Abstract: A robot includes an operation control unit that selects a motion of the robot, a drive mechanism that executes a motion selected by the operation control unit, and a remaining battery charge monitoring unit that monitors a remaining charge of a rechargeable battery. Behavioral characteristics of the robot change in accordance with the remaining battery charge. For example, a motion with a small processing load is selected at a probability that is higher the smaller the remaining battery charge. Referring to consumption plan data that define a power consumption pace of the rechargeable battery, the behavioral characteristics of the robot may be caused to change in accordance with a difference between the remaining battery charge scheduled in the consumption plan data and the actual remaining battery charge.

Abstract: Integrated table motion includes a device including a control unit and an arm having one or more joints and a distal portion. The control unit is configured to receive a table movement request from a separate table, determine whether to allow the table movement request based on one or more of whether a type of movement in the table movement request is permitted, whether one or more instruments mounted to the device are within a field of view of an imaging device, or whether one or more instruments mounted to the device are withdrawn into respective cannulas, allow the table to perform the table movement request based on the determining; track movement of the table while the table performs the table movement request; and maintain, using the joint(s) and based on the tracked movement of the table, a position and/or an orientation of the distal portion relative to the table.

Abstract: A robotic arm control system including a robotic arm configured to deploy one or more tools in an operating space, one or more sensors, and a control system operably configured to: scan the operating space with the one or more sensors, identify a surface of the operating space based at least in part upon information sensed by the one or more sensors, establish a virtual barrier offset from the surface, and limit movement of the robotic arm based at least in part upon the virtual barrier.

Abstract: A robotic lawnmower system comprising a charging station (210) and a robotic work tool (100), the charging station comprising a signal generator (240) to which a boundary cable (250) is to be connected, the signal generator (240) being configured to transmit a signal (245) through the boundary cable (250), and the robotic working tool (100) comprising a sensor (170) configured to pick up magnetic fields generated by the signal (245) in the boundary cable (250) thereby receiving the signal (245) being transmitted and a controller (110) configured to analyse the picked up signal, wherein the signal generator (240) is further configured to: prefilter the signal through an filter model; and transmit the prefiltered signal to through the boundary cable (250) by means of a current generator.

Abstract: There is provided a detection apparatus including a housing that includes a working surface, and a sensor configured to detect the force or the moment exerted on the working surface, on at least a first detection axis and a second detection axis. The working surface coincides with a surface that includes the first detection axis and the second detection axis, the working surface being at least partially symmetrical around the first detection axis passing through the center of the sensor.

Abstract: A cleaner includes a first cleaning module including a left spin mop and a right spin mop that come into contact with a floor while rotating in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from an upper side, a second cleaning module that comes into contact with the floor at a position spaced apart from the left spin mop and the right spin mop in a forward-and-backward direction, a body supported by the first cleaning module and the second cleaning module, and a water supply module that supplies water to the first cleaning module. A water tank is disposed inside the body. Water supplied by the water supply module reaches the first cleaning module before reaching the floor.

Abstract: A mobile robot and a method of controlling the same are provided, and more specifically, a technology of automatically generating a map of a lawn working area by a lawn mower robot. The mobile robot includes one or more tags configured to receive a signal from one or more beacons, a vision sensor configured to distinguish and recognize a first area and a second area on a travelling path of the mobile robot and acquire position information of a boundary line between the first area and the second area, and at least one processor configured to determine position coordinates of the mobile robot based on pre-stored position information of the one or more beacons, determine position coordinates of the boundary line based on the determined position coordinates of the mobile robot and the acquired position information of the boundary line, and generate a map of the first area while travelling along the determined position coordinates of the boundary line.

Abstract: A robot that is able to move about an environment determines a wait location in the environment to wait at when not otherwise in use. The wait location may be selected based on various factors including position of objects, next scheduled use, previous usage of the robot, availability of wireless connectivity, user traffic patterns, user presence, visibility of the surrounding environment, and so forth. The robot moves to that location and maintains a pose at that location, such as orienting itself to allow onboard sensors a greatest possible view of the environment. If a wait location is occupied, the robot may move to another wait location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to receiving a request that includes robot instructions and/or environmental parameters, operating each of a plurality of robots based on the robot instructions and/or in an environment configured based on the environmental parameters, and storing data generated by the robots during the operating. In some implementations, at least part of the stored data that is generated by the robots is provided in response to the request and/or additional data that is generated based on the stored data is provided in response to the request.

