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

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assistance device with which a robotic arm (B) is to be provided, said robotic arm being controlled by an operator (H) and having a tool (m) at the end thereof, characterized in that it includes a control handle (1), which is mounted via a ball-and-socket joint (R3) so as to form an extension of the arm (B) while being offset relative to the tool (m), and a force sensor (4) which is coupled to the robot and ensures the continuous detection, from the handle (1), of the intentional forces of the operator for controlling both the direction and the force of the tool (m). The invention also relates to the collaborative robot provided with the device of the invention, and to the use thereof.

Abstract: A mobile robot including a robot body, a drive system supporting the robot body, and a controller in communication with the drive system. The robot also includes an actuator moving a portion of the robot body through a volume of space adjacent the mobile robot and a sensor pod in communication with the controller. The sensor pod includes a collar rotatably supported and having a curved wall formed at least partially as a surface of revolution about a vertical axis. The sensor pod also includes a volumetric point cloud sensor housed by the collar and observing the volume of space adjacent the robot from within the collar along an observation axis extending through the curved wall. A collar actuator rotates the collar and the volumetric point cloud sensor together about the collar axis.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a robot system controlling method and robot system which perform link angle control and joint stiffness control through feedback control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.

Abstract: A transfer system includes a first station at which a workpiece is placed, a second station which receives the workpiece from the first station, a robot including a holder for holding the workpiece and for transferring the workpiece from the first station to the second station, an image capturing unit for capturing an image of the workpiece that reflects a position of the workpiece in the first station, a first memory unit that stores intended placement position information indicating an intended placement position of the workpiece in the first station, and a deviation calculator that calculates a deviation of the position of the workpiece in the first station relative to the intended placement position. The deviation calculator calculates the deviation based on the image of the workpiece and the intended placement position information.

Abstract: A robot lawnmower includes a body and a drive system carried by the body and configured to maneuver the robot across a lawn. The robot also includes a grass cutter and a swath edge detector, both carried by the body. The swath edge detector is configured to detect a swath edge between cut and uncut grass while the drive system maneuvers the robot across the lawn while following a detected swath edge. The swath edge detector includes a calibrator that monitors uncut grass for calibration of the swath edge detector. In some examples, the calibrator comprises a second swath edge detector.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot, a container, a determinator, a motion controller, a torque limitter, and a stirring operation controller. The robot includes a drive source for driving a joint part and an end effector. The determinator determines whether a workpiece capable of being held by the end effector exists among workpieces accommodated within the container. The motion controller controls a motion of the drive source. When the determinator determines that there is no workpiece capable of being held by the end effector, the torque limitter limits a motion torque of the drive source. The stirring operation controller allows the motion controller to perform a stirring operation, by which the workpieces accommodated within the container are stirred by the end effector, in a state where the motion torque is limited by the torque limitter.

Abstract: A sensor relay control device generates feedback data based on sensor data including a plurality of components and being output by an external sensor installed at a portion of a joint of a robot and is connected to a robot control device that executes feedback control of the robot based on the feedback data. The sensor relay control device includes: a generating unit that imports sensor data output by the external sensor and performs coordinate conversion; a synchronizing unit that synchronizes the control data of each axis of the motors with a control cycle of the robot control device; and an outputting unit that outputs the control data of each axis of the motors synchronized with the control cycle of the robot control device to the robot control device as the feedback data.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a first robot (10); a first member (30) (e.g. a pressure foot) and a drilling tool (38) both coupled to the first robot (10); a second robot (12); and a second member (52) coupled to the second robot (12); wherein the apparatus is arranged to press the members (30, 52) against opposite sides of a part to be drilled (2, 100) (e.g. an aircraft panel) so as to hold the part (2, 100) and prevent deflection of at least a portion of the part (2, 100); and the first member (30) and the drilling tool (38) are arranged such that the drilling tool (38) may drill into the portion of the part (2, 100) of which deflection is opposed from the side of the part (2, 100) pressed against by the first member (30). The robots (10, 12) may be robotic arms.

