Abstract: A robot system includes a mobile robot having a controller executing a control system for controlling operation of the robot, a cloud computing service in communication with the controller of the robot, and a remote computing device in communication with the cloud computing service. The remote computing device communicates with the robot through the cloud computing service.

Abstract: An imaging platform system that provides integrated navigation capabilities for surgical guidance. The system can include two robotic arm systems, one robotic arm system holding an imaging source, and the other holding an imaging sensor. These robotic arm systems are able to move and provide three-dimensional tomographic scans, static radiographic images, and dynamic fluoroscopic image sequences. A third robotic arm system can be included in the imaging platform system as a surgeon guided tool-holder to accurately implement an image-guided surgical plan. The robotic systems can manipulate imaging and surgical components into and out of the operative field as needed, enhancing the choreography between a surgical team and assistive technology. A handle can be included as part of a manual positioning control subsystem. The handle can be mounted to an imaging robotic system above and/or below an operating table, and also can be mounted to a tool-holding robotic system.

Abstract: A method to retrieve and display technical data for an industrial device supervised by a computer program for control, configuration or condition monitoring in an industrial or commercial plant. The method can use a substantially static and easily visible large sized display member to provide a graphical user interface for retrieving data about, and/or controlling, one or more industrial devices. A computing device or mobile computing device send a copy of its graphical user interface to the large display for ease of information retrieval and access.

Abstract: An industrial robot system including at least one industrial robot including a manipulator and a control unit for controlling the manipulator, a portable operator control device for teaching and manually operating a robot. The portable operator control device includes safety equipment including an enabling device, which upon activation enables manual operation of the robot by the portable operator control device. The portable operator control device is adapted for wireless communication with the control unit, and a detecting unit that detects when the portable operator control device enters an area defined in the vicinity of the manipulator. The robot includes an enabling function which upon activation enables the enabling device of the portable operator control device, and upon deactivation disables the enabling device. The robot system is adapted to automatically activate the enabling function of the robot upon detecting that the portable operator control device enters the defined area.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical system. The method includes obtaining a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan in which magnetic resonance (MR) visible targets are located; registering a robotic arm to the MRI scan using a digitizing tool, the robotic arm including: multiple joints and multiple degrees of freedom; an MR-compatible structural material; multiple MR-compatible joint motors; multiple MR-compatible joint encoders; and an end effector holding an MR-compatible surgical tool having a tool tip; and displaying a location of the tool tip relative to an image from the MRI scan.

Abstract: The system includes a mobile apparatus that moves after receiving an input of a path. The system has a path-setting unit for setting the path of a mobile apparatus according to the inputted path, a measuring unit for measuring an environment in which the mobile apparatus exists, an extracting unit for extracting an object existence region in the environment according to the values measured by the measuring unit, a judging unit that judges the validity of the path according to (1) the path set by the path setting unit and (2) the object existence region extracted by the extracting unit, a position determining unit that determines a target position to which the mobile apparatus is to move by selecting it from the portions of the path judged as valid, and a movement controller for controlling the mobile apparatus to move to the target position.

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: An information collection system is provided, which can automatically calculate an operation or a travel path of a tag reader for collecting information of an RF tag. The information collection system of the present invention moves, in a movable area of a two-dimensional map, the tag reader along a surface of an object by referring to a three-dimensional map to emit radio waves while moving an information collection robot, records, upon reception of tag ID from the RF tag, a position of the information collection robot at the time as a data acquisition position, and calculates a path passing through data acquisition positions of all the recorded data as a moving sequence in a movable area of the information collection robot.

Abstract: A unified system for development of robotics and other cyber-physical systems is discussed. The unified system includes a platform that integrates the processing of actuators and sensors and other modules. The platform is inter-operable into many existing systems. Various modules are developed to do discrete tasks that are commonly found in robotics such as moving motors or reading and controlling sensors. The modules communicate with each other and with other devices such as computers and user built modules through the use of a commonly supported abstract communication protocol.

