Abstract: A system for parameter tuning for robotic manipulators is provided. The system includes an interface configured to receive a task specification, a plurality of physical parameters, and a plurality of control parameters, wherein the interface is configured to communicate with a real-world robot via a robot controller. The system further includes a memory to store computer-executable programs including a robot simulation module, a robot controller, and an auto-tuning module a processor, in connection with the memory. In this case, the processor is configured to acquire, in communication with the real-world robot, state values of the real-world robot, state values of the robot simulation module, simultaneously update, by use of a predetermined optimization algorithm with the auto-tuning module, an estimate of one or more of the physical, and said control parameters, and store the updated parameters.

Abstract: A robot control system determines which of a number of discretizations to use to generate discretized representations of robot swept volumes and to generate discretized representations of the environment in which the robot will operate. Obstacle voxels (or boxes) representing the environment and obstacles therein are streamed into the processor and stored in on-chip environment memory. At runtime, the robot control system may dynamically switch between multiple motion planning graphs stored in off-chip or on-chip memory. The dynamically switching between multiple motion planning graphs at runtime enables the robot to perform motion planning at a relatively low cost as characteristics of the robot itself change. Various aspects of such robot motion planning are implemented in particular systems and methods that facilitate motion planning of the robot for various environments and tasks.

Abstract: There is provided a smart detection system including multiple sensors and a central server. The central server confirms a model of every sensor and a position thereof in an operation area. The central server confirms an event position and predicts a user action according to event signals sent by the multiple sensors.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, when executed by data processing hardware of a robot having an articulated arm and a base, causes data processing hardware to perform operations. The operations include determining a first location of a workspace of the articulated arm associated with a current base configuration of the base of the robot. The operations also include receiving a task request defining a task for the robot to perform outside of the workspace of the articulated arm at the first location. The operations also include generating base parameters associated with the task request. The operations further include instructing, using the generated base parameters, the base of the robot to move from the current base configuration to an anticipatory base configuration.

Abstract: Aspects include a robotic device for inspection of components of a belt conveyor comprising a mobile platform and a robotic arm having a first end coupled to the mobile platform and a second end, the robotic arm configured to guide the second end to contact at least one of the components of the belt conveyor. Further included is a method for inspecting components of a belt conveyor using a robotic device, including: obtaining temperature and/or noise data of at least one of the components of the belt conveyor; and, if the data are outside a range, then: driving a second end a robotic arm of the robotic device for contacting at least one of the components; and obtaining vibration data from at least one of the components.

Abstract: A task resumption system including processing circuitry that receives a task resumption specification for task resumption by a device when the device, which sequentially performs multiple tasks, stops during processing, acquires a current state of the device, acquires a resume state corresponding to the task resumption of the device, causes the device to transition from the current state to the resume state, and causes the device to resume the task according to the resume state.

Abstract: An elastic transmission element is part of a strain wave gear. Such strain wave gears are also referred to as Harmonic Drives. The elastic transmission element is also referred to as a flexspline and has an outer toothing (03). The elastic transmission element is equipped with at least one strain gauge (04) for measuring a mechanical strain on the elastic transmission element. The one strain gauge (04) or the plurality of strain gauges (04) extends at least as a whole about a circumference of a lateral surface or an axial lateral face of the elastic transmission element.

Abstract: A picking robot of an embodiment includes an acquisition unit, first and second calculation units, a control unit, and a grip unit. The acquisition unit acquires first area information. The first calculation unit calculates first position/posture information indicating a position/posture of a target object from the first area information. The second calculation unit calculates second position/posture information differing from the first position/posture information. The control unit grips the target object, based on the first position/posture information, controls a first operation of moving the target object to a second area. When a first operation result is inadequate, the control unit controls a second operation of arranging the target object at a position indicated by the second position/posture information in a posture indicated by the second position/posture information. The grip unit grips the target object and moves the gripped target object, based on the control by the control unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting contact between a link and an external object are provided. In one aspect, there is provided a robotic system, including a manipulatable link, a rigid shell configured to overlay the manipulatable link, and one or more sensors positioned between the rigid shell and the manipulatable link. The one or more sensors are configured to detect contact between the rigid shell and an external object.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robot to perform a task, for which the robot is redundant, includes specifying an adjustment of first and second axes of at least one pair of two movement axes of the robot based on a specified operating mode such that both axes can be adjusted and adjustment of the first axis is prioritized over the second axis if a first operating mode is specified. Adjustment of the second axis is prioritized over the first axis if a second operating mode is specified. Additionally or alternatively, adjustment of at least one selected movement axis is specified based on a specified operating mode such that this axis can be adjusted or is blocked independently of the task if a reduced operating mode is specified, and can be adjusted for the purpose of performing this task if an operating mode differing from this reduced operating mode is specified.

