A method of path planning via a collaborative robot system is provided. The method includes programming a first welding path along a first welding seam of a first part of a sequence of multiple identical parts to be welded by a user moving a welding torch along the first welding seam to define a first weld pattern. The user positions the welding torch at a start position of the first part and an end position of a last part of the sequence which are recorded. The user informs the system of the number of parts in the sequence. The system calculates a welding path for each part based on the start position, the end position, the number of parts, and the first welding path, thus defining a weld pattern for each part. The system automatically records each weld pattern independently, each of which can be independently modified by the user.

A method for controlling a robot includes detecting current positions of joints of the robot and actuating the joints using drives of the robot based on the detected current joint positions such that at least one drive supports a manual guidance-induced movement of the joint actuated by the drive if a distance between the detected or target joint position and a specified first boundary has a first value. The drive supports the manual guidance-induced movement to a lesser degree if the distance has a second value which is lower than the first value. Additionally, the manual guidance-induced movement is oriented towards the first boundary.

A method for controlling a robot includes detecting current positions of joints of the robot and actuating the joints using drives of the robot based on the detected current joint positions such that at least one drive supports a manual guidance-induced movement of the joint actuated by the drive if a distance between the detected or target joint position and a specified first boundary has a first value. The drive supports the manual guidance-induced movement to a lesser degree if the distance has a second value which is lower than the first value. Additionally, the manual guidance-induced movement is oriented towards the first boundary.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a machine and continuous data set including process data, quality data, specific actor data, and ergonomic data (among others) to create more accurate job assignments that maximize efficiency, quality and worker safety. Using the data set, tasks may be assigned to actors based on objective statistical data such as skills, task requirements, ergonomics and time availability. Assigning tasks in this way can provide unique value for manufacturers who currently conduct similar analyses using only minimal observational data.

Workspace coordination systems and methods are presented. A method can comprise: accessing in real time respective information associated with a first actor and a second actor, including sensed activity information; analyzing the information, including analyzing activity of the first actor with respect to a second actor; and forwarding respective feedback based on the results of the analysis. The feedback can includes an individual objective specific to one of either the first actor or the second actor. The feedback includes collective objective with respect to the first actor or the second actor. The analyzing can include automated artificial intelligence analysis. Sensed activity information can be associated with a grid within the activity space. It is appreciated there can be various combinations of actors (e.g., human and device, device and device, human and human, etc.). The feedback can be a configuration layout suggestion. The feedback can be a suggested assignment of a type of actor to an activity.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and a controller of controlling a robot. The method comprising detecting a pattern of a series of external forces applied on a portion of at least one arm link of the robot; comparing the pattern with a predetermined pattern associated with the portion; and in accordance with a determination that the detected pattern matches the predetermined pattern, controlling the robot to perform an action corresponding to the predetermined pattern. By introducing a pattern of a series of external forces applied on a robot to control the robot, the control of the robot can be done more intuitively. In this way, some intermediate steps such as conversion of view angle and instructions required to use the HMI-based methods are omitted, thereby improving efficiency or reliability of the robot.

Robotic process automation (RPA) systems with improved playback capabilities are disclosed. Certain embodiments can provide resilient playback of software automation processes by providing enhanced capabilities to locate user interface controls within a screen image of a user interface of an application program being utilized by the software automation processes. Using such capabilities, embodiments can provide resilient playback of software automation processes by providing the capability to resolve playback errors by detecting user interface controls within at least one screen image of a user interface that was captured when the software automation process was created. Advantageously, embodiments disclosed herein allow software automation processes to continue to operate over time and thus with greater resiliency and flexibility.

Robotic process automation (RPA) systems with improved playback capabilities are disclosed. Certain embodiments can provide resilient playback of software automation processes by providing enhanced capabilities to locate user interface controls within a screen image of a user interface of an application program being utilized by the software automation processes. Using such capabilities, embodiments can provide resilient playback of software automation processes by providing the capability to resolve playback errors by detecting user interface controls within at least one screen image of a user interface that was captured when the software automation process was created. Advantageously, embodiments disclosed herein allow software automation processes to continue to operate over time and thus with greater resiliency and flexibility.

A method of programming a manipulator, the method including providing a movement path for execution by the manipulator, the movement path having a plurality of points including a start point and an end point and at least one movement segment between the plurality of points; moving the manipulator to a path modifying position; and modifying the movement path from the start point to the end point based on the path modifying position upon receiving a modification input from a user. A control system for programming a manipulator, and an industrial robot including the manipulator and a control system, are also provided.

A robot device includes an arm holding a probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic device and a force sensor provided on the arm, supports a manual operation of the probe by an operator based on a signal from the force sensor, operates the arm to automatically operate the probe based on an instruction of the operator, and includes a storage device and a control device. The storage device stores a position and a posture of the probe for each point among multiple random points by the manual operation. The control device interpolates a trajectory between the multiple points stored in the storage device, and operates the arm such that the probe moves along the trajectory in the automatic operation and can stop at a desired position between the multiple points based on the instruction of the operator.