Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided, including: at least one articulatable arm having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one joint region disposed between the distal and proximal ends; an optical fiber bend sensor provided in the at least one joint region of the at least one articulatable arm; a detection system coupled to the optical fiber bend sensor, said detection system comprising a light source and a light detector for detecting light reflected by or transmitted through the optical fiber bend sensor to determine a position of at least one joint region of the at least one articulatable arm based on the detected light reflected by or transmitted through the optical fiber bend sensor; and a control system comprising a servo controller for effectuating movement of the arm.

Abstract: Provided is a robot apparatus that includes a load compensation function dealing with a variation in load, where the robot apparatus includes one or more movable portions, a load compensation section utilizing an elastic body to compensate for a load acting on the movable portion, and an initial displacement amount setting section applying, to the elastic body, an initial displacement amount corresponding to a desired position or posture of the movable portion. The initial displacement setting section includes an actuator displacing the elastic body by an initial displacement amount and locks the actuator with the elastic body remaining displaced by the initial displacement amount. The movable portion is a leg including a joint portion having a degree of rotational freedom around a pitch axis, and the initial displacement amount setting section sets the initial displacement amount on the basis of a toe force of the leg.

Abstract: A method for retrieving heights of densely-covered forest canopies near power transmission lines includes: acquiring ICESat-2 LiDAR data, JL-1 image data, auxiliary data and three-dimensional information data about the power transmission lines within a target area; carrying out image preprocessing on a JL-1 image to generate a first image; screening the ICESat-2 LiDAR data according to a screening rule to obtain high-quality laser tree height data; by employing the first image, the high-quality laser tree height data and the auxiliary data, training a neural network model for retrieving a forest tree height according to an optical image and the auxiliary data; by employing the neural network model, generating a height distribution map of densely-covered trees in the target area; and calculating a height difference between a tree and a power transmission line nearest the tree to generate a hidden danger troubleshooting theme map.

Abstract: An air chuck includes a chuck unit including a pair of fingers that capable of being freely opened and closed, an operation unit that includes an operation mechanism, which opens and closes the pair of fingers, connection mechanisms for attaching the chuck unit to the operation unit such that the chuck unit is freely attachable and detachable to and from the operating unit, and a locking mechanism that locks the pair of fingers such that the pair of fingers are capable of being freely opened and closed when the chuck unit is attached to the operation unit and such that the pair of fingers are not able to be opened or closed when the chuck unit is detached from the operation unit.

Abstract: In a control method for a robot including a manipulator and a force detector that detects an external force acting on the manipulator on three detection axes orthogonal to one another, a direction of the external force is detected by the force detector, and a degree of freedom of motion of a tool center point set for the manipulator according to the external force is limited based on the direction of the external force.

Abstract: A work transfer system includes a robot having a hand which holds a workpiece and a sensor which can detect external force acting on the hand, a balancer connected to the hand and can generate lifting force for lifting the hand in a vertically upward direction, a shape measuring device which conducts measuring of a shape of the workpiece, and a controller controlling the robot and the balancer based on the shape of the workpiece, and the controller adjusts a holding position of the workpiece by the hand based on the shape, and controls the lifting force so that an absolute value of the external force in the vertical direction detected by the sensor becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined first threshold when the workpiece is held at the adjusted holding position and lifted.

Abstract: The present invention relates a robot detection and control system within a chamber capable of detecting a position of the robot within the chamber by using a plurality of UWB radars. To this end, the present invention provides a robot detection and control system within a chamber configured to include a UWB radar provided in the chamber; a position detection unit which detects a position of a robot moving in the chamber using data by the UWB radar; and a robot control unit which compares the position of the robot by the position detection unit with a position of an obstacle to control the movement of the robot. Therefore, according to the present invention, since the position of the robot within the chamber may be determined in real time, it is possible to determine whether the movement path of the robot is appropriate and prevent an emergency accident in advance.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a meta-data inspection data store may contain hierarchical components and subcomponents of an industrial asset and define points of interest. An industrial asset inspection platform may access that information and generate an inspection plan, including an association of at least one sensor type with each of the points of interest. The platform may then store information about the inspection plan in an inspection plan data store and receive inspection data (e.g., from a manual inspection, from an inspection robot, from a fixed sensor, etc.). A smart tagging algorithm may be executed to associate at least one point of interest with an appropriate portion of the received inspection data based on information in the inspection plan data store.