Abstract: A set of one or more potentially graspable features for one or more objects present in a workspace area are determined based on visual data received from a plurality of cameras. For each of at least a subset of the one or more potentially graspable features one or more corresponding grasp strategies are determined to grasp the feature with a robotic arm and end effector. A score associated with a probability of a successful grasp of a corresponding feature is determined with respect to each of a least a subset of said grasp strategies. A first feature of the one or more potentially graspable features is selected to be grasped using a selected grasp strategy based at least in part on a corresponding score associated with the selected grasp strategy with respect to the first feature. The robotic arm and the end effector are controlled to attempt to grasp the first feature using the selected grasp strategy.

Abstract: There is provided a smart control system including a host, at least one sensor and an informing device. The host identifies the activity of a specific member according to the detection result of the at least one sensor, and informs the specific member to take medicine on time or avoid eating specific ingredients using the informing device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to methods and systems for controlling a snake-arm robot. The method includes receiving real-time image data associated with an operating environment or a location of a workpiece from optical sensor(s) mounted on a robot head of the robot; receiving input data describing a desired pose of the robot head; computing and translating a desired displacement of the robot head; computing a position of each of the links of the snake-arm robot to follow motion of the robot head, a current position of each the links, and data required to move joints connecting the links to move the robot to the desired pose; generating movement instructions; and transmitting the movement instructions to a drive motor associated with an introduction device or controllers associated with servo-motors operably connected to joints connecting the links of the snake-arm causing the robot head to move to the desired pose.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fall detection on uneven surfaces utilizing radar are disclosed. For example, an electronic device may receive reflected energy from surfaces in an environment. Corresponding sensor data associated with an object moving on an uneven surface may be utilized to determine a velocity of the object and a height change of the object. When the velocity indicates that the object has stopped moving toward or away from the sensing device, and the height values indicate a sudden decrease in height, a fall event may be detected.

Abstract: Provided is a route planning apparatus including a search unit 2 configured to search for a first route that connects each moving object and a lay-by area, when a deadlock is detected in a route plan of one or more moving objects 20, and a re-planning unit 3 configured to re-plan a second route from each moving object 20 to a target site such that the first routes which have been respectively found for the moving objects 20 do not collide with each other.

Abstract: A mobile robot is configured for operation in a commercial or industrial setting, such as an office building or retail store. The robot can patrol one or more routes within a building, and can detect violations of security policies by objects, building infrastructure and security systems, or individuals. In response to the detected violations, the robot can perform one or more security operations. The robot can include a removable fabric panel, enabling sensors within the robot body to capture signals that propagate through the fabric. In addition, the robot can scan RFID tags of objects within an area, for instance coupled to store inventory. Likewise, the robot can generate or update one or more semantic maps for use by the robot in navigating an area and for measuring compliance with security policies.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided for use with a teleoperated surgical system (surgical system), the method comprising: recording surgical instrument kinematic information indicative of surgical instrument motion produced within the surgical system during the occurrence of the surgical procedure; determining respective kinematic signatures associated with respective surgical instrument motions; producing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates respective kinematic signatures with respective control signals; comparing, during a performance of the surgical procedure surgical instrument kinematic information during the performance with at least one respective kinematic signature; launching, during a performance of the surgical procedure an associated respective control signal in response to a match between surgical instrument kinematics during the performance and a respective kinematic signature.

