A robot includes a sensor including an electrode portion of a sensor for detecting approach of or contact with another object is formed on an outer surface or an inner surface of an exterior member, and in which a drive unit of the robot main body is controlled so as to avoid approach between the robot body and the other object based on an output signal of the sensor.

One variation of a method for controlling a robotic arm includes: moving the robotic arm through a trajectory; at a first time in which the robotic arm occupies a first position along the trajectory, measuring a first capacitance of a first sense circuit comprising a first electrode extending over a first arm segment of the robotic arm; at a second time in which the robotic arm occupies a second position along the trajectory, measuring a second capacitance of the first sense circuit; calculating a first rate of change in capacitance of the first sense circuit based on a difference between the first capacitance and the second capacitance; in response to the first rate of change in capacitance of the first sense circuit exceeding a threshold rate of change, issuing a proximity alarm; and reducing a speed of the robotic arm moving through the trajectory in response to the proximity alarm.

An industrial robot having high operability for a user is provided. An industrial robot includes a manipulator, a controller which controls an operation of the manipulator, and a detection device attached to the manipulator and detecting a gesture input. The controller executes a process corresponding to the detected gesture input.

A sensing circuit (51), a logic circuit board, a joint control board, a main controller board and a robot (400). The sensing circuit (51) comprises a connecting terminal (514) and a detection circuit (210). The connecting terminal (514) is configured to be coupled with the electrode (120) disposed on a housing (100) of a mechanical equipment; the detection circuit (210) is coupled to the connecting terminal (514) so as to detect the distance between the electrode (120) and the external conductor or a change of the distance between the electrode (120) and the external conductor according to the capacitance between the electrode and the external conductor or a change of the capacitance between the electrode (120) and the external conductor, thereby obtaining an electrical signal representing the distance between the electrode (120) and the external conductor or a change of the distance between the electrode (120) and the external conductor.

One variation of a method for controlling a robotic arm includes: moving the robotic arm through a trajectory; at a first time in which the robotic arm occupies a first position along the trajectory, measuring a first capacitance of a first sense circuit comprising a first electrode extending over a first arm segment of the robotic arm; at a second time in which the robotic arm occupies a second position along the trajectory, measuring a second capacitance of the first sense circuit; calculating a first rate of change in capacitance of the first sense circuit based on a difference between the first capacitance and the second capacitance; in response to the first rate of change in capacitance of the first sense circuit exceeding a threshold rate of change, issuing a proximity alarm; and reducing a speed of the robotic arm moving through the trajectory in response to the proximity alarm.

Capacitive proximity detection is provided by combining a delta-sigma modulator and a capacitive voltage divider circuit to create a high resolution capacitive-to-digital converter. Period and duty cycle counters provide duty cycle ratios from the delta-sigma modulator for comparison of changes in capacitance values of a capacitive sensor when an object is in proximity thereto.

A device for acquiring a positional relationship between a robot coordinate system set in a robot and a working machine coordinate system set in a working machine installed outside the robot, includes a position data acquisition unit that acquires, when a finger part of the robot is placed in a predetermined position and posture with respect to the working machine, first position data indicating the position and posture of the finger part with respect to the robot coordinate system, and second position data indicating the position and the posture of the finger part with respect to the working machine coordinate system; and a positional relationship acquisition unit that acquires third position data indicating the positional relationship using the first position data and the second position data.