Systems and methods for estimating deformation and field of contact forces are described. A method includes generating a reference configuration including reference points in space. The reference configuration corresponds to an initial shape of a membrane prior to contact with the manipuland. The method further includes receiving raw data from a TOF device. The raw data includes points in space measured by the TOF device and indicating deformation of the membrane due to contact with the manipuland. The method further includes determining deformation of the membrane that best approximates a current configuration in a least squares sense while satisfying a discrete physical model enforced as a linear constraint that corresponds to a linearized physical model of the deformation that is discretized with an FEM, linearizing the relationship, and estimating deformation and field of contact forces by solving a least squares formulation with physical constraints cast as a sparse quadratic program.

A block transfer apparatus for transferring a block between an upstream and downstream clamps of a block delivery system. The apparatus includes: a frame pivotally mounted to a support; a clamping assembly mounted to the frame and linearly extendable relative thereto, and including a pair of gripper jaws for clamping opposing sides of the block. The apparatus receives a block in the gripper jaws in an approximate position; rotates to a drop position and releases the block allowing it to self-datum onto first and second orthogonal datum surfaces. The apparatus re-clamps the block after the drop by applying a clamping force to opposing sides of the block to register the block against a third datum surface to thereby datum the position of the block with respect to the clamping assembly; and presents the block clamped in the datumed position for transfer to the downstream clamp.

Disclosed is a multi-layer soft pneumatic actuator, including: a surface layer including driving protrusions formed on one surface; a first chamber layer stacked on the other surface of the surface layer and including a first chamber configured to partially overlap the driving protrusion; a second chamber layer stacked on a layer different from the first chamber layer on the other surface of the surface layer, including a second chamber having a partial region overlapping the driving protrusion and the first chamber; and an air line layer configured to inject air into each of the first chamber and the second chamber.

A banknote handling system includes an unlocking system. The unlocking system includes a camera, a first mechanical arm to which one or a plurality of keys are affixed, and a controller that determines a position of a keyhole based on an image from the camera, and controls the first arm to insert one of the one or the plurality of keys into the keyhole and turn the inserted key for unlocking. In many examples, the unlocking system is configured to unlock a banknote cashbox.

End-of-arm tools to be coupled to a robotic arm and configured to handle structural lumber objects are disclosed as are methods of use for such. The end-of-arm tools comprise opposing jaws to grip the lumber objects. The opposing jaws are coupled to a rigid frame via a four-bar linkage providing mechanical advantage and over-center functionality. An actuated extractor extends between the opposing jaws to engage the lumber object upon release. Assemblies of multiple end-of-arm tools coupled together are also disclosed.

A robot hand, and a robot hand control method and program are provided that are capable of performing an assembly task at high speed while alleviating shock between a gripped object (20) and an assembly target object (22). A robot hand (100) includes a hand (12), a displacement sensor (14), an estimation section, and a controller (16). The hand (12) includes an anti-slip mechanism at a contact portion with the gripped object (20) and a mechanism capable of anisotropic movement in three degrees of freedom under external force. The displacement sensor (14) is configured to detect a displacement amount of the hand (12) when an external force has been applied to the hand (12) from a state of mechanical equilibrium existing prior to application of the external force. Based on the displacement amount detected by the sensor, the estimation section is configured to estimate position-orientation-displacement amounts of the gripped object (20) when the gripped object (20) is being assembled to an assembly target object (22). The controller (16) includes a control section configured to control the hand (12) based on the position/orientation-displacement amounts of the gripped object as estimated by the estimation section so as to assemble the gripped object (20) to the assembly target object (22).

The baked object taking-out apparatus is an apparatus that takes out a baked object from a baking base plate including a disposing surface on which the baked object is disposed. The baked object taking-out apparatus includes a robot arm, a holding member that is provided on the robot arm, that is formed of a metal material, and that is capable of holding the baking base plate, and a protective member that is formed at a portion of the holding member which comes into contact with the baking base plate and that is configured with a ceramic coating which contains a ceramic component.

Extraction tongs with replaceable jaw tips include jaw tips with mating gripping projections. Each extraction tong includes a plurality of inward extending teeth. A thickness of the extraction tong is reduced at a bottom to form a jaw tip extension. A substantially triangular projection extends outward from opposing sides of the jaw tip extension. A plurality of holes are formed through the jaw tip extension. Each jaw tip includes a tong slot, which is sized to receive the thickness of the jaw tip extension. A substantially triangular slot is formed in opposing walls of the tong slot to receive the two substantially triangular projections. A plurality of counterbore holes are formed in opposing sides of the jaw tip. A first lengthwise projection is formed on a gripping surface of the first jaw tip. A pair of second lengthwise projections are formed on a gripping surface of the second jaw tip.

Automated pickup and laydown systems for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture that includes vertical grow towers. Some implementations of the invention can be used to create a horizontal-to-vertical interface between a vertical grow structure that includes vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, and a central processing system that processes (for example, harvests, cleans, transplants, etc.) the grow towers.

An end effector includes a hole plate includes a plurality of holes, a plurality of pins that respectively penetrate the plurality of holes and are hung on the hole plate to be movable upward, and a force applying part that applies an inward force to an outer pin of the plurality of pins.