Abstract: A dexterous hand control system based on multi-sensor and antagonistic drive is provided. The system includes a dexterous hand driven by antagonistic tendon transmission, joint angle sensors, bionic skin tactile sensors, joint force and torque sensors, tendon tension sensors, a sensor management module, an actuator control module; and a central control module. The system effectively decouples different levels of force and tactile perception, and can flexibly and comprehensively analyze various sensory information under different operational tasks, simplifying the control difficulty and reducing the design complexity and cost of various types of sensors. The central control module of the system can control the dexterous hand to avoid excessive tendon relaxation or tension, and can well balance compliant operation and anti-interference robustness, and make the system remain reliable when the joint force and torque sensors or tendon tension sensors are partially or completely missing or malfunctioning.

Abstract: A robotic imaging system includes a camera configured to one or more images of a target site. The camera may be a stereoscopic camera configured to record a left image and a right image for producing at least one stereoscopic image of the target site. A robotic arm is operatively connected to the camera, the robotic arm being adapted to selectively move the camera relative to the target site. A sensor is configured to detect forces and/or torque imparted by a user for moving the stereoscopic camera and transmit sensor data. A controller is configured to receive the sensor data, the controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The controller is adapted to selectively execute an assisted drive mode, which includes determining a movement sequence for the robotic arm based in part on the sensor data and a damping function.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robot includes detecting current positions of joints of the robot and actuating the joints using drives of the robot based on the detected current joint positions such that at least one drive supports a manual guidance-induced movement of the joint actuated by the drive if a distance between the detected or target joint position and a specified first boundary has a first value. The drive supports the manual guidance-induced movement to a lesser degree if the distance has a second value which is lower than the first value. Additionally, the manual guidance-induced movement is oriented towards the first boundary.

Abstract: A device, a method and a program, by which a weight and/or a position of a gravity center of a load attached to a movable part of a robot can be estimated by a simple configuration. The device has a torque sensor configured to detect a torque applied to an axis for driving the movable part of the robot, and a calculation section configured to calculate the weight of the article, by using: a first torque applied to the axis, when the article attached to the movable part is positioned at a first position and represents a first posture; a second torque applied to the axis, when the article attached to the movable part is positioned at a second position different from the first position and represents the first posture; the first position; and the second position.

Abstract: A humanoid robot control method, a mobile machine using the same, and a computer readable storage medium are provided. The method includes: mapping posture information of leg joints of a human body to leg joint servos of a humanoid robot to obtain an expected rotation angle and an expected rotation angular velocity of non-target optimized joint servos of the leg joint servos and an expected rotation angle and an expected rotation angular velocity of target optimized joint servos of the leg joint servos; obtaining an optimization objective function corresponding to the target optimized joint servos of the leg joint servos; optimizing the expected rotation angle and the expected rotation angular velocity of the target optimized joint servos to obtain a corrected expected rotation angle and a corrected expected rotation angular velocity of the target optimized joint servos; and controlling each of the leg joint servos of the humanoid robot.

Abstract: A robotic joint system is provided that facilitates efficient movement of a ground-contacting robotic system, such as during a gait cycle. The robotic joint system can comprise a first support member, a second support member, and a joint assembly rotatably coupling the first support member to the second support member about an axis of rotation. The joint assembly can comprise a passive actuation system coupled between the first and second support members. The passive actuation system can comprise a passive actuator operable to store energy and to release energy to apply a torque to the joint assembly and the first and second support members, and a length adapter coupled to the passive actuator operable to selectively direct the output of the stored energy of the passive actuator.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a manipulator for a finishing work, including: a base; an arm comprising a plurality of links, a plurality of joints connecting the plurality of links, and a plurality of actuators generating rotation of at least some of the plurality of joints; and a processor determining a driving torque of each of the plurality of actuators considering a self-weight effect of the manipulator and controlling the plurality of actuators based on the determined driving torque.

