A robotic device including one or more proximity sensing systems coupled to various portions of a robot body. The proximity sensing systems detect a distance of an object about the robot body and the robotic device reacts based on the detected distance. The proximity sensing systems obtain a three-dimensional (3D) profile of the object to determine a category of the object. The distance of the object is detected multiple times in a sequence to determine a movement path of the object.

Systems and methods for decoding neural and/or electromyographic signals are provided. A system can include at least one single channel decoder. Optionally, the system can include a demixer in operable communication with the single channel decoders. Each single channel decoder can include a filter to attenuate noise and sharpen spikes in the neural and/or electromyographic signals, a detection function to identify spikes, and a demodulator to get a real-time estimate of motor intent.

System and methods for controlling an air conditioning (AC) system includes defining one or more zones to achieve control actions based on local conditions to create a localized dynamic system for localized control, wherein zones are defined by considering hot and cool areas of the room or location of heat generating equipment, wherein the zone definition changes dynamically based on time of day or based on occupancy, or wherein zones are defined in a customizable manner based on sensitivity analysis considering energy savings and comfort tradeoff or considering equipment with predetermined temperature restrictions; monitoring through sensor placement at predetermined locations in the room based on importance of the equipment, heat generation zones and proximity to the AC; determining appropriate temperature setpoints based on existing operating conditions; and applying temperature information at the predetermined locations to generate rules for the actuation of AC systems.

An end effector includes a pair of machining tools. The pair of machining tools is separated by an interval in one direction perpendicular to a tool rotational axis and rotatable around the tool rotational axis. The pair of machining tools is position-controlled, and is force-controlled in a machining direction perpendicular to the one direction and an axial direction of the tool rotational axis, and is torque-controlled around the tool rotational axis.

In an apparatus for controlling operation of an autonomously navigating utility vehicle equipped with a prime mover to travel about a working area delineated by a boundary wire in order to perform work autonomously, there are provided with an objective location identifying unit that identifies a location of an objective in the working area, a route generating unit that generates a target return route for the vehicle to return to the objective, and a travel controlling unit that controls operation of the prime mover to make the vehicle travel along the target return route. The route generating unit selects, among a first set of radial lines imaginarily drawn on the working area to radiate from the position of the vehicle and a second set of radial lines imaginarily drawn on the working area to radiate from the objective, a first radial line and a second radial line that result in shortest distance from the position of the vehicle to the objective and generates the target return route by the first radial line and the second radial line.

An example method includes determining an expected sound profile corresponding to a given task for a robotic device. The method further includes detecting a sound profile during execution of the given task by the robotic device. The method also includes determining one or more differences in amplitude for at least one frequency range between the detected sound profile and the expected sound profile corresponding to the given task for the robotic device. In response to determining the one or more differences in amplitude for the at least one frequency range between the detected sound profile and the expected sound profile, the method additionally includes identifying at least one component of the robotic device associated with the detected sound profile during execution of the given task. The method further includes adjusting control data for the at least one component of the robotic device.

A control device is provided which is operable to change the position of a distal end side link hub by driving each of arms, which are proximal end side links of a plurality of link mechanisms by means of an actuator. When in a series of operations, the position change of the distal end side link hub is mad by an angle greater than a predetermined angle, a relay position setting unit is provided for setting a relay point between a starting point and a terminating point of each of the arms so that the interference of the three axis arms may be relieved. A position change control unit performs a position control so as to pass simultaneously through the relay point so set.

A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

A robot apparatus 1 includes: a multi-articulated robot 2; and a controller 3 that drive-controls the multi-articulated robot 2 based on an input motion command. The controller 3 includes: a joint angle computing unit 32 that computes each joint angle command for driving the multi-articulated robot 2 based on the motion command; a servo controlling apparatus 30 that moves the multi-articulated robot 2 by rotationally driving each rotational joint based on the joint angle command computed by the joint angle computing unit 32; a singular point calculating unit 51 that calculates a distance between the multi-articulated robot 2 and a singular point of the multi-articulated robot 2; and a maximum joint angle deviation adjusting unit 52 that limits a maximum rotation speed of a rotational joint specified in advance based on a singular point type, if the singular point distance becomes smaller than a predetermined value.

A control method of the present disclosure causes a computer of an information apparatus to: display a display screen representing a floor plan for one floor including rooms on the display; display device icons representing target devices within regions of the respective rooms included in the floor plan, the device icons being initially displayed at positions within the regions of the respective rooms; and output to a network a first control command, when selection of an illumination icon, representing an illumination device among the target devices, is sensed within a region of any of the rooms included in the floor plan, and when selection of any region within a room, in which selection of the illumination icon is sensed, is sensed, the first control command controlling on/off of power for an illumination device corresponding to the room in which selection of the illumination icon is sensed.