A system includes a robot arm with multiple joints and one or more end effector to carry a substrate. A processing device determines, within joint space of the robot arm, start/end points of the one or more end effector for a complete movement. The processing device builds, in joint space for the multiple joints and the one or more end effector, a graph of reachable positions and sub-paths between the reachable positions that satisfy Cartesian limits. The reachable positions are identified at a granularity that divides the complete movement into multiple sub-movements. The processing device executes a graph optimization algorithm on the graph to determine multiple paths, each a group of the sub-paths, that have one of shortest distances or lowest costs between the start/end points, and selects a path thereof that minimizes move time of the one or more end effector between the start/end points.

A method and apparatus for dispensing and retrieving products is provided. A system may include: a grasping head; first and second grasping members, each grasping member comprising: a top member; a post member; and first and second grasping fingers, where the first and second grasping fingers extend from the post member and are spaced apart from the top member by a predetermined distance, where the first and second grasping members are connected to the grasping head, where at least one of the first and second grasping members is movably connected to the grasping head, where the at least one of the first and second grasping members is movable relative to the other of the first and second grasping members.

A self-contained truck-mounted brick laying machine can include a frame that can support packs or pallets of bricks placed on a platform. A transfer robot can pick up and move the brick(s). A carousel can be coaxial with a tower. The carousel can transfer the brick(s) via the tower to an articulated and/or telescoping boom. The bricks can be moved along the boom by, e.g., linearly moving shuttles, to reach a brick laying and adhesive applying head. The brick laying and adhesive applying head can mount to an element of the stick, about an axis which is disposed horizontally. The poise of the brick laying and adhesive applying head about the axis can be adjusted and can be set in use so that the base of a clevis of the robotic arm mounts about a horizontal axis, and the tracker component is disposed uppermost on the brick laying and adhesive applying head. The brick laying and adhesive applying head can apply adhesive to the brick and can have a robot that lays the brick. Vision and laser scanning and tracking systems can be provided to allow the measurement of as-built slabs, bricks, the monitoring and adjustment of the process and the monitoring of safety zones. The first, or any course of bricks can have the bricks pre machined by the router module so that the top of the course is level once laid.

Automated, environmentally monitored and controlled storage units and systems for storing, monitoring, and maintaining a supply of products, particularly temperature sensitive pharmaceutical and/or other high-value products, be they temperature sensitive or not. Such automated storage units contain an array of independently addressable holding locations for containers with product in one or more environmentally monitored (e.g., for temperature, humidity, etc.) and controlled zones fitted with appropriate environmental sensors. In preferred embodiments, the automated storage units also include a reader to track product information and status. Product loading, retrieval, and movement within such automated storage units is performed by a computer-controlled robot. A user interface device, preferably in communication with an application service provider to provide remotely managed inventory management and other services, provides users with inventory- and product-specific information.

Lumber retrieval systems and methods feed a centrally located saw with a predetermined assortment of boards picked from certain stations distributed at either side of the saw. In some examples, an overhead trolley system carries individual boards in a certain sequence from chosen stations to a board-receiving apparatus. The board-receiving apparatus, in turn, feeds the boards to the saw. The saw then cuts the boards into board segments, which can be used for making prefabricated trusses and wall panels. In some examples, the trolley system has a laser-scanning feature for determining the location of the next-to-pick board while simultaneously transporting the board currently heading to the board-receiving apparatus. In some examples, the trolley system includes two board carriers each of which are dedicated or assigned to certain stations. In some examples, one carrier serves as backup for the other one when one of the carriers is broken or otherwise inactive.

A direct drive servo motor is provided and may include a quadrature encoder and a silicone rubber sleeve affixed to the encoder's shaft that is attached to the rotor hub and may also include an axle fixed to the rotor hub, inner and outer bearings, front and rear bearing plates, an outer stator, and an inner rotor rare earth magnet ring. A computer-controlled camera system is also provided and includes a direct drive camera gimbal; a pan-bar system; a robotic control system; a master interconnect unit; custom control software; and a track and gantry system. A universal camera tripod head adapter is also provided and includes front and rear clamps, a clamp handle, side and rear brackets and a silicone rubber sleeve affixed to the shaft of each encoder that rides on the pan and tilt axis lips of a camera tripod head.

A direct drive servo motor is provided and may include a quadrature encoder and a silicone rubber sleeve affixed to the encoder's shaft that is attached to the rotor hub and may also include an axle fixed to the rotor hub, inner and outer bearings, front and rear bearing plates, an outer stator, and an inner rotor rare earth magnet ring. A computer-controlled camera system is also provided and includes a direct drive camera gimbal; a pan-bar system; a robotic control system; a master interconnect unit; custom control software; and a track and gantry system. A universal camera tripod head adapter is also provided and includes front and rear clamps, a clamp handle, side and rear brackets and a silicone rubber sleeve affixed to the shaft of each encoder that rides on the pan and tilt axis lips of a camera tripod head.

A micro device transfer apparatus and a micro device transfer method are provided. The micro device transfer apparatus comprises a stage unit including a stage where a target substrate is to be disposed, a plurality of transfer head units disposed above the stage, and a transfer head unit moving part configured to move the plurality of transfer head units, wherein, the transfer head unit comprises a carrier substrate fastening part configured to fasten a carrier substrate where a plurality of micro devices are disposed, a mask unit disposed above the carrier substrate fastening part, the mask unit comprising a mask including an opening part and a shielding part, a light emitting part disposed on the mask unit, and a housing formed around the carrier substrate fastening part, the mask unit, and the light emitting part.

Methods of positioning a gripper to pick or place a specimen container from a sample rack. One method includes providing a robot including the gripper, the gripper moveable in a coordinate system by the robot and including gripper fingers, providing a sample rack including receptacles containing specimen containers, providing data, obtained by imaging, regarding the specimen containers in the sample rack, and dynamically orienting the gripper based upon the data. The data may include population and/or configuration data and the dynamic orientation may include gripper finger opening distance, gripper finger rotational position, and/or gripper offset distance. Gripper positioning apparatus for carrying out the method are disclosed, as are other aspects.

An electrodynamic apparatus includes a first arm extending in a first direction, a second arm supported by the first arm, and a first linear actuator that is provided in the first arm or the second arm and moves the second arm along the first direction with respect to the first arm. The first arm includes a first power transmission antenna. The second arm includes a first power reception antenna. The first power transmission antenna supplies electric power to the first power reception antenna wirelessly. The first power reception antenna supplies the supplied electric power to a load electrically connected to the first power reception antenna.