A mobile robot includes an electric device unit disposed inside a cover and upward of a robot, and a transport mechanism disposed downward of the robot. An end part of a rotation shaft of a motor driving an arm portion of the robot faces downward. The cover includes a partition plate separating a first housing space in which the electric device unit is housed and a second housing space in which the robot is housed. The partition plate has a protrusion protruding into the first housing space. The protrusion provides a motor housing space in the second housing space. At least one part of the first motor is housed in the motor housing space when a base of the robot is elevated to an uppermost position.

A mobile robot includes an electric device unit disposed inside a cover and upward of a robot, and a transport mechanism disposed downward of the robot. An end part of a rotation shaft of a motor driving an arm portion of the robot faces downward. The cover includes a partition plate separating a first housing space in which the electric device unit is housed and a second housing space in which the robot is housed. The partition plate has a protrusion protruding into the first housing space. The protrusion provides a motor housing space in the second housing space. At least one part of the first motor is housed in the motor housing space when a base of the robot is elevated to an uppermost position.

A team of robots may fabricate a tubular structure. Each robot may fabricate a tube by winding resin-covered fiber around an inflated, cylindrical mandrel of the robot. The resin may cure, resulting in a hardened tube segment The robot may extend the tube by fabricating additional segments of the tube, one segment at a time. After a first segment cures, the mandrel may deflate, then the robot may move up inside the tube, then the mandrel may inflate, and the robot may begin fabricating another tube segment. After completing a tube segment, the robot may tilt relative to that segment, before starting the next segment. By doing so, the robot may cause the tube to be curved. A computer may guide the team of robots during fabrication of the tubes, by executing a flocking algorithm. The algorithm may prevent collisions with already fabricated tube segments.

A team of robots may fabricate a tubular structure. Each robot may fabricate a tube by winding resin-covered fiber around an inflated, cylindrical mandrel of the robot. The resin may cure, resulting in a hardened tube segment The robot may extend the tube by fabricating additional segments of the tube, one segment at a time. After a first segment cures, the mandrel may deflate, then the robot may move up inside the tube, then the mandrel may inflate, and the robot may begin fabricating another tube segment. After completing a tube segment, the robot may tilt relative to that segment, before starting the next segment. By doing so, the robot may cause the tube to be curved. A computer may guide the team of robots during fabrication of the tubes, by executing a flocking algorithm. The algorithm may prevent collisions with already fabricated tube segments.

An example test system includes a test carrier to hold devices for test; a device shuttle to transport the devices; and a robot to move the devices between the test carrier and the device shuttle. The device shuttle is configured to move, towards a stage of the test system containing the robot, a first device among the devices that has not been tested. The device shuttle is configured to move in a first dimension. The robot is configured to move the first device from the device shuttle to the test carrier. The robot is configured to move in a second dimension that is different from the first dimension.

A robotic apparatus includes a first guide rail; an elongate support attached to the first guide rail, the elongate support being movable along the first guide rail in two directions and rotatable at each position along the first guide rail; a first limb movable along a second guide rail in the elongate support, the first limb being extendable and retractable; a second limb pivotably attached to the first limb; an end effector mount located at the second limb and rotatable at one end of the second limb; and a third guide rail attached to the elongate support to guide movement of the elongate support in the two directions that the elongate support is movable along the first guide rail; and driving mechanisms to drive movements of the robotic apparatus.

The disclosed systems for automated building construction may include upright supports, a support platform coupled to and vertically movable relative to the upright supports, and a bridge platform coupled to and horizontally movable along the support platform. A track may be mounted on the bridge platform, and a robotic arm may be coupled to and movable along the track. The robotic arm may be configured to retrieve structural insulated panels and to position the structural insulated panels to construct at least a portion of a building. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

The disclosed systems for automated building construction may include upright supports, a support platform coupled to and vertically movable relative to the upright supports, and a bridge platform coupled to and horizontally movable along the support platform. A track may be mounted on the bridge platform, and a robotic arm may be coupled to and movable along the track. The robotic arm may be configured to retrieve structural insulated panels and to position the structural insulated panels to construct at least a portion of a building. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

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, the storage modules can take a variety of shapes and sizes for storage of an article. A related process of article movement and actions can be accomplished by the suspended automation system. Still another related process is overhead storage and selectively delivery of an article.

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, the storage modules can take a variety of shapes and sizes for storage of an article. A related process of article movement and actions can be accomplished by the suspended automation system. Still another related process is overhead storage and selectively delivery of an article.