Abstract: A processing system is disclosed for providing processing of objects that includes a programmable motion device including an end effector, a perception system for recognizing any of the identity, location, and orientation of an object presented in a plurality of objects at an input location, a grasp acquisition system for acquiring the object using the end effector to permit the object to be moved from the plurality of objects to one of a plurality of destination bins, and a motion planning system for determining a changing portion of a trajectory path of the end effector from the object to a base location proximate to the input location, and determining an unchanging portion of a trajectory path of the end effector from the base location to a destination bin location proximate to a destination bin.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement of a robot having a plurality of links connected by rotatably driven joints includes the steps of: a) defining a target speed vector of a reference point of the robot in Cartesian space; b) determining rotation speeds ({dot over (q)}ref) of the joints which minimize a weighted sum, the weighted sum having for summands i) a discrepancy (?{dot over (x)}refk?J{dot over (q)}refk?Wx) between the target speed vector ({dot over (x)}ref) and an actual speed vector ({dot over (x)}act) calculated from actual rotation speeds of the joints; and ii) a rate of change ( 1 T S ? ? q . ref k - q . ref k - 1 ? W a ) of the target rotation speeds; and c) setting the rotation speeds ({dot over (q)}ref) determined in step (b) as target rotation speeds of the joints.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments further provide a system for hierarchical mission management comprising a number of mission planners, a data processing system, and a communication system. The number of mission planners are associated with a number of agent groups. The data processing system is configured to execute the number of mission planners. The communication system is configured to provide communication between the number of mission planners.

Abstract: A method for dual hand detection in robot teaching from human demonstration. A camera image of the demonstrator's hands and workpieces is provided to a first neural network which determines the identity of the left and right hand of the human demonstrator from the image, and also provides cropped sub-images of the identified hands. The first neural network is trained using images in which the left and right hands are pre-identified. The cropped sub-images are then provided to a second neural network which detects the pose of both the left and right hand from the images, where the sub-image for the left hand is horizontally flipped before and after the hand pose detection if second neural network is trained with right hand images. The hand pose data is converted to robot gripper pose data and used for teaching a robot to perform an operation through human demonstration.

Abstract: A robot control system includes a state candidate generation unit that generates a state candidate that is a state transition destination of a robot at next time, a control amount estimation unit that estimates a control amount for transitioning to the state candidate, a state candidate evaluation unit that calculates a distance between the target state of the robot and the state candidate, calculates a coincidence degree between (i) a state at next time estimated from a state at current time of the robot and the control amount and (ii) the state candidate, and sets a sum of the distance and the coincidence degree to be an evaluation value, and a selection unit that selects a state candidate with a minimum evaluation value from state candidates and generate a motion corresponding to the selected state candidate.

Abstract: A link actuation apparatus that actuates a parallel link mechanism where a spherical drive mechanism is constructed includes a controller configured to calculate, based on spherical trigonometry, an attitude of a second link hub from angles ?A1 and ?A2 that represent the attitude of a first end link member with respect to a first link hub in two of at least three link mechanisms. The link actuation apparatus capable of performing forward transformation in real time is thus provided.

Abstract: A modular robotic device is provided. The modular robotic device includes a robot base and a robotic manipulator connected to the robot base and operable to articulate a tool device connected to an end of the robotic manipulator. The robotic manipulator includes a plurality of modular rigid segments, wherein each of the plurality of modular rigid segments includes a joint portion and each operable to be selectably connected to the robotic manipulator. The plurality of modular rigid segments is interchangeable and operable to be assembled in various combinations.

Abstract: A teleoperated surgical system is provided that includes a surgical instrument that includes an end effector mounted for rotation about a slave pivot axis; a master control input includes a mount member, first and second master grip rotatably secured at the mount member for rotation about a master pivot axis; sensor to produce a sensor signal indicative of a slave grip counter-force about the slave pivot axis; one or more motors to impart a shear force to the mount member, perpendicular to the master pivot axis; one or more processors to convert the sensor signal to motor control signals to cause the motors to impart the feedback shear force to the first and second master grip members.

