Abstract: A pivot joint for a robot, including a double-acting pneumatic pivot actuator, which has a first working chamber with a first working port and a second working chamber with a second working port, and further including a valve arrangement having a first valve group for a selective connection of the first working port to one of a pressurization port and an exhaust port, and having a second valve group for a selective connection of the second working port to one of the pressurization port and the exhaust port. The valve arrangement includes a safety valve which is connected to the first working port and to the second working port and which is configured for blocking a connection between the first working port and the second working port in a blocking position and for releasing the connection between the first working port and the second working port in a release position.

Abstract: A mechanism (30) and a method for inserting an elongate member (35) through an aperture of a body, along a longitudinal axis (35), the mechanism comprising a feed portion (42) comprising a feed actuator (43) configured to engage with and drive the elongate member along the longitudinal axis; and, a twist portion (44) comprising a twist actuator (82) configured to engage with the feed portion and rotate the elongate member about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method of processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects and directing the plurality of objects toward an input area from at least one input conveyance system, acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at the input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, and moving the acquired object toward an identified processing location using the programmable motion device, said identified processing location being associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing location being provided as one of a plurality of processing locations that are radially spaced from the programmable motion device.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system is disclosed for processing objects. The system includes a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed by the processing system, said plurality of bins being provided in at least a partially generally circular arrangement, a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, said programmable motion device being capable of reaching any of the objects within the plurality of bins, and a plurality of destination containers for receiving any of the objects from the plurality of bins, said plurality of destination containers being provided in a region that is generally within the at least partially generally circular arrangement of the plurality of bins.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an autonomous machine system having a scheduling controller configured to determine one or more windows of availability over a time period when the autonomous machine is allowed to operate to perform one or more operational tasks; determine a total operation time over the time period; and determine an operating schedule for a work region that assigns one or more operational tasks to the one or more windows of availability based on the total operation time. The autonomous machine may be commanded to operate in the work region according to the operating schedule.

Abstract: A control device includes a recognizing unit that recognizes the external environment based on sensing information; an action decision managing unit that, based on the recognized external environment, decides on the actions to be taken; a behavior managing unit that, based on at least either the difficulty level of recognition for the recognizing unit or the difficulty level of action decision for the action decision managing unit, determines about whether or not to exhibit emotional expressions; and a drive control unit that, based on the determination performed by the behavior control unit, controls the execution of the actions corresponding to emotional expressions.

Abstract: A nuclear dismantling system for dismantling equipment contaminated with radioactive contamination, including a dismantling apparatus to be operated remotely while in a nuclear facility and a control system communicatively coupled to the dismantling apparatus to control the dismantling apparatus remotely.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a stopper structure that can be arranged even at a position where no sufficient space can be ensured, such as at an axis at which an arm has a large operation range, and can appropriately absorb a shear load, and an articulated robot including such a stopper structure.

Abstract: An apparatus including a linear transport configured to move in a transport chamber along a straight path; a robot connected to the linear transport, where the robot includes a robot drive and a robot arm connected to the robot drive, where the robot arm is a dual-link arm having a first link connected to the robot drive and a second link forming an end effector for supporting a substrate thereon; a controller connected to the linear transport and to the robot drive, where the controller is configured to provide movement of the linear transport along the straight path at a same time as extension and retraction of the dual-link arm to thereby move the end effector into or out of a substrate process chamber or a substrate holding area while both the linear transport and the dual-link arm are moving.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are components, systems, and methods to improve characteristics of a manufactured article. Specifically, embodiments of a high pressure system includes an apparatus that subjects the article to specific pressures and temperatures for an amount of time to improve characteristics of the article. Methods of manufacturing include use of the high pressure system to subject the article to specific pressures and temperatures for an amount of time to improve characteristics of the article.

Abstract: An end effector is disclosed that is configured for connection to a robotic unit used to manipulate a door of a vehicle (e.g., during vehicle painting). The end effector includes a base plate; a sensor that is supported by the base plate; and a piston that is configured for engagement with the door. The piston is operatively connected to an interrupter such that movement (displacement) of the piston causes corresponding movement (displacement) of the interrupter between a first position, in which the interrupter is positioned in alignment with a signal transmitted across the sensor to interfere with the signal and thereby interrupt circuit completion, and a second position, in which the interrupter is out of alignment with the signal transmitted across the sensor to permit circuit completion and thereby inform the robotic unit that the door is present and engaged with the end effector.

