimate, based on the state information, a state of the peripheral object after a given period of time from the current time point, and generate a result of the estimation as peripheral-object model data used for a creation of the peripheral object model displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: A robotic grasp generation technique for part picking applications. Part and gripper geometry are provided as inputs, typically from CAD files. Gripper kinematics are also defined as an input. A set of candidate grasps is provided using any known preliminary grasp generation tool. A point model of the part and a model of the gripper contact surfaces with a clearance margin are used in an optimization computation applied to each of the candidate grasps, resulting in an adjusted grasp database. The adjusted grasps optimize grasp quality using a virtual gripper surface, which positions the actual gripper surface a small distance away from the part. A signed distance field calculation is then performed on each of the adjusted grasps, and those with any collision between the gripper and the part are discarded. The resulting grasp database includes high quality collision-free grasps for use in a robotic part pick-and-place operation.

Abstract: A teleoperational medical system includes a teleoperational control system, a teleoperational manipulator configured for operating a medical instrument in a medical environment, and an operator controller. The teleoperational control system includes a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to determine whether a head portion of an operator of the operator controller is directed toward or away from a display region of a display device based on at least one marker on the operator that is configured to remain substantially fixed relative to the head portion of the operator during a movement of the head portion. The processing unit is further configured to, based on a determination that the head portion is directed away from the display region for at least a threshold time period, enter a standby mode such that movement of the operator controller does not provide corresponding movement to the teleoperational manipulator.

Abstract: A data processing device includes a command generation unit configured to generate an instruction command for giving an instruction of one or more operations to be executed during a process by a robot provided with at least one arm, wherein the instruction command is generated on a basis of instruction data including image data obtained by capturing one or more images of situations during or after the process, and text data indicating at least one of an object to be utilized in the process or an operation to be executed during the process.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for using skill templates for robotic demonstration learning. One of the methods includes receiving a skill template for a task to be performed by a robot, wherein the skill template defines a state machine having a plurality of subtasks and one or more respective transition conditions between one or more of the subtasks. Local demonstration data for a demonstration subtask of the skill template is received, where the local demonstration data is generated from a user demonstrating how to perform the demonstration subtask with the robot. A machine learning model is refined for the demonstration subtask and the skill template is executed on the robot, causing the robot to transition through the state machine defined by the skill template to perform the task.

Abstract: A cleaning route determination apparatus includes a calculation condition inputter that receives a calculation condition including information regarding an inside of a facility, an analyzer that analyzes, on a basis of the calculation condition, behavior of airflow and particles inside the facility, a map generator that generates, on a basis of a result of the analysis, a dust accumulation map indicating dust accumulation areas inside the facility and one or more dust amounts corresponding to the dust accumulation areas, a classifier that selects, on the basis of a certain condition, clusters from among clusters inside the facility, and a route calculator that determines a first route from second routes. Each of the second routes is a route for a cleaner to pass through, within a certain period of time, at least one dust accumulation area included in the clusters selected from among the clusters.

Abstract: A conveyor for moving four-wheeled vehicles comprises a telescopic frame provided with tire-chock arms movable between a retracted position and a position in which they engage with the treads of the wheels. The conveyor comprises a propulsion unit made up of a front frame to which two lateral subunits are secured, each comprising a motorized and directional wheel, which can be oriented independently of one another and a means for coupling the telescopic frame with the front frame.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a device comprises a body, a mechanical propulsion system affixed to the body to cause the body to traverse a multi-oriented surface and to prevent contact between the body and the multi-oriented surface, a thrust system to apply a thrust force to the device that opposes a gravitational force acting on the device, and a payload with at least one sensor to detect a characteristics of the multi-oriented surface.

Abstract: A method includes maneuvering a robot in (i) a following mode in which the robot is controlled to travel along a path segment adjacent an obstacle, while recording data indicative of the path segment, and (ii) in a coverage mode in which the robot is controlled to traverse an area. The method includes generating data indicative of a layout of the area, updating data indicative of a calculated robot pose based at least on odometry, and calculating a pose confidence level. The method includes, in response to the confidence level being below a confidence limit, maneuvering the robot to a suspected location of the path segment, based on the calculated robot pose and the data indicative of the layout and, in response to detecting the path segment within a distance from the suspected location, updating the data indicative of the calculated pose and/or the layout.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure provide a control solution for a robotic actuator. The actuator can have one or two degrees of freedom of control, and can connect with a platform using an arm. The arm can have at least two degrees of freedom of control, and the platform can have at least two degrees of freedom of control. The platform can be subjected to unpredictable forces requiring a control response. The control solution can be generated using operational space control, using the degrees of freedom of the arm, platform and actuator.