Abstract: A surgical system including a surgical tool and a navigation system for tracking the position of the surgical tool. The surgical tool comprising a housing including a variable speed motor and control module disposed within the housing. The navigation system comprising a navigation console in communication with the control module of the surgical tool, the navigation console may be configured to communicate instructions to the control module of the surgical tool based on the position of the surgical tool relative to a defined zone. The navigation console may be configured to deactivate the surgical tool based on the position of the surgical tool relative to the defined zone. The navigation console may also be configured to provide a user-selectable override option to allow continued operation of the surgical tool within the defined zone.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for decomposing learned robotic activities into smaller sub-activities that can be used independently. In one example, a method may include storing simulation data comprising an activity of a robot during a training simulation performed via a robotic simulator, decompose the activity into a plurality of sub-activities that are performed by the robot during the training simulation based on changes in behavior of the robot identified within the simulation data, and generating and storing a plurality of programs for executing the plurality of sub-activities, respectively, in the storage.

Abstract: In various examples, a computer-implemented method of generating instructions for a welding robot. The computer-implemented method comprises identifying an expected position of a candidate seam on a part to be welded based on a Computer Aided Design (CAD) model of the part, scanning a workspace containing the part to produce a representation of the part, identifying the candidate seam on the part based on the representation of the part and the expected position of the candidate seam, determining an actual position of the candidate seam, and generating welding instructions for the welding robot based at least in part on the actual position of the candidate seam.

Abstract: To provide a robot controller and a robot control method that do not need a logic command to be associated with a teaching position for a robot, and that are thus capable of executing the logic command at a desired position and a desired timing. A robot controller includes: an operation command interpretation unit that interprets an operation command program describing a teaching operation and a teaching position for a robot, and that generates an operation command; a logic command interpretation unit that interprets a logic command program describing a logic command instructing a machining process to be performed by the robot and an execution position for the logic command, independently from the teaching operation and the teaching position, and that generates the logic command that includes the execution position; and a command execution unit that executes the operation command and the logic command.

Abstract: Systems and methods for motion mode management include a computer-assisted device having an input control, a repositionable structure, and a controller coupled to the input control and the repositionable structure. The controller is configured to detect movement of the input control, control movement of the repositionable structure based on the movement of the input control, determine whether the movement of the input control is likely to include one or more components of a mode switching movement of the input control, and in response to determining that the movement of the input control is likely to include one or more components of the mode switching movement, temporarily disable mode switching in response to movement of the input control. The mode switching movement changes a mode of operation for the device. In some embodiments, the temporarily disabling prevents changing the mode of operation when the movement is a mode switching movement.

Abstract: A method for waste management, including recording an image of content within a waste container; extracting a set of content parameters from the image; characterizing the content within the waste container based on the set of content parameters; and routing a waste removal vehicle based on the content characterization.

Abstract: A method for perception and fitting for a stair tracker includes receiving sensor data for a robot adjacent to a staircase. For each stair of the staircase, the method includes detecting, at a first time step, an edge of a respective stair of the staircase based on the sensor data. The method also includes determining whether the detected edge is a most likely step edge candidate by comparing the detected edge from the first time step to an alternative detected edge at a second time step, the second time step occurring after the first time step. When the detected edge is the most likely step edge candidate, the method includes defining, by the data processing hardware, a height of the respective stair based on sensor data height about the detected edge. The method also includes generating a staircase model including stairs with respective edges at the respective defined heights.

Abstract: This invention relates to force/torque sensor and more particularly to multi-axis force/torque sensor and the methods of use for directly teaching a task to a mechatronic manipulator. The force/torque sensor has a casing, an outer frame forming part of or connected to the casing, an inner frame forming part of or connected to the casing, a compliant member connecting the outer frame to the inner frame, and one or more measurement elements mounted in the casing for measuring compliance of the compliant member when a force or torque is applied between the outer frame and the inner frame.

Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile robot includes a first basic learning process of generating a first basic map based on environment information acquired in a traveling process, a second basic learning process of generating a second basic map based on environment information acquired in a separate traveling process, and a merging process of merging the first basic map and the second basic map to generate a merged map.

