CLEAN COPY OF THE ABSTRACT

A method to control a closed robotised system comprises a learning step and a reproduction step, wherein, during the learning step, an operator exerts a force and/or a torque (Fc) on a driving assembly, whose sensor detects an applied force and/or torque (Fext); and wherein a processing system carries out an admittance control obtaining, depending on the data detected by the sensor, indications (Xref, X*ref) of movement for the robot manipulator in the Cartesian space; the processing system, following the admittance control, delivers the indications (Xref, X*ref) of movement in the Cartesian space to a trajectory interpolation unit of the robotised system so as to generate a desired trajectory through interpolation.

A linear transfer system for a collaborative robot includes a linear bearing extending along a linear axis. A carriage on the linear bearing moves along the linear axis and supports a collaborative robot. One or more load cells are supported on either axial end of the carriage. A motor causes movement of the carriage along the linear axis under the control of a motor control circuit. The circuit receives input signals indicative of forces applied to the load cells. During a programming mode for the system, the circuit may generate control signals for the motor causing movement of the carriage along the linear axis corresponding to the forces applied to the load cells. During an operating mode of the system, the circuit may detect collisions by comparing the forces to a threshold and generating control signals to halt movement of the carriage if a predetermined condition is met.

A robot control device executes assist control for generating an assist force in a direction of an external force applied to a robot in a case where a position of the robot is located in a first area set in a work area of the robot when the external force is applied to the robot. The robot control device stops the execution of the assist control in a case where the position of the robot is located in a second area set outside the work area of the robot. The robot control device restricts the execution of the assist control in a case where the position of the robot is located in a third area set outside the first area and inside the second area.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for training a path of a robot by physically moving the robot, wherein the particular trained path and/or particular robot component movements to achieve the trained path are dependent on which of a plurality of available user interface inputs are selected for the training. The trained path defines a path to be traversed by a reference point of the robot, such as a path to be traversed by a reference point of an end effector of the robot. The particular robot component movements to achieve the trained path include, for example, the orientations of various robot components at each of a plurality of positions along the path, the velocity of various components at each of a plurality of positions along the path, etc.

Example implementations may relate to methods and systems to prevent damage in robots. In particular, a robotic system may include a particular component that is moveable along one or more degrees of freedom (DOFs) each providing a respective range of motion (ROM) of the particular component. This robotic system may detect movement of the particular component along a particular DOF and may responsively determine mechanical feedback characteristics that define, for each of one or more positions of the particular component along the respective ROM provided by the particular DOF, a force to be provided by at least one actuator coupled to the particular component. So during the movement, the robotic system may determine a particular position of the particular component along the respective ROM and, based on the particular position, the robotic system may direct an actuator to provide a force in accordance with the determined mechanical feedback characteristics.

A dummy tool is used to teach a robot the path the robot will follow to perform work on a workpiece to eliminate the possibility of damaging an actual tool during the training. The dummy tool provides the robot programmer an indication of potential collisions between the tool and the workpiece and other objects in the work cell when path is being taught. The dummy tool can have a detachable input/output device with a graphic user interface (GUI) that can communicate wirelessly with the robot controller. The dummy tool can also have a moveable camera attached thereto to track the relationship of the tool to objects in the work area.

Example methods and systems are disclosed for performing automated tasks with a robot system. In one example, a robot system includes a robotic arm and an end-effector coupled to the robotic arm. The end-effector is actuatable among more than two states of actuation. The robot system also includes an analog control switch located on the end-effector. The analog control switch is actuatable among more than two switch positions. The analog control switch is configured such that actuation of the analog control switch among the more than two switch positions causes a corresponding actuation of the end-effector among the more than two states of actuation.

Example implementations may relate to a robotic system that provides feedback. The robotic system is configured to receive information related to a path in an environment of the robotic system. The robotic system is also configured to initiate a recording process for storing data related to motion of a component in the environment. The robotic system is additionally configured to detect, during the recording process, movement of the component along the path in the environment, where the movement results from application of an external force to the robotic system. The robotic system is further configured to determine, during the recording process, deviation of the movement away from the path by at least a threshold amount and responsively provide feedback including one or more of (i) resisting the deviation of the movement away from the path and (ii) guiding the at least one component back towards the path.

A method for controlling a manipulator includes releasing the manipulator in reaction to a release request by an operator, wherein the recognition of the release request involves monitoring the variation over time of a measured value that is characteristic of a state of the manipulator. Increased robustness of the recognition of the release request results.

A controller includes a processor that is configured to execute computer-executable instruction so as to control a robot including a movable section and a force detecting section provided in the movable section, wherein the processor is configured to sense that a first portion of a first target object has come into contact with a second target object and then sense that a second portion of the first target object has come into contact with the second target object based on an output from the force detecting section, cause the movable section to move in a first direction, sense that a third portion of the first target object has come into contact with the second target object, store first information in a storage section, and generate data on teaching to the movable section based on the first information.