Abstract: A robot system, comprising a robot capable of gait or gait-like operations, stance or stance-like operations, or a combination of these. The robot can comprise at least one ground-contacting appendage configured to facilitate locomotion of the robot. The system can further comprise a sole supported on the ground-contacting appendage that is operable to interface with a ground surface. The sole can comprise a robot interface facilitating attachment of the sole to the robot, a first sole component having a ground-contacting surface, the first sole component defining a first compliant zone, and a second sole component having a ground-contacting surface, the second sole component defining a second compliant zone. The first sole component can comprise a compliance the same or different than the second sole component.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a robotic arm space position adjustment method, a robotic arm controller, and a computer readable storage medium. The method includes: calculating a potential energy function of moving a feature point of the robotic arm to a reference point based on an obtained preset acceleration of an artificial gravitational field, first vector of the artificial gravitational field in a preset reference coordinate system, second vector of the feature point of the robotic arm in the preset reference coordinate system, and a third vector of the reference point in the preset reference coordinate system; and calculating a null space virtual moment of moving the feature point of the robotic arm to the reference point based on a preset null space operator and the potential energy function, so as to adjust each joint of the robotic arm.

Abstract: A device, a method and a program, by which a weight and/or a position of a gravity center of a load attached to a movable part of a robot can be estimated by a simple configuration. The device has a torque sensor configured to detect a torque applied to an axis for driving the movable part of the robot, and a calculation section configured to calculate the weight of the article, by using: a first torque applied to the axis, when the article attached to the movable part is positioned at a first position and represents a first posture; a second torque applied to the axis, when the article attached to the movable part is positioned at a second position different from the first position and represents the first posture; the first position; and the second position.

Abstract: [Object] To enable further suppression of the movement amount of an arm section when switching states. [Solution] There is provided a control apparatus configured to execute a current tracking control on a basis of a measurement value of a torque sensor of an actuator provided in at least one of multiple joint sections included in an arm section of a medical support arm apparatus, the current tracking control causing a motor of the actuator to output torque by which a position and an attitude of the arm section are maintained, and switch a first state in which the motor is driven in accordance with a predetermined control method, and a second state in which the joint section is locked using a brake of the actuator.

Abstract: A robot system including a robot and a control device that controls the robot. The robot includes a first member, a second member that is rotationally driven around a predetermined first axis relative to the first member, and a first torque detector that detects a torque around the first axis. The control device includes an external-force upper-limit-value estimator that estimates an external-force upper limit value serving as an assumable upper limit value for an external force acting on the second member based on the torque detected by the first torque detector, and controls the robot to avoid an increase in the external force when the estimated external-force upper limit value is larger than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: To accurately predict a sensor value even in the case where external force is received. A control apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a prediction section that, in an actuator including a torque sensor that detects torque generated at a driving shaft, and an encoder that detects a rotational angle of the driving shaft, predicts a detection value of the encoder on a basis of a detection value of the torque sensor, or predict the detection value of the torque sensor on a basis of the detection value of the encoder, and a trouble determination section that compares a prediction value predicted by the prediction section with an actually measured value of the torque sensor or the encoder to perform trouble determination on the torque sensor or the encoder.

Abstract: A method of controlling a robot having a plurality of joints includes measuring load torque applied to a driving-force transmission system of each of the plurality of joints while moving a hand of the robot along a predetermined path, comparing a measurement value of the load torque and an allowable range of each of the joints, and controlling a rate of change in acceleration of the driving-force transmission system of each of the joints, depending on a comparison result, in a next operation in which the hand of the robot is moved along the predetermined path.

Abstract: Example methods and devices for touch-down detection for a robotic device are described herein. In an example embodiment, a computing system may receive a force signal due to a force experienced at a limb of a robotic device. The system may receive an output signal from a sensor of the end component of the limb. Responsive to the received signals, the system may determine whether the force signal satisfies a first threshold and determine whether the output signal satisfies a second threshold. Based on at least one of the force signal satisfying the first threshold or the output signal satisfying the second threshold, the system of the robotic device may provide a touch-down output indicating touch-down of the end component of the limb with a portion of an environment.