Abstract: A medical manipulator system includes a manipulator including a working unit having a distal end at which an end effector for carrying out working is provided and an operating unit including an operating input unit for being operated for an input and a driving source for operating in response to contents of an operation of the operating input unit to drive the end effector, the working unit being removably attached to the operating unit. A controller to which the operating unit can be connected controls at least the driving source. A use history retaining unit is adapted to retain use history data for each working unit.

Abstract: In a mobile robot control system, it is configured such that the robot generates time-series data sequentially at a predetermined time interval and transmits them to the external terminal, and the external terminal receives the transmitted time-series data and adds them to the motion command, such that the motion of the robot is determined based on the generated time-series data and the time-series data added to the motion command. With this, it becomes possible to prevent the robot from suddenly starting to move at the time when the communication between the external terminal which is a transmitting source of the motion command and the robot has recovered from disconnection, thereby enabling to avoid making the operator feel unnatural.

Abstract: A live handle switch in the form of a hand operated safety switch for an industrial robot or a machine is described. The live handle comprises a safety certified switch for operating a robot or other machine safely while under manual control. The live handle switch may be comprised in a portable robot controller of the TPU Teach Pendant Unit type. Such a TPU may comprise control means for moving a robot in three or more degrees of freedom. In other aspects of the invention a system comprising a robot and a control unit and the live handle switch are described.

Abstract: A robot system for use in surgical procedures has two movable arms each carried on a wheeled base with each arm having a six of degrees of freedom of movement and an end effector which can be rolled about its axis and an actuator which can slide along the axis for operating different tools adapted to be supported by the effector. Each end effector including optical force sensors for detecting forces applied to the tool by engagement with the part of the patient. A microscope is located at a position for viewing the part of the patient. The position of the tool tip can be digitized relative to fiducial markers visible in an MRI experiment. The workstation and control system has a pair of hand-controllers simultaneously manipulated by an operator to control movement of a respective one or both of the arms. The image from the microscope is displayed on a monitor in 2D and stereoscopically on a microscope viewer. A second MRI display shows an image of the part of the patient the real-time location of the tool.

Abstract: A system for inspecting an underground conduit from within comprises a data acquisition subsystem configured to be placed within the conduit and to move along at least a portion of the conduit to obtain data regarding the conduit. The system comprises a data storage subsystem configured to be placed within the conduit and to move along the conduit. The data storage subsystem receives and stores at least a portion of the data from the data acquisition subsystem for retrieval after the data acquisition subsystem has moved along the conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical work station and to an operating device (1) for manually moving a robot arm (M1-M3) of a medical work station. The operating device (1) comprises a control device (5), a manual first input device (E2) coupled with the control device (5), and a screen (6). The control device (5) comprises an interface (8), which is provided in order to be connected to a hospital data network (9). The control device (5) is arranged to produce a first signal for controlling a motion of a first robot arm (M2) provided for treating a living being (P), provided as a result of a manual motion of the first input device (E2), so that the first robot arm (M2) performs a motion corresponding to the manual motion, to fetch data associated with the living being (P) through the interface (8) and the hospital data network (9), and to depict informational content (11) associated with the data on the screen (6).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a robot teach pendant unit (2) coupled to a programmable robot controller (1), the teach pendant comprising a graphical screen (6), and a native user interface program (9) which creates a graphical user interface and displays the user interface on the graphical screen.

Abstract: The present invention is a system comprising surgical units and operator interface units configured to provide multiple capabilities within a surgical environment, or within a surgical training environment. The system may provide such capabilities in a modular fashion, such that various functions may be accomplished through the addition or deletion of modules to the system to allow core components to be used to accomplish more than one function.

Abstract: A system for controlling a machine by cortical signals, including: a mechanism acquiring electrophysiological signals originating from a plurality of locations in the cerebral cortex of a human or animal subject; a producing device adapted to input the electrophysical signals and output control signals from the machine in response to predetermined variations in the characteristics of the electrophysiological signals. At least some of the electrophysiological signals are from predetermined cortex regions and not associated with any performed or imagined activity nor with any sensory stimuli visualized by the human or animal subject. A method for controlling a machine by cortical signals can use such a system.

