Abstract: A robotic arm includes: an arm having one or more joints; an arm securing unit provided at at least one of the one or more joints and configured to secure, by electrostatic adhesion, a positional relationship between two parts coupled by each of the at least one of the one or more joints; and a control unit configured to turn on and off the electrostatic adhesion of the arm securing unit.

Abstract: A device for constructing an assembly of building components includes an articulating arm unit and a gripper/nailer mounted on an end of the articulating arm unit. The gripper/nailer includes a gripping unit for grasping building components and positioning them in a predetermined arrangement and a nailing unit for inserting a fastener to secure the building components together.

Abstract: A robot (12) is used to pick parts from a bin (40 in FIG. 1). The robot has a compliant apparatus (42) and one or more tools are connected to the apparatus to perform the picking. The compliant apparatus has mechanisms for monitoring and/or controlling its compliance. The compliant apparatus can have various embodiments. Force sensing can be used during removal of grasped parts from the bin to determine the force exerted on the picking tool (s). The signal indicative of the exerted force can be used by the robot controller to determine the weight of the parts that may be held by the picking tool(s). The robot has one or more devices (FIG. 16, 17) which can be the picking tool to stir the parts in the bin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the operation of a robot having a product gripper which is designed to represent at least one approach position of the product gripper for the picking up and/or placing down of a product, in particular of a food product, as a graphical element on a display device. The apparatus is designed so that the respective graphical element can be directly displaced on the display device for the setting of the coordinates of the respective approach position, with the coordinates of the respective approach position being changed automatically in response to such a displacement of the graphical element in accordance with the displacement.

Abstract: The systems and methods are directed to mechanical arms and manipulators, and more particularly, to optical distance sensors in use for approach, grasping and manipulation. The system may include a manipulator having an arm and a multi fingered end-effector coupled to the distal end of the arm. The end-effector may include an optical proximity sensor configured to detect the distance to an object prior to contact with the object. The end-effector may include an optical proximity sensor configured detect a measurement of force applied to the object by the manipulator post contact with the object. The measurement of force may be a range of force measurements including a minimum, a maximum and a measurement between or within the minimum and the maximum.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to a robotic finger digit including a distal finger joint coupled between a distal finger part and a middle finger part, a middle finger joint coupled between the middle finger part and a proximal finger part and an extend tendon coupled at a first end to the distal finger joint, and coupled at a second end to an actuation device. In certain aspects, the robotic finger can further include a flex tendon coupled at a first end to the distal finger joint, and coupled at a second end to the actuation device, wherein the actuation device is configured to move the extend tendon and the flex tendon substantially the same distance in order to flex and/or extend the robotic finger digit.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for executing a robot task using a robot model definition. A task execution apparatus include: a storage unit to store at least one robot model, at least one robot behavior, and at least one robot task; and a task execution unit to generate at least one execution object from the stored at least one robot model, at least one robot behavior, and at least one robot task, and to execute a task of a robot from a corresponding execution object among the generated at least one execution object in response to an execution command input from a user.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle configured for autonomous or semi-autonomous operation in a rail environment is provided. The vehicle can process image data to move about the rail environment and perform one or more actions in the rail environment. The actions can include one or more actions related to decoupling and/or attaching rail vehicles, and can be implemented by performing three-dimensional image processing. The vehicle can be configured to move with any movement of a rail vehicle on which one or more actions are being performed. In an alternative embodiment, the various components configured to perform the action are implemented at a stationary location with respect to a rail line.

Abstract: A remote controlled actuator includes a spindle for holding a tool, a spindle guide section of an elongated configuration, a distal end member rotatably supporting the spindle, and a drive unit housing connected to a base end of the spindle guide section. The distal end member is fitted to the spindle guide section for alteration in attitude. The spindle guide section includes an outer shell pipe, a rotary shaft, and guide pipe. Within the guide pipe, an attitude altering member is inserted to alter the attitude of the distal end member. A connection device detachably connects the spindle guide section with the drive unit housing.

Abstract: A robot includes a base, a plurality of link mechanisms, at least one drive device, and a controller. The plurality of link mechanisms are provided on the base. Adjacent link mechanisms among the plurality of link mechanisms are connectable to each other. The at least one drive device is to bend and extend the plurality of link mechanisms. The controller is configured to control the at least one drive device.

