The present invention relates to a robot arm (10) for a domestic appliance, in particular for a kitchen appliance. The robot arm (10) comprises a base module (12) for fastening said robot arm (10) at or on the domestic appliance or in the environment of said domestic appliance. The robot arm (10) comprises at least one end module (22) adapted or adaptable for specific functions. The robot arm (10) comprises at least one drive unit (14, 16, 18) interconnected between the base module (12) and the end module (22). The end module (22) is exchangeable by the user.

An arm module includes a housing with a first connection side controllably rotatable relative to a second connection side, about an axis of rotation. The first connection side has a rotatable first connection device. The second connection side has a second connection device fixed to the housing, with a rotation-compatible data transmission device for transmitting data signals along at least one transmission path between the first and second connection sides. The transmission path includes at least one wireless transmission sub-path for wireless transmission of data signals, and at least one wire-guided transmission sub-path for wire-guided transmission of data signals. The rotation-compatible data transmission device includes at least one first wireless transmission unit and at least one second wireless transmission unit, interconnected via the transmission path and arranged to wirelessly transmit and receive data signals along the wireless transmission sub-path. An industrial robot can have a plurality of such arm modules.

Provided is a robot including a chassis; a set of wheels coupled to the chassis; a plurality of sensors; a processor; and a tangible, non-transitory, machine readable medium storing instructions that when executed by the processor effectuates operations. The operations include capturing, with an image sensor disposed on the robot, a plurality of images of an environment of the robot as the robot navigates within the environment; identifying, with the processor, an obstacle type of an obstacle captured in an image based on a comparison between features of the obstacle and features of obstacles with different obstacles types stored in a database; and determining, with the processor, an action of the robot based on the obstacle type of the obstacle.

A method for designing a customized robot to perform a specified function begins by initially creating an electronic library of data about modules and accessories for a robot assembly. The library stores, for each module and accessory, at least firmware for operation and dimensions. Per robot, the method includes receiving a set of functions and requirements of the customized robot, generating design(s) for the customized robot by finding a set of modules or accessories which match at least one of its functions and requirements, based on information in the electronic library, performing a set of validation tests of each design against criteria, identifying the design(s) which passed the set of validation tests, and generating a list of modules and accessories of a selected design and a connection map for the selected design indicating how the modules and accessories are to be connected together to form the customized robot.

A method for designing a customized robot to perform a specified function begins by initially creating an electronic library of data about modules and accessories for a robot assembly. The library stores, for each module and accessory, at least firmware for operation and dimensions. Per robot, the method includes receiving a set of functions and requirements of the customized robot, generating design(s) for the customized robot by finding a set of modules or accessories which match at least one of its functions and requirements, based on information in the electronic library, performing a set of validation tests of each design against criteria, identifying the design(s) which passed the set of validation tests, and generating a list of modules and accessories of a selected design and a connection map for the selected design indicating how the modules and accessories are to be connected together to form the customized robot.

A motorized module for a modular robotic structure comprises a housing, a first wheel, a second wheel, an elongated structure mounted to the first and second wheels and configured to rotate the first and second wheels. A driver is mounted to the housing between the first and second wheels. A leadscrew is mounted to the housing between the first and second wheels. A transmission drivingly connecting the driver to the leadscrew. A connector is coupled to the leadscrew and configured to move longitudinally along the second longitudinal axis in response to a rotation of the leadscrew, the connector being attached to the elongated structure.

A motorized module for a modular robotic structure comprises a housing, a first wheel, a second wheel, an elongated structure mounted to the first and second wheels and configured to rotate the first and second wheels. A driver is mounted to the housing between the first and second wheels. A leadscrew is mounted to the housing between the first and second wheels. A transmission drivingly connecting the driver to the leadscrew. A connector is coupled to the leadscrew and configured to move longitudinally along the second longitudinal axis in response to a rotation of the leadscrew, the connector being attached to the elongated structure.

A Hardware Module for a robotic system includes at least one sensor for measuring an internal property of the Hardware Module, a communication unit for communicating with other Hardware Modules, a data storage unit and an embedded controller. The embedded controller is configured to collect collected data, the collected data including: status data representing the current status of the Hardware Module; and operating data representing usage of the Hardware Module wherein at least part of the collected data is determined from sensor data from the at least one sensor, and the embedded controller is configured to perform at least one of: storing the collected data on the data storage unit; and transmitting the collected data via the communication unit.

A Hardware Module for a robotic system includes at least one sensor for measuring an internal property of the Hardware Module, a communication unit for communicating with other Hardware Modules, a data storage unit and an embedded controller. The embedded controller is configured to collect collected data, the collected data including: status data representing the current status of the Hardware Module; and operating data representing usage of the Hardware Module wherein at least part of the collected data is determined from sensor data from the at least one sensor, and the embedded controller is configured to perform at least one of: storing the collected data on the data storage unit; and transmitting the collected data via the communication unit.

A modular movable robot including a main body, a traveling unit mounted on a lower end of the main body, a module coupling plate which is mounted on an upper end of the main body and on which an object to be transferred is disposed on a top surface thereof, a port module coupled to the top surface of the module coupling plate to fix the object to be transferred, the port module being configured to provide module information to the module coupling plate, a body display unit extending from one end of the module coupling plate, a head display unit rotatably mounted on an upper end of the body display unit, and a control unit configured to receive the module information from the module coupling plate to control at least one of the body display unit or the head display unit on the basis of the received information.