Abstract: A method for tuning the force control parameters for a general robotic assembly operation. The method uses numerical optimization to evaluate different combinations of the parameters for a robot force controller in a simulation environment that is built based on a real-world robotic setup. This method performs autonomous tuning for assembly tasks based on closed loop force control simulation, where random samples from a distribution of force control parameter values are evaluated, and the optimization routine iteratively redefines the parameter distribution to find optimal values of the parameters. Each simulated assembly is evaluated using multiple simulations including random part positioning uncertainties. The performance of each simulated assembly is evaluated by the average of the simulation results, thus ensuring that the selected control parameters will perform well in most possible conditions.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system has a surgical robotic arm, and a programmed processor that determines a longest principal axis of a velocity ellipsoid for a first configuration of the arm, applies a maximum task space velocity (that is in the direction of the longest principal axis) to an inverse kinematics equation which computes a potential joint space velocity, computes a ratio of i) the potential joint space velocity and ii) a joint space velocity limit of the arm, and applies the ratio to an initial joint space velocity, to produce a regulated joint space velocity. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the technical field of food processing, and in particular, relates to an adaptive quantitative sub-packaging method for fried rice with multiple side dishes in a central kitchen and an apparatus therefor. The present invention mainly includes self-construction of a key side dish recognition model, self-evaluation of the key side dish recognition model, adaptive quantification of batch fried rice, and the apparatus matched with the three-step operation.

Abstract: A machine learning system is provided to enhance various aspects of machine learning models. In some aspects, a substantially photorealistic three-dimensional (3D) graphical model of an object is accessed and a set of training images of the 3D graphical mode are generated, the set of training images generated to add imperfections and degrade photorealistic quality of the training images. The set of training images are provided as training data to train an artificial neural network.

Abstract: An exemplary method of using a virtual assistant may include receiving an unstructured natural-language user request for a service from a virtual assistant; determining whether the user request corresponds to at least one of a plurality of plan templates accessible to the virtual assistant, based on the content of the user request and the content of the plan templates; in accordance with a determination that the user request corresponds to at least one of the plurality of plan templates, selecting one of the plurality of plan templates; and in accordance with a determination the user request fails to correspond to at least one of the plurality of plan templates, foregoing selection of a plan template; and in response to selection of one of the plan templates, beginning to respond to the user request according to the selected plan template.

Abstract: Systems and methods to design part weld processes are disclosed. An example system for monitoring welding of components of a workpiece with multiple arc welds in a fixture includes: one or more weld sensors configured to collect data associated with the multiple arc welds; and a computing device configured to: access a weld program; provide weld instructions defined in the weld program and associated with a sequence of welds for the workpiece, the weld instructions comprising a visual slide including an image of the workpiece and a visual indication of a first location of a first weld; based on the weld program, display the visual slide at a first zoom level; based on the weld program, display the visual slide at a second zoom level; and monitor first weld data from the one or more sensors during a first weld to determine a status of the first weld.

Abstract: A reversing assistant system for a vehicle comprising a first path memory for storing a continuously recorded current forward segment, and a second path memory for storing a recorded preceding forward segment. The system is configured to transfer the content of the first path memory to the second path memory when the vehicle resumes forward motion after reversing, and it further comprises a path merger observer configured to repeatedly assess whether the current forward segment is mergeable with the preceding forward segment and, if so, to trigger a path merging operation. The system further comprises a path merger configured to execute a path merging operation and to substitute its output into the first path memory and a drive assistance unit configured to determine drive actions causing the vehicle to reverse along a recorded forward segment or a merged segment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for realizing a dynamic running gait of a biped robot on a rough terrain road, which sets a state machine for an entire running cycle to perform a balance control and movement trajectory planning of the robot in each state. At the time that the robot switches from the in-air phase into a landing phase, a SLIP model is used to control the posture balance and landing cushion; and when the robot is stable after landing, an LIP model is used to control a center of mass of the robot to a set height. An in-air phase of the robot in running is generated through movement trajectory planning and state switching of a supporting leg and a swinging leg to realize a running of the robot.

