An automated picking apparatus for picking an object disposed on a surface. The automated picking apparatus comprises: a picking device displaceable toward the surface for picking the object; a compensator device co-operably connected to the picking device, the compensator device comprising a first magnet and a second magnet separated by a distance and arranged to repel away from each other; and an actuating mechanism operable for displacing the picking device toward the surface for picking the object, wherein operation of the actuating mechanism activates the compensator device and displaces the picking device co-operably connected thereto; wherein activation of the compensator device reduces the distance between the first and second magnetic elements thereof; and wherein continued operation of the actuating mechanism subsequent to contact between the picking device and the object further reduces the distance between the first and second magnetic elements of the compensator device.

A system includes an automated guided vehicle (AGV). A loading table is positioned on the AGV. The loading table is configured and sized to hold more than one storage container. A frame extends from the AGV. A robotic arm is mounted to the frame. In one form, the frame includes a gantry that moves relative to the rest of the AGV. Alternatively or additionally, the robotic arm is able to move relative to the gantry. By holding more than one storage container, the AGV facilitates automatic batch picking or placing of items. The gantry increases the degrees of freedom of movement of the robotic arm.

A robot system includes: a cell; and a robot which is provided to move in the cell, in which the robot includes an n-th (n is an integer which is equal to or greater than 1) arm which rotates around an n-th rotating axis, and an (n+1)th arm which is provided to rotate around an (n+1)th rotating axis which is an axial direction different from an axial direction of the n-th rotating axis, in the n-th arm, in which the length of the n-th arm is longer than the length of the (n+1)th arm, and in which, when viewed from the (n+1)th rotating axis, the n-th arm and the (n+1)th arm overlap each other.

A system includes an automated guided vehicle (AGV). A loading table is positioned on the AGV. The loading table is configured and sized to hold more than one storage container. A frame extends from the AGV. A robotic arm is mounted to the frame. In one form, the frame includes a gantry that moves relative to the rest of the AGV. Alternatively or additionally, the robotic arm is able to move relative to the gantry. By holding more than one storage container, the AGV facilitates automatic batch picking or placing of items. The gantry increases the degrees of freedom of movement of the robotic arm.

A mirror replacement device includes a gripping mechanism to grip a segment mirror, a fine drive mechanism to change a position and a posture of the gripping mechanism, a lift mechanism for the segment mirror, a first detector to detect a relative position and a relative posture between a comparison object and a target object, a second detector to detect a bend of the fine drive mechanism, and a mirror replacement controller to replace the segment mirror based on detection signals output from the above-mentioned detectors. The controller determines whether the first detector can successfully perform a measurement. When it is determined that the measurement can be successfully performed, the control is performed based on the detection signal output from the first detector. When it is determined that the measurement cannot be successfully performed, the control is performed based on the detection signal output from the second detector.

A robot includes: a base; a first arm provided on the base rotatably about a first rotation axis; and a second arm provided on the first arm rotatably about a second rotation axis that is a different axial direction from an axial direction of the first rotation axis. The first arm and the second arm can overlap with each other, as viewed from the axial direction of the second rotation axis. The first arm is bent.

A robot includes a robot arm having an nth (n is an integer equal to or more than one) arm and an (n+1)th arm, the nth arm is rotatable about an nth rotation shaft, the (n+1)th arm is provided on the nth arm rotatably about an (n+1)th rotation shaft in a shaft direction different from a shaft direction of the nth rotation shaft, and, while a distal end of the robot arm is moved from a first point to a second point, a first operation such that the nth arm and the (n+1)th arm overlap as seen from the shaft direction of the (n+1)th rotation shaft and a second operation of rotating the nth arm are performed.

This system has an articulated robot having an arm and a base portion which rotatably supports the arm; and a rotation positioner to which the base portion of the articulated robot is mounted. A turn axis of the base portion of the articulated robot is orthogonal to a rotation axis of the rotation positioner. Thus, interference of a workpiece with the arm can be avoided and flexibility of works performed by the robot can be expanded.

A robot includes a first arm, a second arm, and a connector that connects the first arm and the second arm to each other in such a manner as to be rotatable around a vertical axis. The connector includes a columnar-shaped columnar section extending along the vertical axis and a first cover section extending from an outer peripheral surface of the columnar section in a direction intersecting the vertical axis. The second arm includes a main body section connected to the columnar section and a second cover section attached to the first cover section to surround a space in an enclosed state. The space is faced by at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface and a surface of the main body section located toward the first arm.

The invention relates to a robot cell (1) provided for use on machine tools and/or assembly machines. The robot cell (1) includes a handling device, e.g. an industrial robot (2). By means of the robot cell (1), a workpiece (4) to be processed on the machine tool or the assembly machine can be removed from an incoming transport container, pre-processed, orientated, inserted into the machine tool or assembly machine, removed from the machine tool or the assembly machine, measured and placed or stacked in an outgoing transport container. The robot cell (1) can be used on different machine tools or assembly machines. In order to facilitate operation of a robot cell (1) of this kind, the robot cell (1) can be used on the machine tool or the assembly machine without being linked or connected to the machine tool or the assembly machine, the robot cell (1) has an optics device (5), by means of which, in conjunction with reference markings on the machine tool or assembly machine, the robot cell (1) can be positioned in its operating position on the machine tool or the assembly machine, wherein by means of a control apparatus (6) and the handling device connected thereto or the industrial robot (2) connected thereto of the robot cell (1), operating elements on the machine tool or assembly machine can be contacted, operated and controlled.