Abstract: A control system and method generate joint variables for motion or posing of a target system in response to observations of a source system. Constraints and balance control may be provided for more accurate representation of the motion or posing as replicated by the target system.

Abstract: A robot apparatus includes a reception arm determination unit that determines from a left arm or a right arm of a user a reception arm which is used in handing of an object; a hand location calculation unit that calculates a current location of a hand of the reception arm; and a handing operation unit that performs an object handing operation at the location of the hand of the reception arm which is calculated using the hand location calculation unit.

Abstract: A method of controlling a robot includes running multiple applications on a processor, where each application has a robot controller and an action selection engine. Each application is in communication with at least one behavior and at least one action model of at least part of the robot. The method includes running periodic action selection cycles on each action selection engine. Each action selection cycle includes selecting a command for each action space of each action model, generating a single overall command based on the accumulated commands for each action model, and sending the overall command to the robot controller for execution on the robot.

Abstract: Telerobotic, telesurgical, and surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods selectively calibrate end effector jaws by bringing the jaw elements into engagement with each other. Commanded torque signals may bring the end effector elements into engagement while monitoring the resulting position of a drive system, optionally using a second derivative of the torque/position relationship so as to identify an end effector engagement position. Calibration can allow the end effector engagement position to correspond to a nominal closed position of an input handle by compensating for wear on the end effector, the end effector drive system, then manipulator, the manipulator drive system, the manipulator/end effector interfacing, and manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: Method for controlling continuum robots and systems therefrom are provided. In the system and method, a new system of equations is provided for controlling a shape of the elastic member and a tension on a tendon applying a force to an elastic member of the robot. The system of equations can be used to estimate a resulting shape of the elastic member from the tension applied to the tendon. The system of equations can also be used to estimate a necessary tension for the tendon to achieve a target shape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assuring effective backup for sensor failure in robots, by utilizing a single extra sensor attached between the end actuator and the base. The single extra sensor provides absolute back-up for any single encoder failure that may occur in the system, and statistically significant back-up for any double encoder failure. A single additional sensor effectively provides the robotic system with one redundant information input to the robot control algorithm, which can be used in order to determine whether any of the other control sensors, or even the additional sensor itself, has failed and is delivering an erroneous reading, and hence to warn the operator of the failure. A single additional sensor also provides useful warning of the simultaneous failure of two sensors, since the likelihood that two sensors fail simultaneously in a mode that makes the failures undetectable, can be regarded as statistically insignificant.

Abstract: A control system of a multi-link structure configured by connecting a plurality of rigid bodies together is disclosed. The control system includes: a state equation setting means; a predictive control target value setting means; a stability evaluation function setting means; an optimal control input determining means; an optimal momentum calculating means; and a joint driving method determining means.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for controlling robotic apparatus having several movable elements or segments coupled by joints. At least one of the movable elements can include one or more mobile bases, while the others can form one or more manipulators. One of the movable elements can be treated as an end effector for which a certain motion is desired. The end effector may include a tool, for example, or represent a robotic hand (or a point thereon), or one or more of the one or more mobile bases. In accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein, movement of the manipulator and the mobile base can be controlled and coordinated to effect a desired motion for the end effector. In many cases, the motion can include simultaneously moving the manipulator and the mobile base.

Abstract: A robot control apparatus and a control method which, in moving a tool along a synthesized trajectory where at least two operations are synthesized in middle of a desired trajectory, eliminates the need for arithmetic processing for determining synthesized trajectory, thereby drastically shortening processing time required for preprocessing for robot control. Control values for preceding operation and those for succeeding operation are calculated from initial to terminal values, respectively.

Abstract: A method for adaptive obstacle avoidance for articulated redundant robots is disclosed. The method comprises acts of calculating an obstacle avoidance vector for each of a set of limbs in a robot arm, and then applying the obstacle avoidance vector to constrain the inverse model in a robot controller. The obstacle avoidance vector incorporates factors including: (1) a distance and direction of each of a set of obstacles to the limb; and (2) when the limb is part of a kinematic chain of limbs, contributions from the obstacle avoidance vectors of all peripheral limbs in the kinematic chain. The method of the present invention was designed for use with the DIRECT model robot controller, but the method is generally applicable to any of a variety of robot controllers known in the art.

