An object manipulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a memory and a hardware processor coupled to the memory. The hardware processor is configured to: calculate, based on an image in which one or more objects to be grasped are contained, an evaluation value of a first behavior manner of grasping the one or more objects; generate information representing a second behavior manner based on the image and a plurality of evaluation values of the first behavior manner; and control actuation of grasping the object to be grasped in accordance with the information being generated.

A pick and place method and apparatus thereof are provided. The pick and place method includes: providing at least one semiconductor element disposed on a source storage location; picking up the at least one semiconductor element from the source storage location; transferring the at least one semiconductor element to a temporary storage device according to a signal; positioning the at least one semiconductor element through the temporary storage device; and picking up the positioned semiconductor element from the temporary storage device and placing the positioned semiconductor element on a destination storage location.

A vacuum cup damage detection system detects vacuum cup damage or absence in a robot singulator including a vacuum-based end effector with one or more vacuum cups. The system generally comprises a plate and a control subsystem. The plate provides a potential point of engagement for the one or more vacuum cups of the vacuum-based end effector when the robot singulator is moved to a predetermined position in which, if present, at least one of the one or more vacuum cups of the vacuum-based end effector is in contact with the plate. The control subsystem includes: one or more sensors configured to obtain readings indicative of the engagement of the one or more vacuum cups with the plate or lack thereof; and a controller configured to determine whether any one of the vacuum cups is damaged or missing based on the readings obtained by the one or more sensors.

A system 100 for sheet coil packaging is provided. The system 100 preferably comprises: a sheet coil rotating arrangement 120, arranged to rotate a sheet coil 116 to enable it to be wrapped; first 112 and second 113 industrial robots, having first 108 and second 109 robot arms, arranged to wrap the sheet coil 116 using a wrapping tool 110, using sequences of the first robot arm 108 inserting the wrapping tool 110 into a central hole 118 of the sheet coil 116 and handing over the wrapping tool 110 to the second robot arm 109, and the second robot arm 109 transporting the wrapping tool 110 along the outside of the sheet coil 116 and handing it back to the first robot arm 108, as the sheet coil 116 is rotated by the sheet coil rotating arrangement 120; and two outer edge protection mounting devices 210, 220, arranged at opposite ends of the sheet coil 116 to feed out edge protection material 250 along an outer edge of the sheet coil 116 as the sheet coil 116 is rotated by the sheet coil rotating arrangement 120. The first 112 and second 113 industrial robots are preferably arranged to wrap the sheet coil 116 in synchronization with the feeding out of the edge protection material 250, thereby fixing the edge protection material 250 to the outer edges of the sheet coil 116 by the wrapping as the sheet coil 116 is rotated by the sheet coil rotating arrangement 120.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of robotic grasping systems, and in particular to an active robotic manipulator that includes a passive grasping component so that the robotic manipulator can grasp a wide variety of objects and simultaneously provide soft grasping features which reduce the risk of damage to objects.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to optical devices. More specifically, embodiments described herein relate to apparatuses and methods for gripping optical devices. In an embodiment, an apparatus for gripping an optical device includes a base coupled to a proximal end of a stem extending from a bottom surface of the base. The apparatus also includes a plurality of arms movably coupled to the bottom surface of the base. The plurality of arms are coupled to an actuator operable to move the plurality of arms laterally along a X-Y plane parallel to the bottom surface of the base. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a suction pad operable to provide a noncontact vertical suction force.

Methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The methods are enabled by equipping the UAV with tools for rapidly repairing a large structure or object (e.g., an aircraft or a wind turbine blade) that is not easily accessible to maintenance personnel. A plurality of tools are available for robotic selection and placement at the repair site. The tools are designed to perform respective repair operations in sequence in accordance with a specified repair plan, which plan may take into account the results of a previously performed UAV-enabled inspection.

Various embodiments relate to magnetically moveable displacement devices or robotic devices. Particular embodiments provide systems and corresponding methods for magnetically moving multiple movable robots relative to one or more working surfaces of respective one or more work bodies, and for moving robots between the one or more work bodies via transfer devices. Robots can carry one or more objects among different locations, manipulate carried objects, and/or interact with their surroundings for particular functionality including but not limited to assembly, packaging, inspection, 3D printing, test, laboratory automation, etc. A mechanical link may be mounted on planar motion units such as said robots.

Embodiments of an active object mounting system secure an object of interest to a surface of a secured-to object using one or more vacuum mounting modules, wherein each vacuum mounting module comprises at least one vacuum pump controllably coupled to a microcontroller, a vacuum cup fluidly coupled to the at least one vacuum pump, and a transceiver that receives an instruction corresponding to one of a vacuum cup actuation signal or a vacuum cup release signal.

A method including gripping a first surface of a grip target object mounted on a mounting surface by the first grip portion; gripping a second surface crossing the first surface of the grip target object by the second grip portion; lifting the arm together with the first and second grip portions, to lift the grip target object; turning the first and second grip portions, to tilt the grip target object with respect to the mounting surface and bring the grip target object into contact with the mounting surface; maintaining the grip target object in a state of being tilted with respect to the mounting surface; and moving the arm together with the first and second grip portions, to drag the grip target object on the mounting surface.