Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using an inspection and projection system to measure the thickness of a coating and provide visual guidance for secondary operations. The inspection and projection system comprises a robotic arm operable to rotate about a plurality of axes, wherein an end effector is disposed at a distal end of the robotic arm. The inspection and projection system further comprises a linear rail system, wherein the robotic arm is coupled to the linear rail system, and wherein the robotic arm is operable to translate along the linear rail system. The inspection and projection system further comprises a frame, wherein the linear rail system is disposed on top of the frame, and an information handling system coupled to the frame, wherein the information handling system is operable to actuate the robotic arm and the linear rail system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling an arm of a robot, including obtaining obstacle information relating to the arm of the robot by at least one sensor, obtaining current posture information of the arm of the robot by a least one detector and obtaining an expected posture information of an end-portion of the arm of the robot, determining an expected trajectory of the end-portion of the arm of the robot, determining an expected speed of the end-portion of the arm of the robot in accordance with the expected trajectory of the end-portion, determining a virtual speed of a target point on the arm of the robot, and configuring a target join speed corresponding to a joint of the arm of the robot. Such that the redundant arm of the robot may be configured to prevent from contacting the obstacles in the complex environment while performing corresponding tasks.

Abstract: A method for a multi-legged robot having a body and a number of legs, includes: obtaining a current pose of the body, forces applied to the body, and joint angles of each of supporting legs of the legs; creating a mapping matrix from the forces applied to the body to desired support forces applied to soles of the supporting legs; obtaining priority targets by prioritizing the forces acting in different directions, determining a weight matrix for each priority target, and creating an optimization model of the support forces for each priority target based on the mapping matrix and the weight matrices; solving the optimization model of each of the priority targets to obtain the desired support forces corresponding to each of the priority targets; and calculating joint torques of the supporting legs for joint control, based on the solved desired support forces and Jacobian matrices corresponding to the supporting legs.

Abstract: A controller for robot arms and the like having mechanical singularities identities paths near the singularities and modifies those paths to avoid excessive joint movement according to a minimization of tool orientation deviation to produce alternative paths that minimize changes in the tool orientation such as can affect application such as welding, sealant application, coating and the like.

Abstract: A humanoid robot and its balance control method and computer readable storage medium are provided. Expected accelerations of each of a sole and centroid of a humanoid robot corresponding to a current expected balance trajectory and an expected angular acceleration of the waist corresponding to the current expected balance trajectory are obtained based on current motion data of the sole, the centroid, and the waist, respectively first, then an expected angular acceleration of each joint meeting control requirements of the sole, the centroid, and the waist while the robot corresponds to the current expected balance trajectory is calculated based on an angular velocity of the joint, the expected accelerations of the waist, the sole, and the centroid, respectively, and then each joint of the robot is controlled to move at the obtained expected angular acceleration of the joint based on the angular displacement of the joint.

Abstract: Provided is a control device controlling a robot having a movable section to which a work section, performing work on a target object, is attached and which moves the work section.

Abstract: An operation device includes operation input circuitry that receives instructions for operating robot having leading end and arm that changes position and posture of the end, and processing circuitry that outputs, to the input circuitry, operation image by which instruction for motion command for the end is input, detects posture of the input circuitry in first coordinate system, rotates second coordinate system relative to the first system based on the posture of the input circuitry, converts the command into first-coordinate-system command, and outputs the first-coordinate-system command based on the first-coordinate-system command.

