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: 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.

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: According to a method according to the invention for operating an additional tool axis (Z) of a tool (2) guided by a manipulator, in particular a robot (1), a position and/or an orientation of the tool in space are defined by axis positions (q1-q6) of the manipulator axes and a position value (f) of the tool axis, are saved and/or displayed, with an automatic conversion being carried out between the position value (f) and an axis position (e) of the tool axis which brings it about.

Abstract: A system is capable of controlling the movements of a hand so as to ensure a further stable grasp of an object. In a state wherein an object is in contact with a plurality of finger mechanisms and a palm portion by being grasped by the hand, the load to be applied to the object from each of the plurality of finger mechanisms can be adjusted. Thus, the position of the load center on the palm portion can be displaced so as to be included in a target palm area. Further, the load to be applied to the palm portion can be adjusted so as to fall within a target load range.

Abstract: A process and a device are provided for determining the pose as the entirety of the position and the orientation of an image reception device. The process is characterized in that the pose of the image reception device is determined with the use of at least one measuring device that is part of a robot. The device is characterized by a robot with an integrated measuring device that is part of the robot for determining the pose of the image reception device.

Abstract: A partial surface of a total surface, divided into several partial surfaces, is allocated to one of several mobile units by determining the partial surface of the total surface and allocating one of the several mobile units with a reservation. The mobile unit transmits allocation information indicating the allocation of the partial surface. The reservation is lifted and the allocation of the partial surface is validated when the one of the several mobile units receives no allocation rejection information from at least one of the other mobile units, indicating a rejection of the allocation of the partial surface. If rejection information is received, the reservation is lifted and the allocation of the partial surface is invalidated.

Abstract: A robot hand able to change the manner of holding an object while force applied from a plurality of finger mechanisms to the object is adjusted without using an auxiliary finger mechanism. When force F3 is applied to object w from a certain finger mechanism 13 among the plurality of finger mechanisms 11 to 13 is changed, the operation of each finger mechanism is controlled such that a “contact” of each of the finger mechanisms 11 to 13 in the object w and an “application force vector” from each of the finger mechanisms 11 to 13 to the object w satisfy a “stable gripping condition”. The “stable gripping condition” is a condition in which (1) the sum of each of forces and moments applied from the plurality of finger mechanisms 11 to 13 to the object w becomes zero, and (2) a slip index fr becomes minimum.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling an exoskeleton actuator at a joint of a human-exoskeleton system by receiving system parameters for the human-exoskeleton system, receiving generalized coordinates for the human-exoskeleton system, and determining an equivalent joint torque for the exoskeleton actuator to compensate for a selected force. While providing partial or complete compensation of selected gravitational and external forces, one embodiment of the present invention mitigates the amount of interference between voluntary control and assist control, thereby allowing humans to quickly humans adapt to an exoskeleton system.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a manipulator, in particular a robot, a reference path is stored and reference increments are automatically determined while following the path the reference increments are determined based on the dynamics of the manipulator while following the path.

Abstract: An autonomous robot, that is for example, suitable for operations such as vacuuming and surface cleaning includes a payload configured for vacuum cleaning, a drive system including a steering system, a navigation system, and a control system for integrating operations of the aforementioned systems.

Abstract: A method for processing multiple continuous Top-K queries, which is performed between a master server and multiple of slave servers, including steps of: a first step, for arbitrarily selecting the multiple of slave servers and querying and counting up K of accumulated values of which are recorded at most; a second step, for calculating every two adjacent values which have been sent from the same servers to obtain an average value as a threshold; and a third step, for measuring variations of an upper bound and a lower bound for each of the values by using the threshold, and reporting to the master server at a time of the value being in excess of the upper bound or lower than the lower bound for each of the values.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an interactive toy includes a body, a head extending from a front portion of the body and a plurality of feet extending downwardly from the body. A pair of sensors are separately positioned on the left and right sides of the toy, and the sensors activate upon receiving a signal. A microprocessor is in communication with the pair of sensors controls a mechanical movements of the toy upon activation of the sensors. In one embodiment the mechanical movements of the toy include a pair of motors separately driving a gear spur meshed to a wheel. Each wheel extends from underneath the toy to drive the toy on a surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of optimally correcting a static deflection caused by a weight of an end effector coupled to a robot arm or a load on the end effector when the end effector is activated to handle a large sheet of glass. A deflection angle of the end effector is corrected by inserting a compensation member into a joint of the robot arm, and the static deflection caused by the weight of the handling robot when conveying the sheet of glass is also corrected in real time.

