Systems and methods of measuring feet and designing and creating orthopedic inserts are described. A leg length discrepancy of a user is measured and this data, along with foot size are input into a computer. The computer then creates a computer model of a custom shoe insert based on this information. The computer model is then sent to a 3D printer to print the insert. The insert consists of a base insert with partial correction, and several additional layers that are added successively over time until a full correction is obtained. This eliminates any pain associated with a fully corrective insert, and allows the body to adjust gradually to the correction.

A method and apparatus for welding a first component to a second component. A scanning head is positionally calibrated within a localised work envelope including the components, the positional calibration being referenced to at least one datum feature within the work envelope. Profiles of the components are scanned within the localised work envelope using the calibrated scanning head. A cloud point data image of defined coordinate positions of surfaces and edges to be welded within a space envelope is generated from the scanned profiles. A robotic welding torch electrode tip is scanned using the calibrated scanning head to determine a defined coordinate position of the electrode tip within the space envelope. The components are welded using the torch, the torch controlled using the cloud point data image and the defined coordinate position such that the electrode tip is held at pre-determined stand-off positions around the components during the welding.

A workpiece processing system (1) includes a transfer robot (3), a control device (4) controlling operation of the transfer robot (3), and an operating part (5) performing a teaching operation to the transfer robot (3). The control device (4) has an approach point setter (6) setting in advance an approach point as a reference point for the transfer robot (3) to start operation to a workpiece processing device, a first program generator (7) generating a first program defining the operation of the transfer robot (3) from an operational zero point for the transfer robot (3) to the approach point, a second program generator (8) generating a second program defining the operation of the transfer robot (3) after the approach point based on the teaching operation, and a robot controller (9) controlling the operation of the transfer robot (3) in accordance with the first program and the second program.

A method for training and/or testing a robot control module. The method includes generating an instruction specified by a robot control module configured for robot training and/or testing, the instruction indicating how a human-driven robot task is to be performed when training and/or testing the robot control module; providing the instruction to a mixed reality device worn by a human data collector, the mixed device rendering the instruction in a manner that shows the human data collector how to perform the human-driven robot task; collecting performance data and environmental data in response to the human data collector attempting to perform the human-driven robot task using the data collection device; receiving feedback data in response to the human data collector attempting to perform the human-driven robot task specified by the instruction; and updating the robot control module using the feedback data and the collected performance and environmental data.

A teaching system configured to teach operation to a plurality of robots includes a first controlling device which determines whether a first robot and a second robot are in an enabled state where the first and second robots are permitted to operate, and when the first controlling device determines as in the enabled state, the first controlling device transmits an enable signal indicative of permitting the second robot to operate and enables the first robot to be taught the operation when a teaching terminal specifies the first robot. When a second controlling device receives the enable signal from the first controlling device and the teaching terminal specifies the second robot, the second controlling device enables the second robot to be taught the operation.

A robot teaching system and control method thereof are disclosed. In robot teaching system, a haptic device generates pieces of teaching data to a robot, so that the robot moves and rotates according to the pieces of teaching data, and a force sensor captures first feedback data corresponding to the motion and rotation of the robot and outputs a feedback signal, which corresponds to the first feedback data, to the haptic device. Thus, the user, who controls the haptic device, can understand the situation of the robot and react to the situation immediately, so as to avoid the risk for lack of user's instant reaction to the situation of the robot in the conventional robot teaching system.

An operation replay module comprises: a manipulation command input unit that receives a manipulation command from a user; an output unit that outputs a control signal corresponding to the manipulation command from the manipulation command input unit; a memory that stores history of the manipulation command; a replay command input unit that receives a replay command from the user; and a micom that outputs a control signal corresponding to the history of the manipulation command stored in the memory to the output unit, if the micom receives the replay command from the replay command input unit.

A direct teaching method of a robot includes specifying one of a plurality of robot arms as a master arm and specifying as a slave arm at least one of the robot arms which is other than the master arm; causing the slave arm to operate cooperatively with the master arm so that relative positions and postures of a wrist part of the master arm and a wrist part of the slave arm become a predetermined relation, while a teaching person is directly applying a force to an arbitrary location of the master arm including a tool, to move the master arm to a desired teaching position; and storing position information of at least one of the master arm and the slave arm at a time point when the master arm has reached the desired teaching position.

The present invention relates to a method and a system for manufacturing a board body (10), such as a skateboard, from a blank (20) having an indefinite shape. The blank (20) with the indefinite shape is collected by a handling robot (50). The shape of the blank (20) is scanned in three dimensions by means of a vision system (47) and a virtual image of said blank (20) is stored in a memory and used to calculate a three dimensional cutting path for milling the blank (20) into said board body (10).

An operation device which can reliably prevent any motion of a robot in the real space unintended by the user. An operation device includes a touch screen to display an image of a robot model and to receive a touch input, a model motion execution section to cause the robot model to make a motion in response to a touch input made by touching a surface of the touch screen, a robot motion button for causing the robot to make a motion in the real space, a motion input detection section to detect an input to the robot motion button, and a real machine motion command section to output a command to cause the robot to make an identical motion in the real space to the motion of the robot model executed by the model motion execution section as long as inputs to the robot motion button are continuously detected.