Abstract: A robotic picking assembly (100) comprising an arm support arrangement (8) configured to move vertically and to rotate about a vertical axis. A horizontally extendable arm (1) is supported in the arm support arrangement. A gripping tool (20) arranged at a free end (1a) of the arm. The arm comprises arm modules (2) linked together in a chain. The arm modules (2) have a pivot means (4) linking adjacent arm modules together in a pivoting manner and a pivot restriction means (15, 16, 18, 19) limiting curving of the arm to only one direction. The arm support arrangement (8) has an arm guiding arrangement (25, 21, 21a, 21b, 33) guiding the arm between an extended position and a retracted position, and an arm drive arrangement (7) configured to move the arm between said extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are described that implement a multi-radar system within a device and optimize operation of the multi-radar system. The multi-radar system includes two or more radar circuits located at different positions on the device. The multi-radar system also includes an optimization controller, which controls operational states of the radar circuits. In particular, the optimization controller determines respective operational states of the radar circuits to optimize performance of the multi-radar system under certain constraints. For example, the optimization controller can alter the respective operational states for different radar circuits responsive to detecting various trigger events. In this way, the optimization controller can selectively alter the operational states of the radar circuits for various situations.

Abstract: Provided are an autonomous vehicle 100 traveling along a set route, a delivery system, and a program, the autonomous vehicle including a pair of display units 103 installed at left and right on the front face of the main body and a monitoring camera 104 for shooting the front, sides, and rear of the autonomous vehicle 100, wherein by displaying predetermined eye-shaped images on the display unit 103 based on the state of the autonomous vehicle 100 and the images shot by the monitoring camera 104, the eye-shaped images are changed depending on the state of obstacles to ensure friendliness to people in stores and at delivery destinations as well as surrounding people during travel.

Abstract: Navigation of a mobility aid robot having a camera and gripping part(s) disposed toward different directions is disclosed. The mobility aid robot is navigated to approach a user by identifying a posture of the user through the camera, determining a mode of the robot according to a type of the specified task to be performed on the user and the identified posture of the user, controlling the robot to move according to a planned trajectory corresponding to the determined mode of the robot, and turning the robot upon reaching the desired pose such that the gripping part faces the user, in response to the determined mode of the robot corresponding to the specified task of an assisting type and the user at one of a standing posture and a sitting posture.

Abstract: A rotating manifold includes an axle, a hub rotatable relative to the axle about an axis of rotation, and a compressed air line in fluid communication housed in the axle. The rotating manifold further includes a vacuum line in fluid communication with the hub. The rotating manifold further includes a plurality of conduits connected to the hub. Each conduit of the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the vacuum line and houses a compressed air line arm in fluid communication with the compressed air line.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins providing storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins being in communication with a retrieval conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the retrieval conveyance system for receiving the storage bins from the plurality of bins, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin, and is adapted for movement of the programmable motion device along a first direction, and a plurality of destination bins that are provided in at least one linear arrangement along the first direction of movement of the programmable motion device.

Abstract: A method includes: detecting, through a sensor, a location and a movement direction of the user and an object around the user; specifying the type and the location of the detected object; if the object is a dangerous object and is located in the movement direction of the user, setting a relative position where the robot is to be located relative to the user to a lead position ahead of the user and in a direction different from the movement direction; driving at least one pair of legs or wheels of the robot to cause the robot to move to the lead position; and driving the at least one pair of legs or wheels to cause the robot to accompany the user in the lead position and induce a change in the movement direction of the user.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a service module may include a main body having an accommodation space in which an article is accommodated, a slam module installed on an upper portion of the main body, and a wire guide groove defined in the main body to guide an electric wire connected to the slam module. The slam module may has an upper end having a height lower than a height of a top surface of the main body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a container treatment system for the treatment of containers, such as bottles, in the beverage processing industry, comprising a clean room and a container treatment machine arranged therein with at least one exchangeable component, where the container treatment system comprises a robot which is arranged in the clean room and is designed to exchange said exchangeable component, and a corresponding method.

Abstract: This crane is provided with: a operable functional part that is supported on a pair of lower bases; a driving device; a detection unit that detects information about the attitude of the operable functional part; a target signal generation unit that generates a target signal regarding the moving direction and the moving speed of a suspended load on the basis of information about an operation input for instructing the moving direction and the moving speed of the suspended load; a filter unit that generates a filtering target signal by filtering the target signal; a control signal generation unit that generates a speed control signal for controlling the operation speed of the driving device on the basis of the information about the attitude and the filtering target signal; and a control unit that controls the driving device on the basis of the speed control signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robotic device includes observing a first object associated with an object type at one or more first locations in an environment over a period of time prior to a current time. The method also includes generating a probability distribution associated with the one or more first locations based on observing the first object over the period of time. The method further includes observing, at the current time, a second object associated with the object type at a second location in the environment. The method still further includes determining a probability of the second object being at the second location based on observing the second object at the second location. The probability is based on the probability distribution associated with the one or more first locations. The method also includes controlling the robotic device to perform an action based on the probability being less than a threshold.