Abstract: A method is presented for programming a repeating motion of a redundant robotic arm on the basis of a variable parameter convergence differential neural network. The method may include establishing an inverse kinematics equation, creating an inverse kinematics problem, introducing a repeating motion indicator, converting a time-varying convex quadratic programming problem into a time-varying matrix equation, and integrating an optimal solution to obtain an optimal solution of a joint angle. The use of the variable parameter convergence differential neural network to solve the repeating redundant mechanical motion has the advantages of high computational efficiency, high real-time performance, and enhanced robot arm robustness.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pose determining method for a mobile robot as well as an apparatus and a mobile robot thereof. The method includes: obtaining a first position of a mobile robot in each local map after building an initial local map corresponding to a current environment and rotating; determining first environmental contour points of each of the local maps and corresponding first gradient directions, and obtaining a relative position of each of the first environmental contour points and the corresponding first position; building an angle histogram in each of the local maps; determining a second position of second environmental contour points of a global map and corresponding second gradient directions; and predicting a third position in the global map of the mobile robot, counting an appearance amount of the third positions, and determining a target pose of the mobile robot in the global map.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an insertion force when inserting a medical instrument through a cannula component are provided. Such a system may include a manipulator and a control system in communication with the manipulator. The manipulator is configured to be operatively coupled to a medical instrument. The manipulator is adapted to move the medical instrument through the cannula component. The control system is operative to determine an insertion profile associated with at least one of the medical instrument and the cannula component. And the control system is configured to control an insertion force to affect motion of the medical instrument during manual insertion of the medical instrument through the cannula component.

Abstract: During an operation of a mobile robot 1, observed values of a plurality of reference parameters including at least one of contact reaction forces) of one or more movable links 3, 4 and a contact reaction force function value expressed as a function value of contact reaction force(s) of one or more movable links 3, 4 are acquired based on outputs from force detectors 31 mounted on the respective movable links 3, 4 of the mobile robot 1, and the observed values of the reference parameters are used to detect presence or absence of occurrence of abnormal contact of the mobile robot 1 by a contact detecting model Ai.

Abstract: Method and system for formally analyzing motion planning of a robotic arm based on conformal geometric algebra. The method includes determining specific structural and motion planning parameters of a robot, establishing a corresponding geometric model for the basic components and motion planning constraints of the robot based on a conformal geometric algebra theory, the established geometric model being described in a higher-order logic language, performing formal modeling for a motion process of the robot based on the established geometric model to obtain a logic model of the geometric relations involved in the motion process of the robot, obtaining a motion logic relationship corresponding to a constraint or attribute of a motion process to be verified of the robot, and verifying whether the motion logic relationship is correct. The method and system are used for analysis to improve the accuracy of the verification and reduce the complexity of the computations.

Abstract: A robot controller, a measurement system and a calibration method, by which measurement regions for improving positioning accuracy of a robot can be appropriately generated. First and second measurement regions are specified in a movable range of the robot, the calibration of a mechanical parameter of the robot is executed in each measurement region, and calibration results are stored as first and second calibration results. When the difference between the calibration results exceeds a predetermined threshold, a third measurement region is specified between the first and second measurement regions, and the calibration is further executed in the third measurement region. The result of the further calibration is stored as a third calibration result.

Abstract: In a robot control system, the distance from an operating region of a robot arm to a person who is approaching the region is measured using a laser sensor. Information necessary to acquire a safety skill level that is stored in an RFID tag possessed by the person is acquired using an RFID reader. A controller classifies distances into a short distance, which is a distance within the operating region of the arm, a long distance, which is a distance that exceeds a movable region of the arm, and an intermediate distance, which is a distance between the short distance and the long distance. The motion of the arm is controlled by the controller, depending on the distance (i.e., the long distance, the intermediate distance, or the short distance) and the safety level.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for detecting a geometric change in a robot's configuration and taking responsive action in instances where the geometric change is likely to impact operation of the robot. In various implementations, a geometric model of a robot in a selected pose may be obtained. Image data of the actual robot in the selected pose may also be obtained. The image data may be compared to the geometric model to detect a geometric difference between the geometric model and the actual robot. Output may be provided that is indicative of the geometric difference between the geometric model and the actual robot.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing commanded movement of an end effector of a manipulator while providing a desired movement of one or more joints of the manipulator. Methods include calculating weighted joint velocities using a weighting matrix within the joint space to anisotropically emphasize joint movement within a null-space to provide the desired movement of a first set of joints. Methods may include calculating joint velocities that achieve the desired end effector movement using a pseudo-inverse solution and adjusting the calculated joint velocities using a potential function gradient within the joint space corresponding to the desired movement of the first set of joints. Methods may include use of a weighted pseudo-inverse solution and also an augmented Jacobian solution. One or more auxiliary movements may also be provided using joint velocities calculated from the pseudo-inverse solution. Various configurations for systems utilizing such methods are provided herein.