Abstract: A robot recording a message on a wireless tag which includes: a voice recognition unit recognizing a voice input by a voice input unit which inputs a voice of a person; a message extraction unit extracting the message from the voice recognized by the voice recognition unit based on a fixed phrase provided for obtaining a message; a recording unit recording the message extracted by the message extraction unit on the wireless tag provided on an object.

Abstract: A taught point correcting device for correcting a taught point in an operation program of a robot. The device includes a judging section judging whether position data of any of a plurality of different taught points, previously taught and included in an operation program, has been corrected or not; and a data correcting section correcting, when the judging section judges that position data of a first taught point among the different taught points has been corrected, position data of a correlative taught point having a relative positional relationship with the first taught point, in accordance with a taught-point rule previously prescribing the relative positional relationship between the different taught points. The device may also include a storing section storing the taught-point rule. The taught-point rule may include a rule prescribing a distance between any two taught points among the different taught points.

Abstract: A wireless controller for controlling and/or monitoring a device arranged mounted on or relative to an industrial robot. A wireless communicator including a processor arranged with software means handles wireless communication to and from the device. A control carries out at least one control function for one or more actuators of the device. Also, a method, a computer program and a graphic user interface.

Abstract: Relates to an interface and its use for the remote control of a computer-controlled liquid handling workstation with a work surface, a motorized pipetting robot with at least one pipette, and a control computer, to which the pipetting robot is connected. A control program activated in this control computer enables the pipetting robot to position the at least one pipette at specific positions on the work surface and to execute a specific action there using the at least one pipette. The interface comprises input means, visualization means, interface software, and an electronic memory. The visualization means is implemented to visualize the positions at which containers are situated on the work surface of the liquid handling workstation and a selection of the specific actions executable using the pipettes.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a robotic controller; a robotic manipulator; and in input controller. The input controller includes communication circuitry configured to receive a signal from a user input device; memory having stored therein a plurality of device drivers associated with a different type of input device or a differently configured input device; and a processor configured to recognize an input device connected with the communications circuitry, load a device driver according to the recognized input device, initialize the input device, and/or one of reject and notify an end user, and deliver an image to a display or graphical user interface.

Abstract: A robotic arm (100) for controlling a movement of a user's arm, said robotic arm forming a kinematic chain extending from a proximal to a distal end and comprising a grip (190) for positioning said user's hand at a distal end, characterised in that the kinematic chain possesses redundancy in a distal region, such that the movement of the user's hand can de decoupled from other parts of the kinematic chain.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of mechanical units, namely robots and/or external axes. A manually-operated control, such as a joy-stick or key panel, is adapted to move at least one of the mechanical units or part thereof. The control system includes an indicator adapted to indicate whether the at least one mechanical unit or part thereof that is to be moved is associated with any other mechanical unit(s) or part(s) thereof and consequently indicate that movement of the at least one mechanical unit or part thereof will also result in the movement of the indicated associated mechanical unit(s) or part(s) thereof.

Abstract: There is provided a teaching method for a transfer robot which is capable of quickly performing teaching at high reliability. Relative to a transfer robot which, in a state in which a substrate to be processed in a plurality of processing chambers is supported, transfers the substrate to a predetermined position by turning and telescopic action on the same plane, teaching is made of the transfer actions. At this time, by using at least one detection means that is disposed so as to detect the substrate when the substrate is transferred among the processing chambers, the transfer robot is caused to perform transfer action. At least one index part provided in advance on an operating part of the transfer robot is detected by the detection means. From this detection position, a reference position which serves as an origin of at least one of the turning action and the telescopic action is taught.

