A method of automatic shoe lacing is proposed to include steps of: (a) capturing, by a camera system, at least two images of shoelace holes of a shoe from different positions relative to the shoe; (b) acquiring, by a computer device through conducting an analysis according to the at least two images of the shoe, coordinates of the shoelace holes relative to a robotic arm; and (c) the robotic arm lacing the shoe according to the coordinates acquired in step (b).

Methods for automated robotic movement for a robotic device using an electronic computing device are presented, the methods including: causing the electronic computing device to establish a working zone; measuring distances to all obstacles in the working zone thereby detecting all obstacles in the working zone; establishing a coverage path that accounts for all detected obstacles; executing the coverage path such the robotic device covers the working zone at least once; if a new obstacle is detected, establishing an adapted coverage path that accounts for the new obstacle; and executing the adapted coverage path. In some embodiments, methods further include: bypassing the new obstacle; and returning to the coverage path.

A method for multipoint purification by a robotic air purifier, comprising the following steps: S1: establishing a coordinate map of an area to be purified; S2: the robotic air purifier moves within the area to be purified according to a preconfigured movement model, measuring air quality, remembering as level-1 pollution sources those points where a pollution value exceeds a preset threshold, and marking the coordinates of said points on the coordinate map; S3: when having completed its movement over the area to be purified, the robotic air purifier moves to each level-1 pollution source point and performs an initial purification process, while at the same time measuring air quality, continuing in this way until the air quality at all said level-1 pollution sources complies with requirements.

Robotic control systems and methods may include providing an end effector tool of a robotic device configured to perform a task on a work surface within a worksite coordinate frame. Unintended movement over time of the end effector tool with respect to the work surface and with respect to the worksite coordinate frame may be determined based on image data indicative of the work surface, first location data indicative of a first location of the end effector tool with respect to the worksite coordinate frame, and second location data indicative of a second location of the end effector tool with respect to the work surface. One or more control signals for the robotic device may be adjusted in order to counteract the unintended movements of the end effector tool with respect to the work surface and worksite coordinate frame.

A system maintains, generates, and manages layouts that map resources to control states of a robotic apparatus. The system may receive system control queries and produce search results and contextual information in response. The system may reference the system control queries against the layouts to determine the search results and contextual information. The contextual information may include operator-interactive tools that may be used to control the robotic apparatus. To control the apparatus, the system may generate control state update messages responsive to the operator interactions. The control state update messages may be sent to a control interface of the robotic device. The robotic device may execute an action responsive the receipt of the control state update message.

A kinematic model arithmetic portion calculates a coordinate value (z.sub.e1 (θ.sub.e)) as distance information indicating the distance between a member that serves as a reference surface for the curve shape of a curvable portion and a member in the curvable portion that is closest to the reference surface. A switch determination unit determines based on the coordinate value whether to drive a wire for driving the curvable portion by a drive displacement calculated for the wire along with the coordinate value by the kinematic model arithmetic portion.

Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.

Methods and systems for depth sensing are provided. A system includes a first and second optical sensor each including a first plurality of photodetectors configured to capture visible light interspersed with a second plurality of photodetectors configured to capture infrared light within a particular infrared band. The system also includes a computing device configured to (i) identify first corresponding features of the environment between a first visible light image captured by the first optical sensor and a second visible light image captured by the second optical sensor; (ii) identify second corresponding features of the environment between a first infrared light image captured by the first optical sensor and a second infrared light image captured by the second optical sensor; and (iii) determine a depth estimate for at least one surface in the environment based on the first corresponding features and the second corresponding features.

The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.

Systems and methods for operating a robotic surgical system are provided. The system comprises a surgical tool for interacting with a surgical target, a manipulator comprising a plurality of links and supporting the tool, a navigation system comprising a manipulator tracker coupled to the manipulator and a patient tracker coupled to the surgical target and a localizer for monitoring states of the trackers. A controller determines commanded states for moving the tool relative to the surgical target using data (filtered according to a first filter length) from the manipulator and/or navigation system. The controller determines actual states of the tool while commanding the tool relative to the surgical target using data (filtered according to a second filter length being shorter than the first filter length) from the manipulator and/or navigation system. The controller compares the commanded and actual states and modifies tool operation based on an outcome of the comparison.