Abstract: The combination of: a) a wheeled operating unit having a drive powered by a rechargeable power supply and at least one connector; and b) a charging station having at least one connector. The at least one connector on the wheeled operating unit and the at least one connector on the charging station cooperate with each other to establish an operative connection between the charging station and the wheeled operating unit, whereupon the charging station is operable to effect charging of the rechargeable power supply. The operative connection can be established with the wheeled operating unit moved selectively from first and second different starting positions, each spaced fully from the charging station, respectively in first and second different path portions up to the charging station and into at least one charging position.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a self-propelled pathogen detection device in which a place where a pathogen is highly likely to be present in a space such as an inside of a facility is allowed to be configured preferentially to be a target region of detection. The self-propelled pathogen detection device according to the present disclosure comprises a housing; a detection part for detecting a pathogen; a movement mechanism for moving the housing; a position acquirement part for acquiring position information representing a current position of the housing in a space; and a control part which determines a target region in the space on the basis of traffic line information on a person in the space, and controls the movement mechanism to move the housing in the target region on the basis of the position information. The detection part detects the pathogen in the target region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile robot configured to cut lawn in a work area. The mobile robot may include a main body, a weight sensing sensor, an obstacle sensing sensor, a blade, and a processor. The mobile robot may execute an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm and/or a machine learning algorithm, and perform communication with other electronic devices in a 5G communication environment. As a result, it is possible to enhance user convenience.

Abstract: An automatic guiding method for a self-propelled apparatus (10) is provided. The self-propelled apparatus (10) turns and irradiates when a signal light emitted by a charging dock (20) is sensed by a flank sensor (103), and changes its turn direction when another different signal light from the charging dock (20) is sensed by a forward sensor (102). The charging dock (20) switches to emit another signal light different from the signal light currently emitted when each time is triggered by the signal light emitted by the self-propelled apparatus (10). Repeatedly execute the above actions and make the self-propelled apparatus approach the light-emitting unit (202) until the self-propelled apparatus (10) reaches a charging position. It can accurately guide the self-propelled apparatus (10) to the charging position by arranging only two sensors on the self-propelled apparatus.

Abstract: A method, a controller, and a surgical hybrid navigation system for transferring a registration of three dimensional image data of a surgical object from a first to a second surgical navigation system are described. A first tracker that is detectable by a first detector of the first surgical navigation system is arranged in a fixed spatial relationship with the surgical object and a second tracker that is detectable by a second detector of the second surgical navigation system is arranged in a fixed spatial relationship with the surgical object. The method includes registering the three dimensional image data of the surgical object in a first coordinate system of the first surgical navigation system and determining a first position and orientation of the first tracker in the first coordinate system and a second position and orientation of the second tracker in a second coordinate system of the second surgical navigation system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a robot including an output interface including at least one of a display or a speaker, a camera, and a processor controlling the output interface to output content, acquiring an image including a user through the camera while the content is output, detecting an over-immersion state of the user based on the acquired image, and controlling an operation of releasing over-immersion when the over-immersion state is detected.

Abstract: An AI apparatus and an operating method are provided, the AI apparatus includes a communication interface to receive 3D sensor data and bumper sensor data from a first cleaner, a processor to generate surrounding situation map data based on the 3D sensor data and the bumper sensor data, and a learning processor to generate learning data by labeling area classification data for representing whether the surrounding situation map data corresponds to the stuck area, and to train a stuck area classification model based on the learning data. The processor transmits the trained stuck area classification model to a second cleaner through the communication interface.

Abstract: Machine learning object-searching methods and apparatuses are disclosed. The method comprises: selecting a state from a set of states of a target object-searching scene as a first state; obtaining a target optimal object-searching strategy whose initial state is the first state for searching for a target object; performing strategy learning by taking the target optimal object-searching strategy as a learning target to obtain an object-searching strategy by which a robot searches for the target object, and adding the obtained object-searching strategy into an object-searching strategy pool; determining whether the obtained object-searching strategy is consistent with the target optimal object-searching strategy; if yes, determining that the strategy learning in which the first state is taken as the initial state of the object-searching strategy is completed; and if not, returning to the step of selecting a state from a set of states of a target object-searching scene.

Abstract: A service providing system includes one or more robots and an information processing apparatus communicably connected to the robots. The information processing apparatus acquires analysis information based on information in an area in which the robot provides a service, acquires robot state information from the robot, stores service information as information on the service, acquires one or more service triggers based on the analysis information, calculates a service effect based on at least any one of service information of a service corresponding to each of a plurality of service triggers, the robot state information, and the information acquired in the service providing area, the service effect being an effect of the service corresponding to each of a plurality of service triggers, selects a service trigger depending on the service effect, and causes the robot as a service execution subject to execute a service corresponding to the selected service trigger.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media that implement an autonomous or semi-autonomous growth platform used to control live cargo exposures to environmental parameters by changing depth in an offshore environment. For example, the growth platform can be lowered at night so that farmed seaweed can perform luxury uptake of nutrients and raised during the daytime so that the farmed seaweed can capture sunlight.