Abstract: A system controller for visual servoing includes a technology module with dedicated hardware acceleration for deep neural network that retrieves a desired configuration of a workpiece object being manipulated by a robotic device and receives visual feedback information from one or more sensors on or near the robotic device that includes a current configuration of the workpiece object. The hardware accelerator executes a machine learning model trained to process the visual feedback information and determine a configuration error based on a difference between the current configuration of the workpiece object and the desired configuration of the workpiece object. A servo control module adapts a servo control signal to the robotic device for manipulation of the workpiece object in response to the configuration error.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a position changing device capable of reducing the size of the entire device in a plane. A position changing device (30) includes four pulley mechanisms (40). In the pulley mechanism (40), a toothed belt (45) is wound around a driving pulley (41) and a driven pulley (43), and is held between the driving pulley (41) and an idler roller (42) by the idler roller (42) and held between the driven pulley (43) and an idler roller (44) by the idler roller (44), and when the driving pulley (41) is driven by a driving mechanism (46), the position of a movable base plate (31) is changed.

Abstract: A surgical module is supported by manipulators that are removably attached to the surgical module. The surgical module may enable operation of surgical tools by providing an integration between actuating mechanisms of the manipulators and actuating mechanisms of the surgical tools. Alternatively or additionally, the surgical module may enable operation of the surgical tools by providing physical access for deploying surgical tools that are operatively connected to the manipulators.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame, a dispensing unit configured to dispense viscous material, and a gantry assembly coupled to the frame. The gantry assembly includes a gantry configured to support the dispensing unit and to move the dispensing unit in x-axis, y-axis and z-axis directions and a tilt and rotate subassembly configured to tilt and rotate the dispensing unit. The dispensing system further includes a controller configured to control dispensing unit and the gantry assembly to perform a dispense operation on the electronic substrate. The controller is configured to simultaneously coordinate the movement of the gantry assembly and the tilt and rotate subassembly to position and orient the nozzle of the dispensing unit a predetermined distance and orientation from the electronic substrate while dispensing material along a three-dimensional path.

Abstract: A robot includes a driver; a camera; and a processor configured to: during an interaction session in which a first user identified in an image obtained through the camera is set as an interaction subject, perform an operation corresponding to a user command received from the first user, and determine whether interruption by a second user identified in an image obtained through the camera occurs, and based on determining that the interruption by the second user occurred, control the driver such that the robot performs a feedback motion for the interruption.

Abstract: An information providing system includes: a memory unit configured to store an image data acquired by an imaging unit a robot in association with a position data and a time data acquired by an information acquisition portion; a data extraction portion configured to extract an image data corresponding to a time and a position instructed by the user from among the stored image data; and a display unit configured to display an image based on the extracted image data. The memory unit stores the image data acquired by the imaging unit of a first robot moving with a first user and the image data acquired by the imaging unit of a second robot moving with a second user.

Abstract: This crane is provided with: a operable function unit; an operation unit; an actuator; a generation unit which generates a first control signal for the actuator on the basis of an operation input; a plurality of wire ropes; a plurality of hooks suspended from a leading end section of a boom by the plurality of wire ropes, respectively; a hook detection unit which detects, from among the plurality of hooks, an unused hook suspending no load; a calculation unit which calculates a resonance frequency for a wire rope, among the plurality of wire ropes, that suspends the detected unused hook; a filter unit which generates a filter on the basis of the resonance frequency and generates a second control signal by filtering the first control signal using the filter; and a control unit which controls the actuator on the basis of the second control signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robotic device based on observed object locations includes obtaining a group of observations of an object type in an environment based on identifying one or more first objects associated with the object type over a period of time in the environment. The method also includes localizing the object type in the environment based on a location cluster comprising a group of nodes. Each node in the group of nodes associated with one observation of the group of observations. The method further includes generating a cost map indicating a probability distribution of the object type in relation to the localized object type in the environment. The method still further includes controlling the robotic device to perform an action in the environment based on the cost map and a map of the environment.

