Abstract: In a minimally invasive surgical system, a hand tracking system tracks a location of a sensor element mounted on part of a human hand. A system control parameter is generated based on the location of the part of the human hand. Operation of the minimally invasive surgical system is controlled using the system control parameter. Thus, the minimally invasive surgical system includes a hand tracking system. The hand tracking system tracks a location of part of a human hand. A controller coupled to the hand tracking system converts the location to a system control parameter, and injects into the minimally invasive surgical system a command based on the system control parameter.

Abstract: A production apparatus ensures wireless communication without interference. An antenna portion 310 at a robotic arm includes a transmitting antenna portion 311 having a plurality of transmitting antennas 321 to 328 and a receiving antenna portion 312 having a plurality of receiving antennas 331 to 338. A transmitting side switcher circuit 361 changes over a transmitting antenna to be connected to a transmitter 351 among the plurality of transmitting antennas 321 to 328 in conjunction with an attitude information of the robotic arm, and changes an effective direction of a directional characteristic of the transmitting antenna portion 311. A receiving side switcher circuit 362 changes over a receiving antenna to be connected to a receiver 352 among the plurality of receiving antennas 331 to 338 in conjunction with the attitude information of the robotic arm and changes the effective direction of the directional characteristic of the receiving antenna portion 312.

Abstract: Provided are a working robot and a robot system serving as a type coexisting with humans and improving reliability in safety. The working robot includes an arm, a driving mechanism, and a controller. The arm includes a plurality of link members that are coupled rotatably around shafts. The driving mechanism includes a driving source, and a plurality of power transmission paths capable of transmitting motive power from the driving source to the link members with mutually different numbers of revolutions or torques. The controller switches the power transmission paths, based on a sensing result for a moving object including a human body in a certain area.

Abstract: A dynamic predictor usable for rapid and accurate calculation of joint commands of an articulated dynamical mechanism describes the relationship between the joints in the form of a differential equation. The predictor solves this differential equation for predicted joint states by fitting a polynomial equation having free parameters describing the predicted joint states to the differential equations by minimizing the differential equation residuals. This minimization employs a series expansion allowing algorithmic differentiation.

Abstract: A portable operation panel having a vibration motor capable of tactually providing an operator information, wherein a problem due to failure of the vibration motor is solved. An operation panel has a controlling part, a plurality of vibration motors and an inputting part to which an operator can input information, wherein the controlling part controls the behaviors of the operation panel based on the information input into the inputting part. When the vibration motors are operated based on a command from the controlling part, the operation panel at least partially vibrates due to the motion of the vibration motor, whereby the operator tactually feels the vibration. When the operator inputs information into the inputting part for switching the vibration motor while the first vibration motor is in use, a vibration motor to be used is switched from the first vibration motor to the second vibration motor.

Abstract: A method to control a robot device that includes at least one manipulator which is moveable in an operating space, at least one actuator which actuates the manipulator, a sensor arrangement having at least one position sensor to determine the actual position of the manipulator and a controller which controls the actuator. The manipulator moves along an actual trajectory by means of an external force provided by an operator. The actuator provides compensation forces onto the manipulator influencing the torques or forces exchanged between operator and manipulator. The controller includes a conservative force field module having a conservative force field. The controller provides control signals for the actuator which provides the compensation force based on the control signals. The control signals are based on the conservative force field and on the actual position of the manipulator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for integrating tissue processors and embedding systems. An apparatus, of one aspect, includes a robot. The robot has a work envelope that encompasses a location having a tissue holder and an input of an embedding system. The tissue holder has at least one processed tissue. The robot is configured to transfer the tissue holder from the location to the input of the embedding system. A method, of one aspect, may include moving a robot to a location having a tissue holder. The tissue holder may have at least one processed tissue. The robot may engage with the tissue holder at the location. The robot may move the tissue holder from the location to an input to an embedding system. The robot may disengage from the tissue holder at the input to the embedding system. Other methods, apparatus, and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of training a robotic device to perform predetermined movements utilizing wearable sensors worn by a user. A position and movement of the user is sensed in response to signals from the wearable sensors. The wearable sensors include at least one six-degree of freedom accelerometer. Gestures are recognized by a gesture recognizer device in response to the signals. A position, orientation, and velocity of the user are estimated by a position and orientation processing unit. The sensed gesture inputs and the estimated position, orientation, and velocity inputs of the wearable sensors are received within a service requester device. The gestures, orientations, positions, and velocities are converted into predefined actions. Controls signals are output from the service requester device to a robot controller for executing the predefined actions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving an object. A verbal instruction for moving the object is received. The verbal instruction is converted into text. A logical representation of the verbal instruction is generated. A movement of a robotic system that corresponds to the verbal instruction for moving the object using a model of an environment in which the object and the robotic system are located is identified. A set of commands used by the robotic system for the movement of the robotic system is identified. The set of commands is sent to the robotic system.