Abstract: A medical supporting arm according to the present disclosure includes a supporting arm and a calculation unit. The supporting arm supports an oblique-viewing endoscope. The calculation unit calculates a rotation angle of the oblique-viewing endoscope around an axis in a longitudinal direction, and an insertion amount of the oblique-viewing endoscope into a human body on the basis of a first expression that defines coordinates of a subject in a coordinate system in which an insertion opening allowing the oblique-viewing endo scope to be inserted into the human body serves as an origin, and a second expression that defines the coordinates of the subject positioned in an optical axis direction of an objective lens disposed at a distal end of the oblique-viewing endoscope in a coordinate system in which the distal end of the oblique-viewing endoscope serves as an origin.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for performing robot plan online adjustment. A method includes receiving an initial plan for performing a particular task with a robot having a sensor. The initial plan defines an initial path having a plurality of waypoints. Each waypoint is associated with a target position and a target velocity. The method includes generating an alternative path from the initial path. Generating an alternative path includes generating a plurality of alternative paths including performing respective modifications to one or more waypoints in the initial plan, evaluating each alternative path according to a simulated total time duration required for the robot to traverse the alternative path, and selecting an alternative path having a total time duration that is less than a total time duration of the initial plan.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a robot stopping parallel to an installed object and a method of stopping the same. In the robot stopping parallel to an installed object, a pause state of the robot is determined, and when an obstacle sensor calculates distances from obstacles, the robot moves such that the robot is placed parallel and close to an adjacent one of installed objects disposed around the robot.

Abstract: An automatic path generation device includes a preprocessing unit creating teacher data based on a temporary motion path which is a motion path between a plurality of motion points where a robot moves and which is automatically generated with a motion planning algorithm and an actual motion path which is a motion path between the motion points and which is created by a skilled worker and a motion path learning unit generating a learned model which has learned a difference between the temporary motion path and the actual motion path with teacher data created by the preprocessing unit.

Abstract: In a method of obtaining an angle of each joint of a 6-axis vertical articulated robot when a position and a posture of an end effector attached on a sixth axis are given, a predetermined amount of offset exists between a sixth axis and a fourth axis, and the method includes sequentially determining a point of interest, which is a point on a circumference of a circle having the predetermined amount as a radius, around a first intersection point, on a plane which includes the first intersection point which is an intersection point of the sixth axis and the fifth axis and the plane which is orthogonal to the sixth axis, calculating a second intersection point, which is an intersection point of the fourth axis and the third axis, when it is assumed that the point of interest is an intersection point of the fifth axis and the fourth axis, calculating an inner product value of a first vector directed from the calculated second intersection point to the point of interest and a second vector directed from the point

Abstract: A grasping robot includes: a grasping mechanism configured to grasp a target object; an image-pickup unit configured to shoot a surrounding environment; an extraction unit configured to extract a graspable part that can be grasped by the grasping mechanism in the surrounding environment by using a learned model that uses an image acquired by the image-pickup unit as an input image; a position detection unit configured to detect a position of the graspable part; a recognition unit configured to recognize a state of the graspable part by referring to a lookup table that associates the position of the graspable part with a movable state thereof; and a grasping control unit configured to control the grasping mechanism so as to displace the graspable part in accordance with the state of the graspable part recognized by the recognition unit.

Abstract: A pipe handling system for handling drill pipe may include a lifting system configured for handling a load of a pipe stand and a pipe handling robot configured for manipulating a position of the pipe stand. The robot may include an end effector configured for engaging the pipe stand. The system may also include a controller configured for controlling the pipe handling robot to maintain the end effector in substantial alignment with the pipe stand using a vector constraint.

Abstract: A robotic system for facilitating return alignment includes a docking station and a mobile working machine. The docking station includes a charging module and a confirmation element. The mobile working machine includes a power module and a sensing device electrically connected to the power module. When the mobile working machine is moved to one side of the docking station to trigger the sensing device by the confirmation element, the charging module starts to electrically charge the power module.

