A robot system includes a robot including a plurality of fingers for holding a target object and a control device configured to control a motion of the robot. The control device includes one or more processors. The processors acquire an image of a first target object and a second target object taken by an imaging device. The processors control the motion of the robot based on the image such that the robot moves the first target object with at least one finger included in the fingers in a direction in which a gap is formed between the first target object and the second target object, inserts at least one finger included in the fingers into the gap, and holds the first target object.

The invention is a flexible and configurable inspection system for the inspection of container units that combines and integrates a holding assembly for multiple containers integrating servo-controlled rotation of the units, transport and positioning of the containers that simulate human handling, and camera stations employing automated vision inspection. The system performs horizontal inspection for particulate and any other container defect that promotes particulate to better locate within the inspection area of the cameras. Inspection sequences and product recipes combine the typical manual inspection agitation with automated inspection rotational techniques to optimize detection. The system allows for semi-automatic operation with the operator at the front of the station feeding and out-feeding material manually or fully automated with conveyance system feeding and out-feeding material from the back of the station.

A pallet building apparatus for automatically building a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support including a frame defining a pallet building base, at least one articulated robot to transport and place the pallet load article units, a controller to control articulated robot motion and effect therewith a pallet load build, at least one three-dimensional, time of flight, camera to generate three-dimensional imaging of the pallet support and pallet load build, wherein the controller registers, from the three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of the pallet support and pallet load build, to determine, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a pallet support variance or article unit variance and generate in real time an articulated robot motion signal, the articulated robot motion signal being generated real time so as to be performed real time by the at least one articulated robot between placement of at least one pallet load article unit and a serially consecutive pallet load article unit enabling substantially continuous building of the pallet load build.

A pallet building apparatus for automatically building a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support including a frame defining a pallet building base, at least one articulated robot to transport and place the pallet load article units, a controller to control articulated robot motion and effect therewith a pallet load build, at least one three-dimensional, time of flight, camera to generate three-dimensional imaging of the pallet support and pallet load build, wherein the controller registers, from the three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of the pallet support and pallet load build, to determine, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a pallet support variance or article unit variance and generate in real time an articulated robot motion signal, the articulated robot motion signal being generated real time so as to be performed real time by the at least one articulated robot between placement of at least one pallet load article unit and a serially consecutive pallet load article unit enabling substantially continuous building of the pallet load build.

There is provided an information processing apparatus to estimate a position of a distal end of a movable unit with a reduced processing load, the information processing including a position computer that computes, on the basis of first positional information obtained from reading of a projected marker by a first visual sensor and second positional information including positional information obtained from reading of the marker by a second visual sensor that moves relative to the first visual sensor, a position of a movable unit in which the second visual sensor is disposed. This makes it possible to estimate the position of the distal end of the movable unit with a reduced processing load.

The present method for moving a tip of a line-like object is a method for moving a tip of a line-like object grasped by a robot hand to a target position, the method including: measuring a position of the tip of the line-like object grasped by the robot hand; and moving the tip to the target position based on the measured position of the tip.

A robot includes a first arm having a hole and extending along a first axis, a second arm coupled to the first arm, and rotating around a second axis crossing the first axis, a sensor configured to detect a target, and an attachment member provided to the second arm, and configured to support the sensor, wherein the attachment member is inserted through the hole, and extending along the second axis. Further, the sensor may be located outside an outer surface of the first arm.

A rack includes a container holder that is fixed to a stage and holds a container that contains a liquid to be dispensed and a camera that is fixed to the stage and located in a position where the camera is capable of capturing an image of the container.

Embodiments of present disclosure relates to an electronic device, a vision-based operation method and system for a robot. The electronic device comprises at least one processing unit; and a memory coupled to the at least one processing unit and storing computer program instructions therein, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processing unit, causing the electronic device to perform acts including: obtaining an image containing a tool of a robot and an object to be operated by the tool, the image being captured by a camera with a parameter: obtaining a command for operating the tool, the command generated based on the image; and controlling the robot based on the command and the parameter. Embodiments of the present disclosure can greatly improve the accuracy, efficiency and safety of an operation of a robot.

A grasping system includes a robotic arm having a gripper. A fixed sensor monitors a grasp area and an onboard sensor moves with the gripper also monitors the area. A controller receives information indicative of a position of an object to be grasped and operates the robotic arm to bring the gripper into a grasp position adjacent the object based on information provided by the fixed sensor. The controller is also programmed to operate the gripper to grasp the object in response to information provided by the first onboard sensor.