Abstract: Method for controlling the action of a robotic arm which comprises the following stages: a) moving the robotic arm by means of an action programmed in a controller; b) measuring the force which the robotic arm applies at specific points in the movement in stage a); c) comparing the force applied at each of the points in stage b) with force profile data stored in the controller; d) as a result of the comparison in paragraph c), generating an alarm signal if the force measured in stage b) is outside the limits defined in the force profile and carrying out stage a) if the force measured in stage b) is within the limits defined in the force profile.

Abstract: A device is provided having a robotic arm for handling a wafer, the robotic arm including one or more encoders that provide encoder data identifying a position of one or more components of the robotic arm. The device also having a processor adapted to apply an extended Kalman Filter to the encoder data to estimate a position of the wafer.

Abstract: A robotic cane may include a grip handle, a cane body extending from the grip handle at a first end, a motorized omni-directional wheel coupled to a second end of the cane body, a balance control sensor, and a controller module. The balance control sensor provides a balance signal corresponding to an orientation of the robotic cane. The controller module may receive the balance signal from the balance control sensor and calculate a balancing velocity of the motorized omni-directional wheel based at least in part on the balance signal and an inverted pendulum control algorithm. The controller module may further provide a drive signal to the motorized omni-directional wheel in accordance with the calculated balancing velocity. The calculated balancing velocity is a speed and direction of the motorized omni-directional wheel to retain the robotic cane in an substantially upright position.

Abstract: An all-in-one jigless projection loading system for a vehicle is adapted to load and assemble a body component to a vehicle body. The all-in-one jigless projection loading system may include: a fixing bracket fixed to an arm of a robot; a position adjusting member rotatably mounted to the fixing bracket; a gripper mounted to the fixing bracket to be movable backward and forward, and gripping the body component; an array unit mounted to the position adjusting member, and arraying the body component; and a welding unit mounted to the fixing bracket, and projection-welding the body component to a vehicle body.

Abstract: A deburring device includes a deburring tool for removing burrs from an object, a robot for moving an object or the tool, a force sensor for detecting force acting on the tool, and a visual sensor for detecting a position of a burr portion of the object. According to the deburring device, information regarding shape data of the burr portion and a posture of the tool is obtained beforehand based on three-dimensional data of the object. Based on the shape data and the posture of the tool, a robot program is created. In accordance with an actual burr portion detected by the visual sensor, the robot program is replaced as necessary. During the deburring, the robot is controlled according to the force control by using a detected value from the force sensor.

Abstract: A robotic catheter control system includes a collision detection logic configured to determine a collision metric indicative of a collision between a medical device that is manipulated by the robotic control system and an object. The object may be an anatomical feature or can be another medical device, including another device being manipulated by the robotic control system. The collision detection logic produces virtual representations of the medical device and the object and uses these representation to determine collision. Geometrical solids, such as spheres, are used to represent the outer surfaces of the devices and the logic determines whether the respective surfaces intersect, thereby indicating collision. Collision avoidance involves estimating future device poses and then computing an alternate path computation so as avoid predicted collision(s).

Abstract: A robot apparatus includes a multi-joint robot including, in at least one portion, a joint including a motor, a speed reducer connected to the motor, an input angle detecting unit configured to detect a rotational, angle of a rotating shaft of the motor, and an output angle detecting unit configured to detect an output rotational angle of the speed reducer, and a controller configured to diagnose a state of the speed reducer from an angle difference between the input rotational angle detected by the input angle detecting unit and the output rotational angle detected by the output angle detecting unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control method and device for position-based impedance controlled industrial robot, and more particularly, a control method and device for position-based impedance controlled industrial robot able to improve contact stabilization with regard to an environment with a variety of stiffness. According to a control method and device for position-based impedance controlled industrial robot in accordance with the present invention, a robust contact stabilization for a position-based impedance controlled industrial robot contacting and interacting with an uncertain actual environment may be guaranteed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated guided vehicle and a method for operating an automated guided vehicle. Upon arriving at a destination, then the automated guided vehicle is moved, based on a comparison of signals or data assigned to the environment detected by at least one sensor with signals or data which are assigned to a target position or to a target position and orientation of the automated guided vehicle at the destination, such that the actual position or the actual position and orientation is the same as the target position or target position and orientation at least within a pre-specified tolerance.