Abstract: An example implementation involves controlling robots with non-constant body pitch and height. The implementation involves obtaining a model of the robot that represents the robot as a first point mass rigidly coupled with a second point mass along a longitudinal axis. The implementation also involves determining a state of a first pair of legs, and determining a height of the first point mass based on the model and the state of the first pair of legs. The implementation further involves determining a first amount of vertical force for at least one leg of the first pair of legs to apply along a vertical axis against a surface while the at least one leg is in contact with the surface. Additionally, the implementation involves causing the at least one leg of the first pair of legs to begin applying the amount of vertical force against the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a robotic system having at least one robotic arm, a control unit for controlling the robotic arm and a robotic arm sensor system, wherein the controller and robotic arm sensor system are designed to respond to predetermined haptic gestures of the user acting on the robotic arm in such a way that the robotic system performs at least one predetermined operation associated with the haptic gesture.

Abstract: A method for determining a response time of a brake of at least one assigned axis of a multi-axis machine includes actuating the axis, switching the brake, and determining a response time between a switching point in time and a response point in time at which a motion state of the axis changes. The method may further include opposing actuation of the axis while the brake is closed, and detecting a mechanical play between opposing maximum deflections of the axis. A method of operating or monitoring a multi-axis machine includes determining a response time and/or detecting mechanical play, and operating the machine or triggering a fault response based on the response time or mechanical play.

Abstract: A motorized surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member, a motor coupled to the displacement member, the motor operable to translate the displacement member, a control circuit coupled to the motor, and a position sensor coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to receive a position output of the position sensor indicative of at least one position of the displacement member and control velocity of the motor to translate the displacement member at a plurality of velocities corresponding to the position output. Each of the plurality of velocities is maintained in a predetermined zone.

Abstract: A robot comprising: a base; an articulated arm extending distally of the base and including two arm members coupled by a joint; a motor; a gearbox having an input shaft coupled to an output of the motor and an output shaft configured to drive relative motion of the arm members about the joint; a position sensor configured to sense relative position of the arm members about the joint; and a control system coupled to the arm configured to drive the motor, the control system being arranged to perform a calibration operation to estimate torque loss in the gearbox by the steps of (i) estimating the inertia of the portion of the arm distal of the joint for motion about the joint; (ii) applying a determined drive power to the motor; (iii) receiving from the position sensor position data indicating the motion of the arm in response to the applied drive power; and (iv) estimating the torque loss in the gearbox in dependence on the estimated inertia, the determined drive power and the position data.

Abstract: A control device includes a processor that is configured to execute computer-executable instructions so as to control a robot provided with a manipulator, wherein in a case where the processor is configured to cause an end effector connected to the manipulator assemble a first object held by the end effector to a second object and a third object, the processor is configured to: cause the first object to come into contact with at least one of the second object and the third object; rotate the first object around a second rotation axis intersecting a first rotation axis while rotating the first object around the first rotation axis to assemble the second object and the first object to each other; and thereafter, rotate the first object around a third rotation axis intersecting the first rotation axis to assemble the third object and the first object to each other.

Abstract: A control apparatus of the motor according to one aspect includes: a first feedforward calculator configured to calculate a first motor output torque value so that a torque value indicated by a torque command signal can be generated in a joint part of a robot based on a model of a motor, a decelerator, or a link and the number of rotations of the motor, a second feedforward calculator configured to calculate a second motor output torque value based on the torque value indicated by the torque command signal without depending on the number of rotations of the motor; and a comparator configured to add the first motor output torque value, the second motor output torque value, and a third motor output torque value calculated based on the torque value detected by a sensor and the torque value indicated by the torque command signal.

Abstract: [Object] To enable further suppression of the movement amount of an arm section when switching states. [Solution] There is provided a control apparatus configured to execute a current tracking control on a basis of a measurement value of a torque sensor of an actuator provided in at least one of multiple joint sections included in an arm section of a medical support arm apparatus, the current tracking control causing a motor of the actuator to output torque by which a position and an attitude of the arm section are maintained, and switch a first state in which the motor is driven in accordance with a predetermined control method, and a second state in which the joint section is locked using a brake of the actuator.

