Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media applicable to robots, such as balancing robots. Some implementations are directed to determining multiple measures of a property of a robot for a given time and determining a final measure of the property of the robot for the given time based on the multiple measures. One or more control commands may be generated based on the final measure of the property and provided to one or more actuators of the robot.

A maintenance jig for a balancer of a robot includes a balancer with a casing closed at both ends by two end plates, each having a through hole, a movable member disposed in the casing, movable in an axial direction of the casing, a rod, one end of which is fixed to the movable member and another end of which is disposed outside the casing, and a force generating member accommodated in the casing. The force generating member generates a pulling force that pulls the rod into the casing. The maintenance jig includes a first member detachably fixed to the other end plate, a second member includes a male screw portion to be fastened to a screw hole of the first member, and a rotational force input unit through which a rotational force is input.

An apparatus for coupling a robot arm to a tool that is suspended by an ergonomic arm capable of supporting 3D motion of the tool within a working volume. The apparatus includes a tool sleeve configured to accept the tool, a freely rotating rotary fitting coupled to the tool sleeve, and a coupling that couples a distal end of the robot arm to the rotary fitting. When the tool is inserted into the tool sleeve, the tool is free to rotate around the rotational axis with respect to the robot arm, such that a motion of the distal end of the robot arm does not impose a torque between the robot arm and the tool around the rotational axis, and such that motion of the distal end of the robot arm repositions or reorients the tool within at least a portion of the working volume.

A robot system with a robot configured for locomotion about a space using ground reaction force (GRF) to provide a first level of balancing. The robot system includes force generators located on or in the robot's body or offboard in the space that act to generate balancing forces to provide a second level of balancing for the robot using non-conventional physics. For example, clamping of a robot's feet to a support surface may be provided whenever the feet are in contact with the support surface using electromagnets in the feet and a layer of ferrous material on the support surface or using mechanical coupling techniques to temporarily anchor the foot to the support surface. In other examples, a balance controller may process output of balance sensors and respond by generating control signals to operate force generators onboard the robot such as electric fans or inertial reaction wheels.

According to one embodiment, an arm structure includes a base, a first link, a second link, a connecting member, and a gravity compensation mechanism. The first and the second links are rotatable in a vertical direction. One end side of the first link is pivotally attached to the base via a first rotating shaft. One end side of the second link is pivotally attached to another end side of the first link via a second rotating shaft. A length of the first link is same as a length of the second link. The second link rotates around the second rotating shaft. A rotation angle of the second link is twice a rotation angle of the first link. A rotation direction of the second link is opposite to a rotation direction of the first link. The gravity compensation mechanism compensates for torque generated around the first rotating shaft by gravity.

A transfer robot includes a support unit, a rotary base supported by the support unit, a rotation mechanism that rotates the rotary base, a hand unit supported by the rotary base and configured to support a work, and a linear movement mechanism that moves the hand unit in a horizontal direction relative to the rotary base. The rotation mechanism includes a first rotation mechanism that rotates the rotary base relative to the support unit about a first rotation axis extending in a vertical direction, and a second rotation mechanism that rotates the rotary base about a second rotation axis inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the first rotation axis. The support unit includes a pivotal member that pivots about a pivotal axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis.

Dynamic control of a center of mass position is based on replacement of discrete motion of macro body (counterweighing solid or counterbalancing mechanisms) for continuous molecular flow of counterweighing liquid. Redistributing liquid counterweight between chambers attached to independently moving parts of robot allows its motion to new stable position without disruption in static stability and dynamic balance. Various embodiments include bipods/humanoids, wheeled locomotion robots and hybrid wheeled/multi-pod bio-like robotic systems; some embodiments allow reversible mutual reconfiguration between various structural arrangements. In humanoid embodiments, method allows moving on uneven terrain or ascending staircases while maintaining static stability; method also decreases the probability of fall and secures self-rising if a fall occurred. In some embodiments liquid counterweight may be transferred upon high barriers exceeding the height of robot by a few folds, such as walls of the building or ledge or steep slope in mountains, thus providing robots with capability principally not available to prior art.

A two-wheel balancing vehicle includes a chassis including one or more mounting interfaces configured to detachably mount one or more fighting modules for robotic competition. The two-wheel balancing vehicle also includes two wheel assemblies respectively mounted at a left side and a right side of the chassis. Each of the two wheel assemblies includes a wheel and a driving motor drivingly connected with the wheel and mounted to the chassis. The two-wheel balancing vehicle also includes an inertial measurement unit. The two-wheel balancing vehicle further includes a control system communicatively connected with the inertial measurement unit and the driving motor, the control system configured to receive sensing signals provided by the inertial measurement unit and to control a balancing state of the two-wheel balancing vehicle. The inertial measurement unit and the control system are mounted to the chassis.

A suspended automation system includes a rail array secured to a ceiling. A gantry moves in an X-Y plane defined by the rail array with a drive mechanism. A controller with a human user interface allows for selective movement of the gantry to transport, and in some instances store or manipulate articles. A motorized rotating platform and one or more of a robotic arm, a camera, or a counter-balance are added to the platform to facilitate storage and manipulation, as well as actions in the area below the ceiling. A rail array in some embodiments is equipped with storage modules located above the rail array that can take a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations for storage of an article, including a stack. A related process of article movement can be accomplished by the suspended automation system. Another related process is overhead storage and selective delivery of an article.

The present invention relates to a device for implementing robot motions, and especially, a device for implementing robot motions using propulsive force, the device comprising: a thruster which is provided to a robot body and hauls the weight of a robot so that a posture for enabling the implementation of various motions may be easily induced, and which hauls the entire or some portion of the weight of the robot body by generating a propulsive force; and a posture control module which links the thruster and the robot body, thereby enabling the posture of the robot body to change.