According to various aspects, a controller for an automated machine may include: one or more processors configured to: obtain a message from a further automated machine in accordance with a communication protocol, the message including a first result of a first sensing process that the further automated machine performs; and determine an assessment of the automated machine based on the first result and based on a second result of a second sensing process that the automated machine performs.

Provided is a system and method for robotic manipulation. The system includes a primary arm having a two arm linkage, a secondary tool, an attachment for attaching the secondary tool to the primary arm, and a controller of the primary arm for operating the secondary tool. The method includes removing a secondary arm from a storage location, securing the secondary arm to the primary arm, and operating the secondary arm with a controller of the primary arm.

Robot charging dock includes a charge connector configured to mate with a charging port of a mobile robot. There is a charge connector frame having a front surface on which the charge connector is mounted. The front surface has a first side edge and a second side edge. There is a front cover disposed over the charge connector frame which has an aperture through which the charge connector protrudes. At least a portion of the front cover is spaced from the front surface of the charge connector frame, defining an internal region. There is an opening to the internal region formed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the aperture and there is a light source disposed in the internal region. The light source is directed toward the opening to allow the light source to illuminate charge connector.

Pick quality determination is disclosed, including: using a pressure meter to sense a pressure associated with an airflow through a gripper mechanism of a diverting mechanism over time during a pick operation on a target object; storing the sensed pressure associated with the airflow through the gripper mechanism over time as a pressure sequence associated with the pick operation on the target object; and correlating the pressure sequence with representative pressure sequences associated with corresponding pick quality types to determine whether the pick operation on the target object was successful or not.

A disconnection detection method for detecting disconnection of a plurality of strands constituting a conductor of a cable wired in a device that is caused by motion of the device includes a data acquisition step of acquiring motion information data, which is data showing changes over time in information about motion of the device, and resistance value data, which is data of a resistance value of the conductor that changes in time series due to the motion of the device, an analysis step of analyzing the resistance value data based on the motion information data acquired in the data acquisition step and obtaining an index value to detect strand disconnection, and a disconnection detection step of detecting the strand disconnection based on the index value obtained in the analysis step.

Surgical kit inspection systems and methods are provided for inspecting surgical kits having parts of different types. The surgical kit inspection system comprises a vision unit including a first camera unit and a second camera unit to capture images of parts of a first type and a second type in each kit and to capture images of loose parts from each kit that are placed on a light surface. A robot supports the vision unit to move the first and second camera units relative to the parts in each surgical kit. One or more controllers obtain unique inspection instructions for each of the surgical kits to control inspection of each of the surgical kits and control movement of the robot and the vision unit accordingly to provide output indicating inspection results for each of the surgical kits.

A mobile robot comprising a trunk and several limbs removably linked to the trunk comprises: for each of the limbs, means for prepositioning the limb on the trunk, and a single flange linked to the trunk and configured to removably fix all the limbs to the trunk. Each of the limbs comprises a motorized articulation, via which the limb is positioned and fixed onto the trunk, and can be driven in movement relative to the trunk.

In embodiments, a subsea manipulator tool changer comprises an ROV attachable standardized tool receiver and a tool, the subsea manipulator tool changer comprising a standardized tool latch and a standardized tool latch receiver whereby tools can be attached and detached subsea. In other embodiments, a system for changing tools while subsea comprises an ROV, a subsea manipulator tool changer, and a tool caddy configured to accept and release a tool where the tool comprises the standardized tool latch receiver.

Pick quality determination is disclosed, including: using a pressure meter to sense a pressure associated with an airflow through a gripper mechanism of a diverting mechanism over time during a pick operation on a target object; storing the sensed pressure associated with the airflow through the gripper mechanism over time as a pressure sequence associated with the pick operation on the target object; and correlating the pressure sequence with representative pressure sequences associated with corresponding pick quality types to determine whether the pick operation on the target object was successful or not.

Surgical kit inspection systems and methods are provided for inspecting surgical kits having parts of different types. The surgical kit inspection system comprises a vision unit including a first camera unit and a second camera unit to capture images of parts of a first type and a second type in each kit and to capture images of loose parts from each kit that are placed on a light surface. A robot supports the vision unit to move the first and second camera units relative to the parts in each surgical kit. One or more controllers obtain unique inspection instructions for each of the surgical kits to control inspection of each of the surgical kits and control movement of the robot and the vision unit accordingly to provide output indicating inspection results for each of the surgical kits.