Abstract: A cleaning robot includes a main body, a moving assembly to move the main body, a cleaning tool provided at a bottom part of the main body to collect foreign substances on a floor, an imager to collect images around the main body and a controller to recognize motion of a hand by performing image processing of the collected images, identify a control command corresponding to the motion of the hand, plan a moving direction and a moving distance of the main body as movement information based on the control command, and control operations of the moving assembly and the cleaning tool based on the planned movement information. Since the user directly controls movement of the cleaning robot, it is possible to improve interactivity between human and cleaning robot, reduce the user's labor and increase convenience.

Abstract: A cooperative-control robot includes a base component, a mobile platform arranged proximate the base component, a translation assembly operatively connected to the base component and the mobile platform and configured to move the mobile platform with translational degrees of freedom substantially without rotation with respect to said the component, a tool assembly connected to the mobile platform, and a control system configured to communicate with the translation assembly to control motion of the mobile platform in response to forces by a user applied to at least a portion of the cooperative-control robot. The translation assembly includes at least three independently operable actuator arms, each connected to a separate position of the mobile platform. A robotic system includes two or more the cooperative-control robots.

Abstract: A robot includes a base, a body connected to the base, a pair of articulated arms rotatably connected to the body, and a moving mechanism adapted to move the body toward or away from the base. Further, a relative positional relationship with a workbench is detected by moving the body with respect to the base using the moving mechanism while keeping the articulated arms in predetermined postures while facing the workbench, and then making the articulated arms contact the workbench.

Abstract: In a control method of a robot system of the present invention, one of two industrial robots is used as a master robot, and the other is used as a slave robot. Data indicating the relation of the relative position and relative attitude between the master robot and the slave robot in welding conditioning work is stored as one set of information. During teaching work, in a state where the master robot and the slave robot exist at any positions, the slave robot is moved with respect to the position of the master robot so as to reproduce the relation of the relative position and relative attitude indicated by the one set of stored information, or the master robot is moved with respect to the position of the slave robot.

Abstract: A robot arm includes a grip part which is structured to be separated from an end effector attached to the robot arm. When the grip part is gripped by the user and shifted, the robot arm shifts tracking the grip part. Further, the grip part includes contact sensors, and a tracking control method is switched according to the value of the contact sensors.

Abstract: An arm drive mechanism which rotates an arm, an angle sensor which detects a rotation angle of the arm drive mechanism and outputs angle information, an angular velocity sensor which is attached to the arm, detects angular velocity acting on the arm and outputs angular velocity information, a control command generating unit which outputs a control command value prescribing a rotational operation of the arm, a gain adjusting unit which incrementally or decrementally changes and thus adjusts a gain of the angular velocity information, and an arm operation control unit which controls an operation of the arm based on the control command value, the angle information and the gain-adjusted angular velocity information, are provided.

