Abstract: A method for optimizing the position of a plurality of containers in a block, including at least one crane configured to move the containers is provided. A crane control unit (CCU) is provided in which the following steps are performed: identifying a selected container to be moved from a current position CP within a sub-section of said block to a new position NP within the sub-section; calculating a number of container moves required facilitating the move of the selected container in previous step; arranging the required number of container moves in a queue for each crane; and performing the container moves as arranged in the queue by controlling said at least one crane. Also provided is a computer program, a computer-readable medium encoded with the computer program, and a system for optimizing the position of a plurality of containers in a block.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems that include a method for controlling movement of a first unmanned vehicle (UV) to search an area, where the method includes generating a first trace associated with prior positions in which the first UV has been located, determining a direction in which the first UV is to move using the first generated trace, and causing the first UV to move in the determined direction. The trace may be a numerical value that decreases as a function of the time that has elapsed since the first trace was generated. The methods and systems may also include receiving data relating to a second trace, and using that second trace to determine the direction. The second trace may be generated by a second UV. The second trace may be associated with a position within a predetermined radius from a position associated with the first UV.

Abstract: Systems and computer-implemented methods for predictive routing of item packages within a materials handling facility are disclosed. A predictive router may operate in conjunction with a container recommender, and both may be components of a facility management system. The predictive router may determine a routing destination for an item package dependent, at least in part, on the size and/or dimensions of a container that was recommended for handling the item package. The routing destination may be a shipping line customized for preparation of packed boxes of a particular size or in a particular size range for shipment. An optional scanner may attempt to determine the size of the actual container being used to ship the item package, and the predictive router may update the routing destination if the actual container does not match the recommended container. The predictive router may also consider special handling instructions when determining a routing destination.

Abstract: Mobile apparatuses capable of moving or acting autonomously, without contacting each other, in an environment where movements of the mobile apparatuses are not managed by a server, are provided. In a robot functioning as a first mobile apparatus, it is recognized that an object corresponds to a second mobile apparatus, and based on this recognition, a target trajectory is searched for and determined. Further, the first mobile apparatus causes another robot functioning as the second mobile apparatus to recognize a part or a whole of the target trajectory. In the second mobile apparatus, the part or the whole of the target trajectory of the first mobile apparatus is recognized, and based on this recognition, a target trajectory that the second mobile apparatus should follow is searched for and determined. This allows the mobile apparatuses to move along their respective target trajectories to avoid contact with each other.

Abstract: A behavior control system is capable of causing an agent carry out a task by smooth motions. The behavior control system makes it possible to reproduce a typical shape characteristic of a reference trajectory, i.e., the characteristic of a motion of an instructor carrying out a task, by using a first model defined on the basis of a plurality of reference trajectories representing the position of a first state variable in a time-series manner. Further, a learning trajectory representing the position of a second state variable in a time-series manner is generated on the basis of a second model, which represents an agent's motion in which the position of the second state variable corresponding to the first state variable and one or a plurality of time differential values (a displacing velocity and acceleration) thereof continuously change, in addition to the first model.

Abstract: A method of adjusting operating parameters of a robot to move an effector tool along a given path in an optimum cycle time including a step of modifying operating parameter values to cause the cycle time to approach a optimal value wherein the parameters are modified so as to approach an extremum of a compromise function including at least first and second terms, the first term being a function of a cycle time and the second term being a function of at least one of temperature and degree of wear of an actuator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for managing active safety for an automatically operating machine comprising a work surface and a work tool displaced according to a pre-established work program. The method consists of dividing (100) the work surface into several zones and, during the work program cycle and in response to detection (200) of an operator's intrusion into a first zone when the tool is active in a second zone, also consists of carrying out at least one of the following actions: keeping (210) the tool's programmed displacement at the normal speed if the tool's displacement is programmed in a zone not adjacent to the first one, keeping (220) the tool's programmed displacement at reduced speed if the tool's displacement is programmed in a zone adjacent to the first one and modifying (230) the work program if the tool's displacement is programmed in the first zone so that the tool's work can be continued in a zone other than the first one.

