The present invention are methods for fabrication of micro- and/or nano-scale adhesive fibers and their use for movement and manipulation of objects. Further disclosed is a method of manipulating a part by providing a manipulation device with a plurality of fibers, where each fiber has a tip with a flat surface that is parallel to a backing layer, contacting the flat surfaces on an object, moving the object to a new location, then disengaging the tips from the object.

One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate. One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate during building or reconfiguring a product.

A robot system capable of separating an adhesive member from a cover material and sticking the adhesive member on an object without a complicated setting. A robot system including a sticking mechanism configured to clamp and stick an adhesive member on an object and a supply mechanism capable of supplying the adhesive member, wherein the sticking mechanism includes a robot hand configured to clamp and release the adhesive member and a robot arm configured to move the robot hand; and the supply mechanism is separate from the sticking mechanism, supplies the adhesive member in a state that the adhesive member is stuck to a cover material, and separates the cover material from the adhesive member.

An inventive tool enables easy removal of label media from tight spaces, such as removal of a spine or cover label from the label pocket of a notebook binder. The tool is generally flat, skinny, and long and has an adhesive capture end and a handle end. The adhesive capture end utilizes a low- to medium-tack pressure sensitive adhesive to capture the entrapped label media when the tool is inserted into the pocket. Modes of providing a pressure sensitive adhesive end include spray application and double- and single-coated films and other media.

A vertical surface cleaning device comprising a main body, a cleaning arm, a cleaning head, and leg mechanisms with grippers. The cleaning head applies a cleaning fluid on a surface to carry out a cleaning operation. A waste collector is provided to collect a waste material arising from the cleaning operation. The grippers may remain in a grip or in a release state. The segments of the leg mechanisms are articulatable to configure a first group of the leg mechanisms to stably hold the main body at a first place with the grippers remaining in the grip state. A second group of the leg mechanisms move in a desired direction with their grippers in release state while the first group stably holds the main body. The first group of the leg mechanisms then moves in the same direction while the second group holds the main body at a second place.

A picking apparatus is configured to pick up a plurality of micro elements. The picking apparatus includes a main body and a plurality of picking portions. The picking portions connect with and protrude from the main body. Each of the picking portions has a first surface. The first surfaces are away from the main body and configured to pick up the micro elements. The main body has a second surface at least partially located between the picking portions. Each of the first surfaces has a first viscosity. The second surface has a second viscosity. The second viscosity is less than the first viscosity.

An object retrieval device is disclosed. The retrieval device includes a retrieval end, a joint, and an extension arm. The retrieval end includes an adhesive portion and an arm portion. The arm portion includes a set of protrusions and adhesive portion includes surface segmentation. The joint is configured to pivot. The extension arm includes a first set of protrusions disposed at a first end of the extension arm. The first end of the extension arm is couplable to the arm portion of the retrieval end such that the first set of protrusions disposed on the extension arm align with the set of protrusions disposed on the arm portion of the retrieval end to form ridges.

Methods and systems for assessing a robotic grasping technique. The system in accordance with various embodiments may include a warehouse management system for retrieving and storing items, a robotic manipulator for grasping an item, and analysis module configured to receive data regarding a first grasp attempt by the robotic manipulator and analyze the received data to determine whether the robotic manipulator successfully grasped the item.

An item with fibers may be picked up and placed using a tool head with hooks that engage the fibers. The tool head may comprise at least one hook portion and at least one contact surface adjacent to the hook portion. The hooks that engage the fibers may extend from the hook portion. The tool head may be actuatable between at least a first configuration that permits the hooks to engage the fibers and a second configuration that does not permit the hooks to engage the fibers. An item may be picked up at a starting location with a tool head in the first configuration and placed at a placement location by moving the tool head and then actuating the tool head to the second configuration.

An adherent device capable of holding and releasing an object with a simple structure, and a transfer technique using the same are provided. An adherent device has a support member with at least one aperture, and a polymer material layer provided on a first principal surface side of the support member, in which an adhesive strength on a second principal surface of the support member on a side opposite the first principal surface changes by applying an external force.