A robotic tool changer includes master and tool assemblies. When the master and tool assemblies are coupled, rolling members project from the master assembly and contact opposed sloped surfaces of a plurality of cutouts formed in a bearing race in the tool assembly. By contacting opposed sloped surfaces of a plurality of cutouts with the rolling members, torsional freeplay between the master and tool assemblies is eliminated or minimized.

A deployment mechanism and a delivery container enabling unattended delivery of cargo by a vehicle navigating autonomously on both vehicle lanes and pedestrian ways. A trailer for an autonomous vehicle for hauling additional cargo and power supplies. A method for delivering and picking up goods using delivery trucks, autonomous vehicles, and trailers. The deployment mechanism can include a crane, a robot arm, a forklift, straps, and sails. The delivery container can include visible, partly visible, or hidden security features and grasping features, and can be foldable and stackable. The trailer can include a 4-bar linkage, the 4-bar linkage enabling consistent pitch between the trailer cargo and a cargo hold of the towing vehicle. The trailer wheels are decoupled from the 4-bar linkage, connected by swing arms and possible shock absorbers. The trailer can buffer fore/aft movement of the trailer.

Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

The present invention features a computer-implemented method of planning a processing path relative to a three-dimensional workpiece for a plasma arc cutting system coupled to a robotic arm. The method includes receiving input data from a user comprising (i) Computer-Aided Design (CAD) data for specifying a desired part to be processed from the three-dimensional workpiece, and (ii) one or more desired parameters for operating the plasma arc cutting system. A plurality of features of the desired part to be formed on the three-dimensional workpiece are identified based on the CAD data. The method also includes dynamically filtering a library of cut charts based on the plurality of features and the desired operating parameters to determine a recommended cut chart for processing the plurality of features. The method further includes generating the processing path based on the recommended cut chart and the plurality of features to be formed.

An end-effector for a programmable motion device is disclosed. The end effector includes a body that includes a contact portion, the body providing an open interior through which a vacuum may be provided to the contact portion, and the body includes at least one feature that is adapted to facilitate the contact portion to become substantially non-planar while grasping.

A dual mounted end-effector system mounted on a motive robot arm for preparing an object surface is described. The system includes a first tool configured to contact and prepare the object surface and a second tool configured to contact and prepare the object surface. The system also includes a force control. The force control is configured to align, in a first state, with the first tool in position to contact and prepare the object surface and, in a second state, with the second tool in a position to contact and prepare the object surface.

A universal object holding mechanism for holding three-dimensional objects for printing thereon uses multiple conformable balls mounted within a pattern of holes in a two part back plate. The multiple conformable balls are pressed into an object, which in turn, is pressed against a datum surface that represents desired spacing away from print heads. Vacuum is applied to the multiple conformable balls which grip the object. The multiple conformable balls are filled with particulates that cause the multiple conformable balls to become rigid when the vacuum is applied. This contributes to keeping the object from moving when it is being moved past a print head.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for a gripping system having an arm mechanism and a hand mechanism attached to the arm mechanism, by which an operation of the arm mechanism can be stopped as soon as the hand mechanism contacts an object. In the gripping system according to the present invention, the hand mechanism is provided with a contact detection unit for detecting that a predetermined site of the hand mechanism has come into contact with the object. The hand mechanism is also provided with a signal transmission unit that is electrically connected to an arm control device. The signal transmission unit transmits a command signal to stop the operation of the arm mechanism directly to the arm control device at the point where the contact detection unit detects that the predetermined site of the hand mechanism has come into contact with the object.

A grinding apparatus including a robot, a grinding tool attached to the robot, a force sensor configured to detect a force exerted on the grinding tool, and a controller connected with the force sensor and configured to control the robot. The controller includes a variation acquiring section configured to acquire the present position of the robot by pressing the grinding tool against a reference surface in such a manner that a pressing force detected by the force sensor is constant, and to acquire a difference between the acquired present position and a reference position of the robot stored in advance, the difference being acquired as a variation of the grinding tool.

According to an embodiment, an article posture changing device includes: a first end effector configured to grasp a projected tag of an article by adsorption; an arm unit configured to support the first end effector and move the first end effector along at least a vertical direction; and a controller configured to control the arm unit and the first end effector to grasp the tag, lift the article upward, separate the article from a placement surface, change an angle of the article by weight thereof, move the article downward, place the article on the placement surface, and release the grasp of the tag.