Abstract: In a legged mobile robot 1 having legs 2, a first landing permissible region and a second landing permissible region for a desired landing position of a distal end portion (a foot 22) of a free leg are determined, and the desired landing position of the free leg foot is determined in a region where the first and second landing permissible regions overlap each other, to thereby generate a desired gait of the robot. The first landing permissible region is determined so as to satisfy a geometric leg motion requisite condition. The second landing permissible region is determined such that a motion continuity requisite condition and a floor reaction force element permissible range requisite condition that are related to a prescribed floor reaction force element as a constituent element of the floor reaction force can be satisfied.

Abstract: A method of mapping an operation area by a team of a human and a mobile robot 200 includes the steps of defining a graph representing the area by a human 201, guiding the robot by human along an edge 203, stopping at a vertex in the graph by the team 203, creating a vertex record if stopped at a new vertex 205, localizing the robot and vertices if stopped at an existing vertex 206, creating an edge record if finished a new edge 208, and outputting an area's map including a set of vertex records and a set of edge record by the robot 210. The robot's human-tracking step 203 includes the steps of obtaining a 2-DOF motion command from sensors that detect the human's action and executing a 2-DOF motion based on the motion command.

Abstract: Provided are a method, apparatus, and medium for building a grid map in a mobile robot and a method, apparatus, and medium for cell decomposition using the grid map building method and apparatus. A mobile robot for building a grid map includes a grid map building unit obtaining grid points by sensing a distance to an external space or obstacle, and building a grid map, a feature point extraction unit extracting feature points from the grid points, a feature point update unit estimating the pose of the robot after the robot moves, and obtaining updated feature points by SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Map building) algorithm, a transform formula calculation unit calculating a transform formula that transforms feature points extracted by the feature point extraction unit into feature points updated by the feature point update unit, and a grid map update unit updating the grid map according to the obtained formula.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, apparatus, and medium for estimating a pose of a moving robot using a particle filter.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a set of programming instructions for manipulating a vehicle frame are provided. A frame computing device obtains configuration information for an identified vehicle frame. The frame computing device sub-divides the selected vehicle frame into a set of regions and obtains programming modules for each of the components mounted in the set of regions. The frame computing device processes the program modules to generate a cumulative set of programming instructions for manipulating the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A robot safety system configured to protect humans in the vicinity of a working robot (1, 11, 21, 31) against harmful impacts by said robot (1, 11, 21, 31), said safety system comprising a sensor system (3, 13, 23) and a safety controller (4, 14, 24) configured to establish an impact risk profile of the robot (1, 11, 21, 31) and deliver an operating signal to a robot controller (2, 12, 22) based on said impact risk profile, wherein the safety controller (4, 14, 24) is configured to establish the impact risk profile based on stored data and input signals, and that the stored data and input signals comprise stored impact data, stored data related to the path of the robot (1, 11, 21, 31), and signals from the sensor system of events in the vicinity of the robot (1, 11, 21, 31), such as a detected human (P1, P11, P21, P22, P31, P32) in the vicinity of the robot (1, 11, 21, 31).

Abstract: The system includes a mobile apparatus that moves after receiving an input of a path. The system has a path-setting unit for setting the path of a mobile apparatus according to the inputted path, a measuring unit for measuring an environment in which the mobile apparatus exists, an extracting unit for extracting an object existence region in the environment according to the values measured by the measuring unit, a judging unit that judges the validity of the path according to (1) the path set by the path setting unit and (2) the object existence region extracted by the extracting unit, a position determining unit that determines a target position to which the mobile apparatus is to move by selecting it from the portions of the path judged as valid, and a movement controller for controlling the mobile apparatus to move to the target position.