Abstract: A robot hand having a suction holding unit on one face side holds a plate-shaped work by suction. An outer circumferential edge of the plate-shaped work is held, without contact with a surface of the plate-shaped work, by an outer circumference holding unit provided on the other face side. The robot hand can be used to hold the plate-shaped work yet to be worked by the suction holding unit, and to hold the plate-shaped work having been worked by the outer circumference holding unit. This prevents working debris from being deposited on the plate-shaped work yet to be worked and prevents defective working from occurring. In addition, since the plate-shaped work having been worked is held by the outer circumference holding unit, the robot hand does not make contact with surfaces of the worked plate-shaped work, and, accordingly, no contact marks are formed on the surfaces of the work.

Abstract: A work hanging apparatus includes a hanger line continuously conveying hangers each having a hook, a robot that has a hand with which a work having a hole is held and transfers the held work to a hanging location set in the hanger line, a controller controlling a movement of the hand to catch the hook of one of the hangers with the hole of the held work at the hanging location, a hole deviation detector that detects a positional deviation of the hole of the work, an attitude deviation detector that detects an attitudinal deviation of the hanger, and a corrector that corrects the movement of the hand according to the positional and attitudinal deviations.

Abstract: The positions and orientations of one or more target objects are obtained from the result of measuring a set of target objects by using a first sensor. A robot including a grip unit is controlled to grip one target object as a gripping target object among the target objects by the grip unit. Whether the grip unit has succeeded in gripping the gripping target object is determined from the result of measurement performed by a second sensor for measuring the target object gripped by the grip unit. When the grip unit has been determined to fail in gripping the gripping target object, one target object interacting with the gripping target object is selected among the target objects. The robot is controlled to grip the selected target object by the grip unit.

Abstract: A bending apparatus which manufactures a bent metal member with high productivity and excellent dimensional has a first support mechanism, which supports a steel tube while feeding it, a heating mechanism, which heats all or a portion of the steel tube, a cooling mechanism, which forms a high temperature portion in part of the steel tube by cooling a portion of the heater steel tube, a second support mechanism, which imparts a bending moment to the high temperature portion and bends the steel tube to a desired shape by moving two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally while supporting at least a portion of the steel tube, and a deformation preventing mechanism, which prevents deformation of the steel tube. At least one of the second support mechanism and the deformation preventing mechanism has a chuck which has a tubular member with a circular, polygonal, or special transverse cross section for gripping the steel tube.

Abstract: Provided is a manipulator with at least one camera capable of observing an end effector from a direction suitable for work. A rotating portion rotatable coaxially with the end effector is provided to a link adjacent to a link located at a manipulator tip end. At least one camera for recognizing a work piece as an object is arranged on the rotating portion through a camera platform. An actuator for controlling a rotation angle of the rotating portion is driven according to a rotation angle of the link located at the manipulator tip end, and thus the camera is arranged in a direction perpendicular to a plane where the end effector can move when the end effector performs a grip work. In an assembly work, the rotating portion is rotated such that the camera is arranged in a direction parallel to the plane where the end effector can move.

Abstract: A robot hand with a connection part that undergoes stretching deformation according to object shape. The robot hand includes a variable connection device that provides a contact face that enables pressing and contacting a moving target and has a connection part in contact with the moving target enables stretching deformation; a connection length controller that interfaces with a drive part to stretch and deform the connection part so that the connection part undergoes conversion between a closed-loop state wherein it is continuous with the surface of the moving target or divided into a plurality of sections to be pressed and contacted, and an open-loop state wherein it detaches from the moving target; and a shape retention device that retains the shape of the variable connection device consistently in a closed-loop state wherein the variable connection device is pressed and contacted with the moving target at a set pressure.

Abstract: A robot hand moved by a robot to grip an object to be gripped includes a plurality of bar-like placing sections on which the object to be gripped is placed, a plurality of plate-like pressing sections paired with the plurality of placing sections and configured to press side surfaces of the object to be gripped, a space adjusting section configured to move the plurality of pressing sections to bring the pressing sections into contact with a plurality of contact sections, a first strain gauge configured to detect a distance between the placing section and the pressing section and an angle of the pressing section with respect to the placing section, and a second strain gauge configured to detect a distance between the placing section and the pressing section and an angle of the pressing section with respect to the placing section.