Abstract: A manipulator includes a main unit movable to a specified target position, an arm unit rotatably provided on the main unit, and a posture controller. The posture controller controls the posture of the arm unit so that a front surface of the arm unit facing forward in a moving direction of the main unit is not orthogonal to the moving direction of the main unit when the movement of the main unit is performed. The arm unit may be inclined obliquely backward with respect to a moving direction of the main unit when the main unit is moved to a specified target position.

Abstract: A robotic system implements a collision avoidance scheme and includes a first robotic manipulator and a first controller configured to control the first robotic manipulator for movement along a first pre-planned actual path. A second controller is configured to control movement of a second robotic manipulator for movement along a second pre-planned intended path and deviating therefrom to move in a dodging path away from the first pre-planned actual path based upon determining a potential collision with the first robotic manipulator without prior knowledge of the first pre-planned actual path.

Abstract: A system and method for ensuring that a large number of connectors, such as fiber-optic cable-connectors, which are plugged-into connector-receptacles arrayed across a connector-panel, are not intentionally disconnected by an un-authorized user with malicious intent, or accidentally unplugged by an authorized technician who may be trying to manually pull-out a specific connector for testing or other purposes but, inadvertently, could otherwise unplug a neighboring connector because of not being able to clearly see which plug is actually being removed due to the large number of cables that are connected to the panel. The connectors are locked in place by restraining arms which are controlled by solenoids or motors. Each restraining arm can be commanded to release its respective connector, but only when the correct command from a computer is received. The same system and method can be applied to connector-receptacles arrayed on one or both sides of the panel.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for controlling an articulated system are described. The system estimates kinematics of body segments of the articulated system and constructs a weighted pseudo-inverse matrix to enforce kinematic constraints as well as achieve dynamic consistency based on the estimated kinematics. The system converts task descriptors to joint commands using the weighted pseudo-inverse matrix and controls the articulated system at both the velocity level and the acceleration level and enforces kinematic constraints using the joint commands.

Abstract: A manipulator and a method of generating the shortest path along which the manipulator moves to grip an object without collision with the object models a target object and a gripper into a spherical shape, measures a current position of the gripper and a position of the target object and a target position of the gripper, calculates an arc-shaped path in a two-dimensional plane along which the gripper needs to move by calculating an included angle of a triangle consisting of the position of the object and the current position and target position of the gripper, transforms the arc-shaped path in the two-dimensional plane into an arc-shaped path in a three-dimensional space using a transform matrix consisting of the position of the object and the current position and target position of the gripper, thereby automatically generating the shortest path of the manipulator.

Abstract: A controller of a mobile robot that moves an object such that the position of a representative point of the object and the posture of the object follow a desired position and posture trajectory is provided. The desired posture trajectory of the object includes the desired value of the angular difference about a yaw axis between a reference direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the yaw axis of the object, and the direction of the moving velocity vector of the representative point of the object, defined by the desired position trajectory. The controller has a desired angular difference setting means which variably sets the desired value of the angular difference according to at least a required condition related to a movement mode of the object. This allows the object to be moved at a posture which meets the required condition of the movement mode.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a robot which transports a transportable medium, an objective unit including a light receptor of the objective unit and a light emitter of the objective unit which emits light to the outside of the objective unit when light is received by the light receptor of the objective unit. The robot includes a light emitter of the robot opposite to the light receptor of the objective unit that emits light to the light receptor of the objective unit at the time of positioning of the robot at the objective unit, and a light receptor of the robot opposite to the light emitter of the objective unit that receives light from the light emitter of the objective unit at the time of positioning of the robot at the objective unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing fault tolerance against a failure occurring during driving robot software components includes: a component executor for executing the robot software components, which are assigned with one thread from an operating system and have a same priority and cycle, by using the assigned thread; and an executor monitor for periodically monitoring the operation of the component executor and determining whether or not there is a failure in the robot software components executed by the component executor. The apparatus further includes: an executor manager for generating the component executor which is assigned with the robot software components having the same priority and cycle and, when the executor monitor determines that there is a failure in the execution of the robot software components, generating a new component executor.