Abstract: An optical transmission and reception system includes an optical transmitter including an optical modulator that optically modulates a transmission signal containing a known signal inserted at predetermined intervals and transmits it to an optical transmission line, and an optical receiver including an optical RC circuit that converts an optical modulation signal received from the optical transmission line into a complex time series signal, a photoelectric conversion element that converts the complex time series signal into an electrical intensity signal, and a digital signal processing unit that performs learning using the known signal as a teaching signal and performs demodulation, based on learning results, using the electrical intensity signal received from the photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: A mobility surrogate includes a humanoid form supporting at least one camera that captures image data from a first physical location in which the first mobility surrogate is disposed to produce an image signal and a mobility base. The mobility base includes a support mechanism, with the humanoid form affixed to the support on the mobility base and a transport module that includes mechanical drive mechanism and a transport control module including a processor and memory that are configured to receive control messages from a network and process the control messages to control the transport module according to the control messages received from the network.

Abstract: A quick change end effector system for use with a robot includes a quick change end effector configured for application to a task to be completed by a robot, the quick change end effector further comprising an end effector magnet, and a robotic manipulator configured to lock to the end effector, the robotic manipulator further configured to use the end effector to complete the task, the robotic manipulator comprising a manipulator magnet, the manipulator magnet being configured to magnetically attract the end effector magnet, thereby locking the manipulator in a mechanically strong connection to the quick change end effector, wherein upon disengagement of the magnetic attraction locking the manipulator to the quick change end effector, the quick change end effector can be quickly removed from the manipulator.

Abstract: An embodiment path planning apparatus includes a sensing device configured to detect obstacles in an electronic map stored in a memory, wherein a location of a robot and a destination are marked on the electronic map, and a controller configured to independently generate a robot tree in which the location of the robot is a first root node and a destination tree in which the destination is a second root node, in consideration of the obstacles in the electronic map, to search for an initial path based on the robot tree and the destination tree, and to optimize the initial path such that a final path from the location of the robot to the destination has a shortest distance.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training an action selection neural network. One of the methods includes receiving an observation characterizing a current state of the environment; determining a target network output for the observation by performing a look ahead search of possible future states of the environment starting from the current state until the environment reaches a possible future state that satisfies one or more termination criteria, wherein the look ahead search is guided by the neural network in accordance with current values of the network parameters; selecting an action to be performed by the agent in response to the observation using the target network output generated by performing the look ahead search; and storing, in an exploration history data store, the target network output in association with the observation for use in updating the current values of the network parameters.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robot assembly having at least one robotic arm. The method includes determining a trajectory in the axis space of the robot assembly on the basis of a path having a plurality of previously specified Cartesian poses of at least one robot-assembly-fixed reference, and determining control values in the axis space on the basis of said trajectory. The robot assembly is controlled on the basis of the control values.

Abstract: Systems and methods monitor a workspace for safety purposes using sensors distributed about the workspace. The sensors are registered with respect to each other, and this registration is monitored over time. Occluded space as well as occupied space is identified, and this mapping is frequently updated. Based on the mapping, a constrained motion plan of machinery can be generated to ensure safety.

Abstract: A teleoperational medical system comprises a teleoperational assembly including an operator control system, a first teleoperational manipulator, a first medical instrument, and a processing unit including one or more processors. The first teleoperational manipulators is configured for operation by an operator control device of the operator control system. The first teleoperational manipulator is configured to control the operation of the first medical instrument in a surgical environment. The processing unit is configured to display an image of a field of view of the surgical environment and display a menu proximate to an image of the first medical instrument in the image of the field of view. The menu includes at least one state indicator representing a state of a component of the first medical instrument.

Abstract: A robotic system is disclosed that includes an articulated arm with an end effector. The robotic system is for use in a robotic environment requiring interaction with persons in the robotic environment, and includes a plurality of lights that are illuminated responsive to known near-future movements of the articulated arm to convey the known near-future movements of the articulated arm to the persons in the robot environment.

Abstract: Implementations are provided for operably coupling multiple robot controllers to a single virtual environment, e.g., to generate training examples for training machine learning model(s). In various implementations, a virtual environment may be simulated that includes an interactive object and a plurality of robot avatars that are controlled independently and contemporaneously by a corresponding plurality of robot controllers that are external from the virtual environment. Sensor data generated from a perspective of each robot avatar of the plurality of robot avatars may be provided to a corresponding robot controller. Joint commands that cause actuation of one or more joints of each robot avatar may be received from the corresponding robot controller. Joint(s) of each robot avatar may be actuated pursuant to corresponding joint commands. The actuating may cause two or more of the robot avatars to act upon the interactive object in the virtual environment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an end-of-arm tool having multiple robotic grippers, such as two or more grippers, and coordination of motion of the multiple grippers, so as to allow for automated testing and packaging of sealable bags conveyed to an inspection station.