Abstract: A robotic arm is for holding a molding item. The robotic arm includes a mount; a lifting mechanism mounted to the mount; a horizontal driving device; a rotating assembly mounted between the lifting mechanism and the horizontal driving device to rotate the horizontal driving device relative to the lifting mechanism; a holder for holding the molding item, the holder mounted on the horizontal driving device. The lifting mechanism cause the holder to move relative to the mount in a first direction, the horizontal driving device moves the holder relative to the mount and the lifting mechanism in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A robot apparatus includes a gripping unit configured to grip a first component, a force sensor configured to detect, as detection values, a force and a moment acting on the gripping unit, a storing unit having stored therein contact states of the first component and a second component and transition information in association with each other, a selecting unit configured to discriminate, on the basis of the detection values, a contact state of the first component and the second component and select, on the basis of a result of the discrimination, the transition state stored in the storing unit, and a control unit configured to control the gripping unit on the basis of the transition information selected by the selecting unit.

Abstract: A robotic end effector for collecting frozen aliquots from an array of frozen samples in a plurality of containers has a coring bit for taking frozen sample cores from the frozen samples and a frozen sample core extraction system adapted to extract frozen sample cores from the frozen samples. A fill level detection system is adapted to detect the positions of the surfaces of the frozen samples. A processor is adapted to receive signals from the fill level detection system and use the signals and information concerning operation of the frozen sample core extraction system to determine at least one of the following: (a) the amount of material contained in a frozen sample core obtained by the coring bit; and (b) the number of frozen sample cores needed from a particular frozen sample to obtain a predetermined amount of material from that frozen sample.

Abstract: Conventional aircraft offer an inadequate solution for handling freight items. The present invention significantly improves the handling of freight items. Inter alia, for this the cargo compartment of an aircraft is equipped with a robot with at least one robot arm, wherein the robot arm comprises a receiver tool to receive freight items and is arranged displaceably on a ceiling construction of the cargo compartment.

Abstract: A gripping device includes a gripping-device body mounted to an end of a working arm; two gripping members pivotably supported by this body in an opening-closing direction; and a driver that drives the gripping members to open and close them. At least one of the gripping members includes one of various kinds of detachable sections each including a gripping segment; a holding section pivotably connected to the gripping-device body about a central pivot shaft and selectively holding the detachable section in a detachable manner; and a coupling member for detachable coupling. The detachable section has a restrained segment having a detachable-section through-hole extending parallel to the central pivot shaft. The holding section has an opening-closing-direction restraining segment that restrains the restrained segment in the opening-closing direction and a holding wall to which the restrained segment is fastened with the coupling member from a direction parallel to the detachable-section through-hole.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides a robot hand that performs an action for gripping an object between plural finger sections provided to be capable of changing a distance between the finger sections. Between the plural finger sections, a palm section movable along a direction in which a base side of the plural finger sections and a distal end side of the plural finger sections are connected is provided.

Abstract: Methods and computer program products for generating robot grasp patterns are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for generating robot grasp patterns includes generating a plurality of approach rays associated with a target object. Each approach ray of the plurality of approach rays extends perpendicularly from a surface of the target object. The method further includes generating at least one grasp pattern for each approach ray to generate a grasp pattern set of the target object, calculating a grasp quality score for each individual grasp pattern of the grasp pattern set, and comparing the grasp quality score of each individual grasp pattern with a grasp quality threshold. The method further includes selecting individual grasp patterns of the grasp pattern set having a grasp quality score that is greater than the grasp quality threshold, and providing the selected individual grasp patterns to the robot for on-line manipulation of the target object.