Abstract: Described are robotic signs comprising: a sign post; an arm movably attached to the sign post, the arm having a positioning apparatus configured to allow the arm to rotate independently and contiguously around the sign post, the arm having at least one face comprising an electronic display configured to present display items; and a communication element configured to receive display item information from a remote administration application, the display item information comprising a direction and a description; wherein upon presenting a display item, an arm rotates to indicate the direction and displays the description. Also described are software applications for configuring the robotic signs, networks of the robotic signs, and advertising systems utilizing the robotic signs.

Abstract: Method of robot control is disclosed that includes the steps of: providing a user interface for introducing data indicative of a drug to be subjected to a reconstitution process; accessing an internal data base for outputting, for a selected drug, a list of primitive movements P1, P2, . . . Pi, . . .

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for training of robotic devices. A robot may be trained by a user guiding the robot along target trajectory using a control signal. A robot may comprise an adaptive controller. The controller may be configured to generate control commands based on the user guidance, sensory input and a performance measure. A user may interface to the robot via an adaptively configured remote controller. The remote controller may comprise a mobile device, configured by the user in accordance with phenotype and/or operational configuration of the robot. The remote controller may detect changes in the robot phenotype and/or operational configuration. User interface of the remote controller may be reconfigured based on the detected phenotype and/or operational changes.

Abstract: A substrate transfer robot includes a hand and a controller. The hand includes at least one detector configured to detect an arrangement state of a substrate in a substrate storage. The controller is configured to control the at least one detector to detect the arrangement state of the substrate in the substrate storage with the hand inclined in plan view toward a rotation center of the substrate transfer robot relative to a substrate storage center line. The substrate storage center line is in a direction perpendicular to a front surface of the substrate storage.

Abstract: A substrate transfer robot includes a hand to approach a substrate storage on which a substrate is placed, and to hold the substrate. An arm moves the hand. A controller controls a position and orientation of the hand. When in plan view, a substrate holding center at a time when the hand is holding the substrate is adjacent to the substrate storage and is at an access start position at a predetermined distance from the substrate storage, the substrate holding center reaches a substrate placement position in the substrate storage with a hand center line inclined toward an access straight line and with the hand holding center overlapping the access straight line. The hand center line is oriented from a base to a distal end of the hand. The access straight line is perpendicular to a front surface of the substrate storage and associated with the hand approaching the substrate storage.

Abstract: A robot for operating isolation switches while allowing an operator to remain outside of an arc flash zone can include a motor, bidirectional rotatable shaft, gear box, and magnet housings with magnets for engaging with metal. A first arm can be connected to the bidirectional rotatable shaft and can have a gripper. A second arm can connect to the bidirectional rotatable shaft, and can have a threadable member for depressing an interlock on the isolation switches. Stops can prevent the first arm from over-rotating. A magnetically securable controller portion can be in communication with a motor portion and remote switch operator. A remote control device can operate the remote switch operator to control and power the controller portion to operate the motor outside of the arc flash zone.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the edge or region where a saw first enters a silicon brick, and using this information to process this region differently is disclosed. This region, referred to as the saw entry region, may be thinner, or have a rougher texture than the rest of the substrate. This difference may impact the substrate's ultimate performance. For example, if the substrate is processed as a solar cell, the performance of the saw entry region may be suboptimal.

Abstract: Continuous change of state directions are graphically provided on a display screen to assist a user in performing necessary action(s) for transitioning between operating modes in a medical robotic system or performing corrective action. A graphical representation of a target state of an element of the medical robotic system is displayed on a display screen viewable by the user. Current states of the element and indications directing the user to manipulate the element towards the target state are continuously determined and graphical representations of the continuously determined current states and indications are displayed on the display screen along with that of the target state.

Abstract: A system including a mobile telepresence robot, a telepresence computing device in wireless communication with the robot, and a host computing device in wireless communication with the robot and the telepresence computing device. The host computing device relays User Datagram Protocol traffic between the robot and the telepresence computing device through a firewall.

