An autonomous mobile object includes: a moving mechanism; a power-receiving terminal that is supplied with power from a power-supply terminal; an imaging unit configured to image the power-supply terminal at a position separated from the power-supply terminal by more than a distance at which the power-receiving terminal is capable of being supplied with power from the power-supply terminal; a determination unit configured to determine whether to remove contamination of the power-supply terminal based on an analysis result obtained by analyzing the image captured by the imaging unit and information on misalignment between the power-supply terminal and the power-receiving terminal, the misalignment being predicted when the autonomous mobile object moves to a position at which the power-receiving terminal is capable of being supplied with power from the power-supply terminal; and a removal unit configured to remove the contamination when the determination unit determines to remove the contamination.

A machine tool which removal-machines a workpiece by a tool includes an in-machine robot provided in a machining chamber, and a cleaning mechanism that cleans the in-machine robot by removing an adhering substance adhering to the in-machine robot. When the in-machine robot is cleaned, the in-machine robot moves relative to the cleaning mechanism and positions in proximity to the cleaning mechanism.

An inspection system for an electronic device of a vehicle includes a vision camera detecting a front state. An ultrasonic wave radiator, which is disposed at a lower side of the vision camera, radiates ultrasonic waves forwardly and senses ultrasonic waves reflected from a front obstacle. A touch screen operating finger moves forwardly and backwardly to touch a touch screen. A button operating finger is mounted to one side of the touch screen operating finger to press a button. A position of a body is controlled in a three-dimensional coordinate system such that the vision camera, the ultrasonic wave radiator, the touch screen operating finger, and the button operating finger are mounted thereto. A driving unit is configured to push forwardly or pull backwardly the touch screen operating finger and the button operating finger.

Systems and methods for robotic measurement of parts are provided. One system includes one or more omni-directional ground vehicles configured to move within a facility defined work zone to a setup calibration station and an engineering defined work space, wherein the engineering defined work space includes a part to be measured. The system also includes a multi-axis robot removably coupled to each of the omni-direction ground vehicles and configured to move a laser scanner, wherein the laser scanner of each of the multi-axis robots is configured to move in at least two linear directions and one rotational direction. The system further includes a processor configured to automatically generate a surface ready output file from measurement data received from the laser scanners, wherein the surface ready output file is configured to command a machine to manufacture a mating component to the part.

A robotic apparatus comprising an articulated arm mounted to a chassis and having an end effector capable of inspecting the root and tip, as well as the length between the root and tip, of an airfoil-shaped body (such as a rotorblade). The robotic apparatus has means for propelling the chassis in a spanwise direction. The chassis-mounted articulated arm facilitates the scanning of sensors over the root or tip of the airfoil-shaped body without repositioning the chassis.

A device for visually inspecting the external surfaces of an aircraft includes an inspection area to receive an aircraft, at least one visual inspection robot, and a control center. A movable platform of the robot supports a turret having an observation unit. The robot includes a processing unit which guides the movable platform and process the data received from the observation unit. The processing unit of the robot are configured to autonomously control the robot during the visual inspection of the external surfaces of the aircraft parked in the inspection area; to interrupt a visual inspection in the event of a detection of an anomaly on the external surface of the aircraft; to transmit a visual inspection data to the control center; and to receive instructions from the control center.

A system includes a set of automated arms. Each automated arm includes a holder configured to support a portion of a part, with the set including a quantity of automated arms and holders sufficient for verifying a complex geometry of the part. The automated arms are configured to move the holders into respective verification positions. The system also includes a computing device that includes memory that stores a plurality of predefined automated arm configurations. Each automated arm configuration includes holder verification positions to support portions of a part having a respective complex geometry. The computing device is configured to manipulate the set of automated arms to implement the holder verification positions of a selected one of the automated arm configurations.

A method of locating a maintenance vehicle in a solar power field can include driving the maintenance vehicle on a track. A plurality of flags are coupled to the track at spaced locations. Each flag can include an ID tag and a contact target or a non-contact target. The maintenance vehicle can include an ID tag reader and a sensor configured to detect the contact target or the non-contact target. The method also can include driving the maintenance vehicle along the track to a position adjacent to a flag of the plurality of flags, reading by the ID tag reader the ID tag of that flag, and sensing by the sensor the contact target or the non-contact target. The method also can include, based on the reading and the sensing, identifying a unique location of the maintenance vehicle in the solar power field.

One embodiment provides a pipe inspection robot, including: a powered track system providing movement to the pipe inspection robot; a sensor component comprising a water quality probe; and a processor; said processor configured to: operate the water quality probe to collect water quality data related to a fluid contained within a pipe; and communicate the water quality data collected over a network connection. Other aspects are described and claimed.

One embodiment provides a method for identifying a target object of a pipe wall, including: positioning a pipe inspection robot within a pipe; emitting, using a terahertz (THz) beam source of the pipe inspection robot, a laser beam towards a target object; receiving, using a THz receiver of the pipe inspection robot, THz data related to the target object; analyzing, using a processor, the THz data; and determining, based on the analyzing, an identity of the object. Other aspects are described and claimed.