Abstract: A process is provided for controlling a robotal device, such as a multiaxial industrial robot, by a control unit, with a control core for executing control processes for the robotal device. An interface function checks whether models and/or procedures optionally contained in the control core or additional models and/or transformation procedures and/or special algorithms of kinematic structures, which can be preset at the interface are used as model modules for motion-relevant variables of the robotal device. Special and third-party kinematics can thus also be operated with a control device suitable for executing the process without the control itself having to be modified.

Abstract: A robot controller capable of automatically preparing a job program for a workpiece configured of a plurality of job elements is disclosed. A plurality of teaching programs for teaching the job for each job element making up the workpiece are stored in advance. Each teaching program has registered therein attribute information including the item number (identification information) and the sequence of application of the teaching program to each workpiece. The robot controller retrieves teaching programs having registered therein, as attribute information, the same item number as the input item number of the workpiece and prepares a main program such that the retrieved teaching programs are called sequentially as subprograms in accordance with the application sequence specified by the attribute information. Further, commands for moving to the job starting position and the job end position are added before and after the main program thereby to complete the main program.

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: An industrial robot, having an end-effector supporting mechanism for holding an end-effector and accommodating an imaging device of a visual sensor, which is free from the interference with the periphery and capable of taking an image of the working position. A container-shaped adaptor of the end-effector supporting mechanism is attached to a distal end of a wrist flange provided in a robot wrist supported by a robot arm. The adaptor has a first attachment section provided with a first attachment surface to be attached to the wrist flange, and a second attachment section provided with a second attachment surface disposed generally parallel to a wrist flange surface at a position apart from the first attachment section by a predetermined distance along a rotary center axis of the wrist flange. On the second attachment surface, a tool holding member of the end-effector supporting mechanism for holding the working tool is attached.

Abstract: First of all, in a first step S1, each actuator command value for position command value and posture command value of an end-effector is determined. Next, in a second step S2, rotational resistance values of a first and a second universal joints are obtained, and in a third step S3, the force and the moment exerted to each of the second universal joints are computed using this, and in a fourth step S4, the resultant force and the resultant moment exerted to the end-effector are determined from these. Then, in the fifth step, the elastic deformation amount of a mechanism is computed using these, and a compensation amount of the actuator command value is computed using these values. And then, in the sixth step, the actuator command values determined in the first step are updated with the compensation amount determined in the fifth step taken into account.

Abstract: Displacements of respective joints corresponding to respective joint elements (J9 and the like) of a rigid link model (S1) representing a two-legged walking mobile body (1) are sequentially grasped. Also at the same time, values, in a body coordinate system (BC), of an acceleration vector of the origin of the body coordinate system (BC) fixed to a waist (6) as a rigid element, a floor reaction force vector acting on each leg (2), and a position vector of the point of application of the floor reaction force vector are sequentially grasped. With the use of the grasped values, joint moments respectively generated in an ankle joint (13), a knee joint (14), and a hip joint (9) of each leg (2) are sequentially estimated based on an inverse dynamics model using the body coordinate system. The estimation accuracy of the joint moments of the leg can be enhanced by reducing arithmetic processing using tilt information of the two-legged walking mobile body relative to the gravity direction as much as possible.

Abstract: An apparatus for calling a mobile robot includes a generator installed at a remote controller, and generating an RF signal and infrared signal for calling a mobile robot when a call signal is inputted by a user; and a controller installed at the mobile robot, calculating a direction of the remote controller based on a position of an infrared ray receiver that receives the infrared signal when an RF signal is received, rotating the mobile robot in the calculated direction, and then making the mobile robot to go straight ahead. When a user calls the mobile robot from a specific place, the mobile robot can move by itself to the specific space, thereby enhancing users' convenience.

Abstract: The system includes a detecting section detecting an object to be picked, among a plurality of objects placed in a manner as to be at least partially superimposed on each other; a storage section storing appearance information of a predetermined portion of a reference object having an outward appearance identical to an outward appearance of the object to be picked; a determining section determining whether an inspected portion of the object to be picked, corresponding to the predetermined portion of the reference object, is concealed by another object, based on the appearance information of the reference object stored in the storage section; a control section deciding a picking motion for the object to be picked and outputting a control signal of the picking motion; and a picking mechanism performing the picking motion on the object to be picked in accordance with the control signal output from the control section.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting a position of a mobile robot in accordance with the present invention can accurately detect a position of a mobile robot by calculating time taken for each ultrasonic signal generated by ultrasonic signal oscillating means of a charging station to reach the mobile robot on the basis of a point of time at which an RF (Radio Frequency) signal emitted from the mobile robot is generated; calculating a distance between the charging station and the mobile robot based on the calculated reaching time; and calculating an angle between the charging station and the mobile robot based on the calculated distance value and a preset distance value between the ultrasonic signal oscillating means.

