An automated fiber optic patch-panel/cross-connect system comprised of a stacked arrangement of multiple replaceable modules, including a first multiplicity of fiber modules, each with a second multiplicity of reconfigurable internal fiber connectors; a common robot module shared among fiber modules, wherein any connector within a fiber module in the system can be moved to any other connector of any other fiber module in the system; a power management module that distributes electrical power to the fiber modules and the robot module; and a server module that generates commands that are placed on communication bus to activate robot and fiber modules. The modules are physically separated and spatially arranged to be serviced replaced without interrupting fiber connections previously established in the system.

An object processing system within a trailer for a tracker trailer is disclosed. The object processing system includes an input area of the trailer at which objects to be processed may be presented, a perception system for providing perception data regarding objects to be processed, and a primary transport system for providing transport of each object in one of at least two primary transport directions within the trailer based on the perception data.

An object processing system within a trailer for a tracker trailer is discloses. The object processing system includes an input area of the trailer at which objects to be processed may be presented, a perception system for providing perception data regarding objects to be processed, and a primary transport system for providing transport of each object in one of at least two primary transport directions within the trailer based on the perception data.

A robot includes an ingredient mold configured to cool food ingredients into solid ingredients; a storage container spaced from the ingredient mold and having a storage space configured to store the solid ingredients; a cooling chamber formed therein with a cooling space in which the storage container is accommodated; a cooler configured to cool the cooling space; and a guide configured to guide the solid ingredients dropped from the ingredient mold to the storage space.

Robotic automation and methods described herein can be used to enhance the efficiencies of freight shipping processes. For example, this document describes the use of automated systems and methods for densely loading cargo into freight carriers (e.g., semi-trailers) in an efficient manner. Some such systems can include one or more movable robots that can travel along an open side or open top of a semi-trailer to autonomously load parcels into the trailer in a densely packed manner. The disclosed systems and methods allow for the reduction or elimination of manual labor for loading shipping trailers in a very dense manner.

An object processing system within a trailer for a tractor trailer is disclosed. The object processing system includes an input area of the trailer at which objects to be processed may be presented, a perception system for providing perception data regarding objects to be processed, and a primary transport system for providing transport of each object in one of at least two primary transport directions within the trailer based on the perception data.

In a suspended industrial robot, a base and a swivel section have an internal space into which a cable can be inserted. The base has an insertion opening through which at least the cable can be passed into the internal space from the outside. A first cable holding part that holds the cable is installed on at least one of a first arm and a second arm. The cable passes through the internal space of the base and the swivel section and is routed up to an end effector with a midway portion of the cable being held by the first cable holding part.

A robot arm includes a distal end unit having a gripping part and a first supporting part that supports the gripping part, a first drive unit that, with an axis along a direction in which the gripping part and the first supporting part are arranged as a first axis, pivots the gripping part about a first pivot axis along the first axis relative to the first supporting part, a second supporting part that supports the first supporting part, and a second drive unit that, with an axis orthogonal to the first axis as a second axis, pivots the distal end unit about a second pivot axis along the second axis relative to the second supporting part, wherein the first drive unit includes a piezoelectric motor, and the second pivot axis crosses the distal end unit.

A system for providing medication to a customer includes a movable structure with a robotic arm including one or more joints, actuators, and segments, each of which is structured to move a robotic manipulator coupled to an end of the robotic arm. The robotic manipulator is configured to retrieve and release a container containing the medication. The robotic arm further includes a camera and microphone, as well as a computing system that includes at least one processor coupled to a memory storing instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the memory causes the computing system to capture identifying data regarding a customer; identify the customer based on the identifying data; associate the customer with a medication order; and retrieve.

A work device is configured to perform a work with use of an end effector and have six degrees of freedom. The work device including: a linear motion unit obtained by combining three linear motion actuators, to have three degrees of freedom; and a rotation unit obtained by combining a plurality of rotation mechanisms each having one or more degrees of rotational freedom, to have three degrees of freedom. A base portion of the linear motion unit is fixed to a mount. A base portion of the rotation unit is fixed to an output portion of the linear motion unit. The end effector is mounted to an output portion of the rotation unit.