Abstract: There is provided a gripping judgment apparatus including a plan unit that generates a target orbit for moving a gripping unit in a state in which an object as a gripping target is gripped by the gripping unit, an observation unit that measures movement of the gripping unit driven based on the target orbit, a gripping state judgment unit that judges whether or not an object as a gripping target is grippable based on a target value of the gripping unit derived from the target orbit and an actual measured value measured by the observation unit, and a gripping state change unit that changes a gripping state of an object gripped by the gripping unit based on a judgment result obtained by the gripping state judgment unit.

Abstract: A robot control apparatus (3) for controlling tasks to be executed by a plurality of robots which are capable of moving. The robot control apparatus (3) includes: a battery level determination device (330) which determines a battery level of each robot from a predetermined plurality of battery levels based on a remaining amount of charge in a battery of each robot; a task manager (340) which sets a task executive plan to be executed by each robot for the plurality of robots and rearranges the task executive plan for one or more tasks registered in the task executive plan in accordance with a process predetermined for each battery level; an executive instruction generator (350) which generates executive instructions requesting the robots to execute the tasks that are set in the task executive plans; and a transmitter which transmits the executive instructions to the robots.

Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus comprising an executing unit for allowing a movable body to perform a predetermined process, a storage unit for storing an environment map of a movable area of the movable body, a detection unit for detecting information on the surroundings of the movable body, an update unit for updating the environment map based on the information on the surroundings of the movable body, which is detected by the detection unit, and an acquisition unit for acquiring instruction information representing an instruction of a user according to user input, wherein the executing unit allows the movable body to perform the process based on the instruction information with reference to the environment map, and the update unit updates the environment map based on the instruction information and the process performed by the movable body based on the instruction information.

Abstract: A method for mapping a motion of a first object within a first motion path defined by a path planner based on a second motion path of a second object. The method includes creating the first motion path for the first object using the path planner, initializing a start position of the first object within the first motion path, determining a value for an initial condition for each segment of a plurality of segments in the first motion path created by the path planner, and calculating an elapsed time between a current sample call time to the path planner and a last sample call time to the path planner.

Abstract: Based upon a force in a vertical direction exerted between an object and a hand and an angle made by the hand relative to a horizontal face, a transporting force estimation unit estimates a transporting force applied in the vertical direction by a person, and based upon the estimated force, a force controlling operation is carried out so as to set a force in the vertical direction of the robot arm of a robot system to a predetermined force.

Abstract: A robot localization system is provided. The robot localization includes a robot, which moves within a predetermined space and performs predetermined tasks, and a docking station corresponding to a home position of the robot. The docking station includes a first transmitting unit, which transmits a sound wave to detect a position of the robot; and a second transmitting unit, which transmits a synchronizing signal right when the sound wave is transmitted.

Abstract: A robot capable of performing appropriate movement control while reducing arithmetic processing for recognizing the shape of a floor. The robot sets a predetermined landing position of steps of the legs on a present assumed floor, which is a floor represented by floor shape information used for a current motion control of the robot, during movement of the robot. An image projection area is set, and is projected on each image captured by cameras mounted on the robot for each predetermined landing position in the vicinity of each of the predetermined landing positions. Shape parameters representing the shape of an actual floor partial area are estimated, forming an actual floor whose image is captured in each partial image area, based on the image of the partial image area generated by projecting the set image projection area on the images captured by the cameras for each partial image area.

Abstract: In a control system of a legged mobile robot having a body and legs connected to the body and driven by a leg actuator, there is provided an operation controller which identifies a human being like visitor to be conducted in a company building and the like, and controls operation of the leg actuator to conduct the identified visitor to a destination such as a reception room in the company building space along a route determined based on a map stored in a map database, while keeping pace with the visitor, thereby enabling to establish better communication with the visitor.

Abstract: A system and method for operating robots in a robot competition. One embodiment of the system may include operator interfaces, where each operator interface is operable to control movement of a respective robot. A respective operator interface may be in communication with an associated operator radio, where each radio may have a low power RF output signal. A robot controller may be coupled to each robot in the robot competition. A robot radio may be coupled to a respective robot and in communication with a respective robot controller and operator radio. The robot radios may have a low power RF output signal while communicating with the respective operator radios. Alternatively, the radios may be short range radios, where a distance of communication may be a maximum of approximately 500 feet.