Abstract: A robot repositioning method is provided. A position deviation caused by excessive accumulation of a walking error of a robot may be corrected to implement repositioning by taking a path that the robot walks along an edge of an isolated object as a reference, so that the positioning accuracy and walking efficiency of the robot during subsequent navigation and walking are improved.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a memory and a processor configured to move the electronic device, obtain an image and location of the external electronic device, identify the external electronic device based on the obtained image, transmit the plurality of control commands to the identified external electronic device, monitor a response of the external electronic device, store an identifier of a first control command set and the location of the external electronic device, wherein the first control command is based on the monitoring, and the first control command set includes the first control command that performs a pre-specified first operation, receive a first input, move the electronic device based on the received first input and the location, and transmit the first control command to the external electronic device based on the received first input and the identifier of the first control command set.

Abstract: A vacuum-based end effector for engaging parcels includes a base plate, one or more vacuum cups of a first type, and one or more vacuum cups of a second type. Each vacuum cup of the vacuum-based end effector is configured to be placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source to provide the vacuum cup with a suction force which can be used to engage and grasp parcels. Each vacuum cup includes a bellows defining a pathway for a flow of air and a lip connected to the bellows. Each lip of the one or more vacuum cups of the first type comprises a foam lip, and each lip of the one or more vacuum cups of the second type comprises an elastomeric lip. The vacuum-based end effector can be combined with a robot to provide an improved system for engaging parcels.

Abstract: Provided is a cleaner having improved cleaning efficiency. The cleaner includes a main body having a intake provided to suction an object to be cleaned and a suction device having a brush chamber that communicates with the intake and a brush accommodated in the brush chamber, wherein the brush includes a brush body rotatably coupled to the brush chamber, a blade protruding in a radial direction of the brush body, and prevention members formed to be inclined from a central portion of the brush body to opposite side ends of the brush body to prevent foreign substance introduced into the brush chamber from being wound around the blade.

Abstract: A role switching method of robots with similar appearance includes: at a robot, the robot being capable of communicating with other robots within a predetermined range: identifying other robots having the same appearance as the robot itself within the predetermined range; and performing role exchange with the other robots having the same appearance as the robot itself within the predetermined range.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and storage media associated with surface traversing by robotic apparatuses with an obstacle detection system are described herein. In some instances, the obstacle detection system is mounted on the body of the apparatus, and includes one or more light sources, to illuminate the surface to be traversed; a camera, to capture one or more images of the illuminated surface; and a processing device coupled with the camera and the light source, to process the captured one or more images, to detect, or cause to be detected, an obstacle disposed on the illuminated surface, based at least in part on a result of the processing of the images. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a household cleaning appliance, including: providing a household cleaning appliance including, a powered and electronically controlled cleaning implement, and at least one physical sensor taken from a group consisting of: an orientation sensor, an acceleration sensor, an inertial sensor, a global positioning sensor, a pressure sensor, a load sensor, audio sensor, humidity sensor, and a temperature sensor; providing a camera associated with the household cleaning appliance; deriving an augmented classification using one or more classifiers classifying the physical sensor data and the image data; and modifying operation of the cleaning implement based upon the augmented classification.

Abstract: The various robotic medical devices include robotic devices that are disposed within a body cavity and positioned using a support component disposed through an orifice or opening in the body cavity. Additional embodiments relate to devices having arms coupled to a device body wherein the device has a minimal profile such that the device can be easily inserted through smaller incisions in comparison to other devices without such a small profile. Further embodiments relate to methods of operating the above devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a serving apparatus. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a serving apparatus, comprising: a driving unit; a body unit connecting to the driving unit and having a top side and an interior, wherein at least a part of a lateral side of the body unit is open; and a body container disposed in the interior of the body unit, wherein food or food containers are placed at the body container and the top side.

Abstract: There is provided a robot capable of reducing vibration generated in an arm portion performing work. The robot includes: a first arm portion connected to a body portion and configured to perform work; and a second arm portion connected to the body portion and to be controlled to support the first arm portion, in which the first arm portion includes a first connecting portion connected to the body portion, a first end effector located at an end of the first arm portion opposite to an end where the first connecting portion is located, and a support target portion located between the first connecting portion and the first end effector, and the second arm portion is controlled to support the support target portion.