Abstract: There is provided a display information acquiring unit for acquiring display information on a screen of a touch panel display, a touch pattern estimating unit for estimating a region on the screen likely to be touched by a person and a motion direction of the touch based on the display information, a load estimating unit for estimating a load or a torque to the display based on the estimated region and the motion direction, a stiffness parameter information generating unit for generating information for controlling the arm so that the position and the orientation of the display do not change along the touching direction at the time of touch panel input based on the estimated load or torque, and an arm control unit for controlling a stiffness parameter of the arm based on the generated information.

Abstract: A motor velocity control apparatus and method in which the velocity of a motor to drive a joint of a robot is controlled.

Abstract: A multisensory interface for a tele-robotic surgical control system. The invention allows the surgeon to use natural gestures and motions to control the actions of end effectors in the robotic surgical apparatus. Multiple feedback mechanisms are provided to allow the physician a more intuitive understanding of what is being controlled, along with a greater situational awareness. Prior art robotic end effectors are inserted into the patient through a small incision—as is already known in the art. The invention presents an improved method of controlling these effectors.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring forces on a substrate lifting apparatus. The system includes a platen cartridge with a platen and a movable lifting portion. The movable lifting portion includes a plurality of lifting arms coupled to a plurality of lift pins. A plurality of force sensing elements are associated with respective ones of the plurality of lifting arms and the plurality of lift pins. A controller receives signals from the plurality of force sensing elements, correlates the signals to respective forces applied to said plurality of lift pins. The correlated forces may indicate to the controller that an error condition exists, such as a stuck wafer, a broken wafer, a mis-positioned wafer, or a mechanical malfunction.

Abstract: Systems, machines, and methods for monitoring wafer handling are disclosed herein. A system for monitoring wafer handling includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is capable of being secured to an assembled wafer handling machine. The controller is in electronic communication with the sensor and includes control logic. The control logic is configured to store a reference output of the sensor when the wafer handling machine is aligned and is configured to generate an indication signal when a difference between the reference output and a current output of the sensor exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: In a system, one or more robotic arms are positioned adjacent a transport surface that is moving workpieces, and one or more picking elements are connected to each of the robotic arms. The picking elements have physical picking features that remove the workpieces from the transport surface and move the workpieces to another location. A controller is operatively connected to the robotic arms and the picking elements, and the controller independently controls the robotic arms and the picking elements to dynamically position the picking elements in coordination with a dynamic size, spacing, and transport speed of the workpieces being moved by the transport surface.

Abstract: A robot system includes: a robot arm; a camera; a calibration jig with a marker that allows image recognition; and a calibration apparatus configured to derive a correlation between camera coordinates being coordinates in a photographed image and robot coordinates using the robot arm as a reference. The robot arm is configured to have a posture corresponding to a relative position of the camera with respect to the marker. The calibration apparatus sets a plurality of photographing positions by changing the relative position, acquires the camera coordinates of the marker in the plurality of photographing positions and information of the posture of the robot arm, and derives the correlation.

Abstract: The robotics apparatus includes an f1-actuator for driving a first link, an f2-actuator for driving a second link, an actuator for simultaneously driving both links, and a CPU for controlling those actuators. The CPU sets a driving-force command value to an e3-actuator to a predetermined set value. Moreover, the CPU calculates a driving-force command value to the f1-actuator based on the driving-force command value and a target joint angle for a first joint. The CPU calculates a driving-force command value to the f2-actuator and a target joint angle for a second joint. It achieves a control for allowing a distal end of a second link to track a target trajectory and stiffness control at the distal end of the second link with a smaller number of driving sources than that of a conventional 3-pair 6-muscle manipulator.

Abstract: Robots, computer program products, and methods for trajectory plan optimization are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of controlling a robot having a first manipulator and a second manipulator includes receiving a trajectory plan including a plurality of sequential motion segments. The method further includes determining a moveable motion segment, and shifting the moveable motion segment and motion segments subsequent to the moveable motion segment backward in time to a shifted time such that one or more unshifted segments of the trajectory plan occur at a same time as one or more shifted segment segments. The method may further include controlling the robot according to the optimized trajectory plan such that one or more components of the first manipulator are moved concurrently with one or more components of the second manipulator.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling motion interference avoidance for a plurality of robots are disclosed, the system and method including a dynamic space check system wherein an efficiency of operation is maximized and a potential for interference or collision is minimized.