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

Abstract: In a touch panel display with an arm, a torque calculating unit calculates a torque to be loaded on a touch panel display based on a position acquired by a touch position information acquiring unit and a force acquired by a touch force information acquiring unit, and a stiffness parameter information generating unit generates information about a stiffness parameter for controlling an arm so that the position and the orientation of the touch panel display do not change based on the calculated torque. An arm control unit controls the arm based on the generated information about the stiffness parameter.

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

Abstract: A surgical system includes an external anchor, an internal anchor and an instrument. The external anchor is adapted to be positioned outside a body. The internal anchor is adapted to be inserted into the body via a single entrance port, positioned inside the body and magnetically coupled with the external anchor. The instrument is adapted to be inserted into the body via the single entrance port and secured to the internal anchor. The instrument includes an end-effector that has multiple degrees of movement via multiple axes.

Abstract: A weld bead shaping apparatus including: a gouging torch for gouging an object to be shaped; a shape sensor for measuring a shape of the object; a slider apparatus and an articulated robot for driving the gouging torch and shape sensor; an image processing apparatus; and a robot controlling apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes: a shape data extracting unit extracting shape data of the object, from a measurement result obtained by the shape sensor; and a weld reinforcement shape extracting/removal depth calculating unit calculating a weld reinforcement shape of the weld bead from a difference between the shape data and a preset designated shape of the object, and calculating a removal depth by which gouging is performed, based on the weld reinforcement shape. The robot controlling apparatus controls the slider apparatus, the articulated robot, and the gouging torch based on the weld reinforcement shape and the removal depth.

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

Abstract: An implement for automatically milking a dairy animal, such as a cow, comprises a milking parlour, a sensor for observing a teat, and a milking robot for automatically attaching a teat cup to the teat. The milking robot comprises a robot control that is connected to the sensor. The sensor comprises a radiation source for emitting light, a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the dairy animal, a lens, and sensor control unit. The sensor comprises a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers. The sensor control unit is designed to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate the distance from the sensor to a plurality of points on the part to be observed of the dairy animal.

Abstract: A control method for the control of a robot by an operator, using control means which may be positioned at will at different locations of an item to be manipulated, comprises at least a step of determining the position and attitude of the control means on the basis of measurements of forces applied to the control means, defining a first force torsor, and on the basis of corresponding forces, at the gripping member of the robot for example, a step of determining force or force/position control setpoints for the robot on the basis of, at least, measurements of forces on the control means applied to move the item, and of the position and attitude determined during the determination step, and a control step in which the determined setpoints are sent to the robot. A control system employing such a method is also provided.

Abstract: Provided are an upper limb rehabilitation robot including: a sensing member that is mounted and fixed to an upper limb of a user and captures motion of the upper limb according to a movement intention of the user; a motion control unit that is electrically connected to the sensing member, calculates a movement direction, a distance or angle, a speed, and an auxiliary force (target value) needed for the upper limb to move, intended by the upper limb, based on the motion captured by using the sensing member, and generates and outputs a control signal according to the calculated movement direction, distance or angle, speed, and auxiliary force (target value); and a multi-joint robot, to an end of an arm of which the sensing member is coupled, wherein the multi-joint robot guides movement of the upper limb fixed to the sensing member to selectively move or rotate toward a food tray placed at a designated position of a table along an X-axis, a Y-axis, or a Z-axis and provides an assistance force to the upper limb.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system incorporating a surgical robot attached to a patient's bone by an attachment member, such that motion of the bone induces corresponding motion of the robot, maintaining the robot/bone positional relationship. The robot is supported on a mechanical mounting member attached through a controlled joint to a bed-mounted base element. The controlled joint can alternatively enable the mechanical mounting member to move freely relative to the base element, or its position can be controlled by signal inputs adapted to prevent excessive force being applied in the system. Two modes of operation are available (i) free motion in which the control system is decoupled from the mounting member, which rides freely with patient bone motion, and (ii) servo-controlled motion, in which drive mechanisms control the joint motion to prevent application of excessive force on the patient bone or attachment member.

Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot system includes an active boundary responder comprising a wire powered with a modulated current placed along a perimeter of a property, at least one passive boundary responder placed on a property interior circumscribed by the active boundary responder, and an autonomous coverage robot. The robot includes a drive system carried by a body and configured to maneuver the robot across the property interior. The robot includes a signal emitter emitting a signal, where the passive boundary responder is responsive to the signal and a boundary responder detection system carried by the body. The boundary responder detector is configured to redirect the robot both in response to the responder detection system detecting an active boundary responder and in response to detecting a passive boundary responder.

Abstract: A robot includes: an arm; a driving source that pivots the arm; an angle sensor that detects a pivot angle and outputs pivot angle information; an inertia sensor that is attached to the arm and outputs inertial force information; a control command generating unit that outputs a control command defining rotational operation of the arm; a control conversion determining unit that determines whether the inertial force information is used when the driving source is controlled; and an arm operation control unit that performs a first control based on the control command, the pivot angle information, and the inertial force information, if the control conversion determining unit determines that the inertial force information should be used, and performs a second control based on the control command and the pivot angle information, if the control conversion determining unit determines that the inertial force information should not be used.

Abstract: A robot system according to embodiments includes a position command generating unit that corrects a position command of a motor based on a rotation angle of the motor, which drives a link of a robot via a speed reducer, and a rotation angle of an output shaft of the speed reducer.

Abstract: A position detection apparatus (100) includes a scale (10) including a pattern circumferentially and periodically formed on a circle whose center is a predetermined point, a sensor unit (20) relatively movable with respect to the scale (10), and a signal processor (40) which processes an output signal of the sensor unit (20) to obtain position information of an object, and the sensor unit (20) includes a first detector (21) and a second detector (22), and the signal processor (40) reduces an error component contained in the position information due to a difference between a rotation center of the scale (10) and the predetermined point based on a first detection signal outputted from the first detector (21) and on a second detection signal outputted from the second detector (22).

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot and a control apparatus. The robot includes a sensor to constantly detect the robot. The control apparatus includes a control device and a first storage device. The control device controls the robot. The first storage device stores a plurality of operation modes of the robot and standard data associated with at least one operation mode among the operation modes. When the robot has performed an operation corresponding to the operation mode associated with the standard data, the control device compares the standard data with a result of detection by the sensor, and controls a display device to display a result of comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing and tracking virtual boundaries. The virtual boundaries can delineate zones in which an instrument is not permitted during a surgical procedure. The virtual boundaries can also delineate zones in which the surgical instrument is permitted during the surgical procedure. The virtual boundaries can also identify objects or structures to be treated by the instrument or to be avoided by the instrument during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for controlled motion of a tool. In one embodiment, the device can support a tool needed to perform an activity requiring a highly-precise, stable motion, while also accommodating a person's hand for the purposes of moving the tool. In another embodiment, the device of the present invention allows for rotational motion of a tool independently of the directive motion of the tool. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to the design of a force transducer useful in a cooperative robot. The device and methods of the present invention are particularly useful for microsurgery or other tasks that are typically performed using cooperative robotics.

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

Abstract: A robotic surgery system comprises a mounting base, a plurality of surgical instruments, and an articulate support assembly. Each instrument is insertable into a patient through an associated minimally invasive aperture to a desired internal surgical site. The articulate support assembly movably supports the instruments relative to the base. The support generally comprises an orienting platform, a platform linkage movably supporting the orienting platform relative to the base, and a plurality of manipulators mounted to the orienting platform, wherein each manipulator movably supports an associated instrument.

Abstract: A force detector includes a plate-like first member, a plate-like second member provided with a gap between the first member and itself, an elastic member provided between the first member and the second member, and a plurality of pressure-sensitive devices provided between the elastic member and the second member, wherein an area of a surface of the elastic member at the first member side is larger than an area of a surface of the elastic member at the second member side. Further, the first member and the second member respectively have plate-like shapes. Furthermore, three or more of the elastic members are provided.

Abstract: There is provided a robot apparatus that can rapidly obtain an ellipse indicating a stiffness characteristic, even if lengths of two links are different from each other.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a robot that has an articulated arm for moving an end in an N-dimensional space including at least N+1 motorized articulations, and a computer for controlling the movements of the motorized articulations. The computer controls a first step of prepositioning the terminal end of the articulated arm and a second step for its fine positioning.

