The invention relates to a method for orientating two workpieces in order to form a joining connection, wherein in a longitudinal orientation step the first workpiece is orientated relative to the second workpiece) along at least one of the workpiece edges by linear movement of at least one of the grippers relative to the other gripper and wherein the longitudinal orientation step is carried out during the transport of the workpieces from the provision station to the processing station. Furthermore, the invention relates to a manipulator which comprises a first gripper and a second gripper.

A method includes receiving, by a control system of a robotic device, data about an object in an environment from a remote computing device, where the data comprises at least location data and identifier data. The method further includes, based on the location data, causing at least one appendage of the robotic device to move through a predetermined learning motion path. The method additionally includes, while the at least one appendage moves through the predetermined learning motion path, causing one or more visual sensors to capture a plurality of images for potential association with the identifier data. The method further includes sending, to the remote computing device, the plurality of captured images to be displayed on a display interface of the remote computing device.

An apparatus including a robot drive, a first arm connected to the robot drive, and a second arm connected to the robot drive. The first arm includes a first upper arm, a first forearm and a first end effector. The second arm includes a second upper arm, a second forearm and a second end effector. The first and second upper arms are connected to a first drive shaft of the robot drive. The first and second upper arms are either a same member or two members stationarily connected to one another. While the first arm is being extended and retracted, straight movement of the first end effector is provided relative to the robot drive along an axis which intersects a drive axis of the robot drive, where a wrist joint of the first arm does not intersect the drive axis while the first arm is being extended and retracted.

An end effector assembly for a picking robot, and a tool unit is disclosed, the end effector assembly comprising a first end effector part, a second end effector part, and an end effector device mounted on the second end effector part, wherein the first end effector part and the second end effector part are connected via a joint connection comprising a first joint having at least a first degree of freedom, the joint connection comprising a first spring construction having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the first end effector part and the second end connected to the second end effector part.

A product unpacking system includes a work surface at a first height and a product unloading position at a second height. An adjustable cutter is positioned adjacent to the work surface and configured to cut a plurality of sides of each case. A case movement device, such as a robot or manual mover, is configured to retrieve a case from a group of cases and move the case to the cutter to cut a plurality of sides of the case. The case movement device may then move the cut case to an unload position over a product container to allow products within the case to drop into the product container. A system of conveyors may be used to convey empty product containers toward the work surface and to convey filled product containers away from the work surface. The system may be automated to receive recipe information for each case to be unloaded and modify parameters of the system based on the case.

An autonomous robot for harvesting produce from a plant include a base, an arm coupled to the base, and an end-effector coupled to the arm. The end-effector includes one or more grippers, each having a first cutter, second cutter, and a compliant member between the first cutter and the second cutter. The first cutter is configured to cut a stem of the produce at a first location. The second cutter is configured to cut the stem of the produce at a second location. The compliant member is configured to plastically deform to hold the stem of the produce.

Methods and apparatus for temporarily holding one end of a wire on a harness form board during automated transfer from one robot to another robot. The apparatus includes a wire holding device which is designed to facilitate the transfer of a wire end from a first end effector of a first robot to a second end effector of a second robot. The wire holding devices have different structures, but share the common feature that opening of the wire holding device (to enable wire insertion) involves applying a contact force which overcomes a spring force that urges the wire holding device to be closed. The end effectors are designed and their movements are controlled in a manner such that the moving end effector applies the contact force necessary to overcome the closure-inducing spring force being exerted.

A gripping tool includes a vacuum manifold, a flexible membrane, and vacuum channels coupled in parallel between the vacuum manifold and the flexible membrane. Each of the vacuum channels includes a compliant conduit, a vacuum check valve, and suction cup. The vacuum check valve is biased to a closed condition and is configured to toggle from the closed condition to an open condition when a vacuum source applies a vacuum in the vacuum manifold and the suction cup of that vacuum channel is engaged by the object. Each of the check valves independently toggles between the closed condition and the open condition such that, when a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum manifold, the vacuum is maintained in the vacuum manifold and in the compliant conduits of the vacuum channels that have engaged suction cups.

A method of repitching workpieces in an automated mass production system includes: (a) unloading a set of workpieces from a plurality of first retainers arranged at a first pitch, the unloading step including gripping of the workpieces by corresponding grippers of a repitch robot; (b) adjusting the workpieces from the first pitch to a second pitch different from the first pitch, the adjusting step including translating the grippers relative to each other from a first spacing corresponding to the first pitch to a second spacing corresponding to the second pitch; and (c) loading the workpieces into a plurality of corresponding second retainers arranged at the second pitch, the loading step including positioning and releasing the workpieces in the second retainers via the grippers.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for robotic picking assemblies configured to grasp multiple items. In one embodiment, an example system may include a picking assembly coupled to a vacuum system, the picking assembly having a first suction cup assembly with a first suction cup and a first sensor, and a second suction cup assembly with a second suction cup and a second sensor. The example system may include a controller configured to cause the picking assembly to grasp a plurality of items, where the plurality of items includes a first item and a second item. The controller may be further configured to cause the picking assembly to move from a first position to a second position, and cause the picking assembly to release the first item at a first time and the second item at a second time.