Abstract: A workpiece transporting apparatus includes a hand, a rotating portion for rotatably holding the hand, an arm provided in the hand and having one end provided at the rotating portion, and a holding portion provided in the hand and provided to another end of the arm for holding a workpiece, in which a center portion of the holding portion is disposed with a predetermined interval from an axial line extended from a rotational center of the rotating portion toward another end of the arm.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for using hieroglyphs for communication in a rapid fabrication environment. The method includes receiving, by a control system for an articulated robotic arm, one or more images of a fabrication machine build space. The method includes identifying, by the control system, a hieroglyph present in the one or more images and translating the identified hieroglyph into one or more instructions for manipulation of the articulated robotic arm. The method includes causing the articulated robotic arm to carry out the instructions translated from the identified hieroglyph. Accordingly foreign objects are inserted into fabricated objects during an automated rapid fabrication process without extensive redesign of the rapid fabrication machine. In some implementations, an unmodified third-party stereolithographic rapid fabrication machine can be used.

Abstract: A flexible exosuit includes rigid and flexible elements configured to couple forces to a body of a wearer. Further, the flexible exosuit includes flexible linear actuators and clutched compliance elements to apply and/or modulate forces and/or compliances between segments of the body of the wearer. The flexible exosuit further includes electronic controllers, power sources and sensors. The flexible exosuit can be configured to apply forces to the body of the wearer to enable a variety of applications. In some examples, the flexible exosuit can be configured to augment the physical strength or endurance of the wearer. In some examples, the flexible exosuit can be configured to train the wearer to perform certain physical tasks. In some examples, the flexible exosuit can be configured to record physical activities of the wearer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for evaluating wafer size handling capabilities of wafer handling robots and wafer stations in a wafer processing environment. In one embodiment, a method is provided in which size parameters for each of one or more wafer stations and one or more robot hands of a wafer handling robot are set based on user input. A user command identifying a desired robot hand and a desired wafer station is received. A first size parameter of the desired robot hand is compared to a second size parameter of the desired wafer station. If the first size parameter is equal to the second size parameter, or if the second size parameter is an all-size parameter, the user command is executed. If the first size parameter is not equal to the second size parameter, an error is generated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, method and article which may be configured to autonomously dispense a medium onto a relatively large surface relatively accurately.

Abstract: From a desired wrist joint position and a desired elbow rotation angle, a temporary elbow joint position is calculated on the assumption that a distance between a shoulder joint and an elbow joint is fixed. The shoulder joint has a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis, and the elbow joint has a fourth axis. From the calculated temporary elbow joint position, temporary angles of the first and second axes or temporary angles of the first to fourth axes are determined. The temporary angles are corrected in accordance with at least one evaluation function calculated from the temporary angles.

Abstract: An automated block or brick construction apparatus is provided by adapting a base transport assembly with a specialized working platform for brick, block and mortar. The working platform houses at least one robotic arm to accurately position mortar and block or brick in place on a wall construction. The working platform is controlled by a 3-D stringless guidance system for positioning vertically, horizontally, and laterally. The robotic arms place and position a block or brick and stage the subsequent blocks or bricks for installation. A first robotic arm can apply mortar onto a wall while a second robotic arm places a concrete masonry unit accurately onto the mortar and also place blocks in position. Application and movement of mortar and blocks are controlled by a programmable central processing unit.