Abstract: A personal assistant control system which enables a robotic personal assistant to properly support a user according to the user's growth, includes: a first personal assistant (PA) 1 used in a first period to acquire information from a first sensor group; a second PA 2 used in a second period to acquire information from a second sensor group; and a server 5 connected to the first PA 1 and the second PA 2 via a network and configured to estimate a state of a user 3 based on information acquired from the first or second sensor group. In a third period T3 bridging the first period T1 and the second period T2, the server estimates the state of the user 3 based on information acquired from common sensors which are specific types of sensors included in the first and second sensor groups and configured to acquire common attributes.

Abstract: A sound pickup device for picking up a target sound includes: a first input interface that inputs image data generated by a camera; a second input interface that inputs an audio signal output from a microphone array; a controller that determines a sound pickup direction in which the target sound is picked up, based on the image data and the audio signal; and an output interface that outputs information to be presented to the user. The controller determines whether an image indicated by the input image data and an audio sound indicated by the input audio signal are in a predetermined state. When determining that the image and the audio sound are in the predetermined state, the controller causes the output interface to output an instruction to the user, and inputs additional image data and an additional audio signal after the instruction is output, to determine the sound pickup direction.

Abstract: A method for controlling a mechanical system having a plurality of components interlinked by a plurality of driven joints, the method comprising: measuring torques or forces about or at the driven joints and forming a load signal representing the measured torques or forces; receiving a motion demand signal representing a desired state of the system; implementing an impedance control algorithm in dependence on the motion demand signal and the load signal to form a target signal indicating a target configuration for each of the driven joints; measuring the configuration of each of the driven joints and forming a state signal representing the measured configurations; and forming a set of drive signals for the joints by, for each joint, comparing the target configuration of that joint as indicated by the target signal to the measured configuration of that joint as indicated by the state signal.

Abstract: An information processing device includes: a joint detection unit that detects a joint of a person striking a pose to imitate a pose of a robot device including a joint; a human body joint angle estimation unit that estimates an angle of the joint of the person; and a mapping learning unit that learns mapping between the angle of the joint of the person and an angle of the joint of the robot device in the pose.

Abstract: An autonomous system used for a production process includes a device configured to manipulate workpieces according to production process tasks. A device controller generates world model of the autonomous system to include data objects representing respective physical objects in the production process, such as workspace, workpieces, and the device. Semantic markers attached to the data objects include information related to a skill to accomplish a task objective. Semantic markers may be activated or deactivated depending on whether the physical object is currently available for a task performance. The device is controlled to perform tasks guided by the semantic markers while relying on an anticipation function with reasoning operations based on types of physical objects, types of skills, and configuration of the data objects.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic alignment method of a high-pressure gas container in which a high-pressure gas container is loaded on a lift of a cabinet so as to supply a gas from a fabrication (FAB) process facility of a semiconductor to a wafer production line, and then, the high-pressure gas container loaded on the lift is raised, and an end cap of the high-pressure gas container and the center of a connector holder of a gas pipe are automatically aligned.

Abstract: An information providing device includes a storage section configured to register and store information related to a work robot and information on processing models related to the structures, an operation program configured to execute an operation of a work system in a virtual space by using information on the structures and information on a processing model related to the structures; and a control section configured to acquire selection information in which the information on the two or more structures and the processing model related to the structures stored in the storage section are selected, read the information on the structures and the information on the processing model included in the selection information from the storage section, execute processing of the processing model in a state in which the two or more structures are connected by the operation program in the virtual space, and output an executed processing result.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a finger motion, including a palm support installed to surround a part of a hand-back and a wrist; an extension assist unit secured at a first side thereof to a middle phalanx region of a finger and connected at a second side thereof to the palm support to assist extension of the finger through an elastic force between both ends; and a flexion assist unit comprising a distal phalange support mounted on an end of the finger, and a first flexion wire and a second flexion wire mounted on a part of the finger and assisting flexion of the finger on the basis of tensile force supplied from an outside.

Abstract: A working method of performing work with increase or decrease in weight on an object by a robot system having a robot, a first hand with an assist device, and a second hand without the assist device, includes switching between an assisted work state in which the first hand is coupled to the robot and work is performed with assistance by the assist device and a non-assisted work state in which the second hand is coupled to the robot and work is performed without assistance by the assist device according to a weight of the object.

Abstract: An end effector is disclosed. The end effector includes a first set of one or more suction cups of a first size having a first diameter, and a second set of one or more suction cups of a second size having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The end effector further includes a first actuation mechanism configured to apply suction to at least a subset of the first set of suction cups independently of actuation of the second set of suction cups and a second actuation mechanism configured to apply suction to at least a subset of the second set of suction cups independently of actuation of the first set of suction cups.