Abstract: A robot hand is provided, the robot hand including three finger sections, a supporting section which supports a proximal end of each of the three finger sections, and a circumferential movement section which circumferentially moves a second finger section and a third finger section of the three finger sections about a position where the three finger sections are supported on the supporting section is provided. The circumferentially moving second finger section and third finger section are circumferentially movable in a range of 180 degrees or greater in a circumferential direction substantially around a hand axis of the robot hand, about the position where the three finger sections are supported on the supporting section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for selective gripping and/or releasing of media cartridges using a robotic ratcheting gripper mechanism. Embodiments operate in context of a data storage library having a number of media cartridges physically located within slots of one or more magazines. A robot with a hand assembly uses a gripper mechanism to retrieve and ferry the cartridges between the magazines and one or more media drives. A novel gripper mechanism is provided that toggles between open and closed states according to movement of the gripper. In some embodiments, movement of a carriage from a retracted to an extended position extends the gripper mechanism and toggles its state, while movement of the carriage from the extended to the retracted position retracts the gripper mechanism while maintaining its state. Certain embodiments implement this functionality with simple mechanical components.

Abstract: A conveyor robot (10) includes a main body (12), a first arm (18), and a second arm (16). The first arm (18) is designed to be reciprocable between a wafer cassette and a position above the main body (12). The first arm (18) is provided with a first hand (182) having a plurality of gripping portions designed to grip a wafer. The second arm (16) is designed to be reciprocable between a position above the main body (12) and a wafer stage. The second arm (16) is provided with a second hand (162) having a plurality of gripping portions designed to grip the wafer from a different angle than do the gripping portions of the first hand (182). The gripping portions of the first hand (182) and those of the second hand (162) are positioned at equal height.

Abstract: A conveyance system. The conveyance system includes a movable device for conveying an article, and a robot selected from the group consisting of an articulated robot and an orthogonal robot. The movable device is configured to be both vertically and horizontally movable; and, the robot is mounted on the movable device. The robot includes a hand and a gripper disposed on the hand. The gripper is configured to hold the article. The movable device and the robot are configured to convey the article in conveyance operations that include an extraction, a conveyance, and an installation, of the article; the range of the conveyance operations lies within a working range of the robot from a present position that is selected with priority. The movable device is configured to remain in a stationary state when the article is conveyed by the robot using the conveyance operations within the working range.

Abstract: Method for controlling continuum robots and systems therefrom are provided. In the system and method, a new system of equations is provided for controlling a shape of the elastic member and a tension on a tendon applying a force to an elastic member of the robot. The system of equations can be used to estimate a resulting shape of the elastic member from the tension applied to the tendon. The system of equations can also be used to estimate a necessary tension for the tendon to achieve a target shape.

Abstract: A spatial three-dimensional (3D) inline handling system comprises: a ceiling with guide rails; a plurality of cassettes disposed at a bottom surface of the ceiling to temporarily store substrates; a plurality of processing units disposed below the cassettes to process the substrates; and an overhead handling apparatus for handling the substrates between the cassettes and the processing units and slidably connected with the guide rails. In the present disclosure, the ground space occupied by the handling system is reduced by adopting a 3D handling manner and disposing robot arms at overhead positions, and the space utilization factor is greatly increased by disposing the processing units of the substrate processing line concentratively. Meanwhile, the robot arms handles the substrates overhead to improve the handling efficiency; furthermore, because the overhead handling apparatus is located near the FFUs, cleanliness of the substrates is increased and, consequently, the product yield is increased.

Abstract: A shear force detection device for detecting a shear force includes: a support body including an opening defined by a pair of straight parts perpendicular to a detection direction of the shear force and parallel to each other; a support film on the support body and closing the opening, the support film having flexibility; a piezoelectric part on the support film and extending astride an inside and outside of the opening and along at least one of the pair of straight parts of the opening when viewed in a plane in which the support body is seen in a substrate thickness direction, the piezoelectric part being bendable to output an electric signal; and an elastic layer covering the piezoelectric part and the support film.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus includes a palm and a plurality of fingers having joints to grip a tool with the palm and the plurality of fingers. A palm side contact surface is provided on the palm and brought into contact with a tool side contact surface of the tool, and holes are provided in the palm side contact surface into which projections provided on the tool side contact surface of the tool can be inserted. Engagement of the projections in the holes determines a position of the tool in a tangential direction of the palm side contact surface and a position of the tool in a rotational direction around a normal line of the palm side contact surface which is a rotary shaft center.

Abstract: In an object gripping apparatus according to the present invention, based on three-dimensional position and attitude of a gripping object and a gripping position that is preliminarily set for each gripping object, an operation of a grip part is controlled such that the grip part grips the gripping position on the gripping object. Thereby, an intended gripping position can be identified, and the object can be appropriately gripped.