Abstract: A gait generating device of a legged mobile robot uses virtual surfaces to approximate a plurality of surfaces to be contacted in an operating environment of a robot, and determines the provisional values of the required virtual surface translational forces to be applied from the virtual surfaces to the robot in order to implement a translational motion of a desired motion of the entire robot. Further, to implement a rotational motion of the desired motion of the entire robot, the gait generating device determines moment compensation amounts to be combined with the provisional values of the required virtual surface translational forces and then determines the desired external forces to be applied from the surfaces to be contacted to the robot and the desired external force action points on the basis of the combinations of the provisional values of the required virtual surface translational forces and the moment compensation amounts.

Abstract: A communication robot including: a situation change detection unit for detecting writing of information into a situation database; a rule detection unit for detecting, from a rule database, a rule corresponding to the situation indicated by the data stored in the situation database when the writing of information into the situation database is detected by the situation change detection unit; an action inducing parameter setting unit for setting the degree of interest of the detected rule to at least one of movable parts and an audio output unit independently in the situation database; a parameter changing unit for independently changing the degree of interest set for the at least one of the movable parts and the audio output unit; and a command unit for requesting the at least one of the movable parts and the audio output unit to execute the execution command indicated by the detected rule.

Abstract: A robot having a learning control function is disclosed. The robot includes a robot mechanism unit with a sensor on a part to be positionally controlled and a control unit for controlling the operation of the robot mechanism unit. The control unit includes a normal control unit for controlling the operation of the robot mechanism unit, and a learning control unit for operating the robot mechanism unit according to a task program and carrying out the learning to calculate the learning correction amount in order that position of the part of the robot mechanism unit to be controlled which is detected by the sensor approaches a target trajectory or a target position assigned for the normal control unit. The learning control unit calculates the maximum speed override that can be set with in the learning operation, and carries out the learning to calculate the learning correction amount while increasing the speed override a plurality of times until the maximum speed override is reached.

Abstract: On the basis of at least a difference between a desired state amount related to a posture of a robot 1 about a vertical axis or a floor surface normal line axis and an actual state amount of the robot 1 and a permissible range of a restriction object amount, namely, a vertical component of a floor reaction force moment or a component of the floor reaction force moment in a floor surface normal line direction to be applied to the robot 1, instantaneous values of a desired motion and a desired floor reaction force are determined such that a difference between a floor reaction force moment balancing with the desired motion on a dynamic model and a floor reaction force moment of the desired floor reaction force approximates the aforesaid difference to zero, while having the restriction object amount, which is associated with the desired floor reaction force, fall within the permissible range.

Abstract: A robot control unit for controlling a tandem arc welding system, which has a welding torch, a robot for weaving the welding torch, a leading electrode power supply, and a trailing electrode power supply, includes a leading electrode detection section and a trailing electrode detection section for detecting quantity of welding state during weaving; a leading electrode processing section for calculating amounts of electrical change; a leading electrode correction section for calculating correction amounts for correcting displacement in horizontal and vertical directions from a weld line of a weaving center trajectory based on the amounts of electrical change; a trailing electrode processing section for calculating an amount of electrical change; and a trailing electrode correction section for calculating a correction amount for correcting displacement in a rotational direction from the weld line of the weaving center trajectory based on the amount of electrical change.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a boundary of an area for containing a mobile machine is provided. An emitter is detected in an area designated to contain the mobile machine. In response to detecting the emitter, a function is performed. In addition, the emitter is reapplied on a predetermined time interval basis over an existing detected emitter to minimize deterioration of a strength of the emitter due to time and environmental factors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a slippery material, such as ice, on a surface and for taking action to mitigate the potential hazard presented by such material automatically with little or no human intervention. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, a mobile machine, such as a robot, is controlled to move automatically across a surface along a path. The mobile machine automatically detects for the presence of a slippery material on the surface as it traverses the surface. The mobile machine automatically takes an action to mitigate the slippery material in response to the detection of the slippery material on the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a humanoid robot that compensates for a zero moment point (ZMP) error during finite state machine (FSM)-based walking to achieve stable walking and a walking control method thereof. The humanoid robot compensates for a joint position trajectory command or a joint torque command using compensation values calculated based on situations divided according to the position of a calculated ZMP and the position of a measured ZMP in a stable region of the robot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying paints or varnishes with the aid of an application device in order to apply a color design on surfaces of buildings or public or civil engineering works in accordance with a previously executed implementation of a digital image model in a previously recorded digital surface object that represents the surface of the object. According to the invention, the application device moves on the surface of the object while contacting the surface thereof, the position of the application device is continuously measured or calculated using motion sensors and paint is applied in accordance with said implementation depending on the position thus determined.