Abstract: A robotic semantic system includes one or more smart robotic devices, which may be configured as a stack of modules including a mobility module and one or more sensor modules. A plurality of robotic modules is communicatively coupled to one another, and use variable semantic coherent inferences to allow the devices to perform semantic augmentation.

Abstract: A method of processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects and directing the plurality of objects toward an input area from at least one input conveyance system, acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at the input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, and moving the acquired object toward an identified processing location using the programmable motion device, said identified processing location being associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing location being provided as one of a plurality of processing locations that are radially spaced from the programmable motion device.

Abstract: Described herein are assistant robots that observe signs of core health, health dangers, and/or signs of medical distress in a home or at work. As such, the assistant robots can take actions to prevent dangerous situations, diagnose health problems, respond to requests for help, and provide regular treatments or analysis of a person's medical state. The assistant robots can learn users' habits or be provided with knowledge regarding humans in its environment. The assistant robots develop a schedule and contextual understanding of the persons' behavior and needs. The assistant robots may interact, understand, and communicate with people before, during, or after providing assistance. The robot can combine gesture, clothing, emotional aspect, time, pose recognition, action recognition, and other observational data to understand people's medical condition, current activity, and future intended activities and intents.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated system for spraying a wall of a building.

Abstract: A program identification method is for identifying an application program that is stored in a terminal device coupled to a robot system and that is used for teaching work on an operation of a robot provided in the robot system. The method includes: acquiring program information corresponding to the application program from the terminal device; and comparing the program information with first information stored in the robot system and thus identifying whether the application program is a first application program corresponding to the first information or not.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and a method for manufacturing fittings and connections for biaxially-oriented plastic tubes in an integral way from straight preformed tubes, with the possibility of adjusting and distributing the thicknesses as well as adjusting the specific stretching in the different areas of the fittings, allowing them to be reinforced or optimized during the method itself and without causing an increase in the production time or an increase in the raw material used, such that it allows for the manufacture of fittings of different geometric shapes (curves, tapers, couplers, branches, etc.

Abstract: This application describes multi-stage stop devices for robotic arms. During a first stage, rotational motion of a link of a robotic arm compresses a compressible member of the multi-stage stop device to absorb and dissipate at least some of the force generated by the collision. A second stage provides a hard stop the stops any further rotation. The multi-stage stop devices described herein can include a collapsing pin configured to compress a compressible member during the first stage. After the pin has collapsed a rigid sidewall provides a hard stop preventing further rotation during the second stage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for reminding a person to perform an activity. The system comprise a robot configured to carry out different behaviors, wherein the activity and its corresponding trigger condition are set by a user and the system selects, from the different behaviors, a first behavior assigned to the activity, senses the person, determines, based on the sensors information, whether or not the activity is performed by the person in accordance with the trigger condition. The robot carries out the selected behavior if the activity is not performed by the person in accordance with the trigger condition, wherein after or during the selected behavior is carried out, an activity of the person is determined based on the information derived from the sensors to select a second behavior from the different behaviors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handling device for handling objects, including a base unit which extends overall in an elongate manner along a base axis from a first end to a second end, wherein a flange portion is arranged at the first end for fastening the handling device to a robot arm and wherein a pivot unit having a pivot portion is arranged at the second end, wherein the pivot portion is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis by a pivot joint, wherein the base unit has a pneumatic cylinder which is designed to pivot the pivot portion about the pivot axis, and including a couplable or coupled, pneumatically operated end effector for gripping an object.

Abstract: To provide a technique with which it is possible to make collimator plates resistant to deformation, and reduce position offsets in the collimator plates, a collimator module (1) comprises a plurality of collimator plate sets (2) lined up side by side in a channel direction (CH), wherein each collimator plate set (2) comprises a first collimator plate (3), a second collimator plate (4), and a joint layer (5) disposed between the first collimator plate (3) and second collimator plate (4) for adhesively bonding the first collimator plate (3) and second collimator plate (4) together, and the plurality of collimator plate sets (2) are lined up side by side in the channel direction (CH) with an air layer (20) intervening between adjacent two of the plurality of collimator plate sets (2).