Abstract: Provided are a power assist apparatus and its control method, which realize improvements in positioning precision and in workability while reducing the burden of a work positioning operation on a operator by burdening a portion of the positioning work on the power assist apparatus and while making good use of the decision or experience (or institution or knack) by the operator when the operator positions the work by using the power assist apparatus. The power assist apparatus thus autonomously cooperated with the working action of the operator comprises a transfer tool including an articulated robot, a sucking jig and a free joint for gripping and transferring windows, and a control device for controlling the actions of the transfer tool. The control device divides and stores a series of working tasks into a plurality of working section, and sets control logics for the individual working sections and for the individual working directions, in which the power assist apparatus has degrees of freedom.

Abstract: An element 22 which determines a manipulation amount for controlling a motion state of each joint 4 of a robot 1 calculates a pseudo inverse matrix A* used for calculating the manipulation amount, using a value of an adjustment parameter k determined so that an absolute value of a determinant DET is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold. Setting a provisional value of the adjustment parameter k by gradually increasing the provisional value from a predetermined initial value, calculating the determinant DET using the set provisional value, and determining whether the absolute value of the calculated determinant DET is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold is repeated, and the provisional value of the adjustment parameter k when the determination result is true is determined as the value of the adjustment parameter k used for the calculation of the pseudo inverse matrix A*.

Abstract: A robot and the like capable of executing a task in an appropriate condition from the viewpoint of execution economy even when a state of the task is altered. A cost is evaluated that represents a load or labor required for a robot (1) to execute a new task, and the cost information indicating the cost is transmitted to a support server (200) (bid procedure). The support server (200) designates the robot (1) having the lowest cost as a designated robot (1) and transmits an execution instruction for executing the new task to the designated robot (1). The robot (1) executes the task according to the execution instruction (contract procedure). By employing the task bid and contract system, a designated task is executed by an adequate robot (R) among a plurality of robots (R) in consideration of the execution economy of the designated task.

Abstract: A desired movement command (203) for a robotic device (100) having n joints (112) operating in an m degrees of freedom task space is analyzed to determine if it would cause any of the joint angular limits to be violated. In the case where a non-zero number L (241) of the joints (112) have angular limits that are violated, a revised movement command (254) is then constructed according to the following equation: {dot over (q)}mod=Jmod(JmodTW2Jmod)?1JmodTW2{dot over (x)}cmd {dot over (q)}new=re({dot over (q)}mod), wherein {dot over (q)}mod (253) is an (n?L)×1 joint velocity command for joints that are not currently being limited, {dot over (q)}new (254) is an n×1 new joint velocity command, Jmod (251) is an m×(n?L) matrix, JmodT is the transpose of Jmod (251), W (252) is an m×m matrix comprising weighting factors, and {dot over (x)}cmd (203) is the desired movement command (203) for the end-effector (116) velocity.

Abstract: A method for regulation of a multi-axis automated manipulator, in particular of a robot, includes flexible regulation of at least one guide axis, and rigid regulation of at least one additional axis, and determining a desired value of the at least one additional axis on the basis of a real value of the guide axis.

Abstract: A robot teach tool is provided that enables automatic teaching of pick and place positions for a robot. The automated robot teach tool obviates the need for manual operation of the robot during the teaching. The result is an automated process that is much faster, more accurate, more repeatable and less taxing on a robot operator.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile robot that includes driving the robot according to a drive direction, determining a driven path of the robot from an origin, and displaying a drive view on a remote operator control unit in communication with the robot. The drive view shows a driven path of the robot from the origin. The method further includes obtaining global positioning coordinates of a current location of the robot and displaying a map in the drive view using the global positioning coordinates. The driven path of the robot is displayed on the map.

