A robot system includes a robot controller and an object robot including a first storage part storing a hardware identifier, individual discrimination data, and device specific data including an individual difference parameter. The same hardware identifier is assigned to the object robot having the same mechanism. The robot controller includes a second storage part storing common configuration information corresponding to the hardware identifier and the individual discrimination data and the individual difference parameter of the object robot, and a control part configured, in a case that the hardware identifier corresponding to the common configuration information stored in the second storage part and the hardware identifier assigned to the object robot are collated and matched with each other, to create hardware definition information of the object robot based on the common configuration information stored in the second storage part and the individual difference parameter read from the first storage part.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium that automatically calibrates robots and sensors assigned to perform a task in an operating environment. One of the methods includes obtaining a representation of a robotic operating environment. A user selection of a plurality of components to be configured to operate in the robotic operating environment is received. A mapping is obtained between pairs of components to be calibrated and one or more respective calibration processes to perform to calibrate each pair of components. From the mapping, one or more calibration processes to be performed on pairs of components based on the user selection of the plurality of components is computed. Calibration instruction data describing how to perform the one or more calibration processes to be performed on the pairs of components of the user selection is determined and presented.

A robot 1 having a first assembly 4, 5 and a second assembly 3, 6, wherein a bearing arrangement 24, 25, 52, 53, by which the second assembly 3, 6 can be moved relative to the first assembly 4,5 is provided in the first assembly 4,5. The bearing arrangement 24, 25, 52, 53 comprises a first fastening element 26, 27, 54, 55, and the second assembly 3, 6 comprises a second fastening element 30, 31, 60, 61, wherein the first fastening element 26, 27, 54, 55 and the second fastening element 30, 31, 60, 61 are connected to one another, and wherein the first fastening element 26, 27, 54, 55 and the second fastening element 30, 31, 60, 61 are designed to be complementary, at least in sections. A method for mounting two assemblies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, in particular two robotic arms, of a robot is also disclosed.

Omni-directional, extensible grasp mechanisms are disclosed. Such grasp mechanisms may be used as a robotic end effector for docking, grasping, and manipulating space structures, or to interconnect other structures or vehicles. Novel interconnected lattice structures may enable large arrays to be assembled. The grasp mechanisms may be used to create structures from parallel docking linkages. This may enable reconfiguration of multiple docked space vehicles and/or structures without the use of propellant. The grasp mechanisms have the ability to make and break connections multiple times, enabling a nondestructive and reversible docking process.

Modular components may be used to build a robotic manipulator. A subset of the modular components can be selected to build the robotic manipulator based on a schematic. The subset of modular components can be assembled in different combinations to build the robotic manipulator. Using one of the combinations of the subset of modular components, the robotic manipulator can be built.

Provided is a method for managing a modular robot, including at least one module, using a user terminal, the method including: acquiring mount information on the at least one module mounted to the modular robot; receiving module information on a module corresponding to the mount information; and displaying at least one of the mount information and the module information. Also, provided are a user terminal for performing the method for managing a modular robot may be provided, and a non-volatile computer readable recording medium in which a computer program for performing the method for managing a modular robot.

The underwater vehicle with variable configuration (1) comprises: a hull (2) consisting of at least four elongated elements (20), mutually articulated by means of joints (21), to form a first closed polygonal structure (F1), arranged on a plane; thrusters (3), associated in parallel with said elements (20) of the hull (2); actuating means (22), associated with said joints (21), provided for automatically modifying said first closed polygonal structure (F1), from an elongated shape configuration (AF1) to an expanded shape (EF1), corresponding to an elongated conformation of said hull (2), to determine a low hydrodynamic resistance and a longitudinal thrust of the thrusters (3) in the cruising of said underwater vehicle (1), and to a substantially isotropic conformation, wherein the same elements (20) of the hull (2), as well as the thrusters (3) are mutually angled, intended for the hovering of the same underwater vehicle (1), respectively. The latter can be suitably equipped with robotic arms (4) intended for performing maintenance or similar interventions in underwater locations.

A method for replacing a first module (30, 40) of a vehicle (1) with a new module (30, 30′, 40). The vehicle (1) includes: at least one drive module (30); and at least one functional module (40). The vehicle (1) has a unique vehicle identity. The method includes: setting (s101) the vehicle (1) into a maintenance mode indicating that the vehicle (1) is not available for operation; and preparing (s102) the vehicle (1) for physical disconnection of the first module (30, 40); when the first module (30, 40) has been physically disconnected from the vehicle (1) and the new module (30, 30′, 40) has been physically connected to the vehicle (1): establishing (s103) an electrical connection between the new module (30, 30′, 40) and the vehicle (1); assigning (s104) the new module (30, 30′, 40) the unique vehicle identity of the vehicle (1); setting (s105) the vehicle (1) into an operational mode; and verifying s106) the electrical connection of the new module (30, 30′, 40).

A method for replacing a first module (30, 40) of a vehicle (1) with a new module (30, 30′, 40). The vehicle (1) includes: at least one drive module (30); and at least one functional module (40). The vehicle (1) has a unique vehicle identity. The method includes: setting (s101) the vehicle (1) into a maintenance mode indicating that the vehicle (1) is not available for operation; and preparing (s102) the vehicle (1) for physical disconnection of the first module (30, 40); when the first module (30, 40) has been physically disconnected from the vehicle (1) and the new module (30, 30′, 40) has been physically connected to the vehicle (1): establishing (s103) an electrical connection between the new module (30, 30′, 40) and the vehicle (1); assigning (s104) the new module (30, 30′, 40) the unique vehicle identity of the vehicle (1); setting (s105) the vehicle (1) into an operational mode; and verifying s106) the electrical connection of the new module (30, 30′, 40).

A manufacturing process adopting the reconfigurable robotic manufacturing cells that can work conjointly and yet have the capabilities to be reconfigured to disconnect from other cells and handle multiple tasks. The reconfigurable robotic cell is not dependent on any other robotic cells to complete work in progress.