Abstract: A system and method for reconfiguring a factory having equipment at different workstations throughout the factory includes a plurality of mobile transporters configured to engage and transport the equipment to the different workstations throughout the factory. Each mobile transporter includes a transmitter, a receiver, at least one proximity sensor, and an engagement mechanism for engaging the equipment. A factory configuration module includes a 3D model of the factory and a plurality of predetermined factory configurations. A supervisory control module is in communication with the plurality of mobile transporters, the equipment, and the factory configuration module. The plurality of mobile transporters are configured to receive instructions from the supervisory control module to engage and reposition the equipment throughout the factory based on the predetermined factory configurations and dynamic inputs.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various clinical workflows and other methods that utilize a telemedicine device in a healthcare network. According to various embodiments, a healthcare practitioner may utilize a remote presence interfaces (RPIs) on a remote access device (RAD), such as a portable electronic device (PED) to interface with a telemedicine device. The healthcare practitioner may directly interface with a display interface of a telemedicine device or utilize the RPI on a RAD. The present disclosure provides various clinical workflows involving a telemedicine device to view patient data during a telepresence session, perform rounds to visit multiple patients, monitor a patient, allow for remote visitations by companions, and various other clinical workflow methods.

Abstract: A robotic vacuum cleaner has a pneumatic transfer mechanism that is used to transfer dirt from the robotic vacuum cleaner to a docking station.

Abstract: A wireless tag reading system includes a body and three or more tag reading apparatuses arranged along a vertical direction on the body and configured to read identification information from wireless tags using a plurality of frequencies. A total number of the tag reading apparatuses is greater than or equal to a total number of the frequencies, and reading ranges of two of the wireless tag reading apparatuses that are adjacent to each other partially overlap. The wireless tag reading system further includes an information processing apparatus configured to collect the identification information read from the wireless tags by the wireless tag reading apparatuses.

Abstract: A building management robot includes a communication unit configured to recognize an identification device corresponding to a first divided space among at least one divided space in a building and acquire first identification information of the first divided space from the identification device, a camera configured to acquire image data including a position where the identification device is recognized, and a processor configured to recognize a user from the image data, confirm an authentication level of the first divided space of the recognized user from a database, and provide the user with a service based on the confirmed authentication level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a subject recognizing apparatus and method. The method may include extracting feature points from a target image, respectively measuring movement information of each of a plurality of the extracted feature points, selectively grouping the extracted feature points into one or more groups based on the respectively measured movement information, determining a type of subject present in at least one group of the one or more groups based on at least a portion of the subject present in the at least one group, and recognizing a subject included in the target image based on the determined type of subject.

Abstract: Provided herein is a mobile robot including: a first carrying device configured to carry a first item; a second carrying device configured to carry a second item; a control device connected to the first driving device and the second driving device and configured to control operation of the first driving device and the second driving device; the first driving device configured to drive, under control of the control device, the mobile robot to travel along a delivery path matching routings of the first item and the second item; and the second driving device, connected to the first carrying device and the second carrying device and configured to drive, under the control of the control device, the first carrying device to deliver the first item and the second carrying device to deliver the second item.

Abstract: A mobile robot configured for delivering consumable items to delivery recipients. The mobile robot comprises an item compartment with a top section, a separator, and a bottom section. The mobile robot also comprises a temperature control component. A method for delivering consumable items to delivery recipients using the mobile robot.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for using a robotic device to autonomously monitor activity within a property to predict a high likelihood of germ or disease transmission, and in response, perform one or more sterilization operations to regions of a property to reduce the likelihood of germ or disease transmission. In some implementations, sensor data collected by one or more sensors located within a property is processed. One or more activity patterns of a user located within the property based on processing the sensor data is identified. A determination to perform a sterilization operation based on the one or more activity patterns of the user is made. An instruction is provided to a robotic device located in the property to perform the sterilization operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for security and control of Internet of Things (IOT) and ZeroConf devices using cloud services. The present disclosure uses an application that runs on a user device in a promiscuous mode to look for potentially vulnerable and compromised machines on the local network. Specifically, the user device can fingerprint ZeroConf and IOT networks based on their static and dynamic behavior. The application discovers all hosts on the network and uses a cloud service such as via a cloud-based system to detect potentially malicious IOTs with known vulnerabilities. Based on an enterprise policy or user's preferences, the solution can alert if any IOT device tries to communicate with the user's device or if the user's device itself broadcasts services running on the device such as screen sharing/file sharing.