Abstract: A method of adjusting velocity in a motorized surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument comprises a displacement member configured to translate within the surgical instrument over a plurality of predefined zones, a motor coupled to the displacement member to translate the displacement member, a control circuit coupled to the motor, a position sensor coupled to the control circuit, the position sensor configured to measure the position of the displacement member and a timer circuit coupled to the control circuit, the timer circuit configured to measure elapsed time. The method includes setting a directed velocity of the displacement member; determining an actual velocity of the displacement member; determining an error between the directed velocity of the displacement member and the actual velocity of the displacement member; and controlling the actual velocity of the displacement member based on the magnitude of the error.

Abstract: A method of adjusting velocity in a motorized surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument comprises a displacement member configured to translate within the surgical instrument over a plurality of predefined zones, a motor coupled to the displacement member to translate the displacement member, a control circuit coupled to the motor, a position sensor coupled to the control circuit, the position sensor configured to measure the position of the displacement member and a timer circuit coupled to the control circuit, the timer circuit configured to measure elapsed time. The method includes setting a directed velocity of the displacement member; determining an actual velocity of the displacement member; determining an error between the directed velocity of the displacement member and the actual velocity of the displacement member; and controlling the actual velocity of the displacement member based on the magnitude of the error.

Abstract: An error correcting method is provided, which includes the following steps. An error value is obtained. The error value is substituted into an error correcting function, so that the error correcting function causes the error value to converge to 0 in a finite time. The error correcting function conforms to a non-Lipschitzian characteristic. An embodiment of the disclosure solves the problem in traditional system stability analysis through a differential equation, adjusts parameters to determine a convergence time, and ensures that a convergence target fully conforms to an expected value and that a unique solution of the error value is 0.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for training a path of a robot within a graphical user interface (GUI) and/or by physically moving the robot. In particular, the technology generates a trained path for the robot based on waypoints defined by a user and generates one or more parameters for one or more movement characteristics of the robot along the trained path. The parameters for the movement characteristics are generated based on spatial proximity of a plurality of the waypoints that are defined by the user.

Abstract: A method is provided for the alignment of a multiaxial manipulator with an input device, which serves to control the manipulator, which method includes the steps of execution of one or more reference movements with the input device, execution of one or more reference movements with the manipulator, recording of the executed reference movements, calculation of a transformation matrix based on the recorded reference movements, and use of the calculated transformation matrix for the alignment of the movements of the input device with the manipulator.

Abstract: Methods for applying fluid materials to a substrate, such as circuit board, while continuously moving the fluid dispenser. Some methods generally involve correcting the dispense location for each of the dispensed amounts of fluid material by executing a statistical comparison of either the predicted and actual landing locations on the substrate, or the predicted and actual positions of the dispenser at each of the dispense locations. Other methods generally involve initiating the dispensing of amounts of the fluid material at dispense locations corrected by a correction factor specified in terms of the servo cycle for the movement of the dispenser or by a correction factor specified in terms of partial servo cycles courtesy of a timer.

Abstract: An exoskeleton for applying force to at least one lower limb of a user includes a control system with a sensor interface for sensor signals; a power interface for transmitting control signals to the powered joint; a processor coupled to the sensor and the power interfaces; and a computer-readable medium storing a computer program executable on the processor with code sections for: estimating a configuration of a body of the user with respect to a gravity vector based on the sensor signals; computing a control torque for the powered joint that compensates gravitational dynamics of the user based on the configuration; calculating a gravitational energy gradient for the powered joint; attenuating the control torque based on the gravitational energy gradient; computing a final control torque based on the attenuated control torque, and configuring the control signals based on the attenuated control torque.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding mode controller for controlling a controlled object system by using the adaptive sliding mode control. Also, the invention relates to an internal combustion engine system control device for controlling an internal combustion engine system by using the adaptive sliding mode control. The invention is characterized by comprising adaptive law input term learning means for learning an adaptive law input term so as to transfer an offset of a reaching law input term in the adaptive sliding mode control to the adaptive law input term.