Abstract: A robot system rapidly performs a motion based on a gesture recognized from a user and achieves a smooth interface with the user. The system receives a gesture input by a user, and sets a position of a first gesture as a reference position, if the gesture input by the user is recognized as the first gesture. The system also judges a moving direction of a second gesture from the reference position if the gesture input by the user is recognized as the second gesture. The system recognizes a command instructing a robot to perform a motion corresponding to the judged moving direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for facilitating calibration of a robot cell including one or more objects (8) and an industrial robot (1,2,3) performing work in connection to the objects, wherein the robot cell is programmed by means of an off-line programming tool including a graphical component for generating 2D or 3D graphics based on graphical models of the objects.

Abstract: A robot arm includes a first rotation unit, a second rotation unit having a first end and a second end, a third rotation unit, a first pivot unit, and a second pivot unit. The first pivot unit pivotally connects the second rotation unit with the first rotation unit around a first axis. The first pivot unit includes a first driver received in the second rotation unit. The second pivot unit pivotally connects the third rotation unit with the second rotation unit around a second axis. The second pivot unit includes a second driver received in the third rotation unit and a transmission mechanism disposed between the second driver and the second rotation unit. The first driver and the second driver are disposed on the same side of the transmission mechanism, the first end and the second end of the second rotation unit are rotatably connected to the third rotation unit respectively.

Abstract: A medical robotic system comprises a number of components that may be monitored to determine their preventive maintenance needs by recording usage-related information for the monitored components into associated non-volatile memories. When usage of the component exceeds a specified usage threshold, the system displays a warning message on its display screen to have preventive maintenance performed for the component. If the usage continues without such maintenance and exceeds a higher usage threshold, the system displays an error message on its display screen and the system transitions into an error state during which medical procedures are not allowed to be performed. The usage-related information may also be communicated to a remote computer which gathers and processes usage-related information from a number of medical robotic systems to estimate resource requirements for timely performing preventive maintenance on the medical robotic systems, and anticipated service revenues from such maintenance.

Abstract: An industrial robot including a manipulator, a control unit for controlling the manipulator, a portable operating unit for teaching and manually operating the robot, which operating unit is adapted for wireless communication with the control unit and including an operator control. The transmissions may be made wirelessly with redundant software processes for transmission and/or reception. Safety is increased by ensuring that the operator is within the specified operating area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed wherein motion data which define motions of an end effecter of a robot such as a hand tip can be produced simply and conveniently. The apparatus and method provide a motion editing environment in which motion data for allowing a robot to plot a picture or a character can be edited simply and conveniently based on interactions such as hand-written inputting of a user through a mouse, a tablet or the like. By reproducing the produced motion data on a robot, a motion of plotting an arbitrary character or picture by the robot can be implemented simply.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for loading and unloading substrate carriers onto and off of a transport system. The invention includes a substrate carrier handler adapted to transfer a substrate carrier between a docking station and a transport system, the substrate carrier handler including an end effector adapted to support the substrate carrier; a controller coupled to the substrate carrier handler and operative to control the substrate carrier handler such that the end effector of the substrate carrier handler is operative to selectively engage and disengage the substrate carrier to and from the transport system while the substrate carrier is in motion; and a sensor coupled to the controller and operative to provide a signal to the controller indicative of information about the substrate carrier.

Abstract: In a mobile robot control system, it is configured such that the robot generates time-series data sequentially at a predetermined time interval and transmits them to the external terminal, and the external terminal receives the transmitted time-series data and adds them to the motion command, such that the motion of the robot is determined based on the generated time-series data and the time-series data added to the motion command. With this, it becomes possible to prevent the robot from suddenly starting to move at the time when the communication between the external terminal which is a transmitting source of the motion command and the robot has recovered from disconnection, thereby enabling to avoid making the operator feel unnatural.