Abstract: A robot system which requires no manual teaching operation in acquiring calibration values for coordinate transformation, and improves the calibration accuracy includes a robot body, a camera, and a control apparatus. The control apparatus measures, via the camera, a calibration plate at each position and orientation of a first position and orientation group including a reference measurement position and orientation and a position and orientation within a first offset range, calculates a first calibration value based on the measurement value, measures, via the camera, the calibration plate at each position and orientation of a second position and orientation group including a reference operation position and orientation different from the reference measurement position and orientation, and a position and orientation within a second offset range, calculates a second calibration value based on the measurement value, and activates the robot body by using the first and second calibration values.

Abstract: Intentions of a user are read from movements of the joints of the user without the use of a myoelectric sensor, and a force to support motions of the user is generated. Even if there is friction that is difficult to model in a gear portion of a joint actuator, the friction is compensated for, and joint units are controlled to follow an idealized mathematical model. In this manner, the force to support motions is generated, without giving any uncomfortable feeling to the joints of the user wearing the device. When motions of the user are supported, a mathematically-determined torque is applied to the joint units, so that a natural supporting force is constantly provided to the user in various circumstances.

Abstract: An object is highly precisely moved by an industrial robot to an end position by the following steps, which are repeated until the end position is reached within a specified tolerance: Recording a three-dimensional image by means of a 3-D image recording device. Determining the present position of the object in the spatial coordinate system from the position of the 3-D image recording device the angular orientation of the 3-D image recording device detected by an angle measuring unit, the three-dimensional image, and the knowledge of features on the object. Calculating the position difference between the present position of the object and the end position. Calculating a new target position of the industrial robot while taking into consideration the compensation value from the present position of the industrial robot and a value linked to the position difference. Moving the industrial robot to the new target position.

Abstract: A robot includes a first horizontal arm coupled to a base, a second horizontal arm coupled to the base via the first horizontal arm, first and second motors adapted to rotate the respective arms, and first and second encoders adapted to calculate rotational angles and rotational velocities of the respective motors. A first motor control section subtracts first and second angular velocities based on the first and second encoders from a sensor angular velocity detected by an angular sensor, and controls the first motor so that a velocity measurement value obtained by adding a vibration velocity based on a vibration angular velocity as the subtraction result and a first rotational velocity becomes equal to a velocity command value.

Abstract: A robot apparatus includes an arm that includes an outer skin and a detector that detects the deformation of the outer skin. The detector includes a sending unit that sends a signal, a receiving unit that receives the signal, and a transmission route that is provided along the outer skin so as to lead the signal. The detector detects the deformation of the outer skin based on whether a signal reaches the receiving unit.

Abstract: A robot lawmnower includes a body, a drive system carried by the body, at least one caster wheel supporting the body, a grass cutter carried by the body, a controller in communication with the drive system, and a bump sensor in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to maneuver the robot to turn in place and to redirect the robot in response to the bump sensor sensing contact with an obstacle. The drive system is configured to maneuver the robot across a lawn and includes differentially driven right and left drive wheels positioned rearward of a transverse center axis defined by the body. The at least one caster wheel is positioned substantially forward of the right and left drive wheels, and the grass cutter is positioned at least partially forward of the right and left drive wheels and at least partially behind the at least one caster wheel.

Abstract: A cleaning robot is disclosed. A first sensing unit generates a sensing signal to a transmittal line according to an external wireless signal. When the external wireless signal is sensed by the first sensing unit, a state of the transmittal line does not match with a pre-determined state. When the external wireless signal is not sensed by the first sensing unit, the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state. A control unit generates a movement signal when the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state. A plurality of wheels rotate according to the movement signal. A second sensing unit generates a second sensing signal according to the external environment of the cleaning robot. When the state of the transmittal line does not match with the pre-determined state, the control unit adjusts the movement signal according to the second sensing signal.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a target trajectory that takes into account the hardware constraints of a robot is generated, based on results obtained by calculating, temporally interpolating, and estimating image feature amounts from a captured image.