Abstract: Provided are a robot and a robot control method in which highly accurate positioning of a link is enabled without losing flexibility of a joint.

Abstract: A robot includes a robot arm, a force sensor, and a control unit configured to control the operation of the robot art. The control unit initializes the force sensor while the robot arm is moving at uniform speed. It is preferable that the control unit initializes the force sensor while the robot arm is moving at the uniform speed and the amplitude of a detection value of the force sensor is smaller than a threshold.

Abstract: Redundant robotic manipulators may be constrained in their motions during operation in a gravity-compensated mode by applying, in addition to gravity-compensating torques, constraining torques to one or more of the joints. The constraining torques may urge the manipulator to a specified canonical posture, and may be modeled by virtual springs attached to the constrained joints.

Abstract: A control system includes a controller. The controller repeatedly excites a control loop characterized by parameters having randomly selected values for each excitation and scores a response of the control loop to each excitation relative to a target signal until the scores no longer achieve a value less than a minimum of the scores for a predefined number of excitations occurring after the excitation yielding the minimum of the scores to auto-tune the control system.

Abstract: A control method for the control of a robot by an operator, using control means which may be positioned at will at different locations of an item to be manipulated, comprises at least a step of determining the position and attitude of the control means on the basis of measurements of forces applied to the control means, defining a first force torsor, and on the basis of corresponding forces, at the gripping member of the robot for example, a step of determining force or force/position control setpoints for the robot on the basis of, at least, measurements of forces on the control means applied to move the item, and of the position and attitude determined during the determination step, and a control step in which the determined setpoints are sent to the robot. A control system employing such a method is also provided.

Abstract: A mobile robot includes a truck capable of traveling by servo control, a robot arm mounted on the truck, and a control portion servo-controlling the traveling of the truck. The control portion is configured to set a servo gain of the servo control for the truck to a robot arm operation gain during the operation of the robot arm.

Abstract: A mass measurement device measures the mass of an article, even when the article is being moved. A mass measurement device includes a robot hand, a robot arm, a force sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a control unit. The robot hand holds an article (Q). The robot arm moves the robot hand. The force sensor is provided between the robot hand and the robot arm and measures force acting on the article (Q) during movement. The acceleration sensor measures acceleration acting on the article (Q) during the movement. The control unit runs and controls the robot hand and the robot arm, and calculates the mass of the article (Q) on the basis of the force and acceleration acting on the article (Q) during the movement.

Abstract: A walking robot having joints which move using a torque servo, a posture of the robot being stably controlled, and a method of controlling a posture of the robot. It is possible to maintain a stable angle of the upper body while keeping an erect posture and balance using the COG of the robot and the inclination and the direction of the upper body and the pelvis of the robot, even in an external variation including external force or an inclination angle of the ground. Even in a state in which terrain information is not known in advance, the robot may keep an erect posture in a direction of gravity. Even when a plane where the robot stands is gradually inclined, the postures of the upper body and the legs of the robot may be kept while actively changing the angle of the ankle joint.

Abstract: Methods for the control of an exoskeleton comprising at least one powered joint associated with lower limbs of a user and control systems therefrom are provided. A method includes estimating a configuration of a body of the user associated with the exoskeleton with respect to a gravity vector and computing a first control torque for the at least one powered joint that at least partially compensates gravitational dynamics of the user based on the configuration. The method further includes calculating a gravitational energy gradient for the at least one powered joint, attenuating the first control torque based at least on the gravitational energy gradient to yield a second control torque, and applying a final control torque at the at least one powered joint, the final control torque based, at least in part, on the second control torque.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for haptic hard surface emulation using a dynamic physical constraint are provided. The movement and position of the dynamic physical constraint is actively controlled in order to emulate a hard surface. The dynamic physical constraint may be controlled by a computer. In another aspect of the invention, the dynamic physical constraint limits the motion of a manipulator joint in space. The position at any time of the dynamic physical constraint is dependent on the position in space of the manipulator's end effector.