Abstract: A wire connection apparatus includes a link unit and a drive unit configured to drive the link unit. The link unit includes a first link, a second link rotatably coupled to the first link, a third link rotatably coupled to the second link, a plurality of wires, each of which is fixed at one end thereof to the third link, and is fixed at the other end thereof to the drive unit, and through which a driving force is transmitted from the drive unit to the third link, a path forming structure to form a path of each of the wires between the drive unit and the third link, and a length holding structure to hold constant a length of each of the wires between the drive unit and the third link.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing a desired movement of one or more joints of a manipulator arm having a plurality of joints with redundant degrees of freedom while effecting commanded movement of a distal end effector of the manipulator. Methods include defining a constraint, such as a network of paths, within a joint space defined by the one or more joints and determining a movement of the plurality of joints within a null-space to track the constraints with the one or more joints. Methods may further include calculating a reconfiguration movement of the joints and modifying the constraints to coincide with a reconfigured position of the one or more joints. Various configurations for devices and systems utilizing such methods are provided herein.

Abstract: A method controls redundant actuators of a machine based on a reference trajectory. The method determines a cost function representing operations of the redundant actuators and minimizes the cost function subject to constraints to produce a sequence of commands for each actuator. The redundant actuators are controlled according to the sequences of commands.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for operating a surgical system. In accordance with a method, a position of a surgical instrument is measured, the surgical instrument being included in a mechanical assembly having a plurality of joints and a first number of degrees of freedom, the position of the surgical instrument being measured for each of a second number of degrees of freedom of the surgical instrument. The method further includes estimating a position of each of the joints, where estimating the position of each joint includes applying the position measurements to at least one kinematic model of the mechanical assembly, the kinematic model having a third number of degrees of freedom greater than the first number of degrees of freedom. The method further includes controlling the mechanical assembly based on the estimated position of the joints.

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-axis, preferably six-axis, robot with axes that can be driven by drive means is proposed. The axes are possible to be moved separately and their movement is controlled by a control facility. Before the movement of the robot is executed, a control data record is created for controlling the movement of the robot as a function of initial and target information for the robot input by a user. The control facility performs a verification of the control data record in respect of at least one predefined basic condition relating to the operation of the robot stored in a memory. The control data record is adjusted based on the at least one basic condition while retaining the target information as a function of the result of the check.

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 using Jmod (251), which includes all columns in a Jacobian matrix J (211) except for those columns corresponding to L actively limited joints.

Abstract: In order to suppress fluctuations in specific components of posture angle in a target coordinate system while maintaining the position of the leading edge of the wrist, the velocity of movement of the leading edge of the wrist, and the permissible velocity of the shaft during velocity suppression, an articulated robot which moves while calculating the position in interpolated points on a teaching path, the posture and the angles in each axis is provided, wherein a judgment is made as to whether the velocity of the wrist shaft exceeds a permissible limit, and if the permissible limit is exceeded, a plurality of candidates for angle of the wrist shaft that maintain the velocity within permissible limits are calculated, and the candidate with the minimum fluctuation in the specific component of the posture angle of the weld line coordinate system is selected.

Abstract: A process for measuring and controlling the position and velocity of one moving part of a scissor lift device through the measurement of another moving part of the scissor lift device. The position and velocity of the moving part (e.g., a platform of the scissor lift device) are computed using kinematics and Jacobian functions that define the position and velocity in terms of the measured degree of freedom. The process provides continuous, closed-form computation of the position and velocity of a platform carried by a scissor linkage mechanism during the latter's extension, which enables applications for motion sensing and control of linkage extension types of systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical robot system having a tool for minimally invasive surgery. More specifically, the present invention relates to a surgical robot system that helps a user such as a surgeon control the tool for minimally invasive surgery in a dexterous and convenient manner.