Abstract: There is provided a robot control apparatus including a determination unit configured to determine whether or not an end condition of a task is satisfied when a robot performs the task, and a switching unit configured to perform switching to a next task corresponding to the end condition in a case where the end condition is satisfied. With this configuration, it is possible to optimally switch tasks of the robot depending on the situation.

Abstract: An overshoot amount detection method includes a synchronization step of synchronizing a signal of an inertial sensor with a signal of an encoder based on a first synchronizing signal output from the inertial sensor during a signal synchronizing operation and a second synchronizing signal output from the encoder during the signal synchronizing operation, a signal generation step of generating a first signal by twice integration of a first detection signal output from the inertial sensor during a working operation and removal of a low-frequency component contained in the first detection signal and generating a second signal for supplement of the low-frequency component of the first signal from a second detection signal output from the encoder during the working operation, and an overshoot amount detection step of detecting an overshoot amount of an arm based on the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: A camera and a robot system are provided. The camera includes a camera body attached to a tip of a robot arm and a camera unit housed in the camera body. The camera unit has a plurality camera devices that are different in optical characteristics for imaging a workpiece.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for an automated system for analyzing damage to process claims and pre-claim consultations associated with an insured item, such as a vehicle. An enhanced claims processing server may analyze damage associated with the insured item using photos/video transmitted to the server from a user device (e.g., a mobile device). The mobile device may receive feedback from the server regarding the acceptability of submitted photos/video, and if the server determines that any of the submitted photos/video is unacceptable, the mobile device may capture additional photos/video until all of the data are deemed acceptable. In addition, the server may interface with third party entities such as repair shops and may generate a payment for compensating a claimant for repair of the insured item.

Abstract: A mobile surveillance apparatus includes: a communication interface configured to receive map data of a preset area; and a processor configured to process the map data by reflecting at least one of unevenness and obstruction on a driving surface of a mobile module, and set a path for the mobile module, based on the processed map data.

Abstract: Candidate grasping models of a deformable object are applied to generate a simulation of a response of the deformable object to the grasping model. From the simulation, grasp performance metrics for stress, deformation controllability, and instability of the response to the grasping model are obtained, and the grasp performance metrics are correlated with robotic grasp features.

Abstract: Techniques are discussed for controlling a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, based on occluded areas in an environment. An occluded area can represent areas where sensors of the vehicle are unable to sense portions of the environment due to obstruction by another object or sensor limitation. An occluded region for an object is determined, along with one or more visible regions proximate the occluded region. Entry and/or exit regions may be determined based on known directions of traffic and/or drivable surface boundaries. Based on a threshold speed, the vehicle can designate portions of the occluded region as pseudo-visible. Additionally, if a dynamic object traverses through the occluded region from the entry region, a portion of the occluded region may be considered pseudo-visible. Pseudo-visibility may also be determined based on movement of an occluded area. The vehicle can be controlled to traverse the environment based on the pseudo-visibility.

Abstract: A spoken communication system and method of transferring spoken communication, includes a plurality of communication devices, at least some configured to be positioned within an occupied structure, each of said communication devices including a processor, a microphone an audio output device and a communication circuit and being responsive to spoken communication to communicate that spoken communication to other communication devices and to receive spoken communications received by other of said communication devices and an internet connected server. The server is selectively in digital communication with the communication devices and adapted to receive a spoken audio stream request, said server responsive to receiving an audio stream request by opening communication channels with said communication devices that are connected with said server. The server is adapted to receive spoken communication captured by one of said communication devices that is in communication with said server.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot includes a first arithmetic unit configured to calculate a course direction based on an own position, a moving-object position, and a moving-object velocity vector, the course direction being a direction in which the autonomous mobile robot should travel, a second arithmetic unit configured to input the own position, the moving-object position, the moving-object velocity vector, and the course direction into a trained model and thereby calculate an estimated position, the trained model being a model that has been trained, the estimated position being a position at which the autonomous mobile robot is estimated to arrive a predetermined time later without colliding with the moving object, a generating unit configured to generate a remaining route from the estimated position to a destination, and a movement control unit configured to control a movement to the destination based on the course direction and the remaining route.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling a system are described. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to be worn on a user's body. The plurality of sensors are configured to generate a plurality of signals in response to forces applied by corresponding portions of a user's body. The system also includes a processor configured to receive the plurality of signals. The processor is configured to identify commands from the user based at least partly on the plurality of signals and an operational range and/or null space of the plurality of signals for a task being performed by the user. The processor is configured to control an operation of the system based on the identified commands.