Abstract: A method for modifying a component may comprise measuring the component using a modifying tool, and recording position data for the component based on the measuring. A path for the modifying tool may be provided using the position data, and the component may be modified by moving the same modifying tool based on the provided path.

Abstract: A manipulator, and a control method thereof, calculates a degree of freedom (DOF) used to prevent collision with an obstacle in consideration of an order of priority of DOFs for an operation and collision avoidance contribution. The manipulator judges whether there is danger of collision of the manipulator with an obstacle, judges whether or not there is at least one operating DOF capable of avoiding collision with the obstacle among the plurality of operating DOFs, upon judging that there is danger of collision with the obstacle, and avoids collision with the obstacle using at least one operating DOF having the lowest priority while performing the operation among the at least one operating DOF capable of avoiding collision with the obstacle, upon judging that there is the at least one operating DOF capable of avoiding collision with the obstacle.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable robotic system and method for performing surgical operations using a plurality of robotic arms remotely controlled by at least one operator console. The system comprises a track system configured for mounting to a patient support table, such that the track system provides a stable operating platform for the robotic arms and for facilitating placement of a proximal end of each of the arms at a selected position about a periphery of the patient support table.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a vehicle, a sensing unit, and a control unit. The vehicle is movable in a path and has a first number of cutting elements. The sensing unit detects an obstacle in the path. The control unit is connected to the first number of cutting elements and is configured to autonomously adjust a height of a second number of cutting elements of the first number of cutting elements in response to the sensing unit detecting the obstacle in the path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of optimizing collision free path planning comprising: initializing a plurality of feasible configuration points, sample points located in a free space, and sample points not located in the free space; determining a goodness rating of the various pluralities of points; generating new candidate points; determining if each new candidate point is a feasible configuration point and adding each to the plurality of feasible configuration points if it is; if not, determining if each new candidate point is located in the free space and adding it to the plurality of sample points located in the free space if it is; if not, adding to the plurality of sample points not located in the free space; determining an updated goodness rating of the various pluralities of points; determining if a termination criteria has been met and reporting a best solution or no solution if it has been met.

Abstract: A virtual track or rail system and method is described for execution by a robot. A user, through a user interface, generates a desired path comprised of at least one segment representative of the virtual track for the robot. Start and end points are assigned to the desired path and velocities are also associated with each of the at least one segment of the desired path. A waypoint file is generated including positions along the virtual track representing the desired path with the positions beginning from the start point to the end point including the velocities of each of the at least one segment. The waypoint file is sent to the robot for traversing along the virtual track.

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

Abstract: A system providing control and communication is provided including at least one automation unit being adapted to run an operation program, and an engineering unit being adapted to modify the operation program, the engineering unit including a code-configurator, which is adapted to project automation functions of the operation program in the form of at least one configured data structure and to modify the configured data structure, the at least one automation unit including an interpreter framework, which is adapted to include a catalogue of necessary automation functions of the operation program and an empty data structure, the interpreter framework being further adapted to interpret the modified configured data structure and to provide a modified operation program on the basis of the automation functions of the catalogue and the modified configured data structure.

