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 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: A system and a method for providing a robot interaction service utilizing a location-based service of a mobile communication terminal. The system for providing a robot interaction service utilizing location information of a mobile communication terminal, includes: a mobile communication terminal for performing a mobile communication service through a wireless communication network, measuring a current location thereof and transmitting the measured location information to a predetermined robot terminal through a communication network; and a robot terminal for receiving the location information from the mobile communication terminal, determining a robot behavior based on the received location information, and controlling the operation thereof according to the determination result.

Abstract: A robotic cooking apparatus that can cook dishes using a computer recipe provided by a user and ingredients stored in it. Able to adjust the recipe based on user preference data. Cooking apparatus comprises of ingredient input section, cooking stations, pre-processing and post-processing station. Input section has trays and can be at room temperature or refrigerated for storing perishable ingredients. Robot head assembly is able to transfer ingredients, identify and measure as well as take inventory periodically. Cooking apparatus is connected to a network and can be operated remotely by a fixed or handheld device and monitor its operation remotely.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving device and another object, using a parallel mechanism and torque limiters where the threshold force to activate the force limiting mechanism is not related to the configuration of the moving device or the location of the contact force relative to the activation point of the force limiting mechanism, and where the mechanism may be configured for one, two or three degrees of freedom. A counterbalance mechanism is also provided to counteract gravity load when the force limiting mechanism is configured for three degrees of freedom and responsive to contact forces including a vertical element. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving robotic device and a contactable object.

Abstract: The solar energy and solar farms are used to generate energy and reduce dependence on oil (or for environmental purposes). The maintenance and repairs in big farms become very difficult, expensive, and inefficient, using human technicians. Thus, here, we teach using the robots with various functions and components, in various settings, for various purposes, to improve operations in big (or hard-to-access) farms, to automate, save money, reduce human mistakes, increase efficiency, or scale the solutions to very large scales or areas.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the automated delivery of goods form one to another using a robotic tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug or cart stores an electronic map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes both wired and wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs.

Abstract: A low profile stepper robot is described and claimed herein. The robot includes a plurality of foot assemblies. Each foot assembly includes a suction cup, a vacuum generator, and a valve, with the vacuum generator being operationally connected to the suction cup. A conduit connects a source of operational fluid flow to the vacuum generators, and the valves allow or prevent fluid flow to the vacuum generators. Actuators are positioned between the foot assemblies and the robot base. The actuators provide for linear and rotational displacement of the foot assemblies, allowing the robot to walk and turn along an inspection surface.

Abstract: A bend sensor is used to determine force applied to a robotic arm. The force may be an external force applied to the arm, an internal actuation force, or both. In some aspects, a stiffening element is used to restore the arm to a minimum kinematic energy state. In other aspects, the stiffening element is eliminated, and the arm is fully actuated.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile device, an autonomous movement system, and an autonomous movement method, each having an obstacle avoidance capability, are provided. The autonomous mobile device includes an avoidance pattern determination unit for determining the travel pattern of the local device according to the state of motion, relative to the autonomous movement device, of a mobile obstacle other than the autonomous movement device; and a travel controller for causing the autonomous movement device to travel according to the travel pattern determined by the avoidance pattern determination unit. One of avoidance patterns is selected in accordance with a relative velocity to a mobile obstacle.

Abstract: A compliant underactuated grasper includes a palm base and two fingers. Each of the fingers comprises: a proximal phalanx; a distal phalanx; a compliant flexure joint connecting the distal phalanx to the proximal phalanx; and a pin joint connecting the proximal phalanx to the palm base, the pin joint constraining angular movement of the proximal phalanx relative to the palm base to rotation about a pin pivot axis. The grasper further includes at least one actuator to move the fingers. The grasper has fewer actuators than degrees of freedom.

Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing a wafer comprising an aligner comprising a chuck for receiving and rotating the wafer, a sensor for detecting the position of the wafer as it is rotated, a first actuator for lowering and raising the wafer vertically, and a second actuator for moving the chuck horizontally; and a weighing scale comprising a weight sensor disposed proximate to the aligner, and a cantilevered arm extending laterally from the weight sensor over the chuck of the aligner, the cantilevered arm having a through hole surrounding the chuck. The chuck is vertically movable relative to the weighing scale from a first position in which the wafer is supported by the chuck to a second position in which the wafer is supported by the cantilevered arm of the weighing scale. A method for characterizing a wafer using the instant apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A robot bumper including a bumper body having a forward surface and a top surface angling away from the forward surface. The bumper body conforms to a shape of a received robot chassis. The robot bumper also includes a force absorbing layer disposed on the bumper body, a membrane switch layer comprising a plurality of electrical contacts arranged along the top surface of the bumper body, and a force transmission layer disposed between the force absorbing layer and the membrane switch layer. The force transmission layer includes a plurality of force transmitting elements configured to transmit force to the membrane switch layer.