Abstract: There is provided a method of post-correction of a 3D feature point-based direct teaching trajectory, which improves direct teaching performance by extracting shape-based feature points based on curvature and velocity and improving a direct teaching trajectory correction algorithm using the shape-based feature points. Particularly, there is provided a method of post-correction of a 3D feature point-based direct teaching trajectory, which makes it possible to extract and post-correct a 3D (i.e., spatial) trajectory, as well as a 2D (i.e., planar) trajectory, with higher accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated steering wheel leveling system and method. Particularly, the automated steering wheel leveling system includes a machine vision, a plurality of motor cylinders, a motor, and a robot, each operated by a process PC. The machine vision photographs a steering wheel to obtain position information of the steering wheel and determines a stroke of a motor cylinder and a grip position of a gripper using the position information. The plurality of motor cylinders move a plurality of grippers to steering wheel to secure the steering wheel. The motor rotates the steering wheel in order to adjust a zero-point of the steering wheel. The robot then moves the machine vision, the motor cylinder, and the motor to the steering wheel to align a shaft of the servo motor with a shaft of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A controller determines a set of solutions to an inverse kinematic relationship relating received three axes position and orientation requirements defining a tool control point (TCP) of a robotic manipulator, the robotic manipulator comprising at least seven revolute joints, to a respective angular position of each of the seven revolute joints. The set of solutions specifies, in terms of an angular position of a first revolute joint proximate to a proximal end of the robotic manipulator, at least one set of angular positions of the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh revolute joints. The set of solutions results from solving only closed-form mathematical expressions.

Abstract: A system and method of applying coating to automotive workpieces is disclosed. A first coating dispensing robot dispenses coating at least a portion of an engine compartment, trunk and internal surfaces of a bed of an automotive workpiece during a first time interval, while a second robot dispenses coating on the exterior surface of fenders and passenger doors of the workpiece over the first time interval. The first robot dispenses coating on the exterior surface of a hood, roof, trunk lid and lift gate over a second time interval and the second robot dispenses coating on the side door interiors over the second time interval.

Abstract: A directional position control method uses an instructor device and a controller to control motion of a robot, and a directional-control starter is used to actuate a directional control function. The directional-control starter controls the controller to drive the robot to move according to the instructor direction reference by converting the coordinate of the robot into the coordinate of the instructor. The directional position control method allows the movement direction reference of the robot to be defined manually or automatically, so that the robot can be moved based on the instructor direction reference of the instructor, allowing the operator to operate the robot by intuition without too much discretion, consequently reducing difficulty and error in operating the robot. Besides, the operator can control the robot by staying at the location where the instructor is located, without standing close to the robot, therefore, improving safety of operating the robot.

Abstract: A control method for a legged mobile robot includes exercising a body of a robot such that a center of gravity of the robot obtains a momentum or the body obtains an angular momentum in a direction in which an object is to be moved while restraining a force from being applied to the object from the robot in a state wherein the robot opposes the object, and applying a force to the object from a hand of an arm body provided in the body of the robot so as to start moving the object in a state wherein the center of gravity has obtained the momentum or the body has an angular momentum. With this arrangement, when moving an object by a robot, a motion of the robot can be smoothly changed while preventing a significant change in ZMP before and after starting to move the object.

Abstract: A phase oscillating device for affecting movement of a limb or a primary body includes a sensor coupled to the primary body. A physical state of the primary body is measured using the sensor. A phase angle of the primary body is determined based on the physical state measurement. The physical state measurement includes position, velocity, or acceleration. The phase angle of the primary body is filtered using a sine function. An actuator is coupled to the primary body. The actuator is triggered based on the phase angle of the primary body to provide a force or torque to assist or resist movement of the primary body. A secondary body is coupled to the primary body. The secondary body is oscillated using the actuator, which is triggered in phase with a gait step. Alternatively, a fan is coupled to the primary body and actuator to provide the oscillating force.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: Robotic devices, systems, and methods for use in robotic surgery and other robotic applications, and/or medical instrument devices, systems, and methods includes both a reusable processor and a limited-use robotic tool or medical treatment probe. A memory the limited-use component includes machine readable code with data and/or programming instructions to be implemented by the processor. Programming of the processor can be updated by shipping of new data once downloaded by the processor from a component, subsequent components can take advantage of the updated processor without repeated downloading.