Abstract: Various robotic devices and related medical procedures are disclosed herein. Each of the various robotic devices have an agent delivery component. The devices include mobile robotic devices and fixed base robotic devices as disclosed herein. The agent delivery component can have at least one agent reservoir and a discharge component in fluidic communication with the at least one reservoir.

Abstract: A method for controlling the cooling of an industrial plant with at least one electrical component, such as, for example, a transformer, and having at least one cooling element for cooling the electrical components, uses at least one sensor for measuring the temperature and/or the viscosity of the coolant in the cooling system. An optimal control of the cooling system can be provided by way of controlling the electrical components with selected control profiles taking into account specific data for the electrical components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile robot and method generating a path of the mobile robot, capable of quickly moving the mobile robot to a location at which the mobile robot is able to detect a docking station. A first configuration space map is built by expanding an obstacle area including an obstacle by a first thickness, and a second configuration space map is built by expanding the obstacle area by a second thickness which is less than the first thickness. A path is generated by sequentially using the first configuration space map and the second configuration space map.

Abstract: An agricultural robot system and method of harvesting, pruning, culling, weeding, measuring and managing of agricultural crops. Uses autonomous and semi-autonomous robot(s) comprising machine-vision using cameras that identify and locate the fruit on each tree, points on a vine to prune, etc., or may be utilized in measuring agricultural parameters or aid in managing agricultural resources. The cameras may be coupled with an arm or other implement to allow views from inside the plant when performing the desired agricultural function. A robot moves through a field first to “map” the plant locations, number and size of fruit and approximate positions of fruit or map the cordons and canes of grape vines. Once the map is complete, a robot or server can create an action plan that a robot may implement. An action plan may comprise operations and data specifying the agricultural function to perform.

Abstract: This mobile unit suppresses lateral vibration produced when the mobile unit passes over a step. A stabilizer according to the present invention predicts contact timing at which the mobile unit makes contact with a step, which may be a bump or pit, using sensor information or map information, shifts the center of gravity of the mobile unit laterally by controlling actuators, and shits the center of gravity laterally for the next step after detecting that the mobile unit has passed over the previous step.

Abstract: A method used by a robot for simultaneous localization and map-building, including: initializing a pose of the robot and locations of landmarks; sampling a new pose of the robot during motion of the robot, and constructing chromosomes using the locations of the landmarks; observing the landmarks from a present location of the robot; generating offspring from the chromosomes; and selecting next-generation chromosomes from the chromosomes and the offspring using observation values of the landmarks.

Abstract: A legged robot subjected to a force is controlled by determining an instantaneous capture point where the robot will step with a swing leg to reach a balanced home position, the balanced home position being a state in which the Center of Mass remains substantially over the Center of Pressure and the robot is able to maintain its balance indefinitely. The capture point can be determined using a Linear Inverted Pendulum Plus Flywheel (LIPPF) model of the robot. The LIPPF model includes a flywheel with a mass and a rotational inertia, and a variable length leg link. A torque profile is applied to the flywheel and a set of capture points is determined based on this torque profile An experimentally determined error value can be added to a capture point that is determined based on the model to account for differences between an actual robot and the model.

Abstract: A fitting device for fitting a fitting workpiece, which is held by a robot, to a workpiece to be fitted by force control, comprises: a force detecting portion for detecting a force and moment acting on a control point of the fitting workpiece; a judging portion for judging whether or not clogging is caused between the fitting workpiece and the workpiece to be fitted at the time of fitting; and a changing portion for changing a position of the control point according to a distance by which the fitting workpiece enters the workpiece to be fitted and for pressing the fitting workpiece against the workpiece to be fitted in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction so as to adjust a posture of the fitting workpiece on the basis of the control point that has been changed, in the case where it is judged by the judging portion that clogging is caused.

Abstract: A hair transplantation method and apparatus utilizes a robot, which includes a robotic arm, having a hair follicle effector associated with the robotic arm.

Abstract: A hair transplantation method and apparatus utilizes a robot, which includes a robotic arm, having a hair follicle effector associated with the robotic arm.