Abstract: This invention is an assembly and method for releasably connecting a gripper finger to a robotic arm with only manual manipulation. The assembly includes a finger body having a quick-change bar connected to a locking lever. The locking lever can be rotated by hand to engage and disengage the assembly to connect a finger to a gripper connected to a robot. The locking lever provides a sleeve and pin which interact to lock the assembly. The sleeve and pin can have recessed surfaces formed to interact with roll pins or screws to restrict behavior of the quick-change device during engagement.

Abstract: An integrated grip arm comprises a plurality of grippers to accommodate a plurality of reticles and carrier boxes without the need of separate arm or gripper changes. The integrated grip arm can comprise an edge gripper for gripping a reticle or a carrier box at the edges, and a fork gripper for gripping a reticle or a carrier box at a top and a bottom portions. The integrated grip arm can comprise an edge gripper for gripping a wafer from the edges and an end effector for holding a wafer from the bottom. The integrated grip arm can comprise a vertical gripper for gripping a workpiece from a vertical position and a horizontal gripper for gripping a workpiece from a horizontal position.

Abstract: A system includes a controller and a serial robot having links that are interconnected by a joint, wherein the robot can grasp a three-dimensional (3D) object in response to a commanded grasp pose. The controller receives input information, including the commanded grasp pose, a first set of information describing the kinematics of the robot, and a second set of information describing the position of the object to be grasped. The controller also calculates, in a two-dimensional (2D) plane, a set of contact points between the serial robot and a surface of the 3D object needed for the serial robot to achieve the commanded grasp pose. A required joint angle is then calculated in the 2D plane between the pair of links using the set of contact points. A control action is then executed with respect to the motion of the serial robot using the required joint angle.

Abstract: A framing device (1) and a method are provided for connecting disk-type bodies (6) to a frame (5) by a manipulator (2). A joining device (4) is associated with the manipulator (2), for joining individual frame parts (8, 9, 10, 11) to the disk-type body. The manipulator (2) guides the disk-type body (6) and inserts it into the frame parts (8, 9, 10, 11) provided, the frame parts being pressed against the disk edge (7) at the same time or one after the other.

Abstract: A target object gripping apparatus comprises: an estimation unit configured to estimate an orientation of a target object based on orientation estimation parameters; a gripping unit configured to grip the target object based on the orientation of the target object estimated by the estimation unit; a detection unit configured to detect a failure of gripping by the gripping unit; and a modifying unit configured to modify the orientation estimation parameters based on the orientation of the target object when the detection unit detects a gripping failure.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a program including program instructions for controlling an industrial robot to carry out work at a plurality of target points on a work object. The robot includes a tool having two arms adapted to clamp the work object and at least one of the arms is arranged movable relative the other arm in an opening and a closing direction, a manipulator adapted to hold the tool or the work object, and a controller controlling the movements of the manipulator and the tool arm and configured to switch between a normal control mode and a compliant control mode in which the manipulator has a reduced stiffness in at least one direction. The method includes moving the manipulator and the tool according to the program instructions until one of the target points is reached.

Abstract: A robot hand has a plurality of fingers including a contact sensing finger that senses contact with an object. A base provided with the fingers detects a resultant reaction force that is the combination of reaction forces from the fingers. When no resultant reaction force is detected, the plurality of fingers are moved toward the object, and when the contact sensing finger comes into contact with the object, a force that drives the fingers is switched to a force corresponding to a grasp force. When the contact sensing finger has not come into contact with the object but a resultant reaction force is detected, the driving of the fingers is terminated and the position of the base is corrected by moving the base in a direction in which the resultant reaction force having acted thereon is not detected any more.

Abstract: A supply of metal parts are electroplated by progressively transferring the parts with a computer controlled robot into a series of open top tanks containing solutions. The tanks have submerged metal fixtures which temporarily support the parts, and each fixture in the electroplating tank is individually connected to a direct current power source through a corresponding timer switch controlled by the computer so that each part is plated for a precise time period independently of the time the part remains in the plating solution. Each fixture is coated with an insulation material and has a base with metal contact with a removable fixture member having limited metal line contact with the supporting part. A plurality of electroplating lines each include the above components, and common tanks in the lines receive an electroplating solution recirculated through a common filter and service tank where the solution is heated and controlled.