Abstract: A control method of a robot apparatus, the robot apparatus including a link and a pair of actuators, obtaining each driving force command value of each of the actuators, and controlling each of the actuators, the control method including: a torque command value calculation step of using the target stiffness, the target trajectory, angular velocity of the target trajectory, and angular acceleration of the target trajectory to calculate a torque command value; a determination step of determining whether each of the driving force command values is a value 0 or greater; a change step of performing at least one of a change of increasing the target stiffness and a change of reducing the angular acceleration; and a driving force command value calculation step of using the target stiffness and the torque command value to calculate each of the driving force command values.

Abstract: A control method of a robot apparatus, the robot apparatus including a link and a pair of actuators, obtaining each driving force command value of each of the actuators, and controlling each of the actuators, the control method including: a torque command value computation step; a change computation step of computing a difference between the joint stiffness command value and a value and performing a computation of subtracting a value from the joint stiffness command value; an iterative step of iterating the computations of the torque command value computation step and the change computation step until the difference converges to a value equal to or smaller than a predetermined value; and a driving force command value computation step to compute each of the driving force command values when the difference is converged to a value equal to or smaller than the predetermined value.

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 real-time method for controlling a system, the system including a plurality of controlling means each having at least one variable parameter (q) and a controlled element having a trajectory which is controlled by the controlling means, wherein the trajectory is related to the variable parameters by a variable matrix, the method comprising defining a control transfer matrix (K) relating the variable parameters dq to the trajectory dx, and using a feedback loop in which a feedback term is computed that is dependent on an error (e) which is the difference between the desired trajectory (dxd) which can have an arbitrary dimension specified as (m) and a current trajectory (dx).

Abstract: In a 6-axis robot, as an example, an inter-axis offset can be measured and calibrated. A light emitting diode is installed on an end effector, and the end effector is located on a plurality of target positions of movement on the axis X (Xb) of a robot coordinate. Then, the position of the light emitting diode is measured by a three-dimensional gauge, and an inter-axis offset F is detected based on an error between the target positions of movement and actually moved positions. For the inter-axis offset F, DH parameters are calibrated.

Abstract: A Robot includes a main body, a Portable device and a supporting structure. The supporting structure is disposed at the main body for detachably connecting the Portable device. The Portable device reads digital media data from the main body or the Portable device itself, and plays the digital media data as video. After the Portable device is detached from the supporting structure, the main body and the Portable device operate independently.

Abstract: An articulated instrument is controllably movable between areas of different work space limits, such as when it is extendable out of and retractable into a guide tube. To avoid abrupt transitions in joint actuations as the joint moves between areas of different work space limits, a controller limits error feedback used to control its movement. To provide smooth joint control as the instrument moves between areas of different work space limits, the controller imposes barrier and ratcheting constraints on each directly actuatable joint of the instrument when the joint is commanded to cross between areas of different work space limits.

Abstract: It is possible to perform robot motor learning in a quick and stable manner using a reinforcement learning apparatus including: a first-type environment parameter obtaining unit that obtains a value of one or more first-type environment parameters; a control parameter value calculation unit that calculates a value of one or more control parameters maximizing a reward by using the value of the one or more first-type environment parameters; a control parameter value output unit that outputs the value of the one or more control parameters to the control object; a second-type environment parameter obtaining unit that obtains a value of one or more second-type environment parameters; a virtual external force calculation unit that calculates the virtual external force by using the value of the one or more second-type environment parameters; and a virtual external force output unit that outputs the virtual external force to the control object.

Abstract: A bipedal robot having a pair of legs with 6 degrees of freedom and a control method thereof which calculate a capture point by combining the position and velocity of the center of gravity (COG) and control the capture point during walking to stably control walking of the robot. A Finite State Machine (FSM) is configured to execute a motion similar to walking of a human, and thus the robot naturally walks without constraint that the knees be bent all the time, thereby being capable of walking with a large stride and effectively using energy required while walking.