Abstract: A mobile robot includes a body, a propulsion module, an ultrasound sensor module that is configured to detect a boundary of a cleaning area using a sound wave, and a controller configured to control the propulsion module based on the determined boundary. The ultrasound sensor module may include an ultrasonic sensor unit and a boundary detector. The sensor unit may emit the sound wave, receive the reflected sound wave from a target, and output a sound wave signal. And, the boundary detector may analyze the sound wave signal to detect the boundary of the cleaning area.

Abstract: A sensor includes: an electrostatic-capacity-type sensor electrode layer having a plurality of sensing units; a reference electrode layer opposed to one main face of the sensor electrode layer; and a deformable layer disposed between the reference electrode layer and the sensor electrode layer, the deformable layer being to deform elastically due to application of pressure. The deformable layer is recessed between the sensing units or discontinuous between the sensing units. The reference electrode layer has a shaped portion between the sensing units.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a system that includes a storage component that stores data and a processor. The processor may install an application using a portion of the storage component, partition the portion of the storage component from a remaining portion of the storage component, and execute the application via the portion of the storage component.

Abstract: An insurance system for home sharing may comprise a mobile device of a homeowner, one or more databases storing insurance factor data, a plurality of sensors configured to monitor one or more home features, and a server comprising one or more processors and memory. The server may be configured to receive, from the mobile device, data indicating that the homeowner is renting out a home, determine a value for frequency of rentals for the home based on the data indicating that the homeowner is renting out the home, and receive, from the plurality of sensors, monitored data for the one or more home features. The server may compute an insurance premium for the homeowner based on the value for frequency of rentals for the home, the monitored data for the one or more home features, and the insurance factor data and transmit the insurance premium to the mobile device.

Abstract: A tool tracking method comprises receiving stereo image data of a tool. The tool includes a tracking marker. The method also comprises receiving first kinematic data for the tool and determining a three-dimensional image-derived pose of the tool from the stereo image data of the tool and the tracking marker. The method also comprises determining a first kinematic pose of the tool from the first kinematic data and determining a pose offset between the image-derived pose of the tool and the first kinematic pose of the tool. The method also comprises determining a corrected first kinematic pose of the tool based on the pose offset and the first kinematic data.

Abstract: A first robot may include: a communication circuit configured to transmit and receive a signal; a sensor configured to detect a surrounding environment; a driving device configured to implement movement of the first robot; and a processor configured to control the first robot. The processor may determine a second voice recognition range of a second robot on the basis of a confirmation signal transmitted from the second robot. When a user is positioned outside the determined second voice recognition range, the processor may control the driving device so that the first robot follows the user.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot collaboratively acting with a human, a force sensor provided in the robot and detecting a force, a control unit decelerating or stopping an action of the robot based on output from the force sensor, a first temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the force sensor, and an execution unit performing warm-up operation in the robot until output from the first temperature sensor reaches a first target value.

Abstract: An overshoot amount detection method includes a first step of generating a first signal from a first detection signal output from an inertial sensor that detects inertia in a working unit of an arm to be displaced, a second step of generating a second signal using a second detection signal output from an encoder that detects an amount of displacement of the arm, and a third step of detecting an overshoot amount of the arm based on a third signal obtained by synthesis of the first signal and the second signal. The first step includes twice integration of the first detection signal and removing a low-frequency component contained in the first detection signal.

Abstract: A damage prediction system that uses hazard data and/or aerial images to predict future damage and/or estimate existing damage to a structure is described herein. For example, the damage prediction system may use forecasted hazard data to predict future damage or use actual hazard data to estimate existing damage. The damage prediction system may obtain hazard data in which structures were or will be impacted by a hazard. The damage prediction system can then generate a flight plan that causes an aerial vehicle to fly over the impacted parcels and capture images. The damage prediction system can use artificial intelligence to process the images for the purpose of identifying potential damage. The damage prediction system can also use a hazard model, the hazard data, and structure characteristics to generate a damage score. The damage prediction system can then use the processed images and/or damage score to generate a virtual claim.

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: A method of controlling an operation of a robotically-controlled surgical instrument can include receiving a first input signal at a controller indicative of a user's readiness to actuate the surgical instrument to perform a surgical procedure, outputting an output signal from the controller to provide feedback to the user in response to the received first input signal, receiving a second input signal at the controller confirming the user's readiness to actuate the surgical instrument, outputting an actuation signal from the controller in response to receiving the second input signal, and actuating the surgical instrument to perform the surgical procedure based on the actuation signal.

