A pipe storage system can include a plurality of pipe storage bays established between adjacent pipe storage arms, a plurality of protrusions extending from the pipe storage arms into each pipe storage bay, the plurality of protrusions establishing a plurality of channels, wherein each channel is established between a pair of adjacent protrusions, and a plurality of latches, wherein the latches are movable from between a retracted position in which the latches are retracted to establish series of first pipe storage openings between opposing channels and an extended position in which the latches extend into the pipe storage bay to establish a series of second pipe storage openings between opposing protrusions.

The present disclosure relates to protecting fragile members of robots from damage during fall events. In response to detecting a fall event, a fragile member of a robot can be actuated to a defensive configuration to avoid or reduce damage. An actuatable protective member can be actuated to protect a fragile member to avoid or reduce damage to the fragile member. Actuatable protective members can be dedicated protective members, or can be other members of the robot which serve different functionality outside of a fall event but act as a protective member during a fall event.

One embodiment can provide an apparatus. The apparatus can include a robotic arm, a pair of jaws coupled to the robotic arm configured to grip a fabric piece at a pair of predetermined locations, a force sensor coupled to the jaws and configured to measure a tension force applied to the fabric piece by the jaws, and a control module configured to control movements of at least one jaw based on the measured tension force, thereby allowing the fabric piece to be stretched.

Methods of performing a plurality of operations within a region of a part utilizing an end effector of a robot and robots that perform the methods are disclosed herein. The methods include collecting a spatial representation of the part and aligning a predetermined raster scan pattern for movement of the end effector relative to the part with the spatial representation of the part. The methods also include defining a plurality of normality vectors for the part at a plurality of predetermined operation locations for operation of the end effector. The methods further include moving the end effector relative to the part and along the predetermined raster scan pattern. The methods also include orienting the end effector such that an operation device of the end effector faces toward each operation location along a corresponding normality vector and executing a corresponding operation of the plurality of operations with the operation device.

Gripper structures can be used to conform to and support complex surfaces. For example, a system described herein can include a gripper structure. The gripper structure can include a plurality of iterations in a series of layers. The series of layers can be arranged in a progression in which each successive layer is adjacent to a preceding layer. The series of layers can include an anchor layer including a single shape of the pattern. The series of layers can include intermediate layers including a plurality of shapes that are copies of the single shape and are more numerous and smaller than shapes in its preceding layer. The series of layers can include a base layer including the most and smallest shapes in the series of layers. The series of layers can also include a plurality of joints. Each shape on the base layer can include an adhesion promoting mechanism.

A soft robotic gripper having component parts capable of being assembled in the field at the terminus of an industrial robot arm for providing adaptive gripping of a product. A hub includes a pneumatic inlet leading to outlets. Finger mounts with pneumatic passages hold inflatable fingers, and tension fastener(s) secure and compress the finger mounts toward the hub by passing through the pneumatic passages and fastening under tension in a direction of the hub.

A robotic manipulator comprises a plurality of spring compensated joints, each including a four-bar linkage mechanism, a gravity compensating spring, a spring adjustment mechanism, a spring adjustment actuator and an inertial actuator. The gravity compensating spring is coupled between two links of the four-bar linkage mechanism at two different spring attachment points to provide a lifting force opposing a gravitational load force. The spring adjustment mechanism is coupled to alter a position of one of the spring attachment points. The spring adjustment actuator is coupled to move the spring adjustment mechanism to alter the position of the spring attachment point and adjust the amount of lifting force provided by the spring. The inertial actuator is coupled between links of the four-bar linkage mechanism to effectuate rotational movement of the four-bar linkage mechanism and apply an adjustable amount of force to accelerate and manipulate a payload handled by the robotic manipulator.

A robotic system includes a robotic manipulator having one or more contact pads. The contact pads have features therein that are detectable to determine or measure a degree to which they have worn down. Such features may include fluorescent materials, colorful materials, and/or RFID tags. A robotic environment may include one or more sensors to detect such features, and may be configured to generate a signal indicating that one or more contact pads are in need of maintenance.

A robotic system includes a robotic manipulator having one or more contact pads. The contact pads have features therein that are detectable to determine or measure a degree to which they have worn down. Such features may include fluorescent materials, colorful materials, and/or RFID tags. A robotic environment may include one or more sensors to detect such features, and may be configured to generate a signal indicating that one or more contact pads are in need of maintenance.

A robotic system assembly comprises a robotic manipulator including an actuator assembly and a surgical instrument having a base body mountable to the actuator assembly. The base includes a first control input and a second control input, wherein the first and second control inputs are positioned on different sides of the base. The actuator assembly is moveable between open and closed positions to facilitate removal and replacement of surgical instruments. When in the closed positions, drive elements of the actuator assembly are positioned to drive the first and second control inputs of the surgical instrument to cause end effector movement or actuation.