A robotic system for applying a volatile fluid to a work-piece comprising a support structure configured to mount at least one spray nozzle while facilitating motion of the nozzle in multiple degrees of freedom. An encoder senses a position of the spray nozzle and issues a position signal indicative thereof. A pneumatically-driven motor effects displacement of the spray nozzle on the support structure along each degree of freedom. A controller disposed outside the boundaries defined by the structural support, is responsive to the position signals for controlling the pneumatically-driven motor to displace the spray nozzle while dispensing the volatile fluid. The pneumatically driven motor and the isolated spatial position of the controller prohibits a source of ignition for the volatile fluid sprayed by the nozzle.

Provided is an excellent robot device capable of preferably detecting difference between dirt and a scratch on a lens of a camera and difference between dirt and a scratch on a hand. A robot device detects a site in which there is the dirt or the scratch using an image of the hand taken by a camera as a reference image. Further, this determines whether the detected dirt or scratch is due to the lens of the camera or the hand by moving the hand. The robot device performs cleaning work assuming that the dirt is detected, and then this detects the difference between the dirt and the scratch depending on whether the dirt is removed.

Provided is an excellent robot device capable of preferably detecting difference between dirt and a scratch on a lens of a camera and difference between dirt and a scratch on a hand. A robot device detects a site in which there is the dirt or the scratch using an image of the hand taken by a camera as a reference image. Further, this determines whether the detected dirt or scratch is due to the lens of the camera or the hand by moving the hand. The robot device performs cleaning work assuming that the dirt is detected, and then this detects the difference between the dirt and the scratch depending on whether the dirt is removed.

An article gripping device causes a gripping member to grip an article, and subsequently discharge the article by releasing the gripping of the article by the gripping member. The article gripping device is provided with a gripping member driving mechanism to drive the gripping member, and a controller to control the gripping member driving mechanism. The controller has, as control modes for the gripping member driving mechanism, a first control mode and a second control mode that is separate from the first control mode. In the first control mode, the controller controls the gripping member driving mechanism to cause the gripping member to execute a first operation of gripping the article and subsequently releasing the gripping of the article. In the second control mode, the controller controls the gripping member driving mechanism to cause the gripping member to execute a second operation of removing matter adhering to the gripping member.

A robot joint including a first part and a second part arranged to have a relative movement in between, and a joint gap spacing the first part and the second part from each other, wherein the robot joint includes an inflatable seal accommodated in the joint gap to provide a fluid-tight sealing of the joint. The disclosure also relates to a robot including the robot joint, a system including the robot and a method for sealing a joint gap of a robot joint.

A machine tool which removal-machines a workpiece by a tool includes an in-machine robot provided in a machining chamber, and a cleaning mechanism that cleans the in-machine robot by removing an adhering substance adhering to the in-machine robot. When the in-machine robot is cleaned, the in-machine robot moves relative to the cleaning mechanism and positions in proximity to the cleaning mechanism.

The disclosure concerns a pivoting unit for a handling robot for opening a flap (e.g. door) of a motor vehicle body, comprising a mounting flange, a gripper arm and a first gripping tool for gripping an engagement on the flap to be opened, the first gripping tool being mounted on the gripper arm, and a pivoting head for pivoting the gripper arm between an initial position and an engaged position. The disclosure provides that a second gripping tool is also mounted on the gripper arm, and that the two gripping tools on the gripper arm are adapted to be inserted in different insertion directions into engagement with the openable flap of the motor vehicle body, in particular from top to bottom for the first gripping tool and from bottom to top for the second gripping tool. The disclosure further comprises an associated method.

In one embodiment, a robotic system comprises: a robot comprising a robotic actuator and at least one robotic arm mechanically coupled to the robotic actuator; a suction gripper mechanism that comprises: a linear shaft element; an internal airflow passage within the linear shaft configured to communicate an airflow between an airflow application port at a first end of the linear shaft and a gripping port positioned at an opposing second end of the linear shaft; a suction cup assembly comprising a suction cup element coupled to the gripping port; and an actuator configured to rotate the linear shaft in order to articulate an orientation of the suction cup assembly.

Systems and methods for a telescoping suction gripper assembly are provided. In one embodiment, a robotic system comprises: a robot comprising a robotic actuator and at least one robotic arm mechanically coupled to the robotic actuator; a telescoping suction gripper assembly comprising a telescoping member and a suction gripper mechanism, wherein a first end of the telescoping member is coupled to a vacuum supply conduit via a first flexible conduit member and a second end of the telescoping member is coupled to the suction gripper mechanism by a second flexible conduit member, and wherein the suction gripper mechanism is pivotally coupled to the at least one robotic; wherein the telescoping member is configured to adjust in length in response to the at least one robotic arm relocating the suction gripper mechanism from a first position to a second position.

An adhesive apparatus with an electrostatic adhesive including a microstructured adhesive disposed over an electrode and/or a piezoelectric element. The adhesive can be added to any robotic gripper, such as a gripper finger formed of a flexible material and including a grip surface. The electrode and/or a piezoelectric element can be used for applying an electrostatic field and/or ultrasonic vibration, configured for cleaning the microstructured adhesive, releasing the adhesive, and/or sensing a load on the adhesive apparatus.