Abstract: An automated process uses a local positioning system to acquire location (i.e., position and orientation) data for one or more movable target objects. In cases where the target objects have the capability to move under computer control, this automated process can use the measured location data to control the position and orientation of such target objects. The system leverages the measurement and image capture capability of the local positioning system, and integrates controllable marker lights, image processing, and coordinate transformation computation to provide tracking information for vehicle location control. The resulting system enables position and orientation tracking of objects in a reference coordinate system.

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.

Abstract: Provided are a home network system and a method for an autonomous mobile robot to travel along a shortest travel route. The home network system capable of home automation includes a plurality of beacons for sensing a user located in a cell coverage area and for transmitting resulting sensing information of the user; an autonomous mobile robot for executing travel to reach the user based on provided travel route information; and a home server for calculating a travel route along which the autonomous mobile robot can easily reach the user based on the sensing information of the user transmitted from the beacons, and for providing the travel route to the autonomous mobile robot. Therefore, the autonomous mobile robot may reach the user by the shortest travel route and thus reducing energy loss.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a cloud robot system, including: a cloud computing platform and at least one robot; wherein the cloud computing platform is used for receiving perform information sent by the at least one robot in the system; the perform information includes data, status and requests of the at least one robot; the cloud computing platform is used for processing the data and status, sending process results back to the at least one robot, and sending control instructions to corresponding robot according to the requests; the at least one robot is used for sending the perform information to the cloud computing platform, receiving process results from the cloud computing platform, and performing according to the control instructions sent from the cloud computing platform. By using the present disclosure, computing ability and storage capacity of the robots can be expanded unlimited, while the thinking ability and memory of the robots are improved.

Abstract: A robot includes a robot arm, a force sensor, and a control unit configured to control the operation of the robot art. The control unit initializes the force sensor while the robot arm is moving at uniform speed. It is preferable that the control unit initializes the force sensor while the robot arm is moving at the uniform speed and the amplitude of a detection value of the force sensor is smaller than a threshold.

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 robot system according to an embodiment includes a sensor, an arm, and an instructor. The sensor is configured to detect an interface of a liquid. The arm includes a holding mechanism that holds a container containing the liquid. The instructor instructs the arm to cause the container to enter a sensing region of the sensor while holding the container, so as to cause the sensor to detect the interface.

Abstract: A robot configured to navigate a surface, the robot comprising a movement mechanism; a logical map representing data about the surface and associating locations with one or more properties observed during navigation; an initialization module configured to establish an initial pose comprising an initial location and an initial orientation; a region covering module configured to cause the robot to move so as to cover a region; an edge-following module configured to cause the robot to follow unfollowed edges; a control module configured to invoke region covering on a first region defined at least in part based at least part of the initial pose, to invoke region covering on least one additional region, to invoke edge-following, and to invoke region covering cause the mapping module to mark followed edges as followed, and cause a third region covering on regions discovered during edge-following.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatuses and systems for determining the position of a carrier ring assembly supported by an end effector. In an embodiment, the position of the carrier ring assembly is determined by passing the carrier ring assembly through a plurality of through beam sensors. As the carrier ring passes through the sensors, a plurality of sensor transitions along points on the carrier ring assembly are detected. Each sensor transition indicates that one of the through beam sensors changed from an unblocked state to a blocked state, or changed from an blocked state to an unblocked state. The position of the end effector is recorded at each sensor transition and is associated with the sensor transition that caused the end effector position to be recorded. A position of the carrier ring assembly is then calculated from the plurality of sensor transitions and their associated end effector positions.

Abstract: A robot control device controls the operation of a robot including a base; a robot arm that has at least three links, at least three joint portions, and at least three drive sources; an inertia sensor; and at least three angle sensors. The robot control device includes a first coordinate system vibration calculation unit; a second coordinate system vibration calculation unit; a weighting unit; a third coordinate system vibration calculation unit; a correction value calculation unit that obtains correction values for correcting the respective drive commands of the drive sources based on vibration information in a third coordinate system, and the respective detected results of the angle sensors; and a drive source control unit that controls the operations of the drive sources based on the respective drive commands of the drive sources, the correction values, and the respective detected results of the angle sensors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating interactions between a robot and user are provided. The system may include a robot and an electronic device communicatively coupled to the robot.