A robotic system is disclosed to control multiple robots to cooperatively load/unload a truck or other container. In various embodiments, image data is received and used to control a first robotic arm and a second robotic arm to load or unload objects into or from the truck or other container, including by loading or unloading one or more of the objects using the first robotic arm and the second robotic arm together to cooperatively to grasp and move each of one or more of the objects along a corresponding trajectory.

A robotic system for presenting a payload within a workspace includes a pair of serial robots configured to connect to the payload, a parallel robot coupled to a distal end of one of the serial robots such that the parallel robot is disposed between the distal end and the payload, a sensor situated within a kinematic chain extending between the distal end and the payload, and a robot control system (RCS). The sensor outputs a sensor signal indicative of a measured property of the payload. The RCS includes a coordinated motion controller configured to control the serial robots, and a corrective motion controller configured to control the parallel robot. Parallel robot control occurs in response to the sensor signal concurrently with control of the serial robots in order to thereby modify the property of the payload in real-time.

A method of coordinating automated systems, the method includes providing a first automated system that is programmed with a set of predetermined operating instructions that correspond with automated system processing requirements, monitoring an operational status of the first automated system with a second automated system, automatically generating a second system action, with the second automated system, that is complimentary to a first system action of the first automated system, where the first system action corresponds to the set of predetermined operating instructions and the second system action depends on the operational status of the first automated system, and performing the second system action with the second automated system so that the second automated system cooperates with the first automated system to perform a predetermined operation.

An industrial robot and method for manipulating objects using at least two industrial robots. Each robot includes a manipulator arm having multiple links arranged one after another in series and connected by adjustable joints that are adjustable under the control of at least one control device. A first manipulator arm has a first end link, and at least one second manipulator arm has a second end link. The method includes gripping the object using the first manipulator arm such that the object is connected to the first end link, and coupling a link of the at least one second manipulator arm to a link of the first manipulator arm.

A soft package includes a package body made of a soft deformable material, and a plurality of rigid gripping components disposed at periphery or corners of the package body. Each of the rigid gripping components includes a rigid ring structure configured to be gripped by a robot device. A robot system may be used to process the soft package, by controlling a computer vision system of the robot system to capture images of the soft package, processing the images of the soft package to recognize the locations of the rigid gripping components, and controlling the robot devices of the robot system to grasp the rigid gripping components.

Systems and methods for moving or manipulating robotic arms are provided. A group of robotic arms are configured to form a virtual rail or line between the end effectors of the robotic arms. The robotic arms are responsive to outside force such as from a user. When a user moves a single one of the robotic arms, the other robotic arms will automatically move to maintain the virtual rail alignments. The virtual rail of the robotic arm end effectors may be translated in one or more of three dimensions. The virtual rail may be rotated about a point on the virtual rail line. The robotic arms can detect the nature of the contact from the user and move accordingly. Holding, shaking, tapping, pushing, pulling, and rotating different parts of the robotic arm elicits different movement responses from different parts of the robotic arm.

A robot (100) includes a movable portion (100M) transformable into a plurality of different forms; a storage unit (31) that stores relationship information indicating a relationship between the form of the movable portion (100M) and transmission information; a specifying unit (322) that specifies a form of the movable portion (100M) used for transmitting the transmission information to a transmission target based on the relationship information; and an operation control unit (323) that performs control to transform the movable portion (100M) into the form specified by the specifying unit (322).

An assembly apparatus is for assembling a first member and a second member. The assembly apparatus includes a first gripping section, a second gripping section, and a driving section. The first gripping section includes a contact member and an elastic member. The second gripping section includes a contact member and an elastic member. The driving section drives the first and second gripping sections. The driving section drives the first and second gripping sections such that the contact member of the first gripping section and the contact member of the second gripping section make contact with the second member. The first and second gripping sections grip the second member through the two elastic members urging the respective contact members. The driving section drives the first and second gripping sections such that the first member and the second member are assembled.

A part manufacturing system and a method of manufacturing are provided. The system includes one or more part-moving robots, each having an end effector that grips a part. An operation robot performs an operation on the part while the part-moving robot holds the part. A fixed vision system is located apart from the robots and has at least one fixed vision sensor that senses an absolute location of the part and/or the end effector and generates a fixed vision signal representative of the absolute location. A controller collects the fixed vision signal and compares the absolute location with a predetermined desired location of the part and/or the end effector. The controller sends a repositioning signal to the part-moving robot if the absolute location varies from the predetermined desired location by at least a predetermined threshold, and the part-moving robot is configured to move the part upon receiving the repositioning signal.

Systems and methods for manipulating deformable objects using air are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for manipulating a deformable object, the system includes a first robot arm having a first gripper, a second robot arm having a second gripper, a blower robot arm having an air pump, and one or more processors programmed to control the first robot arm and the second robot arm to grasp the deformable object using the first gripper and the second gripper, respectively, and to control the blower robot arm to perform a plurality of blowing actions onto the deformable object until an objective is satisfied.