Abstract: A robot displacement device for use with a robotic frame shaped to approximate and be coupleable to at least a portion of the human body and configured to mimic movement of the human body. The device employs a plurality of force sensors which are attached to the robotic frame which detect a baseline controlling interface force status relationship between the sensors and the extremities of the human operator. Based on the output force signal from the sensors and the force and direction of gravity relative to the robotic frame, the computation system calculates at least a rotational force required to maintain the controlling force status relationship. That system then generates and transmits an actuation signal to a drive system attached to the robotic frame which displaces a portion of the robotic frame in order to maintain the controlling force status relationship.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for positioning an end effector or remote center of a manipulator arm by floating a first set of joints within a null-perpendicular joint velocity sub-space and providing a desired state or movement of a proximal portion of a manipulator arm concurrent with end effector positioning by driving a second set of joints within a null-space orthogonal to the null-perpendicular space. Methods include floating a first set of joints within a null-perpendicular space to allow manual positioning of one or both of a remote center or end effector position within a work space and driving a second set of joints according to an auxiliary movement calculated within a null-space according to a desired state or movement of the manipulator arm during the floating of the joints. Various configurations for devices and systems utilizing such methods are provided herein.

Abstract: A robot may include: a multi-tool module having redundancy, the multi-tool module including a guide tube and a plurality of tools configured to operate while interacting with the guide tube and extended from the guide tube; and/or a controller configured to generate a control signal regarding motion of the multi-tool module in a joint space based on motion instruction information regarding distal ends of the plurality of tools in a task space. The redundancy may reflect that a number of degrees of freedom of the multi-tool module in the joint space is greater than a number of degrees of freedom of the task space. The control signal may be generated using the redundancy.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulatable instruments extending out of its distal end, an entry guide manipulator providing controllable four degrees-of-freedom movement of the entry guide relative to a remote center, and a controller configured to manage operation of the entry guide manipulator in response to operator manipulation of one or more input devices. As the entry guide manipulator approaches a yaw/roll singularity, the controller modifies its operation to allow continued movement of the entry guide manipulator without commanding excessive joint velocities while maintaining proper orientation of the entry guide.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system is provided. The catheter system includes a housing, and the housing has a sidewall and a longitudinal axis. The catheter system includes a recess formed in the sidewall of the housing and a drive mechanism supported by the housing. The drive mechanism is configured to impart movement to a catheter device. The catheter system includes a first channel configured to receive a catheter device, and the first channel has a opening located within the recess.

Abstract: A gait generating device 32 includes a desired particular-site motion velocity value determining unit 45 that uses a quadratic evaluation function having a particular-site motion velocity vector ?Vb as a variable and a linear matrix inequality having ?Vb as a variable to sequentially determine, as a desired value ?Vb_cmd2 of ?Vb, a value of ?Vb that can minimize the value of the evaluation function within a range in which a restriction condition that the linear matrix inequality holds is satisfied, by arithmetic processing according to a solution method for a quadratic programming problem. The device then integrates ?Vb_cmd2 to sequentially determine desired values of the position and posture of the particular site (the body) 2 of the robot 1. The linear matrix inequality is set to satisfy a condition restricting the operations of the joints between the particular site 2 and the distal portion of each leg link 3.

Abstract: Artificial control of a prosthetic device is provided. A brain machine interface contains a mapping of neural signals and corresponding intention estimating kinematics (e.g. positions and velocities) of a limb trajectory. The prosthetic device is controlled by the brain machine interface. During the control of the prosthetic device, a modified brain machine interface is developed by modifying the vectors of the velocities defined in the brain machine interface. The modified brain machine interface includes a new mapping of the neural signals and the intention estimating kinematics that can now be used to control the prosthetic device using recorded neural brain signals from a user of the prosthetic device. In one example, the intention estimating kinematics of the original and modified brain machine interface includes a Kalman filter modeling velocities as intentions and positions as feedback.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot and a robot control device. The robot has a plurality of joint axes including a redundant axis. The robot control device includes a first command generator, a limit avoidance command generator, a posture optimization command generator, a null space matrix calculator, a second command generator and a controller. The first command generator generates a first joint angular speed command for the robot. The limit avoidance command generator generates a joint angular speed command A for the robot for avoiding a state in which the robot reaches an operating limit. The posture optimization command generator generates a joint angular speed command B for the robot for optimizing a posture of the robot. The null space matrix calculator calculates a null space matrix of a Jacobian matrix related to a control point. The second command generator generates a second joint angular speed command for the robot.