Abstract: A method to compensate geometrical errors in processing machines, in which a workpiece holder (8) is arranged such that it can be adjusted on the basis of measurement signals that have been received by being able to be rotated relative to a fixture (9) in the processing machine to which the workpiece holder is attached. A method for the alignment of a workpiece in processing machines, and an arrangement for the realization of the method are disclosed. The arrangement includes a workpiece holder (8), the angle of which relative to a fixture (9) in the processing machine to which the workpiece holder (8) is connected can be adjusted.

Abstract: A method for planning the robot path includes forming a shape space that includes a start point, a goal point, and obstacle information so as to generate a moving path of the robot, generating one or more moving paths of the robot within the shape space, and storing the generated moving paths in a database, selecting a specific path that has a minimum operation range of the robot and a minimum constraint caused by the obstacle from among the stored moving paths, and planning the selected path, enabling the robot to perform motion along the planned path, and pre-planning a path for a next motion of the robot while the robot performs the motion. The apparatus or method for planning the robot path can reduce a time from an end time of one motion to the start time of the next motion, thereby performing a smooth motion.

Abstract: A control device for a mobile body makes it possible to smoothly correct the deviation of an actual posture of a base body of a mobile body, which travels with the base body thereof moving up and down, from a desired posture of the base body while restraining an overshoot or an undershoot from occurring. To determine a required manipulated variable according to a feedback control law in order to converge a state amount deviation related to the posture of the base body of the mobile body to zero, the feedback gain of the feedback control law is determined by using the time series in a period from current time to predetermined time in the future in the time series of a desired inertial force of the mobile body or the base body. The required manipulated variable is determined by the calculation of the feedback control law on the basis of the determined feedback gain and an observed value of the state amount deviation.

Abstract: Provided is a system and the like capable of appropriately searching a desired trajectory for a controlled subject in a time-space coordinate system in view of a state of the controlled subject. An initial positional relationship (k=1) between a first reference point q1(k) and a second reference point q2 (k) in the time-space coordinate system is set to satisfy a first condition defined according to a motion performance of an actuator 2. When a previous trajectory candidate tr(k?1) is determined to have a contact with an object trajectory tro, a current positional relationship (k>1) between the first reference point q1(k) and the second reference point q2 (k) in the time-space coordinate system is set to satisfy a second condition that a current time interval between the first reference point q1(k) and the second reference point q2 (k) is longer than a previous time interval or the like.

Abstract: A robot control apparatus is configured such that a vector calculator calculates a first vector representing a moving direction of a reference portion at a reference portion position and a second vector representing relative positions of a signal output position and the reference portion position. The robot control apparatus is configured such that a signal output determiner determines whether or not the notification signal is output on the basis of the first vector and the second vector that are calculated by the vector calculator.

Abstract: The method for controlling the movement of the horizontal brush of a vehicle washing system, provides for a first and a second vector velocity control mode of the brush and an alternating logic between the first and the second control mode, the first control mode being based on the control of the absorption current of the rotation motor of the brush, the second control mode being based on the geometric limitation of the plunge of the brush.

Abstract: A coordinated joint control system for controlling a coordinated joint motion system, e.g. an articulated arm of a hydraulic excavator blends automation of routine tasks with real-time human supervisory trajectory correction and selection. One embodiment employs a differential control architecture utilizing an inverse Jacobian. Modelling of the desired trajectory of the end effector in system space can be avoided. The disclosure includes image generation and matching systems.

Abstract: An operational space physical quantity calculation apparatus computes a physical quantity in an operational space describing a relationship between a force and acceleration acting on a link structure including a plurality of linked rigid bodies. The operational space physical quantity calculation apparatus includes a forward dynamics calculating unit configured to perform a forward dynamics calculation on the basis of force information about a force acting on the link structure in order to obtain accelerations occurring at certain points of the link structure and an operational space physical quantity computing unit configured to compute an inverse operational space inertia matrix and an operational space bias acceleration by causing the forward dynamics calculating unit to perform the forward dynamics calculation using a kinetic model of the link structure.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a numerically controlled (NC) processing system includes materials processing installation having a multi-axis kinematic linkage operable to position a tip portion of the linkage along a predetermined process path. The system also includes a processor having a compensation system operable to detect a singular point in the process path and to improve the accuracy tip portion positioning near the singular point.