Abstract: A steering controller for a movable robot is provided. The steering controller drives a plurality of motors, each of which is connected to a wheel. The wheels are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction with respect to an axis of a body of the movable robot. The steering controller comprises an input unit, an output unit and a conversion unit. The input unit receives steering signals including velocities of the movable robot according to the moving directions. The output unit outputs driving signals including rotational velocities of the motors. The conversion unit converts the steering signals to the driving signals. The use of the steering controller enables an operator to intuitionally steer the movable robot, making the movable robot convenient to use.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a medical device has an arm unit equipped with, for example, a polyarticular arm, which holds the medical device such as endoscope movably in the space. Additionally to a determination unit and a controller, the holding apparatus has an operation unit equipped with a plurality of operation members with which an operator's operation causes the arm unit to be moved spatially. The determination unit determines whether or not operator's operations at the plurality of operation members corresponds to an improper state deviating from a properly operated state in which at least two predetermined operation members have been operated within a predetermined period of time which is set to measure simultaneity for operations. If it is determined that the operation is in the improper state, the controller prohibits the arm unit from moving. As long as the operation is proper, the arm unit can be moved.

Abstract: A teleoperator system with telepresence is shown which includes right and left hand controllers (72R and 72L) for control of right and left manipulators (24R and 24L) through use of a servomechanism that includes computer (42). Cameras (46R and 46L) view workspace (30) from different angles for production of stereoscopic signal outputs at lines (48R and 48L). In response to the camera outputs a 3-dimensional top-to-bottom inverted image (30I) is produced which, is reflected by mirror (66) toward the eyes of operator (18). A virtual image (30V) is produced adjacent control arms (76R and 76L) which is viewed by operator (18) looking in the direction of the control arms. Use of the teleoperator system for surgical procedures also is disclosed.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a wizard, which enables a user to configure and program an intelligent module by answering a series of questions about a specific application. The output of the wizard includes two distinct components. The wizard generates a parameter configuration for an intelligent module, reflecting the choices specified by a user for a specific application. The wizard also generates a set of customized instructions for use in a program. These instructions are specific to the choices that the user input into the wizard, and can be used in the same manner as standard instructions. Certain exemplary embodiments of the application, program, and instructions apply to a Program Logic Controller (PLC).

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: In order to simplify the switching of medical or surgical equipment in an operating theatre, there is proposed a switching device for medical or surgical equipment which is characterized by a planar floor mat having sensors distributed over the surface area thereof, said sensors producing an electrical signal corresponding to the position of a foot of an operator on the floor mat when the foot is located near the respective sensor, and by a data processing system which is connected to the floor mat and is programmed in such a manner that it stores the instantaneous position of the foot on the floor mat as a starting position when activated by an activating signal, selects at least one switching area of the floor mat which has a predetermined location relative to the starting position, and produces a switching signal when the foot is located near a sensor in the switching area.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a robot arm, which controls an operation of the robot arm so as to carry out a job by using the robot arm, is designed to correct operation information based on operation correcting information relating to a correcting method for operation information relating to operation of the robot arm in response to a manipulation of the person on the robot arm, and a force of the person detected by a force detection unit during an operation of the robot arm, by an operation correcting unit.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system has a robot arm holding an instrument for performing a surgical procedure, and a control system for controlling movement of the arm and its instrument according to user manipulation of a master manipulator. The control system includes a filter in its forward path to attenuate master input commands that may cause instrument tip vibrations, and an inverse filter in a feedback path to the master manipulator configured so as to compensate for delay introduced by the forward path filter. To enhance control, master command and slave joint observers are also inserted in the control system to estimate slave joint position, velocity and acceleration commands using received slave joint position commands and torque feedbacks, and estimate actual slave joint positions, velocities and accelerations using sensed slave joint positions and commanded slave joint motor torques.

Abstract: A trainer for training a human to use a physical robot in a physical environment, the physical robot being controlled in the physical environment by an operator control unit, the trainer comprising an input device; a visual display; a computer connected to the input device and the visual display; and computer software disposed in the computer for creating a virtual robot and a virtual environment on the visual display, the virtual robot and the virtual environment being simulations of the physical robot and the physical environment wherein interaction between the virtual robot and the virtual environment simulates interaction between the physical robot and the physical environment.

