A reconfigurable robot system employing a base actuator (11), an instrument actuator (12), an end-effector (13) and arm sets (14, 15). Each arm set (14, 15) is operable to successively adjoin the base actuator (11), the instrument actuator (12) and the end-effector (13) into an arc configuration for moving the instrument as held by the end-effector (13) relative to a remote center of motion responsive to the base actuator (11) generating the rotational motion along a primary axis and/or the instrument actuator (12) generating the rotational motion along a secondary axis. Each arc configuration defines the remote center of motion as an intersection of the primary axis, the secondary axis and the longitudinal axis. The arm sets (14, 15) are partially or fully interchangeable for reconfiguring the arc configuration of the base actuator (11), the instrument actuator (12) and the end-effector (13).

This application provides a robotic arm and a control method therefor. The robotic arm comprises a spatial positioning mechanism, a planar motion mechanism and a connection and rotation joint connecting the spatial positioning mechanism and the planar motion mechanism. The space positioning mechanism comprises a base, and a joint mechanism including multiple joints, with the joint at a head end thereof installed onto the base, and the joint at a tail end rotatably connected to the connection and rotation joint; a tail end of the planar motion mechanism is connected to a surgical instrument. Perpendicular line of a plane where the planar motion mechanism is located is perpendicular to rotation axis of the connection and rotation joint; and the intersection between the rotation axis and axis of the surgical instrument is an active remote-center-of-motion point, which facilitates setting of the active remote-center-of-motion point and reduces occurrence of multi-arm collision.

Devices, systems, and methods for providing commanded movement of an end effector of a manipulator concurrent with a desired movement of one or more joints of the manipulator according to one or more consolidated null-space objectives. The null-space objectives may include a joint state combination, relative joint states, range of joint states, joint state profile, kinetic energy, clutching movements, collision avoidance movements, singularity avoidance movements, pose or pitch preference, desired manipulator configurations, commanded reconfiguration of the manipulator, and anisotropic emphasis of the joints. Methods include calculating multiple null-space movements according to different null-space objectives, determining an attribute for each and consolidating the null-space movements with a null-space manager using various approaches. The approaches may include applying weighting, scaling, saturation levels, priority, master velocity limiting, saturated limited integration and various combinations thereof.

A three-dimensional (3D) emitting apparatus includes a table on which an object is to be disposed, a robot arm to perform a task on the object, an emitting member provided at an end portion of the robot arm, and a controller to control an operation of the robot arm or a position of the emitting member, wherein the table and the robot arm may move relatively in a vertical or horizontal direction, the emitting member may move along a trajectory of rotation of the robot arm, and the trajectory of rotation may be provided in a form of a concentric sphere having a center at which a target point is disposed.

Devices, systems, and methods for providing commanded movement of an end effector of a manipulator while providing a desired movement of one or more joints of the manipulator. Methods include calculating weighted joint velocities using a weighting matrix within the joint space to anisotropically emphasize joint movement within a null-space to provide the desired movement of a first set of joints. Methods may include calculating joint velocities that achieve the desired end effector movement using a pseudo-inverse solution and adjusting the calculated joint velocities using a potential function gradient within the joint space corresponding to the desired movement of the first set of joints. Methods may include use of a weighted pseudo-inverse solution and also an augmented Jacobian solution. One or more auxiliary movements may also be provided using joint velocities calculated from the pseudo-inverse solution. Various configurations for systems utilizing such methods are provided herein.

Devices, systems, and methods for providing a desired movement of one or more joints of a manipulator arm having a plurality of joints with redundant degrees of freedom while effecting commanded movement of a distal end effector of the manipulator. Methods include defining a constraint, such as a network of paths, within a joint space defined by the one or more joints and determining a movement of the plurality of joints within a null-space to track the constraints with the one or more joints. Methods may further include calculating a reconfiguration movement of the joints and modifying the constraints to coincide with a reconfigured position of the one or more joints. Various configurations for devices and systems utilizing such methods are provided herein.

Systems and methods for transferring a micro device or an array of micro devices to or from a substrate are disclosed. In an embodiment, a remote center robot allows on-the-fly alignment between a micro pick up array and a target substrate. The remote center robot may include a plurality of symmetric linkages that move independently and share a remote rotational center. In an embodiment, the remote rotational center may be positioned at a surface of the micro pick up array to prevent damage to the array of micro devices during transfer.

Devices, systems, and methods for positioning an end effector or remote center of a manipulator arm by floating a first set of joints within a null-perpendicular joint velocity sub-space and providing a desired state or movement of a proximal portion of a manipulator arm concurrent with end effector positioning by driving a second set of joints within a null-space orthogonal to the null-perpendicular space. Methods include floating a first set of joints within a null-perpendicular space to allow manual positioning of one or both of a remote center or end effector position within a work space and driving a second set of joints according to an auxiliary movement calculated within a null-space according to a desired state or movement of the manipulator arm during the floating of the joints. Various configurations for devices and systems utilizing such methods are provided herein.

The present process of controlling an industrial robot includes steps consisting of calculating, in the modules implemented by the central unit, a time-dependent composite setpoint defining articular forces and velocities, according to a target trajectory and to an operating mode; calculating, in modules implemented by the central unit, a behavior matrix which describes a desired behavior of the robot arm, defining directions along which the calculated composite setpoint is to be applied; calculating, in a module implemented by the in auxiliary unit, an articular force setpoint for controlling the axis controller module; and calculating, in the axis controller module implemented by the auxiliary unit, the control setpoints for the power units according to the articular force setpoint.

A gripping system for an autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) and such AGV are disclosed herein. The gripping system for automated gripping and pulling/pushing a cart comprises a unique gripping end effector ensuring controlled steering of the cart while allowing rolling of the cart relative to the body of the AGV. The end effector comprises means for indication of state of connection between the cart and the gripping system, ensuring a reliable, safe and efficient cart gripping and pulling operation.