A 3D image-capturing device that includes at least one camera that acquires a 2D image and distance information of an object, a monitor that displays the 2D image acquired by the camera, and at least one processor including hardware. The processor acquires a first area for which the distance information is not required in the 2D image displayed on the monitor, and sets an image-capturing condition so that the amount of distance information acquired by the camera in the acquired first area is less than or equal to a prescribed first threshold and the amount of distance information acquired by the camera in a second area, which is at least part of an area other than the first area, is greater than a prescribed second threshold that is larger than the first threshold.

Manufacturing of a shoe is enhanced by creating 3-D models of shoe parts. For example, a laser beam may be projected onto a shoe-part surface, such that a projected laser line appears on the shoe part. An image of the projected laser line may be analyzed to determine coordinate information, which may be converted into geometric coordinate values usable to create a 3-D model of the shoe part. Once a 3-D model is known and is converted to a coordinate system recognized by shoe-manufacturing tools, certain manufacturing steps may be automated.

An automated vehicle comprising: a control unit configured to control movement of the automated vehicle to a location adjacent an estimated location of a drill hole; a scanning portion including one or more scanning devices configured to scan an area of terrain in the vicinity of the estimated location of the drill hole in order to determine an actual location of the drill hole, and to generate a point cloud representing at least a portion of the interior of the drill hole; at least one arm associated with the scanning portion, the at least one arm configured to move the scanning portion between a home position and one or more scanning positions; and an end effector associated with the at least one arm, the end effector being configured to perform one or more operations;
wherein, upon generating the point cloud, the at least one arm is configured, based on the point cloud, to position the end effector in substantial alignment with the drill hole so that the end effector can perform the one or more operations.

Manufacturing of a shoe is enhanced by creating 3-D models of shoe parts. For example, a laser beam may be projected onto a shoe-part surface, such that a projected laser line appears on the shoe part. An image of the projected laser line may be analyzed to determine coordinate information, which may be converted into geometric coordinate values usable to create a 3-D model of the shoe part. Once a 3-D model is known and is converted to a coordinate system recognized by shoe-manufacturing tools, certain manufacturing steps may be automated.

The disclosed approach relates to manipulation of tools or instruments in the performance of a task by a robot. In accordance with this approach, sensor data is acquired and processed to identify a subset of instruments initially susceptible to manipulation. The instruments are then manipulated in the performance of the task based on the processed sensor data.

A machine learning device includes a state observation unit for observing, as state variables, an image of a workpiece captured by a vision sensor, and a movement amount of an arm end portion from an arbitrary position, the movement amount being calculated so as to bring the image close to a target image; a determination data retrieval unit for retrieving the target image as determination data; and a learning unit for learning the movement amount to move the arm end portion or the workpiece from the arbitrary position to a target position. The target position is a position in which the vision sensor and the workpiece have a predetermined relative positional relationship. The target image is an image of the workpiece captured by the vision sensor when the arm end portion or the workpiece is disposed in the target position.

Computer numerical control (CNC) machines execute a process automatically unless a condition occurs that triggers one or more alarms that terminate the process. Accordingly, CNC laser cutting post-process inspection is usually non-existent or minimal. However, with CNC laser welding it is more common for a visual inspection or automated inspection to be performed to verify that the process was completed. Similar issues occur when single piece parts are required in addition to which executing an offline inspection requires additional complexity in re-working any piece part. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide enterprises and facilities employing CNC laser cutting/welding systems with a means to overcome these limitations. Further, providing intuitive user interfaces allows the user to perform tasks directly through a touch screen interface they are viewing the work piece/piece-parts upon.

Computer numerical control (CNC) machines execute a process automatically unless a condition occurs that triggers one or more alarms that terminate the process. Accordingly, CNC laser cutting post-process inspection is usually non-existent or minimal. However, with CNC laser welding it is more common for a visual inspection or automated inspection to be performed to verify that the process was completed. Similar issues occur when single piece parts are required in addition to which executing an offline inspection requires additional complexity in re-working any piece part. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide enterprises and facilities employing CNC laser cutting/welding systems with a means to overcome these limitations. Further, providing intuitive user interfaces allows the user to perform tasks directly through a touch screen interface they are viewing the work piece/piece-parts upon.

Manufacturing of a shoe is enhanced by creating 3-D models of shoe parts. For example, a laser beam may be projected onto a shoe-part surface, such that a projected laser line appears on the shoe part. An image of the projected laser line may be analyzed to determine coordinate information, which may be converted into geometric coordinate values usable to create a 3-D model of the shoe part. Once a 3-D model is known and is converted to a coordinate system recognized by shoe-manufacturing tools, certain manufacturing steps may be automated.

Use of vector format graphics with robot marking, allowing the end user to design and use his own templates. By using vector graphics formats as a tool to let the user make his own templates, the user will have the flexibility of the CAD files in being able to draw any type of drawing, and at the same time having the flexibility of the templates by being able to move, scale and rotate the template freely.