Abstract: An autonomous robot is provided, that includes a main body having a frame that includes a back end and a front end. The frame includes a first frame extension and a second frame extension that connects the back end of the frame to the front end of the frame. The front end of the frame includes a path to an open volume disposed between the first frame extension, the second frame extension and the back end. Further provided is a drive system connected to the frame, a retention system coupled to the frame, a lift mechanism attached to the frame, and a sweeper attachment having a dimension to substantially fit within the open volume of the main body. The sweeper attachment is connectable to the retention system to raise and lower of the sweeper attachment using the lift mechanism. Further provided is a controller interfaced with the drive system, the retention system and the lift mechanism.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robotic device includes monitor an action of an operator of the robotic device. The method also includes inferring an intended target based on the monitored action. The method further includes determining an intended action for the intended target. The method still further includes controlling the robotic device to perform the intended action.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods, computer program products, and computer systems for instructing a robot to prepare a food dish by replacing the human chef's movements and actions. Monitoring a human chef is carried out in an instrumented application-specific setting, a standardized robotic kitchen in this instance, and involves using sensors and computers to watch, monitor, record and interpret the motions and actions of the human chef, in order to develop a robot-executable set of commands robust to variations and changes in the environment, capable of allowing a robotic or automated system in a robotic kitchen to prepare the same dish to the standards and quality as the dish prepared by the human chef.

Abstract: Provided are a method and a control apparatus for cooperative cleaning using multiple cleaning robots, including monitoring an overall cleaning condition of an extensive space and automatically assigning multiple cleaning robots to a space required to be cleaned, and when a cleaning area is fixed based on a cooperative cleaning method, data on an amount of garbage generated from the cleaning area or a cleaning condition of the cleaning area may be accumulated to facilitate easier management of the cleaning.

Abstract: Disclosed are a robot cleaner, a controlling method of the same, and a robot cleaning system. The robot cleaner can perform a cleaning operation with respect to only a user's desired region, in a repeated and concentrated manner. Further, as the robot cleaner runs on a user's desired region in a manual manner, a designated region can be precisely set. Further, as the robot cleaner performs a cleaning operation by setting a user's desired region, only a simple configuration is added to a terminal device such as a remote control unit. Accordingly, additional costs can be reduced, and a malfunction can be prevented.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning a structure via a robot are described. The system includes a first robot and a second robot. The first robot includes a body, a tool arm, a sensor coupled, a drive system configured to allow vertical and inverted positioning of the first robot, a transceiver, and a controller. The second robot similarly includes a body, a drive system configured to allow positioning of the second robot, a transceiver, and a controller. The system includes a base station in communication with the first robot via the first robot transceiver and/or in communication with the second robot via the second robot transceiver. The first robot is configured to autonomously perform a maintenance task on the structure. The second robot is configured to autonomously provide a support service to the first robot during the maintenance task. The first robot is configured to communicate with the second robot.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with swarm management are described. One example system comprises a communication component configured to establish a communication link with at least one element, where the at least one element is part of a swarm. The example system also comprises a management component configured to manage performance of a task list by the swarm through the communication link.

Abstract: Provided is a device for wirelessly controlling robots suitable for competition or educational purposes, the device including: an input module configured to receive commands from a human user interface, the human user interface sending signals indicative of inputs by a user to control a robot; a protocol translator configured to translate the received commands into a protocol to which the robot is responsive; a wireless output module configured to wirelessly transmit the translated commands to the robot such that the robot executes the commands.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide robotic control modules for use in a robotic control system of a vehicle, including structures, systems and methods, that can provide (i) a robotic control module that has multiple functional circuits, such as a processor and accompanying circuits, an actuator controller, an actuator amplifier, a packet network switch, and a power supply integrated into a mountable and/or stackable package/housing; (ii) a robotic control module with the noted complement of circuits that is configured to reduce heat, reduce space, shield sensitive components from electro-magnetic noise; (iii) a robotic control system utilizing robotic control modules that include the sufficiently interchangeable functionality allowing for interchangeability of modules; and (iv) a robotic control system that distributes the functionality and processing among a plurality of robotic control modules in a vehicle.

Abstract: A pharmacy automation system having a robot having a hardware device and a software for internal mapping is configured to carry out at least the following different interactions: the robot communicates autonomously with a physician or an assistant directly or via an intermediary; the robot interacts with an inventory of goods and browses the inventory of goods to determine if a prescribed medication is available in the pharmacy; if the prescribed medication is available in the pharmacy, the robot interacts with a medication dispenser, using the internal mapping to fill a container with the prescribed medication, and store the container; when a patient or a proxy arrives to pick up the prescribed medication, the robot checks and approves an identification of the patient or the proxy; and hands the container with the prescribed medication over to the patient or proxy.

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.