Abstract: A robotic instrument system and method, comprising at least two instrument drive assemblies each detachably coupled to a respective instrument assembly. Each instrument assembly comprising an elongate, flexible guide instrument configured to be inserted into a patient's body. The instrument drive assemblies comprise one or more motors configure to operate a respective instrument assembly. One or more controllers are operatively coupled to the instrument drive assemblies. The method comprises maneuvering a distal end of each of the respective guide instruments into a patient's heart by actuating the respective drive assembly performing a procedure controlled by the one or more controllers.

Abstract: An industrial robot for moving an object in space. A platform is arranged for carrying the object. A first arm is arranged for influencing the platform in a first movement. The first arm includes a first actuator and three links. Each link includes an outer joint connected to the platform and an inner joint connected to the first actuator. A second arm is arranged for influencing the platform in a second movement. The second arm includes a second actuator and two links. Each link includes an outer joint connected to the platform and an inner joint connected to the second actuator. A third arm is arranged for influencing the platform in a third movement. The third arm includes one link including an outer joint connected to the platform. At least one of the links is arranged with an adjustable length and includes a linear actuator for controlling the length of the link.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus allowing a moving robot to localize a user, or localizing the moving robot from a fixed location, and a method and medium thereof. The apparatus includes a motion controller to control the moving robot such that the sensor passes a plurality of measurement points by rotating the moving robot, a distance measuring unit, which includes the sensor that senses predetermined waves generated from the transmitter, to measure distances between the sensor and the transmitter at the plurality of measurement points, a rotational angle measuring unit to measure rotational angles of the moving robot at the measurement points, and a location calculator to calculate relative locations using input values of the measured distances, the measured rotational angles, and the radius of a circle determined by the sensor resulting from the rotation of the moving robot.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system and method for meeting end conditions of a path plan utilizing a path generator that continuously generates commands for a path plan while tracking the total time expired in the path plan. The path generator computes the time remaining in the path plan and substitutes the remaining time for the length of the final sample period in the path plan when the length of the remaining time is less than the length of a full sample period.

Abstract: A method of causing movement of at least one target device based on at least one of a plurality of motion programs stored on a content server connected to a network. At least one identified characteristic of the at least one target device is identified. At least one selected motion program is selected from the plurality of motion programs stored on the content server. The at least one identified characteristic and the at least one selected motion program are transferred to the motion server. A motion media data set is generated at the motion server for the target motion device based on the at least one identified characteristic of the target device and the at least one selected motion program. The motion media data set is transferred from the motion server to the target motion device to cause the target device to perform the desired sequence of movements.