Abstract: A method for estimating joint load at a joint of a segment. The method comprises the steps of receiving kinematic data, determining a modified acceleration using at least the kinematic data, estimating a joint load using at least the modified acceleration; and determining simulated kinematic data for the segment using at least the joint load. The method addresses the problems with conventional inverse dynamics analysis by providing a forward dynamics solution for estimation of joint loads that is stable, guaranteed to converge, computationally efficient, and does not require acceleration computations. According to one embodiment, a joint load is estimated recursively.

Abstract: A robot platform includes perceptors, locomotors, and a system controller. The system controller executes a robot intelligence kernel (RIK) that includes a multi-level architecture and a dynamic autonomy structure. The multi-level architecture includes a robot behavior level for defining robot behaviors, that incorporate robot attributes and a cognitive level for defining conduct modules that blend an adaptive interaction between predefined decision functions and the robot behaviors. The dynamic autonomy structure is configured for modifying a transaction capacity between an operator intervention and a robot initiative and may include multiple levels with at least a teleoperation mode configured to maximize the operator intervention and minimize the robot initiative and an autonomous mode configured to minimize the operator intervention and maximize the robot initiative. Within the RIK at least the cognitive level includes the dynamic autonomy structure.

Abstract: A method and an electronic search system for operating an automatic device, preferably an automatic lawnmower. The system comprises at least one first electrical cable (1,4,5,6) connected to at least one first signal generator (3,7,8) and at least one sensing system arranged on said device. Said sensing system detects at least one magnetic field being transmitted via said cable (1,4,5,6) and propagating through the air, the sensing system transmitting a processed signal to at least one driving element which contributes to the movements of said device in relation to a surface.

Abstract: An industrial robot for tending a machine includes a machine part providing a repetitive sequence of movements. The robot includes a robot controller having a program storage for storing a path of programmed positions for the robot and a path of programmed positions for the machine part, and a motion planner configured to plan the motion of the robot and the motion of the machine part based on the programmed positions for the robot and the machine part such that the motion of the robot and the motion of the machine part are coordinated with each other.

Abstract: A BodyMap matrix for a pose includes elements representing Euclidean distances between markers on the object. The BodyMap matrix can be normalized and visualized using a grayscale or mesh image, enabling a user to easily interpret the pose. The pose is characterized in a low-dimensional space by determining the singular values of the BodyMap matrix for the pose and using a small set of dominant singular values to characterize and visually represent the pose. A candidate pose is classified in a low-dimensional space by comparing the characterization of the candidate pose to characterizations of known poses and determining which known pose is most similar to the candidate pose. Determining the similarity of the candidate pose to the known poses is accomplished through distance calculations, including the calculation of Mahalanobis distances from the characterization of the candidate pose to characterizations of known poses and their noisy variations.

Abstract: Kinematic singular points in a process system are handled. In one 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 mobile robot is equipped with a range finder and a stereo vision system. The mobile robot is capable of autonomously navigating through urban terrain, generating a map based on data from the range finder and transmitting the map to the operator, as part of several reconnaissance operations selectable by the operator. The mobile robot employs a Hough transform technique to identify linear features in its environment, and then aligns itself with the identified linear features in order to navigate through the urban terrain; while at the same time, a scaled vector field histogram technique is applied to the combination of range finder and stereo vision data to detect and avoid obstacles the mobile robot encounters when navigating autonomously. Also, the missions performed by the mobile robot may include limitation parameters based on distance or time elapsed, to ensure completion of the autonomous operations.

Abstract: The system includes a sensor for detecting a state of a space; a robot for executing a handling job for an article; an article identifying part for identifying, when an article is handled by a movable body, the article in response to a detection result obtained by the sensor; and an article handling subject identifying part for identifying an article handling subject that handles the article. When the movable body that handles the article is the robot, the article handling subject identifying part identifies a subject having issued a job instruction to the robot as the article handling subject.

Abstract: A multijoint robot has a multijoint link and a hand attached to the link. The robot comprises motion separating means and control means. The motion separating means separates, in terms of vectors, a motion of the hand into a first motional vector component along a given plane and a second motional vector component along a plane perpendicular to the given plane. The control means controls a motion of the hand based on an operation timing of the hand to be set on the first motional vector component and the second motional vector component.