Abstract: An industrial robot for conveying a conveying object may include a hand having a mounting part, an articulated arm part having at least a hand holding arm which is extended and folded when the conveying object is conveyed, a main body part which turnably holds the articulated arm part, and a cam member which is provided in the hand holding arm and which is formed with a cam face with which the holding part is abutted and which is relatively turned with respect to the hand around a turning center of the hand with an extending and folding operation of the articulated arm part. The cam face is formed so that the holding part is retreated from the conveying object before the conveying object is conveyed and, when the conveying object is conveyed, the holding part is moved in a direction to hold the conveying object.

Abstract: This robot system includes a first imaging portion detachably mounted to a robot arm and a control portion controlling the operation of the robot arm and a grasping portion, and the control portion is so formed as to detach the first imaging portion from the robot arm before moving an object to be grasped that is being grasped by the grasping portion to a prescribed processing position.

Abstract: When dishes are held by means of a robot hand (10), its fixed side engaging plate (13) and movable side engaging finger (14) are moved under horizontal state toward a dish (20) to be handled, and the outer circumferential edge side portion of the dish (20) is inserted between them. The distal end portion (14b) of the movable side engaging finger (14) is then bent by a predetermined amount to the side of the dish (20) and the robot hand (10) is raised. Consequently, the dish (20) is brought into a state where it is held by its own weight between the fixed side engaging plate (13) and the movable side engaging finger (14). Thereafter, the right and left first finger units (15, 16) are bent to the side of the dish (20) and the dish (20) is pushed by their dish pushing faces (15g, 16g), thus bringing about such a state as the dish (20) is held surely between the fixed side engaging plate (13) and the movable side engaging finger (14).

Abstract: A manipulator includes at least one camera capable of observing an end effector from a direction suitable for work. A rotating portion rotatable coaxially with the end effector is provided to a link adjacent to a link located at a manipulator tip end. At least one camera for recognizing a work piece as an object is arranged on the rotating portion through a camera platform. An actuator for controlling a rotation angle of the rotating portion is driven according to a rotation angle of the link located at the manipulator tip end, and thus the camera is arranged in a direction perpendicular to a plane where the end effector can move when the end effector performs a grip work. In an assembly work, the rotating portion is rotated such that the camera is arranged in a direction parallel to the plane where the end effector can move.

Abstract: A work picking system according to embodiments includes a three-dimensional measuring unit, a hand, a calculating unit, a determining unit, and an instructing unit. The three-dimensional measuring unit measures a three-dimensional shape of a work that is a gripping target. The hand is provided on a terminal movable unit of a multi-axis robot and includes a mechanism that changes a distance between gripping claws and a mechanism that changes a tip end direction of the gripping claws. The determining unit determines a tip end direction of the gripping claws based on the attitude of the work calculated by the calculating unit and a direction of a rotation axis of the terminal movable unit.

Abstract: A device for constructing an assembly of building components includes an articulating arm unit and a gripper/nailer mounted on an end of the articulating arm unit. The gripper/nailer includes a gripping unit for grasping building components and positioning them in a predetermined arrangement and a nailing unit for inserting a fastener to secure the building components together.

Abstract: A robot teach tool is provided that enables automatic teaching of pick and place positions for a robot. The automated robot teach tool obviates the need for manual operation of the robot during the teaching. The result is an automated process that is much faster, more accurate, more repeatable and less taxing on a robot operator.

Abstract: In a masking system a robot performs first conveyance work of making an object gripping unit grip an object and set the object at a predetermined position based on positional information of the object which was detected by a first detection unit, coating work of making a coating unit coat an adhesive on a masking location of the object which is set at the predetermined position, and second conveyance work of making a masking piece gripping unit adhere a masking piece to the masking location of the object based on positional information of the masking piece which was detected by a second detection unit.

Abstract: A method and system for handling a swing metal panel using a robot's drive axis servo motor feedback to eliminate the need for the sensors and breakaway devices is provided. Using the servo motor feedback for this function reduces cost and improves reliability. The method also applies the servo motor feedback to hold a panel in position and exchange the panel between robots during the painting or coating process.