Abstract: A robot controller controls an arc motion of a robot. The robot controller includes an interpolation point setting unit that sets an interpolation point between movement points in an operation program. The robot controller includes a movement-point angle calculation unit that calculates an angle relating to a reference direction for determining the orientation of the robot, and an interpolation-point angle calculation unit that calculates an angle relating to the reference direction at an interpolation point by interpolating angles relating to the reference direction at the movement points. The reference direction is a direction independent from the positions of the movement points and is set in an operation program in a predetermined coordinate system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a robot as well as to a correspondingly operated robotic system. As part of the method, it is determined, if a difference between a current position of the robot and a target position of the robot exceeds a predetermined threshold value while the robot is in a torque-regulated operating mode. If the difference exceeds the threshold value, a predicted model-based intermediate state that the robot reaches before the target position according to the model is determined, wherein a speed of the robot in the intermediate state is lower than a predetermined speed threshold. When the robot reaches the intermediate state, the robot is automatically switched from the torque-regulated operating mode to a position-regulated operating mode. The robot then moves into the target position in the position-regulated operating mode.

Abstract: Provided is a processing device including a simulation system including a model control unit and a predetermined control block structure corresponding to a predetermined device-side configuration, wherein a time response of the predetermined device-side configuration to a predetermined input value is calculated by convolution processing using impulse response information for calculation relating to the predetermined device-side configuration and the predetermined input value, and simulation of the simulation system is performed using the calculated time response. By changing a model control parameter set in the model control unit and performing the simulation, a correlation between a predetermined performance index and the model control parameter is calculated based on a response result of the simulation system, and a device control parameter is determined based on the correlation.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided for use with a teleoperated surgical system (surgical system), the method comprising: recording surgical instrument kinematic information indicative of surgical instrument motion produced within the surgical system during the occurrence of the surgical procedure; determining respective kinematic signatures associated with respective surgical instrument motions; producing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates respective kinematic signatures with respective control signals; comparing, during a performance of the surgical procedure surgical instrument kinematic information during the performance with at least one respective kinematic signature; launching, during a performance of the surgical procedure an associated respective control signal in response to a match between surgical instrument kinematics during the performance and a respective kinematic signature.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgery system including a robot, a cannula assembly and a computer system. The robot has at least one movable robot arm and the cannula assembly is detachably mounted to the robot arm. The cannula assembly includes a cannula and a pattern generating member. The cannula has a distal end and a proximal end with a flange portion and an elongate cannula shaft portion extending from the proximal end to the distal end and an access port through the elongate cannula shaft portion. The pattern generating member includes a pattern light source and a projector temporarily or permanently fixed to the cannula shaft portion. The pattern light source is operatively connected to the projector for projecting a light pattern. The computer system is configured for in real time receiving image data representing light pattern reflections from a surgical surface and for determining a real-time spatial position of the cannula assembly relative to the surgical surface.

Abstract: A robotic system includes end-effector(s) that combine a plurality of objects in a production process. The system includes sensor(s) that obtain measurement(s) relating to a combination of a first object and one or more other objects during the production process. The system includes a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor(s). The control system stores specifications relating to the combination of the plurality of objects. The control system receives the measurement(s) from the sensor(s), determines a difference based on the measurement(s) and the specifications, determines adjustment(s) to the production process based on the determined difference, and sends, for the end-effector(s), instruction(s) based on the specifications and the one or more adjustment(s). The end-effector(s) combine a second object with the first object and the one or more objects based on the specifications and the one or more adjustment(s).

Abstract: An example robotic device may include an arm having a palm and fingers, a depth sensor disposed within the palm, and a control system. The control system may be configured to detect an indication to receive an object from an actor, and in response, cause the robotic device to enter a receive-object mode. When the robotic device is in the receive-object mode, the control system is further configured to: receive, from the depth sensor, depth data indicating a distance between the palm and the object; when the distance is greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold, cause the arm to move towards the object; when the distance exceeds the second threshold, maintain the arm in a fixed position; and when the distance drops below the first threshold, cause the two or more fingers to close to grasp the object.

Abstract: A robotic system includes one or more end-effectors that combine, according to a production process, at least one object and structure(s) at a production site. Sensor(s) generate, from the production site, sensor data relating to the production process. A control system stores specifications for the production process based on a model of the production site and/or the at least one object. The control system: receives, from the sensor(s), the sensor data; determines, from the sensor data, properties of at least one of: the production site or the at least one object; determines difference(s) between the properties and the model; determine(s) adjustment(s) to the production process based on the difference(s); and sends, for the end-effector(s), instruction(s) for combining the at least one object and the structure(s) based on the specifications and the one or more adjustments to the production process.