A machine learning apparatus that can determine the state of a tool from a force applied from the tool to a robot while the robot performs a work using the tool. A machine learning apparatus for learning a state of a tool used for a work by a robot includes a learning data acquisition section that acquires, as a learning data set, data of a force applied from the tool to the robot while the robot causes the tool to perform a predetermined operation, and data indicating the state of the tool during the predetermined operation, and a learning section that generates a learning model representing a correlation between the force and the state of the tool, using the learning data set.

A work robot system including a conveying apparatus that conveys an object, a robot that performs a predetermined task on a target portion of the object being conveyed by the conveying apparatus, a controller that controls the robot, a sensor that is attached to the robot and successively detects a position, relative to the robot, of the target portion of the object being conveyed by the conveying apparatus, and a force detector that detects a force generated by a contact between the object and a part supported by the robot. When the robot is performing the predetermined task, the controller performs force control based on a detection value of the force detector while controlling the robot by using a detection result of the sensor.

An article discharge system includes a placement unit in which the article group is placed, plural grippers, a movable member, a robot that moves the movable member, weight acquisition units, and a control unit. The plural grippers grip some articles with gripping member. The plural grippers are attached to the movable member. The weight acquisition units acquire weight values of the articles that each of the grippers grips. The control unit moves the movable member, brings the plural grippers closer to the placement unit, causes the plural grippers to grip some of the articles of the article group placed in the placement unit, and, based on the result of a combination calculation using the weight values of the articles that each of the grippers grips and which the weight acquisition units have acquired, causes predetermined grippers among the plural grippers to release the articles and thereby discharge the articles.

A robot system includes a gripping section configured to grip a storing section, a first arm in which the gripping section is provided, the first arm drawing out the storing section from a shelf in which the storing section is housed, a force detecting section provided in the first arm and configured to detect force applied to the gripping section, an imaging section configured to image the storing section, and a control section configured to control the gripping section and the first arm. The control section performs control for drawing out the storing section from the shelf with the first arm and thereafter tilting the storing section with respect to the shelf with the gripping section or the first arm.

The disclosure is provided to shorten a total allowed cycle time of insertion or a press-fitting operation. A control device of a robot performing insertion or a press-fitting operation includes: a measuring part, measuring an elapsed time from a time point of starting a correcting operation in a case where the insertion or the press-fitting operation does not end normally; a calculating part, calculating a total remaining time of the correcting operation by subtracting a time from a start to an end of the correcting operation from a preset total allowed time of the correcting operation; a comparing part, comparing the remaining time with a required operation time which is an elapsed time from the start to the end of the correcting operation; and a control part, interrupting the correcting operation before the allowed time elapses in a case where the remaining time is less than the required operation time.

A work robot system including a conveying apparatus that conveys an object, a robot that performs a predetermined task on a target portion of the object being conveyed by the conveying apparatus, a controller that controls the robot, a sensor that is attached to the robot and successively detects a position, relative to the robot, of the target portion of the object being conveyed by the conveying apparatus, and a force detector that detects a force generated by a contact between the object and a part supported by the robot. When the robot is performing the predetermined task, the controller performs force control based on a detection value of the force detector while controlling the robot by using a detection result of the sensor.

A controller includes: a deformation information obtaining unit configured to obtain information on deformation of a suction portion that suctions an object with negative pressure, and that is deformed by the negative pressure; and an operation control unit configured to control movement of the suction portion in accordance with deformation of the suction portion.

A teaching method of driving a robot arm by a drive unit based on a detection result of a force detection unit and storing a position and a posture of the driven robot arm in a memory unit, includes determining whether or not the posture of the robot arm is close to a singular posture, and, when determining that the posture of the robot arm is close to the singular posture, selecting and executing one escape posture from a plurality of escape posture candidates escaping from the posture close to the singular posture according to an external force detected by the force detection unit.

A robotic line kitting system is disclosed. In various embodiments, data indicating for each of a plurality of operating zones comprising a workspace with which the robotic line kitting system is associated a corresponding safety state information is stored. The data is used to dynamically schedule and perform tasks associated with a higher level objective, including by operating the one or more robotic instrumentalities in one or more operating zones, if any, indicated by said data to currently be available to perform tasks using the one or more robotic instrumentalities and by not operating the one or more robotic instrumentalities in one or more operating zones, if any, indicated by said data to not currently be available to perform tasks using the one or more robotic instrumentalities.

Provided are a plate holding device, a plate detaching apparatus, a plate attaching apparatus and a plate attaching-detaching apparatus which are capable of reliably attaching and/or detaching a plate with respect to a plate-receiving metal frame. The plate holding device comprises: a plurality of holding members for holding a plate for a sliding nozzle device; widening and narrowing mechanisms to selectively widen and narrow a distance between the holding members; a pressing unit for pressing a central region of the plate when the plate is held by the holding members; and a force sensor for detecting a force received by the holding members and/or the pressing unit from the held plate. The plate holding device is configured to be mounted to a distal end of a robot arm.