Abstract: A method for driving a robot in a manner of imitation by watching (non-contact manner) based on the movement of a moving object, which has a complicated shape often causing self-occlusion, is provided. A plurality of image data of the robot is associated with pre-arranged operation commands and stored in an image corresponding operation command storing means 11. In order to have the robot perform a movement, the moving objecting caused to perform a desired movement, and at the same time, image data of the moving object are obtained as robot operational image data in time-series.

Abstract: A controller for work piece-conveying robot having: a coordinate system storage section for storing one or more manual jog feed coordinate systems; a working area setting section for setting to a machine tool a working area to which the manual jog feed coordinate system is assigned; a hand position obtaining section for obtaining a current position of the robot hand at each specified sampling period; a determination section for determining whether or not the current position of the robot hand obtained by the hand position obtaining section is within the working area set by the working area setting section; and a coordinate system switching section for switching a present manual jog feed coordinate system to the manual jog feed coordinate system assigned to the working area if it is determined by the determination section that the current position of the robot hand is within the working area.

Abstract: A robot control system provided in a machining system including a robot and a machine tool. The robot control system includes a robot controller controlling the robot, a portable teach pendant connected to the robot controller, and a communication network adapted to connect the robot controller to a machine tool controller controlling the machine tool. The teach pendant includes a display section configured to display information relating to the robot and the machine tool. The robot controller includes a processing section configured to obtain information relating to the machine tool from the machine tool controller through the communication network, make the display section of the teach pendant display a machine tool-related screen in accordance with a given screen program, and make the machine tool-related screen of the display section of the teach pendant display the information, as obtained, relating to the machine tool.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot and a robot controller including a drive unit, a memory that stores an arm-occupied region and a movement-forbidden region, a target position calculation unit that outputs a target position of a tool or a workpiece, a movement-forbidden region entry monitoring unit that checks whether the arm-occupied region based on the target position enters the movement-forbidden region and outputs a stop request if it is checked that the arm-occupied region enters the movement-forbidden region, and a predicted-coasting-position calculating unit that calculates a predicted coasting position of each axis and a coasting position of the tool or the workpiece in the case that the robot is urgently stopped. The movement-forbidden region entry monitoring unit checks whether the arm-occupied region at the coasting position enters the movement-forbidden region and outputs another stop request if it is checked that the arm-occupied region enters the movement-forbidden region.

Abstract: A medical robotic system comprises a number of components that may be monitored to determine their preventive maintenance needs by recording usage-related information for the monitored components into associated non-volatile memories. When usage of the component exceeds a specified usage threshold, the system displays a warning message on its display screen to have preventive maintenance performed for the component. If the usage continues without such maintenance and exceeds a higher usage threshold, the system displays an error message on its display screen and the system transitions into an error state during which medical procedures are not allowed to be performed. The usage-related information may also be communicated to a remote computer which gathers and processes usage-related information from a number of medical robotic systems to estimate resource requirements for timely performing preventive maintenance on the medical robotic systems, and anticipated service revenues from such maintenance.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a humanoid robot having a plurality of joints adapted for force control with respect to an object acted upon by the robot, a graphical user interface (GUI) for receiving an input signal from a user, and a controller. The GUI provides the user with intuitive programming access to the controller. The controller controls the joints using an impedance-based control framework, which provides object level, end-effector level, and/or joint space-level control of the robot in response to the input signal. A method for controlling the robotic system includes receiving the input signal via the GUI, e.g., a desired force, and then processing the input signal using a host machine to control the joints via an impedance-based control framework. The framework provides object level, end-effector level, and/or joint space-level control of the robot, and allows for functional-based GUI to simplify implementation of a myriad of operating modes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for changing emotion of a software robot (sobot) in a sobot terminal. The sobot terminal includes a short-term memory unit and a long-term memory unit. When an emotional change occurs during the operation of the short-term memory unit, the sobot terminal stores a short-term reference emotion value of the corresponding emotion in the long-term reference memory. When the operation time of the long-term memory unit elapses, the sobot terminal resets the long-term reference emotion value using the short-term reference emotion values stored in the long-term memory unit. The sobot terminal can change the emotion of the sobot more naturally through the above process.