Abstract: A robot and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. The robot derives a maximum dynamic performance capability using a specification of an actuator of the robot. The control method includes forming a first bell-shaped velocity profile in response to a start time and an end time of a motion of the robot, calculating a value of an objective function having a limited condition according to the bell-shaped velocity profile, and driving a joint in response to a second bell-shaped velocity profile that minimizes the objective function having the limited condition.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a robot system controlling method and robot system which perform link angle control and joint stiffness control through feedback control.

Abstract: A control system includes a clustered architecture having a master controller, a central control section including one or more first remote controllers under direct control of the master controller, and a distributed control section including a cluster controller controlled by the master controller. The cluster controller controls the activities of one or more second remote controllers. Each of the first and second remote controllers are utilized to drive one or more axes.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a control system for a robotic surgical instrument is provided including a torque saturation limiter, a torque to current converter coupled to the torque saturation limiter, and a motor coupled to the torque to current converter. The torque saturation limiter receives a desired torque signal for one or more end effectors and limits the desired torque to a range between an upper torque limit and a lower torque limit generating a bounded torque signal. The torque to current converter transforms a torque signal into a current signal. The motor drives an end effector of one or more end effectors to the bounded torque signal in response to the first current signal.

Abstract: A CPU of a robot control device calculates load torque based on the inertia force, centrifugal force or Coriolis force, gravity force, friction torque, and actuator inertia torque applied to a joint axis of each link, each time an orientation parameter indicative of the link position and orientation allowed by a redundant degree of freedom is sequentially changed, under a constraint of end-effector position and orientation as target values. The CPU obtains the link position and orientation at which the ratio of the load torque to the rated torque of a rotary actuator provided for each joint is minimized, while the orientation parameter is being changed, and provides a feed-forward value that gives rise to each load torque obtained when the ratio of the load torque to the rated torque of the rotary actuator is minimized, to a control command generated to the rotary actuator of each joint axis for achieving the end-effector position and orientation as target values.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a control system for a robotic surgical instrument is provided including a torque saturation limiter, a torque to current converter coupled to the torque saturation limiter, and a motor coupled to the torque to current converter. The torque saturation limiter receives a desired torque signal for one or more end effectors and limits the desired torque to a range between an upper torque limit and a lower torque limit generating a bounded torque signal. The torque to current converter transforms a torque signal into a current signal. The motor drives an end effector of one or more end effectors to the bounded torque signal in response to the first current signal.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system may have a robotic arm including a surgical tool and a processor communicatively connected to the robotic arm. The processor may be configured to receive, from a neural monitor, a signal indicative of a distance between the surgical tool and a portion of a patient's anatomy including nervous tissue. The processor may be further configured to generate a command for altering a degree to which the robotic arm resists movement based on the signal received from the neural monitor; and send the command to the robotic arm.

Abstract: A robot mechanism for controlling the position of a machine tool in a large-scale manufacturing assembly includes six rotary axes and one linear axis. Secondary feedback systems are included on at least several of the axes. A controller receives secondary feedback information and uses it to control the position of the machine tool within an accuracy of ±0.3 mm.

Abstract: A controller for floating-base humanoid robots that can track motion capture data while maintaining balance. Briefly, the controller includes a proportional-derivative (PD) controller that is adapted to compute the desired acceleration to track a given reference trajectory at every degree-of-freedom (DOF) of the robot including the six unactuated ones of the floating base. Second, the controller includes a component (joint torque optimization module) that computes the optimal joint torques and contact forces to realize the desired accelerations given by the first component (i.e., the PD controller). The joint torque optimization module performs this computation considering the full-body dynamics of the robot and the constraints on contact forces. The desired accelerations may not be feasible for the robot due to limits in normal contact forces and friction (e.g., the robot sometimes cannot exactly copy or perform the modeled human motion defined by motion capture data).