Abstract: A humanoid robot is provided, the robot being capable of holding a dialog with at least one user, the dialog using two modes of voice recognition, one open and the other closed, the closed mode being defined by a concept characterizing a dialog sequence. The dialog may also be influenced by events that are neither speech nor a text. The robot is capable of executing behaviors and generating expressions and emotions. It has the advantage of considerably reducing programming time and latency of execution of dialog sequences, providing a fluency and naturalness close to human dialogs.

Abstract: A system for providing animal maintenance includes a housing operable to accommodate an animal, an actuating arm coupled to the housing and to an attachment device, the attachment device is operable to perform one or more animal maintenance tasks, and the actuating arm is operable to apply the attachment device to the animal, a position sensor operable to determine the position of the animal relative to the position sensor, a restraint is operable to restrict the movement of the animal within the housing, and a processor communicatively coupled to the position sensor, the actuating arm, and the attachment device, the processor is operable to receive measurements from the position sensor and, in response to the received measurements, direct the actuating arm to apply the attachment device to the animal.

Abstract: The present technology relates generally to systems and methods for computer-guided placement of bone implants. In some embodiments, for example, a method of computer-guided surgical insertion of an implant into a target bone includes imaging the target bone to obtain three-dimensional (3D) image data, and, based on the 3D image data, determining an entry point and trajectory for insertion of the implant. The method also includes mapping the 3D image data, the entry point, and the trajectory into a surgical field, followed by instructing a clinician to insert the implant into the target bone based on the determined entry point and trajectory.

Abstract: In a running control method of a running apparatus, person moving direction and speed are estimated based on a person position history for predetermined time. It is decided whether contact with a person is likely to be made based on the estimation and running information about the running apparatus. When it is decided that the contact is likely to be made, a first route where the running apparatus avoids the person is generated for controlling running of the running apparatus therealong. It is decided whether the person has the intention to contact with the running apparatus based on the decision in the contact possibility deciding unit after the running along the first route. When it is decided that the person has the contact intention, a second route where the running apparatus approaches the person is generated for controlling the running of the running apparatus therealong.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a user interface embedded into a robot facilitates robot training via direct and intuitive physical interactions.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a user interface embedded into a robot facilitates robot training via direct and intuitive physical interactions. In some embodiments, the user interface includes a wrist cuff that, when grasped by the user, switches the robot into zero-force gravity-compensated mode.

Abstract: Robots may manipulate objects based on sensor input about the objects and/or the environment in conjunction with data structures representing primitive tasks and, in some embodiments, objects and/or locations associated therewith. The data structures may be created by instantiating respective prototypes during training by a human trainer.

Abstract: A robotic zipper system for joining and separating zipper halves of a zipper tape. A chassis retains an actuator that drives a zipper slide geometry along the zipper tape to join or separate the zipper tape. A sensor can determine zipper slide position, and a control module can provide an electrical signal to the motor to move in forward or reverse. The actuator can have a motor that drives a gear system that mechanically engages zipper teeth. Teeth of the gear system can be out of phase to mesh with alternating gaps between the zipper teeth. The actuator can be removable relative to a zipper slide. Zipper slide geometry could be integrated into the chassis, such as in the form of a channel, potentially with a central post. A sensor could be positioned to detect the presence or absence of zipper teeth through an opening in a base plate.

Abstract: A method for manually guided adjustment of the pose of a manipulator arm of an industrial robot includes detecting a guidance force applied to the manipulator arm by an operator of the industrial robot, determining one of at least two degrees-of-freedom of a reference coordinate system as a selected freedom direction, wherein the selected freedom direction corresponds to the degree-of-freedom in which the guidance force has its greatest force vector component, and controlling the drives of the industrial robot using force control in such a manner that a pre-specified reference point associated with the manipulator arm is moved only in the selected freedom direction as a result of movement of the manipulator arm by an operator during a manually-guided adjustment of the pose of the manipulator arm.