Abstract: A surgical instrument holder includes a carriage, a housing, and a drive assembly. The carriage is configured for engagement to a surgical robotic arm and for supporting an instrument drive unit. The housing extends from the carriage and defines a channel. The drive assembly includes a pulley, a belt, and an annular member. The pulley is rotatably disposed within the housing and in operable engagement with a motor of the carriage such that actuation of the motor rotates the pulley. The belt is rotatably disposed within the housing and in operable engagement with the pulley such that rotation of the pulley effects rotation of the belt. The annular member is disposed within the channel of the housing and configured for non-rotatable receipt of an instrument drive unit. The annular member is in operable engagement with the belt such that rotation of the belt effects rotation of the annular member.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods for managing a robot system. In one method, orientations for links in the robot system may be obtained when the links are arranged in at least one posture, here each of the orientations indicates a direction pointed by one of the links. At least one image of an object placed in the robot system may be obtained from a vision device equipped on one of the links. Based on the orientations and the at least one image, a first mapping may be determined between a vision coordinate system of the vision device and a link coordination system of the link. Further, embodiments of present disclosure provide apparatuses, systems, and computer readable media for managing a robot system. The vision device may be calibrated by the first mapping and may be used to manage operations of the robot system.

Abstract: An object handling control device includes one or more processors configured to acquire at least object information and status information representing an initial position and a destination of an object; set, when a grasper grasping the object moves from the initial position to the destination, a first region, a second region, and a third region in accordance with the object information and the status information; and calculate a moving route along which the object is moved from the initial position to the destination with reference to the first region, the second region, and the third region.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system is disclosed for processing objects. The system includes a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed by the processing system, said plurality of bins being provided in at least a partially generally circular arrangement, a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, said programmable motion device being capable of reaching any of the objects within the plurality of bins, and a plurality of destination containers for receiving any of the objects from the plurality of bins, said plurality of destination containers being provided in a region that is generally within the at least partially generally circular arrangement of the plurality of bins.

Abstract: Telerobotic, telesurgical, and/or surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods employ surgical robotic linkages that may have more degrees of freedom than an associated surgical end effector in space. A processor can calculate a tool motion that includes pivoting of the tool about an aperture site. Linkages movable along a range of configurations for a given end effector position may be driven toward configurations which inhibit collisions. Refined robotic linkages and methods for their use are also provided.

Abstract: Wafer boat handling device, configured to be positioned under a process chamber of a vertical batch furnace, and comprising a rotatable table comprising a first and a second wafer boat support surface. Each wafer boat support surface is configured for supporting a wafer boat. The rotatable table is rotatable by an actuator to rotate both the first and the second wafer support surfaces to a load/receive position in which the wafer boat handling device is configured to load a wafer boat vertically from the rotatable table into the process chamber and to receive the wafer boat from the process chamber onto the rotatable table, a cooldown position in which the wafer boat handling device is configured to cool down a wafer boat, and a transfer position for transferring wafers to and/or from the wafer boat.

Abstract: A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a perception unit for perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects received from an input conveyance system, and an acquisition system for acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at an input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device. The programmable motion device is adapted for assisting in the delivery of the object to an identified processing location. The identified processing location is associated with the identifying indicia and the identified processing location is provided as one of a plurality of processing locations. The system also includes a delivery system for receiving the object in a carrier and for delivering the object toward the identified processing location.

Abstract: An embossing device (1) includes an embossing area in which are arranged at least: a first embossing roller (5); a second embossing roller (7;9); a first pressure roller (11) co-acting with the first embossing roller; and a second pressure roller (15) co-acting with the second embossing roller. The embossing device further includes a storage unit (51) configured for containing spare embossing rollers (55, 57, 59), for replacing one or the other of the embossing rollers (5, 7) in the embossing area. The storage unit (51) develops substantially vertically, with mutually superposed seats (53) for receiving embossing rollers (55, 57, 59, 5, 7).

Abstract: A robotic apparatus includes a first guide rail; an elongate support attached to the first guide rail, the elongate support being movable along the first guide rail in two directions and rotatable at each position along the first guide rail; a first limb movable along a second guide rail in the elongate support, the first limb being extendable and retractable; a second limb pivotably attached to the first limb; an end effector mount located at the second limb and rotatable at one end of the second limb; and a third guide rail attached to the elongate support to guide movement of the elongate support in the two directions that the elongate support is movable along the first guide rail; and driving mechanisms to drive movements of the robotic apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a modular movable robot that is capable of providing various services and realizing automatic driving. The modular movable robot includes a main body, a driving unit mounted on a lower end of the main body so that the main body is movable, a module coupling plate mounted on an upper end of the main body to detect a module coupled to a top surface thereof, a body display unit extending from one end of the module coupling plate in a vertical direction, a head display unit rotatably mounted on an upper end of the body display unit, and a control unit configured to receive information with respect to the detected module from the module coupling plate to control at least one of the body display unit or the head display unit on the basis of the received information.