Abstract: Teat cups are fetched from a teat cup magazine by a gripper carried on a robotic arm. The gripper grips and removes teat cups from the teat cup magazine. The gripper also holds at least one teat cup during transport thereof towards an udder where an animal's teats are located. A positioning element determines position estimates representing at least one spatial characteristic of the udder. Based on the position estimates, the robotic arm and the gripper are controlled to attach the teat cups to the teats where the position estimates constitutes a basis for controlling the robotic arm and the gripper to remove teat cups from the teat cup magazine in such a manner that a teat-receiving end of the teat cup attains a horizontal level in the gripper, which horizontal level is adapted to the at least one spatial characteristic of the udder.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for analyzing costs associated with a cost flow model having components of relationships and entities. A system and method can be configured to receive data associated with the cost flow model that identifies the costs associated with the relationships among the entities. One or more matrices are created that are representative of the costs and the entity relationships. One or more sparse matrix operations are performed upon the created one or more matrices in order to determine cost contribution amounts from an entity to another entity.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a generalized kinematics library which may be used to control the motion of a machine tool system and to process data for other applications, such as simulation graphics. Methods are disclosed to interpolate the movement of various axes of a machine tool system through a machine singularity point.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for ensuring a cleaning robot to return to a charge station. The method includes the steps of: (a) measuring a battery usable time, a running speed, and an actual return distance of a cleaning robot during a cleaning operation; (b) calculating an allowable return distance on the basis of the battery usable time and the running speed; (c) comparing the actual return distance with the allowable return distance; and (d) returning the cleaning robot to the charge station when the actual return distance is larger than the allowable return distance as a result of the comparison. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cleaning robot from being not returned to the charge station, thereby providing convenience to a user.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to systems and methods that facilitate motion between different coordinate systems in an industrial control environment. The systems and methods accept data in one coordinate system and transform the data to a different coordinate system. Suitable transformations include instructions that transform between Cartesian, pre-defined non-Cartesian, and user-defined non-Cartesian coordinate systems, including transformations between a non-Cartesian coordinate system to another non-Cartesian coordinate system. Such transformations can be programmed in essentially any industrial control language and can be seamlessly integrated with the control environment. The systems and methods can be utilized to generate a motion instruction that includes, among other information, source and target coordinate systems and the transformation between them.

Abstract: A behavior control system capable of controlling the behavior of an agent (robot) such that the agent securely applies a force to a moving object. The behavior control system calculates the degree of overlapping of a time-series probability density distribution between a predicted position trajectory of an object (ball) and a position trajectory candidate of a counter object (racket). Further, a behavior plan of the agent (robot) is generated such that the counter object is moved according to a desired position trajectory, which is a mean position trajectory or a central position trajectory of a position trajectory candidate of the counter object which has the highest degree of overlapping with the predicted position trajectory of the object among a plurality of position trajectory candidates of the counter object.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot is provided which is autonomously movable, including an upper body, legs connected under the upper body, a first detector which detects an object in a front region of the upper body in a moving direction of the robot, and a second detector which detects an object in a region other than a sensing region sensed by the first detector including at least a rear region, a rear right region, and a rear left region of the upper body.

Abstract: A method according to the invention for controlling a manipulator, in particular a robot, includes the following steps: determining (S10, S20) a target path (q(s)) of the manipulator, and determining (S70) a motion value (v(s)) for this target path, optionally, determining (S50) a path segment ([s_A, s_E]) with a defined profile of a motion value (v(s)=vc), and automatically determining (S60) this motion value on the basis of motion values (v_max_RB, v_max_vg) permissible in this path segment.

Abstract: A haptic device for human/computer interface includes a user interface tool coupled via cables to first, second, third, and fourth cable control units, each positioned at a vertex of a tetrahedron. Each of the cable control units includes a spool and an encoder configured to provide a signal corresponding to rotation of the respective spool. The cables are wound onto the spool of a respective one of the cable control units. The encoders provide signals corresponding to rotation of the respective spools to track the length of each cable. As the cables wind onto the spools, variations in spool diameter are compensated for. The absolute length of each cable is determined during initialization by retracting each cable In turn to a zero length position. A sensor array coupled to the tool detects rotation around one or more axes.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for optimizing robot performance includes a computer connected to the robot controller for receiving performance data of the robot as the controller executes a path program. The computer uses the performance data, user specified optimization objectives and constraints and a kinematic/dynamic simulator to generate a new set of control system parameters to replace the default set in the controller. The computer repeats the process until the new set of control system parameters is optimized.

Abstract: A calibration device and method for automatically determining the position and the orientation of a robot used for measurement. First, an initial position of a preliminary position is generated based on a designated basic position, and it is judged whether the initial position is within an operation range of the robot. If the robot cannot reach the initial position, the preliminary position is adjusted close to the basic position. Otherwise, the preliminary position is evaluated by calculating an evaluation index of the preliminary position. When the evaluation index does not satisfy a predetermined condition, an initial value of an posture angle is increased.