Abstract: A robot arm temporarily stops when a contact detector detects contact. A holding motion selecting unit then selects one of continuously stopped motion, directionally limited motion, and directionally unlimited motion in accordance with information including one or both of a distance between the robot arm and a contacted object and force applied to the robot arm by a person. A motion controller causes the selected motion to achieve holding motion.

Abstract: A joint driving device includes: a reduction gear output shaft that transmits a torque to a second link; a transmission shaft that transmits reaction of the torque to a first link; a transmission shaft outer cylinder arranged on the outer circumference of the transmission shaft and connected to the transmission shaft; a reduction gear output shaft outer cylinder arranged in the outer circumference of the reduction gear output shaft and connected to the reduction gear output shaft; and a wire body arranged between the first link and the second link and including at least one of a wire and a pipe. The transmission shaft includes the motor frame as at least a part. The wire body is housed in a space between the transmission shaft outer cylinder and the transmission shaft, and a space between the reduction gear output shaft outer cylinder and the reduction gear output shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for automating an assembly process of threading a tube-nut onto a threaded connector. The system includes a robot having a force sensor and a tube-nut runner tool coupled to the robot and having a tool head with a rotatable socket therein. The method includes engaging the socket to the tube-nut under force control using the force signal from the force sensor. The tool controller causes the socket to rotate the tube-nut where the tool controller controls the torque and/or angle displacement of the tool head to tighten the tube-nut on the threaded connector. The method also includes disengaging the tool head from the tube-nut after the tube-nut is properly tightened onto the threaded connector under force control to ensure that the end member is properly disengaged from the tube-nut.

Abstract: A robot cleaner having a monitoring function and minimizing power consumption and/or securing communication efficiency and a method of controlling a robot cleaner are provided. The robot cleaner may include at least one sound obtaining device; at least one image obtaining device; and a controller configured to determine whether a sound obtained through the at least one sound obtaining device is abnormal, sense a direction in which an abnormal sound is generated, and obtain images in the direction in which the abnormal sound is generated. The robot cleaner may automatically recognize a surrounding situation, and when necessary, the robot cleaner may rotate and/or move in a corresponding direction and/or position to obtain images or transmit the obtained images to a remote terminal, thereby minimizing power consumption of the robot cleaner with limited power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for aligning substrates (2) in an XY-plane. A polygonal, flat substrate (2), the substrate plane of which is parallel to the XY-plane or lies in the XY-plane, is aligned with respect to reference coordinates and a reference angular position in the XY-plane. A corner (12) of the substrate (2) is detected using image detecting means (9). In addition, the position coordinates of the substrate (2) are determined. Using evaluating means (10), the angular position of the corner (12) of the substrate (2) in the XY-plane is determined, and the position differences between the reference coordinates and the position coordinates as well as the angle difference between the reference angular position and the angular position of the substrate corner (12) are calculated. The substrate (2) is moved and/or rotated in the XY-plane according to the determined position difference or the angle difference.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a user-guidable robot appendage provides haptic feedback to the user.

Abstract: A high density actuator, comprising a housing assembly composed of a first housing element containing a motor stator and a second housing element containing a gear reduction mechanism, a rotational core positioned at the center of the housing assembly, the rotational core being composed of a motor rotor and a transmission input operatively connected to the motor rotor, a transmission output positioned between the transmission input and the housing assembly, the transmission output forming an actuator output, a torque transfer output operatively connected to the actuator output and a center shaft connected to the torque transfer output in its center and in rotational contact with the first housing element, the center shaft passing through the transmission output, rotational core and second housing element to ensure proper radial and axial alignment.

Abstract: A screw fastening device (10) includes a base part (11), an extended part (12) with one end (12a) which is attached to the base part in a pivotable manner, a tool part (13) which is fastened to another end (12) of the extended part and makes a screw which is engaged with its front end rotate, a pushing mechanism (15) which pushes the tool part against the screw (14) through the extended part in an axial direction of the screw, a guide part (16) which is fastened to the base part and has an arc shaped part, a torque generating part (17) which generates a torque which makes the extended part rotate along the arc shaped part in a fastening direction of the screw, and a first detection part (18a) which detects when a reaction force of a predetermined value or more acts against the torque generating part.