Described herein is a multi-axial industrial robot, in particular of a SCARA type, where the base structure designed to enable installation of the robot on an external supporting structure, can be mounted according to two opposite orientations, where one orientation is upside down with respect to the other, while at the same time the operating head of the robot may instead maintain one and the same orientation.

A robot that includes a base that is provided with a flat installation surface member that is disposed on an installation target surface and a columnar member that extends upward from the installation surface member; and a first arm, one end of which is supported so as to be rotatable about a first horizontal axis located above the columnar member of the base and that has a motion range below the first horizontal axis. The columnar member has a length that is equal to or longer than the length of the first arm and has a uniform transverse sectional area that is the same as the first arm.

A robot includes a mobile base, a turntable rotatably coupled to the mobile base, a robotic arm operatively coupled to the turntable, and at least one directional sensor. An orientation of the at least one directional sensor is independently controllable. A method of controlling a robotic arm includes controlling a state of a mobile base and controlling a state of a robotic arm coupled to the mobile base, based, at least in part, on the state of the mobile base.

A perception mast for mobile robot is provided. The mobile robot comprises a mobile base, a turntable operatively coupled to the mobile base, the turntable configured to rotate about a first axis, an arm operatively coupled to a first location on the turntable, and the perception mast operatively coupled to a second location on the turntable, the perception mast configured to rotate about a second axis parallel to the first axis, wherein the perception mast includes disposed thereon, a first perception module and a second perception module arranged between the first imaging module and the turntable.

A substrate transport empiric arm droop mapping apparatus for a substrate transport system of a processing tool, the mapping apparatus including a frame, an interface disposed on the frame forming datum features representative of a substrate transport space in the processing tool defined by the substrate transport system, a substrate transport arm, that is articulated and has a substrate holder, mounted to the frame in a predetermined relation to at least one of the datum features, and a registration system disposed with respect to the substrate transport arm and at least one datum feature so that the registration system registers, in an arm droop distance register, empiric arm droop distance, due to arm droop changes, between a first arm position and a second arm position different than the first arm position and in which the substrate holder is moved in the transport space along at least one axis of motion.

Robot arms and methods of controlling robot arms. In an example, a hand control is located on a robot arm and provides translation and/or rotation control of actuators that may for example rotate in unison. In another example, a hand control on a robot arm is also provided at an end effector, which may control actuators in the robot arm for example by having the actuators rotate together or oppositely in unison. In a further example, a hand control situated on a robot arm between actuators controls upstream and downstream actuators with different control strategies. In a master slave example, actuators in a master robot control actuators in a slave robot, and the actuators may be provided at an angle and be arranged to hold position in normal operation when unpowered. Nonbackdrivability is also provided by providing sufficient friction between stator and rotor in actuators of a robot arm. In a Scara robot, a fixed part of a base is secured to a floor, while a moving end is supported by a bearing element.

A system for conveying an industrial robot includes: a control module, at least one automatic guided vehicle, and at least one electromagnetic base. An industrial robot is installed each electromagnetic base, which may attract a metallic plate fixed to the ground, thereby fixing the industrial robot installed on the electromagnetic base. An electromagnetic base is configured to, according to a first control instruction sent by the control module, stop attracting the metallic plate so that the industrial robot is movable. An automatic guided vehicle is configured to, according to a second control instruction sent by the control module, convey, to a target position, the industrial robot installed on the electromagnetic base that has stopped attracting the metallic plate. Finally, an electromagnetic base is further configured to, according to a third control instruction sent by the control module, attract the metallic plate fixed to the ground in the target position.

A substrate transport empiric arm droop mapping apparatus for a substrate transport system of a processing tool, the mapping apparatus including a frame, an interface disposed on the frame forming datum features representative of a substrate transport space in the processing tool defined by the substrate transport system, a substrate transport arm, that is articulated and has a substrate holder, mounted to the frame in a predetermined relation to at least one of the datum features, and a registration system disposed with respect to the substrate transport arm and at least one datum feature so that the registration system registers, in an arm droop distance register, empiric arm droop distance, due to arm droop changes, between a first arm position and a second arm position different than the first arm position and in which the substrate holder is moved in the transport space along at least one axis of motion.

An extensible mast allows a payload to be supported at a distance from a supporting device. The payload may be connected via a cable to one or more components in the supporting device. A cable rotation apparatus allows a cable to rotate during dispensation of the cable, such as during extension or retraction of the extensible mast, while minimizing strain on the cable. The apparatus comprises a stationary spool, a furling core, and a rotating spool. A beveled gear on each of the spools engages a pair of beveled gears in the furling core. As the rotating spool rotates with respect to the stationary spool, the furling core rotates at one-half the speed and the cable is dispensed from an opening in the rotating spool. The furling core incorporates a guide wheel that maintains an orderly transfer of the cable from one spool to another.

Systems and methods for mounting a robotic arm for use in robotic-assisted surgery, including a mobile shuttle that includes a support member for mounting the robotic arm that extends at least partially over a gantry of an imaging device. Further embodiments include a mounting apparatus for mounting a robotic arm to a base or support column of an imaging device, to a patient table, to a floor or ceiling of a room, or to a cart that extends over the top surface of the patient table.