An anti-collision method for robot is provided. The method controls a robot to sense a variation of electric field over continuous time via electric field sensor, determine a relative moving direction of an obstacle when detecting the obstacle by the variation of electric field, generate motor control data according to the relative moving direction of the obstacle, and control a motor to rotate according to the motor control data for making a robotic limb move along a dodge vector to dodge the obstacle. The anti-collision method can effectively make the robot dodge automatically before a collision, and prevent the robot or the obstacle from crash and damage.

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to robot perception extensibility. In certain aspects, a robot maintains perception data that represents its understanding of its surroundings. The perception data relates to a variety of objects and comprises information generated by a variety of components, such as sensors and software processes. In order to extend the perception capabilities of the robot, an extensibility interface is provided, which enables an extensibility device to annotate objects and to provide new objects to the robot based on the additional perception data generated by the extensibility device. As a result of incorporating the objects from the extensibility device into the perception data of the robot, the additional perception data of the extensibility device is available to software executing on the robot without requiring the additional effort typically necessary to extend the capabilities of such a device.

A method of controlling a robot, the method including obtaining, by means of a proximity sensor on the robot, a distance value indicative of a distance between an object and the robot; obtaining, by means of a thermal sensor on the robot, a temperature value indicative of a temperature of the object; and controlling the robot to reduce its mechanical impedance if the distance value is smaller than a distance threshold value and the temperature value is higher than a temperature threshold value. A control system for controlling a robot, and a robot including the control system, are also provided.

A system and method for determining a minimum distance between an object and an apparatus surface, in particular for determining a minimum distance between an object and an apparatus surface of a handling apparatus, is described. A primary distance of the object is captured as the distance of the object by a distance sensor unit in or on the apparatus surface. A critical point which is at the primary distance from the distance sensor unit and is within a capture range of the distance sensor unit and comes closest to the apparatus surface taking into account a spatial course of the latter is also determined. A minimum distance between the critical point and the apparatus surface is determined.

A robotic device including one or more proximity sensing systems coupled to various portions of a robot body. The proximity sensing systems detect a distance of an object about the robot body and the robotic device reacts based on the detected distance. The proximity sensing systems obtain a three-dimensional (3D) profile of the object to determine a category of the object. The distance of the object is detected multiple times in a sequence to determine a movement path of the object.

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.

An appliance includes a user presence detector having an emitter and a sensor. The emitter is configured to emit waves having a wavelength, and the sensor is configured to sense waves of the wavelength, such as emitted waves which have been reflected back to the sensor from an object external to the appliance. There is no internal path within the appliance between the sensor and the emitter for either direct or reflected waves. The appliance also includes a user interface panel and a user input device. The user interface panel and the user input device are offset along at least one direction. The sensor is positioned on one of the user interface panel or the user input device and the emitter is positioned on the other of the user interface panel or the user input device.

A system and method for determining a minimum distance between an object and an apparatus surface, in particular for determining a minimum distance between an object and an apparatus surface of a handling apparatus, is described. A primary distance of the object is captured as the distance of the object by a distance sensor unit in or on the apparatus surface. A critical point which is at the primary distance from the distance sensor unit and is within a capture range of the distance sensor unit and comes closest to the apparatus surface taking into account a spatial course of the latter is also determined. A minimum distance between the critical point and the apparatus surface is determined.

The present disclosure provides a vehicle-carried inspection system, including a radiation source and a detector, the radiation source and the detector being arranged to form an inspection passage. The inspection system further includes a controller configured to control the radiation source so that a first dose of radiation which is safe to a driver is radiated from the radiation source when the driver's cab of the inspected vehicle passes through a ray beam, and control the radiation source so that the dose of radiation of the radiation source becomes a working dose of radiation larger than the first dose of radiation when the other subsequent portions of the inspected vehicle pass through the ray beam.

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.