A robot control system includes: a selector configured to perform a selection of a task object from among a plurality of workpieces by using a first vision sensor; and an operation control section configured to control a robot to perform a task on the task object by using a tool. The selection and the task are executed simultaneously and in parallel, the selector transmits the information of the selected task object to the operation control section before the task, and the operation control section controls the robot based on the transmitted information of the task object.

A service robot may be autonomous, with respect to a portion of a customer service task, and coordinated, with respect to another portion of a customer service task. A resource, such as another robot or an agent (human or automated), may monitor or interact with the robot and, in such a combination, perform a customer service task. The robot may be instructed to pause or delay initiation of a robot portion to allow for a resource to become available at a common time that the interaction portion is to be performed to minimize delay and promote better customer service. Should the delay be beyond an acceptable threshold, the robot may engage in a delay task (e.g., slow down, pause, etc.). The delay task may include a social interaction with a human at a service location.

A machine and method for positioning objects is provided. The machine has a first conveyor belt configured to receive a plurality of objects; machine vision device configured to identify the position and the shape of the objects; robotic collection device configured to collect the objects according to the information received from the machine vision device; and a second conveyor belt configured to enable the outlet of the objects. The transfer conveyor has transfer carriers configured to move in a closed loop through it enabling the speed and position thereof to be controlled independently, where the transfer carriers are configured to receive the objects coming from the robotic collection device and deliver the objects to the second conveyor belt.

A suction transfer device suction-holds a bag-like article with a suction component and moves the suction component suction-holding the article to thereby transfer the article. The suction component has a negative pressure chamber, one or more suction openings, and a first surface. The negative pressure chamber forms a negative pressure space inside when a negative pressure generator is driven. The suction openings communicate with the negative pressure chamber. The first surface is disposed around the suction openings and opposes an article subjected to suction. An area of the first surface is from 0.5 times to 2 times an area of a sucked surface, which opposes the first surface, of the article subjected to suction.

In one embodiment, a robotic system comprises: a robot comprising a robotic actuator and at least one robotic arm mechanically coupled to the robotic actuator; a suction gripper mechanism that comprises: a linear shaft element; an internal airflow passage within the linear shaft configured to communicate an airflow between an airflow application port at a first end of the linear shaft and a gripping port positioned at an opposing second end of the linear shaft; a suction cup assembly comprising a suction cup element coupled to the gripping port; and an actuator configured to rotate the linear shaft in order to articulate an orientation of the suction cup assembly.

Systems and methods for a telescoping suction gripper assembly are provided. In one embodiment, a robotic system comprises: a robot comprising a robotic actuator and at least one robotic arm mechanically coupled to the robotic actuator; a telescoping suction gripper assembly comprising a telescoping member and a suction gripper mechanism, wherein a first end of the telescoping member is coupled to a vacuum supply conduit via a first flexible conduit member and a second end of the telescoping member is coupled to the suction gripper mechanism by a second flexible conduit member, and wherein the suction gripper mechanism is pivotally coupled to the at least one robotic; wherein the telescoping member is configured to adjust in length in response to the at least one robotic arm relocating the suction gripper mechanism from a first position to a second position.

A boot seal is detachably attached to a joint including: a drive link and link members; and a ball joint for linking them to be relatively rotatable or swivelable. The ball joint includes a ball shank having a shaft section fixed to the drive link and a ball section provided on one end of the shaft section and a holder that is fixed to an end section of each of the link members and that has a ball-receiving section for supporting the ball section in a state where the ball section is surrounded. A cover main body that covers the gap between the ball shank and the holder and that is formed of a flexible material includes through-holes through which the shaft section is made to pass, a slit that continuously extends between the through-holes, and a fastener opening and hermetically closing the slit along the entire length thereof.

Implementations described and claimed herein involve a shoulder exoskeleton having a spherical parallel manipulator with a plurality of parallel linear actuators connected to a base coupled to a user's arm. A passive slip mechanism is operatively coupled to the spherical parallel manipulator as well as being coupled to the user's arm. The slip mechanism increases system mobility and prevents joint misalignment caused by the translational motion of the user's glenohumeral joint from introducing mechanical interference.

Implementations involve a shoulder exoskeleton having a spherical parallel manipulator with a plurality of parallel linear actuators connected to a base coupled to a user's arm. A passive slip mechanism is operatively coupled to the spherical parallel manipulator as well as being coupled to the user's arm. The slip mechanism increases system mobility and prevents joint misalignment caused by the translational motion of the user's glenohumeral joint from introducing mechanical interference.

The present invention provides a three-degree-of-freedom parallel mechanism, including a fixed platform, a movable platform, and three kinematic chains, where at least one of the three kinematic chains is a flexible chain; and the flexible chain includes a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, and an axis-variable revolute pair, the axis-variable revolute pair includes a fixed member, a movable member, and a spherical pair, one end of the fixed member is fastened on the fixed platform, the other end of the fixed member fits and abuts against an inclined surface of the movable member, the spherical pair is accommodated in the fixed member, a spherical hinge connecting rod of the spherical pair penetrates the movable member, the first connecting rod is rotatably connected to the spherical hinge connecting rod and the second connecting rod, and the second connecting rod is spherically hinged to the movable platform.