Abstract: A method includes: forming an imaginary wall at a position spaced apart and outward from feet of the robot when the robot is in a double-leg-support state; kinetically calculating a variation in a distance between a body of the robot and the imaginary wall and a variation in a speed of the body of the robot relative to the imaginary wall using an angle of a joint and lengths of links of the robot; applying the variation in the distance and the variation in the speed to an imaginary spring-damper model formed between the body of the robot and the imaginary wall, and calculating an imaginary reaction force required by the body of the robot; and converting the calculated reaction force into a drive torque required by the body of the robot using a Jacobian transposed matrix.

Abstract: A method includes determining whether a robot is walking and a direction in which the robot is walking; measuring an amount of time taken for a sole of a foot of the robot to step on the ground; calculating an imaginary reaction force applied to the sole using a trigonometric function having, as a period, the measured amount of time taken for the sole to step on the ground; and applying the calculated imaginary reaction force to a Jacobian transposed matrix and converting the imaginary reaction force into a drive torque for a lower extremity joint of the robot.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulatable instruments extending out of its distal end, an entry guide manipulator providing controllable four degrees-of-freedom movement of the entry guide relative to a remote center, and a controller configured to manage operation of the entry guide manipulator in response to operator manipulation of one or more input devices. As the entry guide manipulator approaches a yaw/roll singularity, the controller modifies its operation to allow continued movement of the entry guide manipulator without commanding excessive joint velocities while maintaining proper orientation of the entry guide.

Abstract: A method of improving sensitivity of a robot which includes: a calculation step, an induction step and a conversion step. The calculation step calculates angular velocities of joints of a robot. The induction step determines induced accelerations at the end of the robot by converting the angular velocities of the joints into a velocity at the end of the robot, using a Jacobian matrix, and by differentiating the velocity. The conversion step determines forces at a middle portion of the robot by multiplying the induced accelerations at the middle portion of the robot by a weight of the robot, multiplies the forces by an enhancement ratio, and then converts results of the multiplication into necessary torque at the joints, using a Jacobian matrix.

Abstract: A method of controlling two arms of a robot including: a finding-out step of finding out position differences in axial directions of an end of one arm and an end of the other arm; a generating step of generating a virtual force at the end of the other arm based on the position differences that have been found out; and a converting step of converting the generated virtual force into a driving torque for joints of the other arm, using a Jacobian matrix.

Abstract: Methods for computing the inverse dynamics of multibody systems with contacts are disclosed. Inverse dynamics means computing external forces that cause a system to move along a given trajectory. Such computations have been used routinely for data analysis and control synthesis in the absence of contacts between rigid bodies. The disclosed inverse dynamics methods include the ability to handle contacts. The disclosed methods include the following steps: projecting the discrete-time equations of motion from joint space to contact space; defining the forward dynamics in contact space as the solution to an optimization problem; using the features of this optimization problem to obtain a unique inverse—which turns out to correspond to the solution to a dual optimization problem; solving the latter using standard methods for numerical optimization; projecting the solution from contact space back to joint space and finding the external forces.

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

Abstract: A robotic system includes a dexterous robot and a controller. The robot includes a plurality of robotic joints, actuators for moving the joints, and sensors for measuring a characteristic of the joints, and for transmitting the characteristics as sensor signals. The controller receives the sensor signals, and is configured for executing instructions from memory, classifying the sensor signals into distinct classes via the state classification module, monitoring a system state of the robot using the classes, and controlling the robot in the execution of alternative work tasks based on the system state. A method for controlling the robot in the above system includes receiving the signals via the controller, classifying the signals using the state classification module, monitoring the present system state of the robot using the classes, and controlling the robot in the execution of alternative work tasks based on the present system state.