Embodiments implement a minispace concept to dynamically manage layout of a robotics warehouse system. The warehouse space is divided into a plurality of equally sized minispaces, each corresponding to a standard rack footprint. Each minispace is identified by tagging with a unit location ID and attribute(s) such as coordinates. Minispaces may be referenced in a task planning process flow that initially comprises determining stock and rack, followed by determining a relevant workstation. The task is then assigned to an appropriate robot, and a travel route is planned (e.g., shortest path in minispace layout). Robot actions within the route are then planned and executed by the warehouse management system according to the minispace layout. Minispaces allow a robot to identify each minispace by the tagging, and to plan the next movement accordingly. The use of minispaces may facilitate collision avoidance by grouping actions together and allowing performance of minispace locking/checking procedures.

Systems and methods for automated workflow comprise assigning a set of first targets to an uncompiled first workflow. The uncompiled first workflow specifies a first set of process modules. Each such module is associated with a subset of unit operations. Each unit operation includes a time interval and specifies an instrument. For each target in the set of first targets, the uncompiled workflow is translated into an instance of a compiled first workflow comprising a linear temporal order of unit operations, each including execution instructions for an addressed instrument. A set of second targets is obtained and assigned a second uncompiled workflow. Compilation of the second uncompiled workflow for each second target produces a different instance of a compiled second workflow. Each second compiled workflow comprises a linear temporal order of unit operations, with each unit operation including execution instructions for an addressed instrument and specifying a time interval.

Embodiments implement a minispace concept to dynamically manage layout of a robotics warehouse system. The warehouse space is divided into a plurality of equally sized minispaces, each corresponding to a standard rack footprint. Each minispace is identified by tagging with a unit location ID and attribute(s) such as coordinates. Minispaces may be referenced in a task planning process flow that initially comprises determining stock and rack, followed by determining a relevant workstation. The task is then assigned to an appropriate robot, and a travel route is planned (e.g., shortest path in minispace layout). Robot actions within the route are then planned and executed by the warehouse management system according to the minispace layout. Minispaces allow a robot to identify each minispace by the tagging, and to plan the next movement accordingly. The use of minispaces may facilitate collision avoidance by grouping actions together and allowing performance of minispace locking/checking procedures.

Systems and methods for automated workflow include assigning a set of first targets to an uncompiled first workflow. The uncompiled first workflow specifies a first set of process modules. Each such module is associated with a subset of unit operations. Each unit operation includes a time interval and specifies an instrument. For each target in the set of first targets, the uncompiled workflow is translated into an instance of a compiled first workflow that includes a linear temporal order of unit operations. This translating resolves a branch condition, nested condition, or loop condition of the uncompiled first workflow.

Systems and methods for automated workflow include assigning a set of first targets to an uncompiled first workflow. The uncompiled first workflow specifies a first set of process modules. Each such module is associated with a subset of unit operations. Each unit operation includes a time interval and specifies an instrument. For each target in the set of first targets, the uncompiled workflow is translated into an instance of a compiled first workflow that includes a linear temporal order of unit operations. This translating resolves a logical condition of the uncompiled first workflow.

The invention relates to a method for programming a robot, in particular a robot comprising a robotic arm, in which method a movement to be performed by the robot is set up preferably in a robot programme by means of a predefined motion template, the motion template is selected from a database comprising a plurality of motion templates, the motion template comprises one or more execution modules that can be parameterized and at least one learning module, the one or more execution modules are used for planning and/or performing the robot movement or part of the robot movement, the leaning module records one or more configurations of the robot during an initialization process, in particular in the form of a teaching process, and the learning module calculates parameters for the one or more execution modules on the basis of the recorded configurations, preferably using an automatic learning process. Also disclosed is a corresponding system for programming a robot.

A simulation system to determine an optimal trajectory path for a robot with an attached implement includes a trajectory simulator which provides a simulated trajectory path for an implement, an implement model database which comprises motion data of the implement, and a logger that associates a time stamp of the implement's motion during the simulated trajectory path to generate logger data. A profile is determined by the logger data received from the logger which identifies implement motion that exceeds predetermined thresholds, and a tuner adjusts the simulated trajectory path so as to reduce the number of times predetermined thresholds are exceeded.

A motion data generating system for a robot including a waist and a leg, comprising: a test subject motion data acquiring unit that acquires captured waist motion data from motion of a leg separated from motion of a test subject; a representative point extracting unit that performs peak detection by smoothing the captured leg motion data; a scale converting unit that converts the capture leg motion data and the capture waist motion data at a representative point into a scale of the robot; a ZMP setting unit that sets a target zero moment point (ZMP of the robot; an interpolation generating unit that generates an attitude of the leg and the waist of the robot by interpolation; and a motion data generating unit that generates motion data in which the attitude of the leg and the waist is corrected so as to satisfy a target ZMP.

Systems and methods for automated workflow comprise assigning a set of first targets to an uncompiled first workflow. The uncompiled first workflow specifies a first set of process modules. Each such module is associated with a subset of unit operations. Each unit operation includes a time interval and specifies an instrument. For each target in the set of first targets, the uncompiled workflow is translated into an instance of a compiled first workflow comprising a linear temporal order of unit operations, each including execution instructions for an addressed instrument. A set of second targets is obtained and assigned a second uncompiled workflow. Compilation of the second uncompiled workflow for each second target produces a different instance of a compiled second workflow. Each second compiled workflow comprises a linear temporal order of unit operations, with each unit operation including execution instructions for an addressed instrument and specifying a time interval.

In various examples, a first robot assigned to carry a first load may be determined. An estimated queuing time at a work station may be determined. A processing time associated with processing the first load at the work station may be determined. An arrival time for the first robot may be determined by: combining the estimated queuing time and the processing time to determine a total amount of time for the first robot; determining a first time period that is after an earliest arrival time and which is associated with available occupancy at the work station for at least the total amount of time; and determining the arrival time for the first robot as the beginning of the first time period. The first robot may be controlled to cause the first robot to arrive at the work station at the arrival time.